Used Citroën C5 Aircross 2019-present reliability
Category: Large SUV
The Citroën C5 Aircross is not the best to drive but it delivers comfort in spades and is a good used buy, too.
What should I look for in a used Citroën C5 AIRCROSS hatchback?
Most used examples of the C5 Aircross will have been well-cared-for cars and should therefore still look and feel like new. Even so, do all the usual checks for damaged alloy wheels, dents and scratches.
The interior feels reasonably well made, but some scratchy plastics could show some signs of wear and tear, so be on the lookout for any damage.
What are the most common problems with a used Citroën C5 AIRCROSS hatchback?
The C5 Aircross has been subject to a number of recalls. Check that all remedial work has been done by a dealer.
The vehicles may be affected by a defect in the urea injector which might block and lead to NOx emissions going out of the regulatory limits.
The engine management software calibration could be incorrect causing engine stall.
The welding of some components to the towbar assembly may not meet specification.
The welding of the individual components of the towbar might not meet the correct specification.
Some trailer tow ball fixing bolts may be damaged.
Is a used Citroën C5 AIRCROSS hatchback reliable?
The C5 Aircross came in 18th place out of 24 cars in the large SUV class in our most recent 2024 What Car? Reliability Survey. It achieved a reasonable overall score of 90.7%. It finished above the Audi Q5 and the Ford Kuga but below the BMW X3 and the Volvo XC60.
Check out the full list of large SUVs from our 2023 reliability survey here.
However, Citroën as a brand did better than it has in previous years, ranking 14th out of 32 manufacturers, with an overall score of 92.3%. That placed it above Audi and BMW but below Lexus and Volvo.
Check out the full list of brands from our 2023 survey here.
It should be noted, though, that we experienced a few electrical gremlins and had some issues with broken interior trim when running an example during a Citroen C5 Aircross long-term test.
Used Citroën C5 Aircross reliability: the owners' view
As part of our annual Reliability Survey, What Car? readers said that the Citroën C5 Aircross was rather mixed in terms of reliability.
Several owners reported frequent electrical issues, with dashboard warning lights being a recurring complaint. One reader mentioned that their infotainment system failed multiple times, requiring a costly repair outside of warranty.
However, others praised the model’s mechanical reliability, stating that their cars have run without major issues. On the diesel side, there were some isolated reports of DPF (diesel particulate filter) problems, but these were not widespread.
When it came to dealership support, experiences were varied. Some customers found their local Citroën dealers accommodating, particularly when dealing with warranty claims. However, others felt the service was subpar, with long wait times for repairs and issues with communication being highlighted as frustrations for owners.
To read more from our Reliability Survey in detail, check out the full results here.
