As we regularly inform you in Auto Plus magazine, the French brands of the Stellantis group suffer from several reliability problems. Citroën and Peugeot are not spared, and neither is the DS, as the French premium manufacturer shares many bodies with the two manufacturers mentioned above.

Thus, we have addressed a variety of reliability issues in DS, including listing the most problematic moments.

AdBlue tank

Over the course of a decade, HDi engines became BlueHDi, integrating a comprehensive NOx treatment system that relies heavily on the use of AdBlue. This fluid is stored in a tank next to the fuel tank and is regularly injected into the engine’s pollution control system. However, over time, problems arose.

One of the main problems is the ventilation of the AdBlue tank, which can become clogged with liquid deposits. AdBlue has a nasty tendency to crystallize on contact with air when the tank is filled to the point of explosion. This crystallization, reducing the passage of air, causes deformation of the tank during the use of the liquid.

Another weak point is the injector, which is responsible for the distribution of AdBlue in the engine. It is often prone to breakdowns, especially in vehicles that mainly make short trips or are driven lightly. This injector failure can lead to performance problems and excessive NOx emissions.

Finally, the AdBlue sensor can also fail, causing errors in the engine management system and warning lights on the instrument panel.

These problems are not limited to one engine model, but their frequency seems to vary by volume. The 1.6L and 2.0L engines have a higher failure rate than the new 1.5L models.

The cost of fixing these problems can vary greatly. In many cases, it is necessary to replace the entire AdBlue tank, which can cost around 1,500 euros. However, in case of damage to the injector, which is located outside the tank, the cost is usually lower and ranges from 300 to 400 euros.

There are clear rules for solving these problems by the manufacturer. If your car is less than five years old or has less than 80,000 km on the clock, you have the right to demand full coverage of the repair costs from the manufacturer. Even at 130,000 km, the manufacturer still has to contribute by paying 50% of the bill.

Alternator, water pump, oil consumption and timing chain

These issues will affect older DSs, namely the DS 3 and DS 4, which are equipped with either the 1.4-litre or 1.6-litre VTi engine. The problems faced by engines equipped with replacement alternators and water pumps are real. As soon as you reach the 50,000 km mark, these components begin to show signs of fatigue, indicating possible problems.

In addition, it is very important to monitor oil consumption, as it can reach 0.5 liters for every 1,000 kilometers traveled, mainly due to segmentation wear, a problem that manifests itself after 80,000 kilometers.

But that’s not all. Another major problem lies in the distribution chain. The latter is subject to harmful displacement caused by the tension roller, which increases the backlash over time. And this can lead to engine failure.

In the official network, you will have to spend about 700 euros to replace the generator or water pump. If you choose to have the repair done outside the dealership, the cost can be reduced to around €500. However, if you have to redo the segmentation, be prepared to pay at least 1000 euros. This amount is roughly equivalent to the amount you will need to invest in replacing the timing chain.

As for solving these problems, it should be noted that the vehicles equipped with these engines are currently considered too old, as they are all more than eight years old. In this regard, he is unlikely to receive financial assistance. However, it will not cost you anything to send an inquiry to the brand’s customer relations department to express your concerns and find possible solutions.

Multimedia system

Tablets suffer from various problems, ranging from a simple error to a complete lock that requires the device to be replaced. If an error is detected, do a reset or update at the dealership (€100-€150).

If the system needs to be replaced, the bill will increase (from 800 to 1,500 euros). As for support, it should last up to five years or 80,000 km, including renewal. They ask for 50% on a model with a mileage of 120,000.

electronic

The DS also suffers from some electronic bugs. They are characterized by an unjustified lighting of a signal lamp on the instrument panel or non-functioning of the driver’s aids. Unfortunately these are fixed with an update at the dealership.

Depending on the cost of labor at your dealership, the bill will range from €100 to €150. Our experts’ Auto Plus scale recommends full coverage after five years or 80,000km and 50% after eight years or 130,000km.

Automatic box

As far as automatic transmissions go, the EAT6 transmission has experienced some issues and many owners have fallen victim to stuck gears. A workshop intervention may be sufficient to resolve this problem, but in some cases the transmission will need to be replaced.

This Japanese box was used by the DS between 2014 and 2018 before being gradually replaced by the EAT8. To date, no new DS model is equipped with it. Electronic unlocking requires one to two hours of labor and no parts.

Changing the box, on the contrary, is much more expensive (2,500-3,500 euros). With the exception of a car less than five years old, striving for 100% coverage of the account is unrealistic. From five to eight years and less than 50,000 km demand is 80%. And 50% in the same age group with a mileage of 120,000 km.

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