Citroën e-C4

The most significant known issue across all Stellantis e-CMP electric vehicles, including the e-C4. The Mahle-manufactured 11 kW onboard charger can fail completely, preventing any AC (Type 2) charging. The car can only DC fast charge until the OBC is replaced. Symptoms often start with inconsistent charging speeds, dropping from 11 kW to 7-8 kW unexpectedly. The replacement unit costs approximately €2,200, but with labor and dealer coding the total can reach €3,800. Salvage parts cannot be used because the OBC must be dealer-coded to each individual vehicle. Stellantis extended OBC warranty to 4 years from April 2021, applying retroactively. Cars built 2020-2022 with the original Mahle unit are most at risk. Later production vehicles use a VMAX-manufactured charger that appears significantly more reliable. Always test AC charging before purchase.

Citroën recalled 8,726 e-C4s and e-Berlingos manufactured in 2022 due to faulty configuration of the battery control unit. The software incorrectly detects cell voltage or battery temperature, triggering the emergency shutdown system and causing a complete loss of traction while driving. The fix is a software update performed at the dealer at no cost. Verify with the VIN that this recall has been completed, especially on 2022 production vehicles. If the update has not been applied, the car should not be driven until it is.

EVs are known to be demanding on 12V batteries because the charging system lacks the constant output of an alternator. The e-C4 draws a parasitic current even when off, and connected apps (MyCitroën) polling the car can accelerate drain. Some owners report the 12V battery dying within 5-7 days of inactivity, triggering random warning lights, failure to unlock, or inability to start. The replacement AGM battery costs €150-250 plus €50-100 for dealer fitting and coding (Stellantis requires dealer re-pairing of key fobs after 12V replacement). Expect to replace the 12V battery every 3-4 years. A trickle charger or regular driving prevents the issue.

Because the e-C4's regenerative braking handles most deceleration through the front electric motor, the rear brake discs are used very infrequently. This causes surface corrosion to build up rather than being cleaned off by friction. In humid climates, the corrosion can become severe enough within 2-3 years that brake pad material delaminates from the backing plate. Some owners have needed rear disc and pad replacement well before the typical mileage interval. The fix costs €250-500 for rear discs and pads. Regular deliberate use of the friction brakes (especially before and after long parking periods) helps prevent this.

The pre-facelift infotainment system (2020-2023 models) is known for being slow and occasionally freezing or rebooting mid-drive. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connections can drop out unexpectedly. In one documented long-term test, all interior screens went black during a motorway drive, leaving the driver without a speedometer for 40 miles until the system reset itself. A fuse pull and reinsertion usually resolves software glitches. The 2024 facelift introduced an improved infotainment system. Replacement of the head unit at an independent specialist costs around €200-300 if needed, though most issues are resolved with software updates or resets.

All e-C4 models include a heat pump for cabin heating, but early production cars (before October 2021) had a less effective heat pump design that Citroën subsequently revised. In cold weather (below 5 degrees Celsius), the car relies more heavily on the resistive PTC heater, which draws significant energy and can reduce range to around 180 km from a full charge. In Eco mode at very low temperatures, some owners report the heater barely works at all. This is a design characteristic rather than a defect, but a heat pump component failure would cost €800-1,500 to repair. Post-October 2021 cars have improved cold-weather performance.