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Citroën C4 Cactus I faults

6 faults documented by at least two sources, listed by version then by mileage at onset when known.

Extra caution
Reliability
2.0/5

6 known faults

PureTech 82

  1. Degraded 'wet' timing belt (1.2 PureTech)

    Severity 3/3 · Serious

    On the 1.2 PureTech, the timing belt runs in oil and can break down. Its debris clogs the oil strainer, which causes oil pressure to drop and can destroy the engine. Stellantis extended the belt warranty to 10 years or 175,000 km, subject to servicing conditions, and introduced a new-generation belt in June 2022.

    Versions
    PureTech 82, PureTech 110, PureTech 110 EAT6, PureTech 130
    Onset
    not documented
    Repair
    not documented

  2. Oil consumption (1.2 PureTech)

    Severity 2/3 · Costly

    Beyond belt wear, the 1.2 PureTech is known for high oil consumption, which can lead to engine damage if the level is not monitored. According to Caradisiac, engines built from 2023 onward are no longer affected.

    Versions
    PureTech 82, PureTech 110, PureTech 110 EAT6, PureTech 130
    Onset
    not documented
    Repair
    not documented

PureTech 110

  1. Degraded 'wet' timing belt (1.2 PureTech)

    Severity 3/3 · Serious

    On the 1.2 PureTech, the timing belt runs in oil and can break down. Its debris clogs the oil strainer, which causes oil pressure to drop and can destroy the engine. Stellantis extended the belt warranty to 10 years or 175,000 km, subject to servicing conditions, and introduced a new-generation belt in June 2022.

    Versions
    PureTech 82, PureTech 110, PureTech 110 EAT6, PureTech 130
    Onset
    not documented
    Repair
    not documented

  2. Oil consumption (1.2 PureTech)

    Severity 2/3 · Costly

    Beyond belt wear, the 1.2 PureTech is known for high oil consumption, which can lead to engine damage if the level is not monitored. According to Caradisiac, engines built from 2023 onward are no longer affected.

    Versions
    PureTech 82, PureTech 110, PureTech 110 EAT6, PureTech 130
    Onset
    not documented
    Repair
    not documented

  3. Defective brake servo vacuum pump: reduced braking assistance (1.2 PureTech turbo)

    Manufacturer recall

    On the 1.2 PureTech turbo, the vacuum pump that supplies the brake servo can deteriorate, reducing or removing braking assistance. A first recall (Citroën code HFC) covers engines built from March 2013 to April 2017: the pump can be damaged by abrasion from the timing belt, whose debris contaminates the oil. A second recall (codes HLX and HUZ) covers C4 Cactus cars built between 7 February 2017 and 13 November 2019, for insufficient lubrication of the pump.

    Fixed free of charge by a dealer and not counted in the reliability score: ask for proof the work was done (invoice, or a VIN check at a dealer).

    Versions
    PureTech 110, PureTech 110 EAT6, PureTech 130
    Onset
    not documented
    Repair
    not documented

PureTech 110 EAT6

  1. Degraded 'wet' timing belt (1.2 PureTech)

    Severity 3/3 · Serious

    On the 1.2 PureTech, the timing belt runs in oil and can break down. Its debris clogs the oil strainer, which causes oil pressure to drop and can destroy the engine. Stellantis extended the belt warranty to 10 years or 175,000 km, subject to servicing conditions, and introduced a new-generation belt in June 2022.

    Versions
    PureTech 82, PureTech 110, PureTech 110 EAT6, PureTech 130
    Onset
    not documented
    Repair
    not documented

  2. Oil consumption (1.2 PureTech)

    Severity 2/3 · Costly

    Beyond belt wear, the 1.2 PureTech is known for high oil consumption, which can lead to engine damage if the level is not monitored. According to Caradisiac, engines built from 2023 onward are no longer affected.

    Versions
    PureTech 82, PureTech 110, PureTech 110 EAT6, PureTech 130
    Onset
    not documented
    Repair
    not documented

  3. Defective brake servo vacuum pump: reduced braking assistance (1.2 PureTech turbo)

    Manufacturer recall

    On the 1.2 PureTech turbo, the vacuum pump that supplies the brake servo can deteriorate, reducing or removing braking assistance. A first recall (Citroën code HFC) covers engines built from March 2013 to April 2017: the pump can be damaged by abrasion from the timing belt, whose debris contaminates the oil. A second recall (codes HLX and HUZ) covers C4 Cactus cars built between 7 February 2017 and 13 November 2019, for insufficient lubrication of the pump.

    Fixed free of charge by a dealer and not counted in the reliability score: ask for proof the work was done (invoice, or a VIN check at a dealer).

    Versions
    PureTech 110, PureTech 110 EAT6, PureTech 130
    Onset
    not documented
    Repair
    not documented

PureTech 130

  1. Degraded 'wet' timing belt (1.2 PureTech)

    Severity 3/3 · Serious

    On the 1.2 PureTech, the timing belt runs in oil and can break down. Its debris clogs the oil strainer, which causes oil pressure to drop and can destroy the engine. Stellantis extended the belt warranty to 10 years or 175,000 km, subject to servicing conditions, and introduced a new-generation belt in June 2022.

    Versions
    PureTech 82, PureTech 110, PureTech 110 EAT6, PureTech 130
    Onset
    not documented
    Repair
    not documented

  2. Oil consumption (1.2 PureTech)

    Severity 2/3 · Costly

    Beyond belt wear, the 1.2 PureTech is known for high oil consumption, which can lead to engine damage if the level is not monitored. According to Caradisiac, engines built from 2023 onward are no longer affected.

    Versions
    PureTech 82, PureTech 110, PureTech 110 EAT6, PureTech 130
    Onset
    not documented
    Repair
    not documented

  3. Defective brake servo vacuum pump: reduced braking assistance (1.2 PureTech turbo)

    Manufacturer recall

    On the 1.2 PureTech turbo, the vacuum pump that supplies the brake servo can deteriorate, reducing or removing braking assistance. A first recall (Citroën code HFC) covers engines built from March 2013 to April 2017: the pump can be damaged by abrasion from the timing belt, whose debris contaminates the oil. A second recall (codes HLX and HUZ) covers C4 Cactus cars built between 7 February 2017 and 13 November 2019, for insufficient lubrication of the pump.

    Fixed free of charge by a dealer and not counted in the reliability score: ask for proof the work was done (invoice, or a VIN check at a dealer).

    Versions
    PureTech 110, PureTech 110 EAT6, PureTech 130
    Onset
    not documented
    Repair
    not documented

e-HDi 92 ETG6

  1. Jerking and faults in the ETG6 automated-manual gearbox

    Severity 1/3 · Annoying

    The ETG6 is an automated-manual gearbox, criticised for its jerking and slowness. C4 Cactus e-HDi 92 ETG6 owners report abrupt downshifts and, in one case, a dull noise and a gear-change offset that reprogramming did not correct.

    Versions
    e-HDi 92 ETG6
    Onset
    not documented
    Repair
    not documented

BlueHDi 100 (1.6)

  1. Faulty AdBlue tank (1.6 BlueHDi)

    Severity 2/3 · Costly

    On the 1.6 BlueHDi 100, the AdBlue system can fail (tank, injector or level sensor). A warning light announces that starting will be blocked after a certain mileage, and the tank must be replaced. C4 Cactus owners report bills of around 1,000 to 1,350 €, partly covered by Citroën.

    Versions
    BlueHDi 100 (1.6)
    Onset
    not documented
    Repair
    €1,000 to €1,354

BlueHDi 100 (1.5)

  1. Premature wear of the timing chain (1.5 BlueHDi)

    Severity 3/3 · Serious

    On the 1.5 BlueHDi (DV5), the 7 mm camshaft chain can lose strength because of oil carbonisation and high contact pressure, then break, causing the engine to stop; the wear may show up as an unusual engine noise. C4 Cactus cars with the 1.5 BlueHDi built between 12 December 2017 and 6 October 2020 are subject to a recall.

    Versions
    BlueHDi 100 (1.5), BlueHDi 120 EAT6
    Onset
    not documented
    Repair
    not documented

BlueHDi 120 EAT6

  1. Premature wear of the timing chain (1.5 BlueHDi)

    Severity 3/3 · Serious

    On the 1.5 BlueHDi (DV5), the 7 mm camshaft chain can lose strength because of oil carbonisation and high contact pressure, then break, causing the engine to stop; the wear may show up as an unusual engine noise. C4 Cactus cars with the 1.5 BlueHDi built between 12 December 2017 and 6 October 2020 are subject to a recall.

    Versions
    BlueHDi 100 (1.5), BlueHDi 120 EAT6
    Onset
    not documented
    Repair
    not documented

Price and diagnose repairs

Read fault codes

An OBD scanner plugged in under the steering wheel shows stored fault codes, even with warning lights off: useful during the test drive.

Parts and maintenance

Compare prices of parts for the Citroën C4 Cactus I (timing, brakes, filters) to estimate the repairs to plan for.

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