Citroen Grand C4 Picasso common problems & fixes (Mk1 2006–2013, Mk2 2013–2018, Grand C4 SpaceTourer 2018–2022)

Written by the C4R team from DVSA data and owner reports. Fact-checked 2026-10-14.

30-second verdict

The Citroen Grand C4 Picasso is a roomy, good-value seven-seat MPV, but check its recall work, warning lights and which gearbox it has before you buy one. It suits families who want three Isofix seats in the middle row, excellent visibility and low running costs more than a sporty drive. The faults that matter most are the oil-bathed timing belt in the 1.2 PureTech petrol, camshaft-chain wear on the 1.5 BlueHDi diesel, AdBlue and electrical warnings, and the jerky EGS and ETG6 automated manuals. The safest pick is a 2016–2018 Mk2 with the 1.6 BlueHDi 120 or 2.0 BlueHDi 150 and a manual or EAT6 automatic, or a Grand C4 SpaceTourer with its recalls closed, backed by a full service record.

Generations at a glance

Adverts and logbooks use several versions of the name, including C4 Grand Picasso, Grand C4 Picasso, C4 Grand SpaceTourer and Grand C4 SpaceTourer. The five-seat C4 Picasso shares most of the engines and many of the recalls below.

Known issues

1. 1.2 PureTech wet timing belt breaking down

Label: Confirmed recall R/2020/327 (also R/2023/036 and R/2023/046)

• What you notice: often nothing until damage is done. The recall records say belt debris can upset the brake vacuum pump, so treat a brake pedal that suddenly needs a harder push as a warning sign. The recall software is designed to warn the driver sooner when brake assistance falls.
• Which cars: Mk2 Grand C4 Picasso and Grand C4 SpaceTourer models with the 1.2 PureTech 130 petrol. DVSA build windows for C4 Picasso-family cars are 20/03/2013–01/04/2017 (R/2020/327), 03/04/2017–11/12/2020 (R/2023/036) and 02/03/2017–31/03/2017 (R/2023/046). The recall records do not name the engine, so ask a Citroen dealer to check the VIN.
• Why: this engine's timing belt runs in the engine oil. As it ages, especially if the oil is old, it sheds material that circulates in the oil, can clog parts of the engine and can reach the brake vacuum pump.
• Fix: the recall work depends on the campaign. Under R/2020/327 a dealer updates the detection software and inspects the belt and vacuum pump, replacing them if needed; R/2023/036 is a software update so the car warns earlier when brake assistance drops. Outside the recall this is a specialist job. Stellantis previously extended cover on earlier 1.0 and 1.2 PureTech engines to up to 10 years or 112,000 miles, subject to conditions, and opened a UK claims portal for wet-belt repair costs incurred between 1 January 2022 and 31 December 2024.
• DIY difficulty: 5/5
• Check when buying: ask for itemised invoices showing regular oil changes with the specified oil, and any belt inspection or replacement. Get the recall status from a Citroen dealer and ask whether any extended cover still applies to that VIN. On the test drive, make sure the brake pedal feels firm and consistent and no warnings appear.
• Evidence: DVSA recall records describe belt material affecting the brake vacuum pump on C4 Picasso builds from 2013 to 2020. Parkers lists the 2013–2018 C4 Picasso among the PureTech cars that may be affected, explains how belt debris clogs engine parts and reports the cover and claims scheme. Autocar's used guide names the vacuum-pump recall among the serious ones to check.

2. 1.5 BlueHDi camshaft chain wear (2018–2022)

Label: Confirmed recall R/2025/247

• What you notice: unusual engine noise, warning lights or poor running. In the worst case the chain breaks, which can cause serious engine damage.
• Which cars: Grand C4 SpaceTourers with the 1.5 BlueHDi 130 diesel. Parkers says the problem covers 1.5 BlueHDi engines built from October 2017 to January 2023. The DVSA file lists R/2025/247 under Citroen "C4" (built 25/01/2018–27/06/2022) and "SPACETOURER" (built 06/12/2017–09/05/2022) rather than naming the Grand C4 SpaceTourer, so check the VIN with a dealer.
• Why: the chain that drives the camshafts can wear faster than it should.
• Fix: the recall remedy is a software update to raise oil pressure and reduce wear, then a noise check. The chain is replaced if needed; otherwise the oil is changed to a thicker grade with anti-wear additives. Parkers reports that Stellantis offers cover for camshaft-chain problems for up to 10 years or 150,000 miles, and that repairs paid for between 1 January 2023 and 30 June 2025 may be refunded.
• DIY difficulty: 5/5
• Check when buying: listen to a cold start and to the engine at idle for rattles. Ask for the recall paperwork and for service invoices showing the correct oil. Keep any repair receipts if you buy.
• Evidence: DVSA recall R/2025/247; Parkers' report on the 1.5 BlueHDi camshaft-chain campaign. What Car? and Autocar confirm that the Grand C4 SpaceTourer was sold with this engine.

3. Jerky or failing EGS and ETG6 automated manuals

Label: Reported by owners and independent specialists

• What you notice: slow, jerky changes, gears that do not engage cleanly, or the gearbox dropping into neutral as you slow to a stop in automatic mode. Repairs have ranged from a software update to a new clutch.
• Which cars: Mk1 cars with the EGS gearbox, which was standard on higher-spec diesels and the only gearbox for the 2.0 petrol, and Mk2 1.6 e-HDi 90 and 115 cars with the ETG6, which was dropped after 2015. The EAT6 and EAT8 are conventional torque-converter automatics, a different design that is not part of this problem.
• Why: both are manual gearboxes with an automated clutch and gear change rather than true automatics. They only change smoothly if you ease off the accelerator for each shift, and the clutch can still wear out.
• Fix: have a specialist diagnose the gearbox before buying parts. Depending on the fault, the work ranges from a software update to a full clutch replacement.
• DIY difficulty: 4/5
• Check when buying: drive from cold, in traffic, on a hill and in reverse. Walk away from harsh judder, refusal to select a gear or a gearbox warning. On an EAT6 automatic, make sure every change is smooth.
• Evidence: What Car? reports EGS complaints ranging from software updates to full clutch replacements, and lists a jerky optional automatic as a Mk2 drawback. Auto Express and Carbuyer both advise avoiding the Mk1 EGS. The RAC warns about false neutrals on the Mk1 EGS and calls the Mk2 ETG6 jerky until you adapt your driving. Autocar rates the ETG6 as acceptable but says the later EAT8 is better than the EAT6.

4. AdBlue and emissions-system warnings (BlueHDi diesels)

Label: Reported by owners and independent specialists (related recalls R/2020/244 and R/2025/346)

• What you notice: AdBlue or emissions warning messages, an engine management light, or warnings that come back after a repair.
• Which cars: Euro 6 BlueHDi diesels in the Mk2 and the Grand C4 SpaceTourer. DVSA lists C4 SpaceTourers built 01/10/2019–17/03/2020 under R/2020/244 and C4 Picasso builds from 12/12/2017–28/11/2020 under R/2025/346.
• Why: these engines inject AdBlue, a urea solution, into the exhaust to cut NOx emissions. R/2020/244 says the AdBlue injector can gradually block. R/2025/346 says the on-board diagnostics may fail to light the warning lamp when the AdBlue or particulate-filter system has a fault.
• Fix: the recall work is a free software update. Otherwise the system needs proper diagnosis with Citroen-compatible equipment before parts are replaced. Fixes range from software to replacing AdBlue components.
• DIY difficulty: 4/5
• Check when buying: check the AdBlue level and make sure no warning stays on after start-up. Have stored fault codes read and ask for proof of the recall updates. Walk away from any car with signs of emissions-system tampering.
• Evidence: Autocar's used guide tells buyers to check the AdBlue level and warning lights on diesels. What Car?'s owner survey for the Grand C4 SpaceTourer reports unexpected warning lights, often linked to electrical or emissions systems, that sometimes return after repair. DVSA records R/2020/244 and R/2025/346 confirm the two recalls.

5. Electrical faults, warning lights and air-con

Label: Reported by owners and independent specialists

• What you notice: dashboard warning lights that come and go, air-con faults, central-locking or infotainment glitches, starting problems, an engine management light that keeps returning, squeaky electric windows and display faults. On the Mk1, features such as the fuel filler flap release can stop working.
• Which cars: all three generations. On the Mk1, many functions run through a central control unit; the Mk2 and SpaceTourer add large screens and more electronics.
• Why: these cars brought a lot of electronic equipment to a mainstream MPV. Auto Express and Carbuyer say the Mk1's central control unit can fail intermittently or for good, and Autocar says electrical complaints on the Mk2 easily outnumber mechanical ones.
• Fix: start with a full diagnostic scan and any software updates before replacing modules. A permanent control-unit failure can be expensive. Autocar says clear silicone grease on the window guide rubbers should cure squeaks.
• DIY difficulty: 2/5 for checks; 4/5 for diagnosis
• Check when buying: test the air-con, every lock, window, screen, camera, sensor and seat function, the fuel flap and the tailgate release. Look for dead pixels or lines on the displays, and make sure all warning lights go out after start-up.
• Evidence: What Car?'s used reviews of the Mk2 and SpaceTourer both name non-engine electrical faults as the main complaint, especially air-con and dashboard warning lights. Autocar lists air-con, central-locking and infotainment issues. The RAC's owner survey mentions starting problems, a recurring engine management light and noisy windows, and Carbuyer owner reviews describe failing display pixels. Auto Express and Carbuyer cover the Mk1 control unit, fuel flap and tailgate switch.

6. Electric parking brake sticking or not holding

Label: Confirmed recalls R/2008/163 and R/2011/049 (early Mk1); later cars reported by owners

• What you notice: a parking-brake warning lamp and fault message, a brake that will not hold on a steep slope or works on one side only, or a brake that stays locked on.
• Which cars: both recalls cover Mk1 cars built 06/07/2006–11/05/2007. The owner reports of a brake stuck on come from later cars: the RAC's Mk2 reviews and a Carbuyer owner review of a 2013 car.
• Why: on the recalled cars, one of the parking-brake cables was not made to specification. On later cars, an owner review describes a parking-brake motor failing with the brake applied, leaving the car immobile.
• Fix: the recall remedy is to check the cables and replace them if needed. Otherwise, diagnose the system with suitable equipment before replacing motors or calipers.
• DIY difficulty: 3/5
• Check when buying: apply and release the parking brake several times on the flat and on a slope, and make sure it holds the car. Look for warnings on the dash.
• Evidence: DVSA records R/2008/163 and R/2011/049, also noted by What Car? for the Mk1. The RAC's owner survey for the Mk2 mentions a parking brake that stuck on and stranded its owner, and a Carbuyer owner review of a 2013 car describes the same failure. Autocar tells buyers to check that the electronic parking brake holds.

7. Front wishbone bolt recall (2013–2015 builds)

Label: Confirmed recall R/2015/101 (also R/2016/276)

• What you notice: possibly nothing beforehand. DVSA says a bolt could fail, loosening the front wishbone and affecting steering control.
• Which cars: C4 Picasso-family cars built 26/03/2013–20/11/2014 (R/2015/101, a campaign covering 23,035 vehicles) and 21/11/2014–26/01/2015 (R/2016/276). These windows cover roughly the first two years of Mk2 production, but not every car built then is necessarily affected.
• Why: bolts that did not meet the specification were fitted to the front wishbones in production.
• Fix: a Citroen dealer replaces the wishbone fixing bolts free of charge.
• DIY difficulty: 3/5
• Check when buying: on any 2013–2015 car, get written confirmation from a Citroen dealer that both campaigns are closed against the VIN. Listen for knocks from the front over bumps and make sure the car steers straight.
• Evidence: DVSA recall records R/2015/101 and R/2016/276.

8. Mk1 self-levelling rear air suspension failing

Label: Reported by owners and independent specialists

• What you notice: the back of the car not holding its ride height, particularly when loaded, or unusual noises from the rear.
• Which cars: Mk1 cars with pneumatic rear suspension, fitted to the top Exclusive trim.
• Why: the system ages and What Car? says it will eventually fail; Carbuyer adds that it can fail without warning.
• Fix: repairing the air suspension costs more than replacing conventional springs and dampers. Some owners convert to conventional suspension from lower-spec models instead, but the car then handles differently when loaded.
• DIY difficulty: 4/5
• Check when buying: ask whether the car has air suspension. Make sure it sits level before and after the test drive, and listen for odd noises from the back on the move. Ask for invoices for previous repairs or a conversion.
• Evidence: What Car?'s Mk1 used review and Carbuyer's Mk1 buying guide.

9. Auxiliary drive belt fraying or coming off (Mk2)

Label: Reported by owners and independent specialists

• What you notice: an engine management light, or the belt fraying and coming off its pulleys.
• Which cars: Mk2 Grand C4 Picasso.
• Why: a worn auxiliary belt can trigger warning lights before it fails completely. This is the belt that drives the ancillaries, not the timing belt.
• Fix: replace the auxiliary belt and clear the stored fault codes.
• DIY difficulty: 3/5
• Check when buying: look at the belt for cracks or fraying, listen for squeals and make sure no engine light shows.
• Evidence: Haynes' Mk2 common-problems guide links a warning light to a failing auxiliary belt. The RAC's owner survey and a Carbuyer owner review of a 2014 car both mention a belt coming off its runners.

Recalls (DVSA data)

These are the Citroen recall records in C4R's copy of the DVSA recalls file whose model field is "C4 PICASSO", "C4 PICASSO (B78)" or "C4 SPACETOURER", plus R/2025/247 for the 1.5 BlueHDi, which the file lists under "C4" and "SPACETOURER". DVSA does not separate the five-seat C4 Picasso from the seven-seat Grand, so a build-window match does not prove a particular car is affected. Many "SPACETOURER" records cover the larger van-based SpaceTourer people carrier and are left out. Where a recall appears on more than one row, the rows are merged and the C4 Picasso or C4 SpaceTourer row's build window is shown. Launch dates and build windows are copied from the file as supplied: R/2023/036 and R/2023/046 carry 2022 launch dates despite their 2023 reference numbers, and the C4 Picasso row of R/2014/025 ends on 15/07/2014 while the other models' rows for that recall end on 15/01/2014.

Run the registration through the GOV.UK vehicle recall checker, then ask a Citroen dealer to check the VIN and confirm that every campaign that applies has been completed.

MOT watch-points

What the 2024 DVSA figures say

C4R analysed 22,318 normal MOT tests carried out in 2024 on Citroens whose DVSA record names the Grand C4 Picasso or Grand C4 SpaceTourer. The national figure in the table is the 2024 first-time pass rate for all cars, weighted to match the ages of the cars in each group.

In each of the three groups these cars passed less often than the average car of the same age, and the gap was widest on the older cars. The figures do not adjust for mileage or for the hard life many family cars lead.

Most common recorded failure reasons

Each figure is the share of that group's tests on which the item was recorded as a fail. One test can record more than one defect, so the shares must not be added together.

Common advisories to check before buying

• Tread depth worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge: 24.4% of all tests, rising to 29.1% on cars first used in 2006–2013.
• Brake pads wearing thin: 12.4% of all tests.
• Brake discs worn, pitted or scored: 11.9% of all tests.
• Suspension pins or bushes worn: 7.8% of all tests, and 14.6% on cars first used in 2006–2013.
• Engine oil leak (not excessive): 5.1% of all tests, but 14.6% on cars first used in 2006–2013.

Method and limits: C4R calculated these figures from DVSA's anonymised 2024 MOT results for Class 4 and 7 normal tests, counting each test once. Pass rate is P / (P + F + PRS). Only records whose model text names the Grand model were included. Cars recorded only as a "C4" cannot be separated from the C4 hatchback and are left out, so the sample is partial. Grouping is by first-use year, so the 2006–2013 group may include a few early Mk2s and the 2014–2018 group includes early SpaceTourers. Items recorded on fewer than 30 tests in a group are not shown. These figures describe the tested cars as a group and do not predict the condition of any one car.

What to check before the test

• Brakes: check the pads and discs and make sure the electronic parking brake holds. Since May 2018, testers also check brake-pad warning lights.
• Suspension and driveshafts: look for split CV boots, worn ball joints and, on a Mk1, broken coil springs. Autocar warns about leaking dampers, rattling anti-roll bars and a car that sits awkwardly. Haynes links a knock from the front to the brake-pad retaining springs and a knock from the back to a faulty rear bump stop.
• Lights: walk round the car with the lights on. Sidelights and brake lights were the two most common failure items on 2006–2013 cars in our sample, and number-plate lamps also featured.
• Washer fluid: Auto Express and Carbuyer note the Mk1's small washer reservoir, so top it up before the test.
• Oil leaks: look under the engine for fresh oil. Autocar says some Mk2 owners have reported leaks.
• Diesel smoke: on a diesel with a particulate filter, any visible smoke from the exhaust is a major fault, and so is evidence of filter tampering.
• Tyres: check the inner and outer edges as well as the middle of the tread, and look for sidewall damage from kerbs.
• Mk1 air suspension: a car that sits low at the back needs investigating before the test, not after.

Read the full history on the GOV.UK MOT history service and look for advisories on brakes, suspension, tyres and lights that keep coming back.

Buying one? Our checklist

1. Run the GOV.UK recall check, then get a Citroen dealer to confirm the recall status against the VIN, especially the wishbone, timing-belt, door-lock and camshaft-chain campaigns.
2. Confirm the exact engine and gearbox from the V5C and service records rather than relying on the badge or the advert.
3. On a 1.2 PureTech, insist on itemised oil-change and belt records, and ask whether any extended cover still applies.
4. On a 1.5 BlueHDi, listen for chain rattle from cold and ask for proof of the R/2025/247 work.
5. On any diesel, check the AdBlue level and warnings, have the fault codes read and look for smoke.
6. Avoid the EGS and ETG6 automated manuals unless a long test drive shows no problems. A manual or the EAT6 or EAT8 automatic is the safer choice.
7. On a Mk1, ask when the timing belt was last changed. Auto Express and Carbuyer give the schedule as every 10 years or 112,000 miles on the 1.6 HDi (95,000 miles on petrols and 160,000 miles on the 2.0 HDi), so any Mk1 without a belt change in the last 10 years is due one. Confirm the interval for the exact engine with a Citroen dealer or specialist.
8. Apply and release the electronic parking brake several times, including on a slope, then test every electrical feature: air-con, locks, windows, screens, cameras and sensors.
9. Fold, slide and lift every seat, including the third row, and check for missing parts and stained or broken trim. On a Mk1, What Car? advises using a child seat's top tether, because the floor over the hidden footwell storage cannot take a support leg.
10. Read the MOT history for repeated suspension, brake, tyre, lighting and oil-leak advisories.

Running costs

• Vehicle tax: most Mk1 and Mk2 cars were first registered between 1 March 2001 and 31 March 2017, so they are taxed by the CO2 band shown on the V5C. Cars first registered from 1 April 2017 pay the standard rate after the first year, which GOV.UK listed as £200 for a single 12-month payment when we checked on 13 October 2026. An extra £440 a year, for five years from the second time the car is taxed, applies only if its list price was over £40,000.
• Fuel economy: the RAC quotes about 74.3mpg combined for both 1.6 BlueHDi versions of the 2016–2018 car. That is an old NEDC laboratory figure, so expect less in real use. Autocar's test of a BlueHDi diesel averaged 44.2mpg overall and 51.1mpg on a touring run.
• Servicing: Auto Express and Carbuyer give the Mk1 service interval as every 20,000 miles or two years, except the 1.6 HDi at every 12,500 miles. Follow the schedule for the exact engine, because belt and chain advice differs between the PureTech and BlueHDi engines.
• Insurance: we have no reliable source for insurance groups, so get a quote on the registration.

Sources & further reading

Official data and checks

• DVSA: Vehicle Safety Branch recalls database (data.gov.uk)
• DVSA: Anonymised MOT tests and results (data.gov.uk)
• GOV.UK: check if a vehicle has been recalled
• GOV.UK: check MOT history
• GOV.UK: vehicle tax rate tables
• GOV.UK: MOT changes from 20 May 2018

Reliability and buying advice

• What Car?: used Grand C4 Picasso 2007–2013 review
• What Car?: used Grand C4 Picasso 2007–2013 reliability
• What Car?: used Grand C4 Picasso 2014–2018 review
• What Car?: used Grand C4 Picasso 2014–2018 reliability
• What Car?: used Grand C4 SpaceTourer 2018–2022 review
• What Car?: used Grand C4 SpaceTourer 2018–2022 reliability
• Autocar: used Citroen Grand C4 Picasso 2014–2018 review
• Autocar: Grand C4 Picasso 2014–2018 reliability and common problems
• Auto Express: used Citroen C4 Picasso Mk1 review
• Carbuyer: used Citroen C4 Picasso buying guide (2007–2012 Mk1)
• RAC: Citroen Grand C4 Picasso 2007–2013 used review
• RAC: Citroen Grand C4 Picasso 2013–2016 used review
• RAC: Citroen Grand C4 Picasso 2016–2018 used review
• Haynes: Citroen Grand C4 Picasso Mk2 common problems
• Carbuyer: Citroen C4 SpaceTourer owner reviews

Engines, recalls and model history

• Parkers: Stellantis wet-belt compensation for PureTech engines
• Parkers: Stellantis 1.5 BlueHDi camshaft-chain recall
• Auto Express: SpaceTourer names replace Picasso (2018)
• Auto Express: Grand C4 SpaceTourer production to end (2022)

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

See Citroen Grand C4 Picasso cars for sale on C4R

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