Used Citroën Grand C4 Picasso 2007-2013 reliability

One of the most common complaints about the Grand C4 Picasso is interior build quality, with numerous mentions of bits of trim working loose or breaking. The textured finish on some of the switches can go tacky and can eventually wear off, leaving a sticky mess. Test everything to make sure your used example is in as good a condition as possible and avoid anything with stained seats and soiled carpets.

Isofix child seat

You’ll need to use a top-tether system to secure a child seat because there are hidden storage compartments in the rear footwell. The false floor covers you can hide items under won’t be able to support the weight of the legs on a child seat in a collision.

Rear suspension spheres

The pneumatic, self-levelling rear suspension fitted to some models will eventually fail. It’s more costly to replace than ordinary springs and dampers and, therefore, some owners have removed them altogether and fit suspension from lesser Grand C4s. If you do this, however, the car won’t handle the same when loaded up.

Braking assistance

Some models built between 15 May 2006 and 22 December 2006 could suffer from braking issues. The check valve within the brake assistance vacuum pump may not be up to specification and may, over time, reduce braking assistance.

Glass roof problem

The panoramic roofs on some cars built between 28 February 2007 and 28 June 2007 may have incorrect bonding, which means that there’s a risk the glass roof could become loose. If this is not rectified, in the long term the moulding could detach.

Caliper problem

Some cars built between 12 September 2009 and 30 October 2009 can have problematic calipers because the fixing screws were not to the correct standard, which may result in them coming loose under pressure. Check with your local Citroën dealer to make sure there are no outstanding recalls.

Parking brake

The parking brakes on some models built between 5 July 2006 and 10 May 2007 were faulty. The parking brake might not be able to secure the car on steep gradients due to one of the cables installed during manufacture not being up to specification.

Electrical issues

A faulty ECU on some examples built between 1 February 2008 and 13 June 2008 could deteriorate, leading to additional faults and perhaps even failure of certain equipment including the wipers, lights and battery.

Seatbelt

Some models built between 2 December 2009 and 3 December 2009 had seatbelt faults where the front seatbelts may not click in properly, meaning passengers might not be securely fastened in the event of a violent impact.

Fuel leak on diesel cars

Some cars built between 8 July 2010 and 13 October 2010 may suffer from fuel leaks. The fuel return pipes may chafe on the diesel fuel filter, leading to a potential fuel leak and possible fire.

Seatbelt bolts

Another recall related to seatbelts: the fixing bolts in the seat runners for both front seats can on some cars built on 22 November 2011 work lose, and potentially snap in a collision.

Starter motor

The wiring harness for the starter motor in some models built between 5 July 2006 and 30 September 2010 can rub against other engine components and fray. Over time, this can cause electrical problems and, in the worst cases, fires.

EGS gearbox

The EGS is an automated-manual gearbox that changes gear at the tug of a steering wheel-mounted paddle. However, there have been a number of complaints of it needing anything from simple software updates to full clutch replacements. Make sure you assess it thoroughly on the test drive.

Citroën as a brand doesn’t have the best reputation for reliability and managed only 25th place out of 31 car manufacturers in the latest What Car? Reliability Survey. However, this generation of Grand C4 Picasso has been off sale for a number of years and the information provided in this survey will have little relevance.

So, you’ll need to pay close attention to the car’s service history and general condition. If it has been regularly serviced and looks well kept, then it is more likely to start every morning and offer you dependable service.

If you would like to see the full reliability list, head to the What Car? Reliability Survey pages for more information.