Comfortable electric compact built on Stellantis' e-CMP platform, shared with the Peugeot e-208, e-2008, and Opel Corsa-e. The e-C4 stands out with its unique styling and Citroën's Progressive Hydraulic Cushion suspension, offering a remarkably smooth ride for the segment. Citroën quoted up to 350 km WLTP at launch and the current specification gives 342-354 km, with real-world winter figures well below that. With that 50 kWh battery and 100 kW DC fast charging capability, it works well as a daily driver and short-trip commuter.· more· less
Mahle 11 kW AC charger fails, preventing home and public AC charging entirely · more· less
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.
Battery control unit software fault
€0 - 2002 of 6
Software calibration error can cause sudden loss of propulsion while driving · more· less
Citroën recalled 8,726 e-C4s and e-Berlingos under campaign NT2, covering C4 V3 cars built between 3 May 2022 and 15 March 2023, 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 cars built inside that window. If the update has not been applied, the car should not be driven until it is.
12V auxiliary battery drain and failure
€200 - 3503 of 6
12V battery drains within days if car sits unused, causing random electrical faults · more· less
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 fitting and coding if a workshop does the job. The Citroën handbook gives an in-car procedure for reinitialising the remote control afterwards, so a dealer key-fob re-pairing is not required. Expect to replace the 12V battery every 3-4 years. A trickle charger or regular driving prevents the issue.
Rear brake disc corrosion
€250 - 5004 of 6
Regenerative braking means rear discs rarely heat up, leading to severe corrosion and early replacement · more· less
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.
Infotainment system freezes and crashes
€0 - 3005 of 6
Touchscreen locks up, goes black, or reboots while driving, losing navigation and reversing camera · more· less
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.
Heat pump inefficiency in cold weather
€0 - 1,5006 of 6
Range drops up to 45% in cold weather; early heat pump design was less effective · more· less
Not every e-C4 has a heat pump: Citroën's UK specification lists it as an option, so confirm what the individual car carries. Where one is fitted, early production cars (before October 2021) had a less effective 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.
Simple drivetrain but onboard charger is the weak link
The e-C4's electric motor and battery pack have proven reliable, with no widespread reports of drive motor or high-voltage battery failures. The main financial risk is the Mahle onboard charger, which can cost over €2,200 to replace on 2020-2022 models. Verify the NT2 battery control unit recall has been completed on cars built between 3 May 2022 and 15 March 2023, and always test AC charging thoroughly before buying. Later production vehicles with the VMAX charger are significantly lower risk.
Service history
Complete Citroën dealer or authorized EV specialist records. Even though EVs need less servicing, documented history supports warranty claims.
Tires
Check tread depth and age (date codes). EVs wear front tires faster due to torque delivery and extra weight from the battery pack.
Body condition
Check for parking damage, wheel curb rash, and paint condition. Inspect the charging port area for damage from repeated plug insertions.
Test drive
Drive for at least 20 minutes across different road types. Test regenerative braking in both normal and B mode, and verify all driver assists work.
Specific for this vehicle
Test AC charging before purchase
This is the single most important check. Plug the car into a Type 2 AC charger and confirm it charges steadily at the expected rate (7 or 11 kW depending on spec). If AC charging fails or is intermittent, the onboard charger may need replacement (€2,200+).
Check battery state of health
Request a battery health report from the dealer or use an OBD diagnostic tool. After 4 years and 60,000 km, expect 90-95% capacity remaining. Anything below 85% warrants investigation.
Verify battery control unit recall completed
Cars built between 3 May 2022 and 15 March 2023 fall in the NT2 recall window for faulty high-voltage battery monitoring software that can cause sudden loss of propulsion. Contact Citroën with the VIN to verify.
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Check 12V battery voltage
Should read 12.4V or higher with the car off. If below 12.0V, the AGM battery likely needs replacing soon (€200-350 fitted).
Inspect rear brake discs for corrosion
Look through the wheel spokes at the rear discs. Excessive pitting, flaking, or deep grooves indicate corrosion from regenerative braking underuse. Budget €250-500 for replacement if severe.
Test infotainment system and connectivity
Cycle through all screens, test Bluetooth pairing, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, navigation, and the reversing camera. Watch for freezing or unresponsive touch input.
Verify rear spring recall on early cars
Cars built May 2020 to August 2021 are affected by a recall for rear coil springs that can detach while driving. Contact Citroën with the VIN to verify completion.
Recalls and Technical Service Bulletins
Rear suspension springs can detach while driving (May 2020 - Aug 2021, 8,770 vehicles)Critical - verify completed
High-voltage battery monitoring software, loss of propulsion risk (campaign NT2, C4 V3 built 3 May 2022 to 15 March 2023)Critical - verify completed
Air conditioning compressor fault can shut down the powertrain or prevent a restart, remedied by updated eVCU software (campaign JTF, 2020-2022 e-C4)Verify completed
E-Call system limited functionality (various production dates)Verify completed
Contact a Citroën dealer with the VIN to verify all recalls have been completed. The rear suspension spring recall, the NT2 high-voltage battery monitoring recall and the JTF air conditioning compressor recall are the safety-relevant items to confirm before any test drive.
Warranty Status
Factory warranty (2 years)Expired on 2020-2023 models
High-voltage battery (8 years / 160,000 km)Still active on most used examples
Onboard charger extended warranty (4 years)Expired on 2020 models, may be active on 2022+
Rust perforation warranty (12 years)Active on all e-C4 models
The 8-year battery warranty covers capacity dropping below 70%. The OBC extended warranty (4 years from first registration) was introduced in April 2021 and applies retroactively to earlier cars. Check with Citroën whether your specific car still has OBC warranty coverage, as this is the most expensive potential repair.
Sources: Research draws on model-specific owner forums and owner communities, recall information from official authorities, German automotive press, and multiple workshop cost references cross-checked against each other.
This report is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Estimates may be inaccurate. Always have a qualified specialist inspect the vehicle before purchase. We accept no liability for decisions made based on this information.
