Peugeot, Opel models recalled over doors that might not work

Dual recall notices have been issued for a series of Peugeot and Opel models over a potential issue that can lead to occupants not being able to open the doors of their car. 

The recall affects four Peugeot nameplates built between 2024 and 2025; the 308, 408, 3008, and 4008. A separate but identical recall notice was issued for selected Opel Astras from 2025.

Peugeot and Opel are both brands of Stellantis, with nameplates that share platforms, powertrains and other hardware. 

A spokesperson for Auto Distribution Holdings, the local distributor for both brands, confirmed to CarExpert NZ that the recall affects 150 Peugeot vehicles and five Opel vehicles.

"Letters were sent to customers Wednesday (3 June) and they will be asked to bring their car to their authorised dealership for the recall action," they said in a statement.

"The work is a software patch and is anticipated to take one hour of workshop time. It will be completed free of charge."

According to the notice, the issue only potentially occurs when the key is in “engine-running mode”. 

“Affected vehicles may experience randomly an unexpected deactivation of the interior door handles when the key is in engine-running mode,” said the notice.

“One to four doors may be affected, which can result in the occupant being unable to exit the vehicle.” 

The notice encourages owners of impacted vehicles to contact their local authorised dealership.

Auto Distribution Holdings Limited chief executive, Simon Rutherford, confirmed earlier this year that the Opel brand is set to exit New Zealand following a lean four years in the marketplace. 

“When Opel was launched it was a very different business environment,” he said.

“There were clean car rebates, we didn’t have many Chinese OEMs in the space, and the sharing of powertrains that we’ve got across Peugeot, Citroen and Opel means we were trying to service all of those brands. So it was strategic for us.

“There’s nothing wrong with Opel, but we have too many offers in the same space, not differentiated enough. We’ve been talking to Stellantis, and we’re the only market in the whole of South East Asia and Australasia that ever took Opel.

“Since [Opel] was launched, exchange has deteriorated, the competition framework has changed, the cost of getting vehicles out of Europe is significant on logistics. So, we didn’t believe we could fully compete with it, whereas we believe we can fully compete with the other brands and do that sustainably.”