Stellantis Pays Out : Compensation Portal for Puretech Owners Opens
What’s Going On with Stellantis’ Wet‑Belt Engines?
Stellantis has launched a compensation scheme in the UK for drivers affected by premature timing belt issues in certain petrol engines. If your 1.0 or 1.2-litre PureTech engine suffered from excessive oil consumption or early timing belt wear between 1 January 2022 and 31 December 2024, you may be eligible for reimbursement.
To qualify, your vehicle must have been serviced in line with the manufacturer’s schedule, and any diagnostics or repairs must have been carried out by an authorised service centre.
What Is a Wet Belt, and Why Does It Matter?
A wet belt is a type of timing belt that runs inside the engine, submerged in oil. This design is meant to reduce friction and improve efficiency, but it also exposes the belt to long-term oil degradation. Over time, fragments from the deteriorating belt can break off and clog vital engine components, leading to significant engine damage.
This isn’t an issue unique to Stellantis; Ford’s 1.0 EcoBoost engines have experienced similar problems, making it a wider industry concern.
Which Models Are Affected?
Vehicles with PureTech engines likely to be affected include:
Citroën: Berlingo (2018–), C1 (2014–18), C3 (2017–24), C3 Aircross (2017–24), C4 (2021–), C4 Cactus (2014–18), C4 Picasso (2013–18), C5 Aircross (2018–)
DS Automobiles: DS 3 (2015–19), DS 3 Crossback (2019–22), DS 7 Crossback (2018–22)
Jeep: Avenger (2023–)
Peugeot: 108 (2014–22), 208 (2012–), 2008 (2013–), 308 (2013–), 3008 (2016–24), 5008 (2017–24)
Vauxhall: Astra (2015–), Combo (2018–), Corsa (2019–), Crossland (2017–24), Grandland (2017–24), Mokka (2021–)
It’s worth noting that newer versions of these engines now use timing chains instead of belts, avoiding the issue altogether.
The Citroen C4 Cactus (2014–18) is one of the models affected
What’s Being Offered?
Stellantis has made two key updates for affected customers:
A new online compensation portal is now live in the UK, allowing customers to submit claims for reimbursement of repair costs related to timing belt degradation.
Warranty coverage has been extended for affected engines to up to 10 years or 112,000 miles. This includes both parts and labour, provided the vehicle has been properly maintained.
Stellantis has indicated that around 60 percent of claims submitted through the portal are successful.
How to Submit a Claim
You can submit a claim through the official compensation platform at:
https://stellantis-support.com
To prepare your submission, ensure you have:
Full service history showing compliance with manufacturer intervals
Invoices or records of diagnostic and repair work carried out at authorised service centres
Evidence linking the issue to either excessive oil consumption or premature belt wear
Claims are being accepted for qualifying repairs made between 1 January 2022 and 31 December 2024.
Final Thoughts
This compensation initiative marks a significant step in Stellantis acknowledging and addressing a widespread mechanical issue. If you’re eligible, don’t miss your opportunity to claim back repair costs. And if you’re shopping for a used vehicle with a PureTech engine, this is something to be aware of during your research.