The French brand’s only passenger car on sale until the arrival of the new C3 generation, the compact SUV has had the occasional defect.
For over a year now, the Citroën C4 Cactus has been carrying the French brand on its back in Brazil. The SUV (which looks more like an adventurous hatchback) is and will be the only passenger car available in dealership windows until the arrival of the third-generation C3, scheduled for August.
Since the merger of the extinct FCA and PSA groups formed Stellantis, the model has shown a significant improvement in sales. That’s why it’s the subject of today’s Mobyauto series on the main problems, according to owners.
Although those who usually turn their noses up when the manufacturer itself calls it an SUV consider it a ‘pumped-up hatchback’, the C4 Cactus has the ground clearance and transposition angles to put it in that category. It is for this reason that it almost doubles as a Citroën number plate in Brazil.
Sales growth
Sold in five trim versions and a special X-Series version priced between R$106,990 and R$138,990, sales of the C4 Cactus grew by 134% between January and June 2022.
It’s true that growth was very low at the start of the year, but the range now stands at 10,618 units delivered between January and June, making it the tenth most licensed SUV in the country in the first half of the year. year, according to Fenabrave.
French car can be trusted
Released in 2018, the C4 Cactus has largely retained the same versions since its introduction, but it has had many limited editions since then. Manufactured in Porto Real (RJ), it uses the platform of the first 208, in addition to the famous 1.6-litre 118/115bhp (petrol/ethanol) 16V atmospheric engine known as the EC5.
The top-end variant comes from the 1.6 THP turbo, with 166/173 bhp. The gearbox is always a six-speed automatic provided by Aisin, regardless of engine. Despite the poor reputation of French cars, the C4 Cactus has established itself over the years as a reliable product.
Obviously, it has its problems and we’ve gathered here the main ones reported by customers on the Reclame Aqui website and in discussion groups about the car on social media. The suspension and multimedia system are the main targets of complaint. At Reclame Aqui, most complaints have been answered and/or resolved by the car manufacturer.
Main faults and problems with the Citroën C4 Cactus
Suspension
The majority of complaints about the C4 Cactus are related to the suspension. It is reported that vehicles with mileage below 10,000 km have premature failure of CV joints, connecting axles with wheel hubs, which leads to increased noise and vibrations on the steering wheel.
There are also reports of front shock absorbers being replaced on cars with little drivability. Most complaints about the Reclame Aqui have been answered or resolved. Some are still in replica.
Phantom multimedia
The Citroën C4 Cactus entertainment system has never been a feat in terms of functionality, but the complaints are about a chronic defect. There’s plenty of evidence of problems with the unit’s touchscreen display, which selects functions ‘by itself’, including turning the air conditioning on and off.
Air conditioner
You know that Murphy’s Law when the air conditioner in your car or home stops working just at the height of summer? It’s happened to many C4 Cactus owners in less than two years of use.
Stopped working and/or hanging appliances are common among SUV owners, who also note delays in repairs, due to the delayed arrival of spare parts. Most of the defects were caused by the air conditioning evaporator box or air compressor. Most have been answered by the brand.
brakes
According to owners, constant whistling and noise when braking is another recurring problem with the C4 Cactus. The incidents affect even units with less than 3,000 km, and most cases are still repeated by consumers.
recall
In December 2020, the C4 Cactus was recalled to replace the injection ramp and brake booster. It involved Citroën SUV models manufactured between April 2018 and July 2020 with an inconsistent chassis from KB500034 to MB504743.