citroen software updates to fix engine management bugs

[michele2606]

Can anyone assist please, l have been experiencing starting problems since last December when the car went into my local citroen dealer (in Basingstoke) where l was told they had identified the fault and needed to update the system software as a result, they told me l would have to pay £350 plus just for the software then there would also be a charge for the the diagnosis using the automated diagnosis tool used to identify the fault etc. The car continued then gave up the ghost again just after new year (and l haven't used it since) and when l contacted thew local service dealer they said they couldn't get the car in until the beginning of March. They also confirmed at that time that this would be treated as a new fault so would need to go on the diagnosis tool again, for which l would need to pay again.

I have some questions which l hope you can help with, re software updates,
1.if nothing has changed and now there is a software updates required doesn't this mean that there were open bugs in the code and by applying additional software now they could also be introducing new software bugs?
2. the sliding side door mechanism locks open which means if im out l can’t shut the doors and have to drive the car with them open (not good with kids in the seats), but l had to drive the car in December with both side doors open to get the car to the dealer, isn’t this a safety concern and again is it right that l am being asked to pay for the updates to correct this?
3. Has anyone else experienced this type of problem, l did look at the recalls from Citroen and l can’t see anything that covers this issue.
4. I brought the car in 2020 and was told it was an ex demonstrator from Salisbury (Reg 2019) but how do l know that all of the UK recalls for this model (I found 7 relating to my car), but how do l know if these have been dealt with as l have never received a recall notices?
5. At the time the car went into my local dealer in December l did complain because l didn't think it was reasonable to expect me to pay for software updates to fix bugs that shouldn't have been there, l would be happy if l had made a request for new or additional functionality, but this is not the case, am l right?

My local dealer at the time told me that it was the same for all car manufacturers but they did drop the £350 when l picked the car up as a jester of good will.

[GiveMeABreak]

That's absolute tosh. A diagnostic charge is by the hour and should include any required software update as it uses the same diagnostic tool to update whichever ECU it is. There is no separate charge - it's all diagnostic time. So depending on what ECU it is - it's just a matter of time to update and of course which ECU it is. For example if it's the BSI which is the master / main computer in the vehicle, then it may take a bit longer to update and to check the configuration afterwards, but nothing more than that - just diagnostic time to download from their servers.

A Citroen diagnostic charge is currently about £125 for up to 1 hour, but may vary slightly between dealerships.

https://www.citroen.co.uk/maintain/repairs.html

An example of 'Snows' charges:
https://www.snows.co.uk/citroen/servici ... e-repairs/

1) Not really, these are rigorously tested before release because of the impact they can have on the vehicle's operation - however it can mean that after a particular update on one ECU, it may require other ECUs to be updated - but only where required. Remember your vehicle can upward of 25-30 ECUs in the vehicle depending on the equipment.

2) Sounds like there is an electrical issue if you can't shut the sliding door - but they should of diagnosed that previously and provided the fault code.
3) There's a difference between a 'Recall' and an 'After Sales Campaign'. It is the manufacturer's responsibility to notify users of any recalls, but they may not have your details (especially if the vehicle has changed hands and the new owner does not have it dealer-maintained. Where there is an urgent safety recall, then manufacturer's can access the DVSA's data to contact owners - as in the recent cases of faulty Airbag systems for example that presented a risk of going off.

"However, it is noted that this can cause some concern for users – so where possible, any such warnings should be combined with the ‘call to action’ for a recall. The approach to issuing a warning letter (or not) would be expected to be cleared with DVSA and, where agreed necessary, access to DVLA data will be provided."

However non-serious or non-safety related issues are classed as campaigns by the manufacturer and are notified to the dealerships so that during a service they would be made aware of any work that needs to be carried out which is free of charge. But again - if you don't have your vehicle dealer-serviced then you may not ever know.

4) See (3) above and secondly you can use the https://www.check-mot.service.gov.uk/ and enter your registration, after this at the bottom after the MOT status check, you will see a link to check for recalls.

5) Recall work is free of charge, but software updates to fix possible niggles or issues may be chargeable as part of a diagnostic check as they may not themselves constitute a problem but only a possible solution. So you will have to pay for diagnostics and / or the update time if necessary - and where that work is not already part of an after-sales campaign.