Citroen C5 2011 acceleration issue

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dariusmacedonia
Posts: 5
Joined: 29 Jan 2026, 20:38

Citroen C5 2011 acceleration issue

Unread post by dariusmacedonia »

Hello guys, im new here.
Long time french cars lover, my first car was citroen CX, then my Renault 25 Baccara, peugeot 407 and now recently got a Citroen C5 from 2011, 1.6 Petrol.
The car is amazing and i love everything about her.
I have only one issue.
When i drive the car normal and accelerate normal, everything is ok.
But when i give it more gas, like when i try to overtake, the car pops up SERVICE on the dashbord, loses power and after 2-3 min the service goes away and is like nothing happend.
I tried diagnosing this problem but nothing came up.
This happens when i give it a litle bit of acceleration.
I would love to hear if some of u have the same issue and any suggestions.
Have a nice day.!
wurlycorner
Donor 2024
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Joined: 30 Oct 2012, 22:37
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Re: Citroen C5 2011 acceleration issue

Unread post by wurlycorner »

Hi,
When you say you've tried to diagnose but nothing came up... What do you mean?
Or you using a diagnostic tool to try and read trouble codes? If so, what tool are you using?
--
Iain

'85 CX GTi Turbo s1 (met. blue)
2x '85 CX GTi Turbo s2 t1 (met. silver & grey)
'88 CX GTi Turbo s2 T2 (met. light blue)
CX DTR T2 Safari (silver)
2x '96 Xantia Activa (Black & met. green)
'01 C5 2.0 HDi LX Estate (Blue)
'11 C5 X7 3.0 V6 Exclusive Tourer
dariusmacedonia
Posts: 5
Joined: 29 Jan 2026, 20:38

Re: Citroen C5 2011 acceleration issue

Unread post by dariusmacedonia »

I used a diagnostic tool, that scans for codes, but nothing came up. The tool is from the cheap ones for Ali Express. My friend has a laptop with some diagnostic tools and programs, im gonna go to him on Monday, so i will tall u what will pop up. Those are licenced programs.
Kees
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Re: Citroen C5 2011 acceleration issue

Unread post by Kees »

1.6 THP!!!! Problem engine!!
PaulC5
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Re: Citroen C5 2011 acceleration issue

Unread post by PaulC5 »

If it has a fuel filter it might need changing.
dariusmacedonia
Posts: 5
Joined: 29 Jan 2026, 20:38

Re: Citroen C5 2011 acceleration issue

Unread post by dariusmacedonia »

is there any chance it could be a vaccum leak? maybe someone knows how to check that?
toolfan
(Donor 2025)
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Re: Citroen C5 2011 acceleration issue

Unread post by toolfan »

PaulC5 wrote: 30 Jan 2026, 22:03 If it has a fuel filter it might need changing.
This would be my favourite too. I have a 2.0 hdi C5 which had the same symptoms years ago. Fuel filter was full of black mud! Long time not serviced.
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xantia_v6
Forum Admin Team
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Re: Citroen C5 2011 acceleration issue

Unread post by xantia_v6 »

Cars with the THP engine often don't have a fuel filter, if there is one it will be under the car near the fuel tank, but I don't think that it is likely to be your problem.
If you accelerate gradually, does the car car get up to the maximum legal speed?
What grade of petrol do you put in the tank?
dariusmacedonia
Posts: 5
Joined: 29 Jan 2026, 20:38

Re: Citroen C5 2011 acceleration issue

Unread post by dariusmacedonia »

I will check tomorrow if it has a fuel filter.
i put 95 octane, it says that on the fult tank door, and the petrol we have here in Macedonia is good.
If i accelerate normal, the car has no problem, but if i want to overtake lets say, than the SERVICE comes up and loses power, so i have to change to 4th gear lets say, rev it to 3000 rpm like that for 30 sec and goes away.
dariusmacedonia
Posts: 5
Joined: 29 Jan 2026, 20:38

Re: Citroen C5 2011 acceleration issue

Unread post by dariusmacedonia »

just to add, i bought the car in Netherlands, and i drove it 2500 km home. It was ok. This started happening now.
wurlycorner
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Joined: 30 Oct 2012, 22:37
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Re: Citroen C5 2011 acceleration issue

Unread post by wurlycorner »

dariusmacedonia wrote: 30 Jan 2026, 13:18 I used a diagnostic tool, that scans for codes, but nothing came up. The tool is from the cheap ones for Ali Express. My friend has a laptop with some diagnostic tools and programs, im gonna go to him on Monday, so i will tall u what will pop up. Those are licenced programs.
If it's bringing up a service indicator then it should be logging some kind of fault code - but if it's only a temporary code, a cheapy car reader wouldn't necessarily show that (or if it's logged a manufacturer specific fault code, the cheap code readers sometimes won't show that as they often don't show anything other than generic OBD codes).

Definitely recommend starting point is to use a fully featured diagnostic tool and show if that shows any codes to give direction - if not, monitor live data while driving.
--
Iain

'85 CX GTi Turbo s1 (met. blue)
2x '85 CX GTi Turbo s2 t1 (met. silver & grey)
'88 CX GTi Turbo s2 T2 (met. light blue)
CX DTR T2 Safari (silver)
2x '96 Xantia Activa (Black & met. green)
'01 C5 2.0 HDi LX Estate (Blue)
'11 C5 X7 3.0 V6 Exclusive Tourer