Protest in Barcelona this Saturday for those affected by Stellantis’ defective engines

This Saturday, the streets of Barcelona will turn into the stage of a crucial demonstration led by those affected by defective engines from Stellantis. The march aims to reactivate discussions with the company amidst accusations of “lack of understanding” and “false promises” regarding warranty extensions. More than 6,000 affected individuals will unite to demand a definitive solution to a problem affecting thousands of vehicles across Europe.

This Saturday, the streets of Barcelona will become the scene of a massive protest organized by the more than 6,000 affected by the defective engines from Stellantis. The demonstrators, grouped under the Association of Affected by Stellantis (Afestel), seek to revive discussions with the company due to the lack of satisfactory responses to claims regarding vehicles with defective PureTech engines. These engines, present in multiple brands within the group, exhibit critical failures that severely impact users. The demonstration aims to ensure that Stellantis acknowledges the defects, removes the affected vehicles from the market, and compensates those affected financially.

Context of the Protest

The protest in Barcelona is the latest in a series of demonstrations organized by Afestel to address what they consider a “lack of understanding” from Stellantis. This mobilization follows an initial march held in October in Vigo, where Stellantis’ headquarters in Spain is located. In these protests, the affected individuals seek the company’s acknowledgment of the factory defect in the PureTech engines and the implementation of fair and effective solutions.

Details of the PureTech Engine Defect

The problem centers around a manufacturing anomaly in the PureTech engines, which causes gradual degradation of the timing belt. This failure results in excessive oil consumption, failures in the vacuum pump, and other issues that accelerate engine degradation, shortening its lifespan. Since the failure was detected in 2020, it has been known to affect vehicles sold since 2014.

Magnitude of the Problem

Stellantis has sold around 765,000 vehicles with these defective engines worldwide, although the total number of affected vehicles in Europe exceeds four million. In Catalonia alone, it is estimated that nearly 80,000 cars have this problem, with Barcelona being the most affected city.

Claims of the Affected

Among the main demands of the affected individuals is Stellantis’ acknowledgment of the factory defect and the withdrawal of the affected vehicles. Additionally, they demand reimbursement of excessive costs incurred in repairs and maintenance, compensation for the devaluation of the vehicles, and recognition of the time during which the vehicles have been out of service without a replacement car.

Future Mobilizations

The protests do not stop in Barcelona. Afestel plans to extend its mobilizations to other Spanish cities. On November 23, the demonstrators will gather in Seville, followed by a protest in Zaragoza in December, a city that also hosts a Stellantis headquarters. Finally, a large demonstration is scheduled in Madrid for December 21, closing a year of intense advocacy actions.

With these actions, those affected seek not only to find justice for their cases but also to prevent future consumers from suffering similar problems with their vehicles. Pressure continues on Stellantis to take responsibility and provide concrete and satisfactory solutions to all those affected.

The Ongoing Fight for the Affected from Stellantis

This Saturday, the streets of Barcelona will be filled with protests as part of a series of actions led by the more than 6,000 affected by the defective engines from Stellantis. This demonstration is not just the beginning but one of many planned for the future, not only in Barcelona but also in other cities in Spain, such as Seville, Zaragoza, and Madrid. As the affected seek justice, the focus is on pressuring Stellantis to take meaningful action.

At the core of the demands lies the need for an adequate response from Stellantis. The affected individuals accuse the company of making “false promises”, particularly regarding the extension of warranties for vehicles equipped with the defective PureTech engines, which have caused significant inconveniences for the owners. These engines exhibit serious degradation of the timing belt, leading to excessive oil consumption and malfunctioning of the vacuum pump, among other issues.

It is noteworthy that while more than 765,000 vehicles have been sold with these problematic engines, the issue actually affects more than four million vehicles across Europe. The magnitude of the problem demands immediate and effective action from Stellantis. The affected individuals not only seek acknowledgment of the factory defect and the withdrawal of the vehicles but also adequate compensation for repair costs, excessive maintenance, and the time that vehicles have remained out of service.

As the automotive group faces increased pressure from these demonstrations, public attention continues to grow. Stellantis’ ability to reactivate discussions and provide tangible solutions will determine the future course of these protests. With Catalonia leading the way, the message is clear: those affected will continue to fight for their rights until these mistakes are rectified.