Skip to content
MotorFiable

Citroën cars

Citroën AX problems (1986–1998)

We have documented 2 engines for the Citroën AX; the 1.4 and 1.6 TU3/TU5 has high or critical severity faults. The safest option is the 1.4 and 1.6 TU3/TU5 in its TU3 1.4 75 hp 8v (TU3JP/TU3KFX, 1994-2014) version, with a «Buy» verdict.[1][2]

Outside the engine: Outside the engine, the sources consulted point to the drive shaft boots, the play in the front suspension and steering, bodywork corrosion (sources disagree) and a first-series dashboard that cracked in the sun on the Citroën AX. No source gives figures for the number of cars affected, and we have found no recalls for the AX.[3][4][5]

02468107.3out of 10

Citroën AX rating: acceptable reliability

Calculated using only 12 documented faults and their sources: the most serious and frequent faults weigh more. How it is calculated

  • Engine7.2From 6.4 to 8.1 depending on the engine
  • Gearbox8.61 fault
  • Suspension8.61 fault
  • Brakes10.0No documented faults
  • Tyres and wheels10.0No documented faults
  • Steering10.0No documented faults
  • Electrical system10.0No documented faults
  • Headlights and lights10.0No documented faults
  • Electronics and infotainment10.0No documented faults
  • Climate control10.0No documented faults
  • Bodywork and interior8.02 faults
  • Airbags and safety10.0No documented faults

Ranked 8 of 37 among the city cars with solid evidence. See the ranking

The weak points of the Citroën AX

  1. 1High severity: Head gasket damaged after overheating1.4 and 1.6 TU3/TU5 engine
  2. 2Medium severity: Ignition coils that fail and cause jerking1.4 and 1.6 TU3/TU5 engine
  3. 3Medium severity: Thermostat stuck open or closed1.4 and 1.6 TU3/TU5 engine
  4. 4Medium severity: Oil leaks from the cylinder head gasket and crankshaft seal1.5 D (TUD5) engine
  5. 5Medium severity: Broken driveshaft boots and worn constant-velocity jointsGearbox and clutch

Documented engines, from highest to lowest risk

The first label is the most serious fault affecting that engine in this car; the second, our verdict for the versions it is fitted to. Each engine's risk index is calculated only from the faults that affect this car (how we calculate it). We only show engines we have documented with sources: if yours does not appear, we have not analysed it yet. View all engines

See what to check before buying

Outside the engine

14 sourcesHow we work

1.4 and 1.6 TU3/TU5

Safest option

PSA 1.4 TU3 and 1.6 TU5 (motores TU, 8v and 16v) · Petrol

In the AX
1986–1998[5][6][7][8]
Names
1.0 · 1.1 · 1.4
Faults that affect it
5 · 1 of high or critical severity
Risk index on this car
36
Moderate risk

Verdict for the versions it uses

  • TU9 1.0 and TU1 1.1 (954 and 1,124 cc, 45-60 hp, 1986-2014)1986–2014 · 45–60 hp · TU9ML/Z, TU1M/Z, TU1M+, TU1JP

    With caution

    Owner reports on the Saxo and 106 place the cylinder head gasket as the most frequently cited fault in the 1.1s (14 out of 89 reports on the Saxo 1.1 and 16 out of 84 on the 106 1.1), and it also appears in the 1.0s (from around 70,000 km in the 106). L'Argus recommends the 60 hp 1.1 as a good choice in the 106, so check the gasket and the coolant before buying.[9][10][11]

  • TU3 1.4 75 hp 8v (TU3JP/TU3KFX, 1994-2014)1994–2014 · 75 hp · TU3JP, TU3KFX

    Buy

    It is the simplest version, with the least electronics in the whole family: with no turbo or direct injection, its most cited faults according to owners (coil, sensors) are cheap to repair and do not compromise the engine if dealt with in time.[1][2]

Faults that affect the AX

  1. High severityFrequency: OccasionalCylinder head and blockHead gasket damaged after overheatingThe head gasket fails mainly as a consequence of previous overheating -from a coolant leak or a faulty thermostat- and not as a factory defect: it appears in a minority of engines, almost always between 30,000 and 180,000 km, with coolant loss, emulsified oil or white smoke.Appears at around 30,000 km
  2. Medium severityFrequency: CommonIgnitionIgnition coils that fail and cause jerkingThe ignition module -a rail with two twin coils, no distributor- is the electrical fault owners cite most across all models with this engine: it usually fails between 40,000 and 150,000 km and causes jerking, an unstable idle or the engine warning light coming on.Appears at around 40,000 km
  3. Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalCoolingThermostat stuck open or closedThe thermostat -the controlled "calorstat" on the more recent versions- can stick: if it closes, the engine overheats; if it stays open, it is slow to reach temperature and uses more fuel. It is one of the cooling faults owners of these engines cite most.
  4. Low severityFrequency: CommonElectronicsSensors that fail: lambda sensor and temperature sensorThe lambda sensor and the coolant temperature sensor are, along with the coils, the components most cited as faulty: they cause an unstable idle, the engine warning light coming on or a cooling fan that does not behave normally.Appears at around 25,000 km
  5. Low severityFrequency: CommonLubricationOil leak from the rocker cover gasketThe rocker cover gasket dries out with the years and lets oil seep into the spark plug wells: besides the oil stain on the engine, it can soak the spark plugs or the ignition module and cause misfires.Appears at around 120,000 km

AX 1.4 and 1.6 TU3/TU5 pageAll versions and faults of the 1.4 and 1.6 TU3/TU5

1.5 D (TUD5)

PSA 1.4 D and 1.5 D (TUD3 and TUD5) · Diesel

In the AX
1989–1997[5][6][7][8][12]
Names
1.4 D · 1.5 D
Faults that affect it
3
Risk index on this car
19
Low risk

Verdict for the versions it uses

  • 1.4 D 50 hp (TUD3Y, 1993-1994 on the 106)1993–1994 · 50 hp · TUD3Y, K9Y

    With caution

    Caradisiac warns of a possible cylinder head gasket issue from 100,000-130,000 km and of excessive oil consumption up to July 1993 caused by a ring problem; L'argus recommends avoiding the 106's 1.4 D. Only buy it with the cylinder head gasket verified.[11][13]

  • 1.5 D 54-58 hp (TUD5: VJZ, VJY and VJX, 1994-2003)1994–2003 · 54–58 hp · TUD5, TUD5Y, VJX, VJY, VJZ

    With caution

    Oil leaks from the cylinder head gasket and the crankshaft seal mainly affect cars built before July 1998, when Caradisiac places the definitive gasket on the 106; in fiches-auto's statistics the engine has few faults, and the most frequently repeated issue is the clutch.[9][10][13]

Faults that affect the AX

  1. Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalCylinder head and blockOil leaks from the cylinder head gasket and crankshaft sealOn PSA's 1.4 D and 1.5 D the cylinder head gasket can leak oil (on the 1.4 D, with a risk of failure from 100,000 km), and the crankshaft seal on the timing side leaks on the early 1.5 Ds. It was corrected in stages up to July 1998.
  2. Medium severityFrequency: RareInjectionInjection pump: high idle and leaksOn the early 1.5 Ds the idle could stay too high and require an adjustment of the injection pump (cars built before January 1997 on the Saxo and before June 1997 on the 106). Less commonly, the pump leaks diesel at high mileage.
  3. Low severityFrequency: RareIgnitionGlow plug faults: corroded connector and glow plugsOn the 106 with the 1.5 D built between March 1996 and November 1997 there were glow plug faults caused by the gradual corrosion of a connector, not by the glow plugs; dealers corrected them at service visits. On the Saxo, owners also cite the glow plug control box and the glow plugs.

AX 1.5 D (TUD5) pageAll versions and faults of the 1.5 D (TUD5)

Faults of the Citroën AX outside the engine

Suspension, brakes, tyres, electronics and the rest of the car. They occur with any engine.

Checklist for buying a used Citroën AX

Check the advert or the paperwork to see which engine the car has and go through its section. Each point comes from a documented fault; you can tick them off as you inspect.

If it has the 1.4 and 1.6 TU3/TU5 (1986–1998)

Head gasket damaged after overheating

High severity

Ignition coils that fail and cause jerking

Medium severity

Thermostat stuck open or closed

Medium severity

Sensors that fail: lambda sensor and temperature sensor

Low severity

Oil leak from the rocker cover gasket

Low severity

If it has the 1.5 D (TUD5) (1989–1997)

Oil leaks from the cylinder head gasket and crankshaft seal

Medium severity

Injection pump: high idle and leaks

Medium severity

Glow plug faults: corroded connector and glow plugs

Low severity

Wear parts for the Citroën AX

Brakes, wiper blades, pollen filter and battery, searched for this model. The exact part number depends on the engine and year: confirm it with the registration plate or VIN.

Affiliate links: if you buy from these shops, MotorFiable may receive a commission at no cost to you. Check compatibility against the registration plate or VIN before ordering. Affiliate links

Buying a Citroën AX?

We will put you in touch with a partner only if you authorise it in the form.

Own a Citroën AX? Tell us what faults you have had, at what mileage and how much you paid. Report your fault.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Citroën AX reliable?

We have documented 2 engines for the Citroën AX; the 1.4 and 1.6 TU3/TU5 has high or critical severity faults. The safest option is the 1.4 and 1.6 TU3/TU5 in its TU3 1.4 75 hp 8v (TU3JP/TU3KFX, 1994-2014) version, with a «Buy» verdict. Outside the engine, the sources consulted point to the drive shaft boots, the play in the front suspension and steering, bodywork corrosion (sources disagree) and a first-series dashboard that cracked in the sun on the Citroën AX. No source gives figures for the number of cars affected, and we have found no recalls for the AX.

Which Citroën AX engine is the most reliable?

Among the 2 engines we have documented, the safest option is the 1.4 and 1.6 TU3/TU5 in its TU3 1.4 75 hp 8v (TU3JP/TU3KFX, 1994-2014) version, with a «Buy» verdict. It is the simplest version, with the least electronics in the whole family: with no turbo or direct injection, its most cited faults according to owners (coil, sensors) are cheap to repair and do not compromise the engine if dealt with in time.[1][2]

What problems does the Citroën AX have apart from the engine?

Outside the engine, the sources consulted point to the drive shaft boots, the play in the front suspension and steering, bodywork corrosion (sources disagree) and a first-series dashboard that cracked in the sun on the Citroën AX. No source gives figures for the number of cars affected, and we have found no recalls for the AX. The most important documented faults are: broken driveshaft boots and worn constant-velocity joints (gearbox and clutch, medium severity), play in the front suspension and steering (ball joints, wishbones and rack) (suspension, medium severity), corrosion of sills, wheel arches and floor (bodywork and interior, medium severity) and first-series dashboard that cracks in the sun (bodywork and interior, low severity).[3][4][5]

What faults does the Citroën AX have?

The most important by severity and frequency, on the engines we have documented, are: head gasket damaged after overheating (1.4 and 1.6 TU3/TU5, high severity), ignition coils that fail and cause jerking (1.4 and 1.6 TU3/TU5, medium severity), thermostat stuck open or closed (1.4 and 1.6 TU3/TU5, medium severity), oil leaks from the cylinder head gasket and crankshaft seal (1.5 D (TUD5), medium severity) and sensors that fail: lambda sensor and temperature sensor (1.4 and 1.6 TU3/TU5, low severity).

What is the best year to buy a Citroën AX?

According to our rating by year, the best are 1995, 1994 and 1993 (7.4/10); the worst rated is 1986 (6.9/10). Each year's rating counts only the engines sold that year and the faults that affect those units: open each year to see what changes.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.

  1. Tous les problèmes sur Peugeot 206 (témoignages)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  2. Tous les problèmes sur Peugeot 307 (témoignages)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  3. Fiabilité Citroën AX (1986-1998): pannes et témoignagesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  4. Betrouwbaarheid Citroën AX (datos de la ITV neerlandesa APK)Autozine · Reliability study · consulted 2 November 2026 · in Dutch
  5. Citroën AXWikipedia (fr) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  6. Citroën AXWikipedia (de) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  7. Citroën AXWikipedia (es) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in Spanish
  8. Citroën AXWikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  9. Fiabilité Citroën Saxo (1996-2003) : pannes et témoignagesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  10. Fiabilité Peugeot 106 (1991-2003) : pannes et témoignagesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  11. Quelle citadine d'occasion choisir ?L'argus · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  12. PSA TUD engineWikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  13. Peugeot 106: fiche fiabilitéCaradisiac · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  14. Citroën Saxo: fiche fiabilitéCaradisiac · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French