2009 Citroën C1 problems
The 2009 Citroën C1 was sold with 2 engines that we have documented: the 1.4 HDi and the 1.0 VVT-i. All of them have serious faults that affect the cars of that year. The safest option is the 1.0 VVT-i (verdict “Buy”). Outside the engine, 4 documented faults affect 2009 cars, such as premature clutch wear on the Citroën C1 I.
2009 Citroën C1 score: acceptable reliability
Calculated using only 15 documented faults and their sources: the most serious and frequent faults weigh more. How it is calculated
- Engine6.1From 5.7 to 6.5 depending on the engine
- Gearbox7.12 faults
- Suspension7.90 faults
- Brakes6.50 faults
- Tyres and wheels10.0No documented faults
- Steering9.40 faults
- Electrical system10.0No documented faults
- Headlights and lights6.40 faults
- Electronics and infotainment10.0No documented faults
- Climate control10.0No documented faults
- Bodywork and interior7.82 faults
- Airbags and safety10.0No documented faults
What changes compared with the 2008 Citroën C1
The same engines and the same documented faults as in 2008.
1.4 HDi engine in the 2009 Citroën C1
Names: 1.4 HDi 68
- With caution
1.4 HDi/TDCi 54/68/70 8V (DV4TD, 2001-2009)
54–70 hp · DV4TD, 8HT, 8HX, 8HZ
It shares the injector fragility of the rest of the family, documented in both the 68 and 70 hp versions, along with occasional turbo and EGR valve failures. It is worth buying with a maintenance history and no noticeable diesel leaks.[3][4]
Faults that affect 2009 cars
- Medium severityFrequency: Very frequentInjectionInjectors that lose their seal and let diesel escapeThe most cited weak point of the 1.4 HDi is its injectors: over time they can lose their seal and let diesel escape, which is usually noticed as a smell of diesel in the car. It appears in the two most common outputs (68 and 70 hp) and in both cases it is identified as the engine's main weakness.
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalTimingTiming belt and water pumpThe 1.4 HDi uses a timing belt (with an additional short chain on the 16-valve version), and Fiches-Auto documents some of its failures, along with the water pump, at around 100,000 km. We have not found the manufacturer's official change interval in a reliable source.
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalTurboPremature turbo wear from poor lubricationThe BorgWarner KP35 turbo of the 8-valve version can wear out early when the oil degrades and forms carbon deposits, reducing its lubrication. It is a minority but recurring fault: it appears in just over 9% of the reports collected for the 68 hp version.
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalEmissions controlEGR valve clogged with carbonThe EGR valve, which recirculates part of the exhaust gases to reduce emissions, can seize or clog up with the carbon those gases carry. It appears in a noticeable minority of the reports collected for the 68 hp version.
- Medium severityFrequency: RareTimingCrankshaft damper pulley wearThe crankshaft pulley incorporates a rubber ring that dampens engine vibrations and that can lose grip or crack over time. We have found only one specific report of this fault (a Peugeot 206 at around 250,000 km), so we do not consider it a widespread fault.
1.0 VVT-i engine in the 2009 Citroën C1
Names: 1.0 VTi 68
- Buy
1.0 VVT-i 67-69 hp (1KR-FE, 2005-2018)
67–69 hp · 1KR-FE
There is no documented design defect in this tune: its most cited faults (clutch, water pump) are typical wear for a light city car, not a systemic fault acknowledged by the manufacturer.[5][6][7]
Faults that affect 2009 cars
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonClutchPremature clutch wearThe clutch is by far the most cited fault among owners of the Aygo, C1 and 107/108 with this engine: between 13% and 41% of the reviews collected by fiches-auto.fr for each of the four cars mention it.
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonCoolingCoolant leak from the water pumpThe water pump is the second most cited fault on the first-generation Aygo, C1 and 107 (2005-2014): between 16% and 24% of the fiches-auto.fr reviews mention it, although it does not appear in the more limited data for the Peugeot 108.
- High severityFrequency: RareOther2010 recall for the accelerator pedalIn January 2010 Toyota recalled, as part of a worldwide campaign, the Aygo, Peugeot 107 and Citroën C1 built between February 2005 and August 2009 because of an accelerator pedal that could stay partly depressed or return slowly to idle.
- Low severityFrequency: OccasionalEmissions controlFaulty lambda sensor (P0420 code) on the 1.0 VVT-iOn the 1.0 VVT-i (1KR-FE) in the Aygo, C1 and 107/108, the lambda sensor, especially the one upstream of the catalytic converter, is documented as failing at high mileage and leaving code P0420 and the engine warning light. It is a cheap repair and does not damage the engine.
- Low severityFrequency: RareLubricationOil consumption: no documented patternUnlike other small engines of its era, oil consumption does not appear as a widespread problem on the 1.0 VVT-i: it accounts for between 1% and 4% of the reviews recorded by fiches-auto.fr for the Aygo, C1 and 107/108.
- Low severityFrequency: RareCylinder head and blockHead gasket and exhaust gasket: no documented patternThe head gasket does not appear as a relevant problem on the 1.0 VVT-i either: between 0 and 2 cases out of more than 200 reviews on the C1 and 107/108, and it does not even appear as a category of its own in the Aygo data consulted.
Faults outside the engine in the 2009 Citroën C1
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonGearbox and clutchPremature clutch wear on the Citroën C1 ICommon: it is the most-cited non-engine fault in C1 reports; there are cases of worn-out clutches between 20,000 and 42,000 km and a bill of 800 euros at 36,000 km.
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalBodywork and interiorWater leaks through the tailgate and rear light seals on the Citroën C1 IOwners describe water getting in through the seals of the tailgate, the rear window, the doors and the third brake light, wetting the boot or the floor; it is a sealing fault, with no official campaign, according to reports compiled by fiches-auto.fr.
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalGearbox and clutchClutch cable stretched or broken and high biting pointAccording to FixMyCar, the clutch cable on the first-generation C1 can stretch and, at times, break; it shows up as a spongy pedal or one that bites very high, and difficulty engaging the gears.
- High severityFrequency: RareBodywork and interiorRear window that can come loose due to adhesive (2005-2013 production)Yes: Citroën recalled the C1 built between May 2005 and November 2013 because the adhesive of the rear door glass could come loose, leaving the glass held by one point only and at risk of falling onto the road.
Buying a 2009 Citroën C1?
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Frequently asked questions
Is the 2009 Citroën C1 reliable?
The 2009 Citroën C1 was sold with 2 engines that we have documented: the 1.4 HDi and the 1.0 VVT-i. All of them have serious faults that affect the cars of that year. The safest option is the 1.0 VVT-i (verdict “Buy”). Outside the engine, 4 documented faults affect 2009 cars, such as premature clutch wear on the Citroën C1 I.
Is the 2009 Citroën C1 better than the 2008?
Going by the documented faults, they are the same: the same engines and the same faults affect the 2008 and 2009 cars. Choose on condition, mileage and maintenance history.
What is the best year for the Citroën C1?
According to our score, the best are 2014, 2013, 2012 and 1 other years with the same score (6.7/10). The year with the worst score is 2005 (6.4/10). Each year's score counts only the engines sold that year and the faults that affect those cars.
What faults does the 2009 Citroën C1 have?
The most important ones documented for 2009 cars are: timing belt and water pump (1.4 HDi, high severity), 2010 recall for the accelerator pedal (1.0 VVT-i, high severity), rear window that can come loose due to adhesive (2005-2013 production) (bodywork and interior, high severity), injectors that lose their seal and let diesel escape (1.4 HDi, medium severity) and premature turbo wear from poor lubrication (1.4 HDi, medium severity).
Own a 2009 Citroën C1? Tell us what faults you have had and at how many kilometres. Report your fault.
Sources
Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.
- Motor PSA DVWikipedia (es) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
- Citroën C1Wikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
- Essai, avis et fiabilité des 1.4 HDI 68 chFiches-Auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
- Essai, avis et fiabilité des 1.4 HDI 70 chFiches-Auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
- Fiabilité de la marque Toyota (Aygo)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
- Fiabilité de la marque Citroën (C1)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
- Fiabilité de la marque Peugeot (107/108)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French