C5 (X7) Component Failures /Faults / Replacements Poll

[the-termin8r]

My C5 was actually the family car and my dad let me have it (mainly due to not being ULEZ-free) when I started driving a couple of months ago. It's been with us since late 2013/ early 14, it had ~9K miles on the clock from a single owner when we bought it, it currently has ~85K. In the 8 years it's been in my family it has only had one consistent real issue. It goes through front wishbone bushings every 3 or 4 years and the suspension (H3+) starts to knock over sharp bumps. It's been through 3 or 4 wishbones at this point. I'm not sure if this counts as 'front suspension strut' on the poll.

Other than the above:

- It had a punctured hose somwhere in the AC loop when we bought it.

- Last year the earth pin on the rear left light cluster decided to cease to exist so I soldered and crimped a bypass wire from the loom to the cluseter.

- A few years ago it developed an engine oil leak (bad seal on a hose somewhere if I recall) that piped the smell into the car when you put your foot down or after more than 10 mins on the motorway.

Everything else has been consumables that you'd expect to have to replace.

[MattBLancs]

Not listed in the poll, but my 2.2 HDi X7 is on its third clutch slave cylinder since new!

Service history states was replaced and "new genuine Citroen" stated no less. That was 97,000 miles, 2016 previous owner. Was also a clutch replacement at that point, so is unclear if preventative maintenance or not?

Failed again in my ownership, 2022, 141,000 miles.
Disappointingly short life to my eyes!

[Peter.N.]

I have found my X7s to be considerably more problematic than either the XMs which I ran for 10 years or the previous CXs that I also ran for about 10 years and a lot of miles. I suppose that is mainly due to the added complexity of the C5

One of mine needed a new engine thermostat when I bought it and that was a pain, I put a repair guide on here somewhere. Otherwise it has been very little trouble until the radio packed up and took the satnav and parking sensors with it. F16 that supplies the radio was OK but when I got hold of the relevant circuit diagram (thanks Marc) I found the the switched 12 volts for the radio came via the BSI and it wasn't there and I was advised not to mess with it, I have now fitted an aftermarket radio and satnav.

The other one which was the first one I bought has had a fuel system air leak most of the time I have had it, either it wouldn't start or it died on a couple of hundred yards down the rod. I eventually found the the fuel filter housing was leaking, having replaced that its much better but still occasionally gets air into it again. The clutch is now beginning to slip but is perfectly driveable - as long as its only me that drives.

Under different circumstances I would have got rid of them and got something more reliable, but what other affordable car is there with the same ride comfort and economy? And ride comfort is my main criteria - so I soldier on.

The engines seem to be bombproof and the economy ,driven gently, which I do , is better than anything I have ever had.

Peter

[MattBLancs]

Agree on all points Peter.

C5: Lots of positives but lots of worrying things too (and depressingly poor parts availablity - this is newest car I've owned and yet seems most likely to leave me stuck due to spares unavailable. Sad state of affairs)

[Peter.N.]

I find I can get most things on Ebay.

Peter

[rdodger]

Hi, my most recent failures have been the near side windscreen wiper motor ( mechanic said it’s due to water ponding in the tray), also just had to replace both front springs as they failed after pothole driving for months!.
Today I’m replacing the automatic rain detector behind the rear view mirror, it over-rides the manual when raining and just allows the slowest clearance, I know it’s the sensor as the same happens when it’s unplugged. Scary in heavy rain.
Cheers everyone.

[Peter.N.]

I lost half the electronics on one of mine, thought it was just the radio but eventually found the fault was in the BSI. Fitted an aftermarket radio and satnav just the parking sensors don't work now.

Peter

[OlegR]

Here is a video, the guys are from Belarus, and running a huge used parts business, and service for many years.
It's not a car review, but describing the most common issues of the X7 and how to fix them (some with the cost of parts).
It's in russian, but I checked the subs and translation, looks to be fine. If something is not clear, let me know as I know russian.

[ibog]

my fuel pipes suck in air.. but I bodged a piece of generic pipe on..

[sotirisk]

Hello! I have a C5 X7 THP Exclusive sedan 2010.
I bought the car 1.5 years ago with 35000 km, and I now have 53000 km.
I love the car from the moment I drove it.
It has several design flaws (as all modern cars), but I still love it.
The most expensive part that failed was the clutch. The disc was occasionally slipping since I bought it, but at 44000 km the clutch bearing (which is embedded with the slave cylinder) was destroyed. I have changed everything (including DMF) with a Valeo KIT. The Valeo KIT was compatible to C4 THP, so I am afraid some engineer/manager miscalculated the disc diameter and they use the same for all THPs... so the heavy car puts stress on the clutch disc... The idiotic plastic design of bearing/pump is also an alarming sign of stupid designing.

Other than that, a rear window regulator failed (also quite pricy). Also alarming, as the rear window is not used often, so it's clearly a quality issue.

The previous owner has changed the fuse box and the heater resistance module, so maybe these parts were common faults for the car.

[MattBLancs]

Hello! I have a C5 X7 THP Exclusive sedan 2010.
I bought the car 1.5 years ago with 35000 km, and I now have 53000 km.
I love the car from the moment I drove it.
It has several design flaws (as all modern cars), but I still love it.
The most expensive part that failed was the clutch. The disc was occasionally slipping since I bought it, but at 44000 km the clutch bearing (which is embedded with the slave cylinder) was destroyed. I have changed everything (including DMF) with a Valeo KIT. The Valeo KIT was compatible to C4 THP, so I am afraid some engineer/manager miscalculated the disc diameter and they use the same for all THPs... so the heavy car puts stress on the clutch disc... The idiotic plastic design of bearing/pump is also an alarming sign of stupid designing.

Other than that, a rear window regulator failed (also quite pricy). Also alarming, as the rear window is not used often, so it's clearly a quality issue.

The previous owner has changed the fuse box and the heater resistance module, so maybe these parts were common faults for the car.

Didn't realise that the THP (1.6 petrol turbo) had a DMF. That's very low mileage/kilometerage covered before a clutch issue, suspect previous owner sat with foot on clutch (hence release bearing under load) to have that fail so soon

[Sloppysod]

Didn't realise that the THP (1.6 petrol turbo) had a DMF. That's very low mileage/kilometerage covered before a clutch issue, suspect previous owner sat with foot on clutch (hence release bearing under load) to have that fail so soon

I've heard of some cars needing new clutches and brake discs below 30,000 miles, admittedly these where mostly driven by driver's at both ends of the age spectrum.

[darbuck]

Injectors, , wiper motors, valve stem seals,clutch, wheel bolt snapped in hub, Aircon pipe, steering rack a few other bits I can't think of off hand. Very efficient though hasn't used a drop of diesel in nine months of ownership due to sitting on the driveway while I repair it.. Lemon .

[Stickyfinger]

Here is a video, the guys are from Belarus, and running a huge used parts business, and service for many years.
It's not a car review, but describing the most common issues of the X7 and how to fix them (some with the cost of parts).
It's in russian, but I checked the subs and translation, looks to be fine. If something is not clear, let me know as I know russian.

Being tainted by their countries support for the barbaric invasion of Ukraine and restricted by trade sanctions.....I would hope most people will avoid that business like the pox.

[darbuck]

Totally agree Alasdair