More than 100,000 motorists have been forced off the road after a major manufacturer issued a rare "do not drive" order in relation to a potentially deadly fault.

One of the biggest manufacturers in the world, Stellantis, has called for owners of Citroen C3 and DS3 models to avoid driving.

Any vehicles equipped with Takata airbags, with Stellantis advising to "immediately cease using their vehicle".

It follows the tragic death of a woman in Reims, France, in June, where reports stated that the female driver died from injuries sustained by one of the airbags in a 2014 Citroen C3.

Citroen C3 models (2009-2016) are included in the recall

The recall impacts Citroen C3 models produced between 2009 and 2016, and DS Automobiles DS 3 models manufactured between 2016 and 2019.

Experts warned that defective Takata airbags could burst upon deployment, sending metal fragments into the "passenger department", which can cause serious injuries or fatalities.

Vehicles included in the new "stop-drive" action in the UK were already part of a recall campaign started over a year ago in Southern Europe.

Although there have not been any reported instances in the UK, Stellantis said it decided to introduce the stop-drive order for all impacted vehicles across Europe.

DS Automobiles DS 3 models manufactured between 2016 and 2019. are

Stellantis said: "This decision underscores the Company's unwavering commitment to customer safety.

"All affected customers will be notified by letter. Customers can also check if their vehicle is affected and what actions are advised by using the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) check tool on the Citroën UK website below.

"If impacted, they should register their vehicle to enable the processing of their repair as soon as possible."

The French Ministry of Ecological Transition said drivers should contact a specialist garage as soon as possible for a "free and quick" repair.

Drivers are now coming forward to express frustration at not being able to use their vehicles to go about their daily lives.

One motorist, Lisa Shackleton, said she owns a 2014 Citroen DS3 and needs to vehicle to transport her husband to medical appointments.

The 69-year-old has also booked a summer holiday three hours ago to be close to her daughter, who is undergoing chemotherapy.

The driver, from Hull, added: "I've tried to get the car fixed, but as I didn't get to know about the recall soon enough, the earliest it can be done is the end of July."

The recall was first launched in Southern Europe over a year ago

She added that the repair is booked with a dealership in York, which would require her to travel an hour.

Stellantis said it was "working to maximise" the number of vehicles it would be able to repair in a day to clear the backlog.

The company added: "Stellantis UK is mobilising its full network of suppliers, retailers and manufacturing plants to support this action and ensure the fastest, safest and most convenient solution for each customer."

The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has recalled around 67 million airbags in response to the Takata issue.