Faults and recalls.

Engine / equipment

1.0 / 1.2 PureTech (EB2) in the Peugeot 208/2008/308/3008/5008, Citroën C3/C4/C5 Aircross, DS 3, Opel Corsa/Crossland/Grandland

Period mentioned

2012 – approx. 2022

Symptoms

Oil pressure warning, hard brake pedal or reduced assistance, oil consumption, blue smoke, squeal at the front of the engine, turbo whistles or loses power.

Possible cause described

The timing belt runs in oil and degrades (especially with short trips and fuel dilution). Debris clogs the oil pump strainer, the brake vacuum pump filter, the turbo oil feed and the variable valve timing solenoids. Stellantis announced compensation for affected owners in 2025.

Check for the garage

Measure the belt through the oil filler opening with the manufacturer's tool. Confirm whether the vacuum pump campaign was done.

Cost cited in the source

Vacuum pump: €500–800; belt with oil system cleaning: considerably moreA rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Sources from the original database

Engine / equipment

1.6 HDi DV6 (Peugeot 207/308/3008/Partner, Citroën C3/C4/Berlingo; same engine as the Ford 1.6 TDCi)

Period mentioned

Approx. 2004–2015

Symptoms

Loud turbo whistle, power loss, blue or black smoke, oil that gets dirty very quickly. Before the failure, often a puffing or ticking from the cylinder head and an exhaust smell from an injector.

Possible cause described

The injector clamp bolts work loose, the gas leak forms carbon that gets into the oil and clogs the mesh filter in the banjo bolt feeding the turbo. The turbo is starved of oil. Replacing only the turbo does not fix it.

Check for the garage

Check injector bolt torque and carbon at their base, the turbo banjo bolt and the sump strainer.

Cost cited in the source

Turbo + full oil system cleaning: approx. €900–2,000 (estimate)A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Sources from the original database

Engine / equipment

1.5 / 1.6 / 2.0 BlueHDi with AdBlue (Peugeot, Citroën, DS, Opel)

Period mentioned

Approx. 2014 onwards

Symptoms

Emission system fault message and a “starting impossible in X km” countdown, AdBlue/UREA warning and engine light.

Possible cause described

Failure of the AdBlue tank pump module (circuit board, pressure sensor or heater) or of the AdBlue injector. The engine does not stop while driving, but once the countdown reaches zero it will not restart.

Check for the garage

Diagnose with Diagbox or equivalent: AdBlue pressure, flow test and tank temperature.

Cost cited in the source

Complete module or tank: approx. €600–1,500 (estimate)A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Sources from the original database

Engine / equipment

1.6 THP / VTi (EP6, PSA-BMW “Prince” engine): Peugeot 207/208/308/3008/5008/508/RCZ, Citroën C4/C5/C4 Picasso, DS 3/4/5

Period mentioned

Approx. 2007–2018

Symptoms

Metallic rattle for several seconds after a cold start; engine light for timing deviation.

Possible cause described

The chain stretches and the tensioner is soft. Later units have a revised chain and tensioner, which reduce but do not eliminate the fault.

Check for the garage

Listen to a cold start and check whether the chain was replaced with the revised parts.

Cost cited in the source

Approx. €800–1,500 (converted from dollars)A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Sources from the original database

Engine / equipment

1.5 BlueHDi (DV5): Peugeot 208/2008/308/3008/5008/508/Rifter, Citroën C3/C4/C5 Aircross/Berlingo, Opel, DS, Fiat

Period mentioned

2017–2023

Symptoms

Rattle from the top of the engine, loss of power; in severe cases the chain breaks and the engine fails.

Possible cause described

The 7 mm chain linking the two camshafts wears prematurely, influenced by soot in the oil. Stellantis replaced it with an 8 mm chain in 2023 and opened an inspection campaign.

Check for the garage

Ask the dealer whether the car is in the campaign (free inspection and replacement if needed) and whether the 8 mm chain is fitted.

Cost cited in the source

€700–1,400 for the chain; €4,000–7,000 if it breaksA rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Sources from the original database

Engine / equipment

1.3 Multijet / 1.3 JTD / 1.3 CDTI (Fiat Panda, 500, Punto, Doblò; Opel Corsa, Astra, Meriva, Combo; Lancia Ypsilon and Musa; Alfa MiTo; Peugeot Bipper and Citroën Nemo)

Period mentioned

2003–2020

Symptoms

Chain rattle on cold starts; oil level rising and smelling of diesel; particulate filter warning; power loss from a dirty EGR or the turbo.

Possible cause described

Single-row timing chain that is very sensitive to oil quality and long intervals: it stretches and the tensioner loses pressure, with a risk of breaking. In town use the DPF cannot finish regenerating and diesel dilutes the oil, which speeds up chain and turbo wear.

Check for the garage

Listen to a cold start, check whether the oil is above maximum or smells of diesel, read the DPF status and check the oil change history.

Cost cited in the source

Chain kit: €150–300 in parts plus €600–1,200 labour; DPF cleaning: €200–400A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Mileage cited in the database: 80,000–120,000 km. This is not a maintenance interval and does not predict a failure.

Sources from the original database

Engine / equipment

1.4 MultiAir (naturally aspirated and turbo) and the 0.9 TwinAir, which uses the same system: Fiat 500, Punto, Tipo, 500X; Alfa MiTo and Giulietta; Jeep Renegade and Compass; Abarth

Period mentioned

2009–2024

Symptoms

Hard or rough cold starts, hesitation, stalling and an engine light with P1523 (low oil pressure in the MultiAir system).

Possible cause described

The intake valves are operated by oil pressure through an electro-hydraulic block. Degraded oil, a low level or a dirty secondary filter starve the system of pressure, and over time the actuator fails internally.

Check for the garage

Change the oil and filter with the correct specification, inspect the MultiAir mesh filter and measure oil pressure before replacing the actuator.

Cost cited in the source

Oil change: the cheapest step and often enough; MultiAir actuator: approx. €650–1,400 (converted from dollars)A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Sources from the original database

Engine / equipment

1.9 JTD / Multijet (8 and 16 valves), 2.4 JTD and JTDm in Fiat, Alfa Romeo 147, 156, 159, GT and Brera, Lancia and the Opel 1.9 CDTI

Period mentioned

1997–2012

Symptoms

Power loss, rough idle and an engine light with “swirl actuator malfunction”; soot around the intake manifold; vibration and knocks in low gears (dual-mass flywheel).

Possible cause described

On the 16-valve 1.9 and 20-valve 2.4, the intake flaps seize with EGR soot and oil, and the control rod comes off as its plastic bushes wear. The EGR fouls in town use and the dual-mass flywheel wears between 80,000 and 150,000 km. The 8-valve 1.9 has no flaps.

Check for the garage

Check the rod and flap operation on top of the manifold, read actuator codes, inspect the EGR and listen to the flywheel when starting and stopping.

Cost cited in the source

Intake manifold: €400–900 in parts; EGR cleaning: €150–250A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Mileage cited in the database: 80,000–150,000 km. This is not a maintenance interval and does not predict a failure.

Sources from the original database

Engine / equipment

Only the configurations, markets and VINs specified in each association.

Period mentioned

Specific production period stated in the condition and evidence.

Symptoms

Diesel-like rattle on cold startup.

Possible cause described

The garage identifies the variator as a possible noise source; persistent warm noise requires checking bearings.

Check for the garage

Verify engine, oil and cold/warm noise; confirm source before replacing the variator during timing belt work.

Cost cited in the source

No verified estimate. Confirm repair eligibility and terms by VIN.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Sources from the original database

Engine / equipment

Alfa Romeo Tonale

Period mentioned

Built up to 30/05/2023 (US bulletin)

Symptoms

After switching the ignition off and on, turning the steering wheel without power assistance turns on the engine warning light and stores code C0529-00; it goes out after turning the wheel from lock to lock.

Possible cause described

The electric power steering (EPS) module software loses the steering angle sensor calibration. Stellantis technical bulletin 08-149-23 (June 2023).

Check for the garage

The dealer updates the EPS module software (it may need several updates in a row) and recalibrates the steering angle sensor.

Cost cited in the source

No verified estimate; ask the garage for a quote.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Sources from the original database

Engine / equipment

Alfa Romeo Stelvio and Giulia (2.0 Turbo petrol and 2.2 diesel)

Period mentioned

2016 onwards

Symptoms

Loss of power and higher consumption from carbon on injectors and intake (petrol); a fuel gauge that reads too high; exterior lights that fail; on diesels, fire risk from the alternator cable rubbing on the EGR pipe.

Possible cause described

Documented recalls (KBA/ADAC): water in the lighting electronics (December 2016–May 2018), a coolant line that could come loose (2016–2018), the diesel alternator cable touching the EGR (18/1/2017–18/9/2018), the fuel gauge (31/3/2016–26/7/2019, fixed by software). Direct injection encourages carbon build-up.

Check for the garage

Check every campaign by VIN; on diesels, check the alternator cable; read codes if there is a loss of power.

Cost cited in the source

No verified estimate; ask the garage for a quote.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Sources from the original database

Engine / equipment

1.2 Hybrid 48 V: Peugeot 208 and 2008, Citroën C3, C3 Aircross, C4 and C4 X, DS 3, Opel Corsa, Frontera and Mokka, Jeep Avenger, Alfa Romeo Junior, Fiat 600 and Grande Panda, Lancia Ypsilon

Period mentioned

2023 onwards

Symptoms

Engine or electrical-fault warning light, a hot or burning smell under the bonnet and, in extreme cases, an engine-bay fire.

Possible cause described

There is too little clearance between the petrol particulate filter duct and the 48 V hybrid system’s guard (belt starter-generator): in humid conditions water can get in, an electric arc can form and it can overheat. Stellantis recalled about 700,000 cars worldwide (36 incidents, 12 with fire) and advises against pressure-washing the engine until the repair.

Check for the garage

Check the recall by VIN; do not pressure-wash the engine; with the warning or a burning smell, stop and park outdoors.

Cost cited in the source

Free under the recall.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Sources from the original database

Engine / equipment

Alfa Romeo 166 petrol (2.0 Twin Spark, 2.5 and 3.0 V6)

Period mentioned

1998–2007

Symptoms

Lack of power high in the rev range (air-flow meter); overheating if the water-pump impeller breaks; electrical faults; leaking gearbox seals.

Possible cause described

A buyer’s guide explains that Alfa halved the timing-belt interval on the petrols (about 58,000 km or 3 years), that the water pump should be changed with it because its plastic impeller breaks, and lists the air-flow meter, the electrics and the gearbox seals as weak points.

Check for the garage

Ask for the invoice for the last belt and pump change; if there is none, replace them before using the car; test all the electrics.

Cost cited in the source

No verified estimate; ask the garage for a quote.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Sources from the original database

Engine / equipment

Alfa Romeo 4C (1.75 TBi)

Period mentioned

2013–2020

Symptoms

Rough or hesitant shifts, especially at low speed.

Possible cause described

Buyer’s guides agree that the TCT gearbox is the most common complaint: some cars needed software updates or gearbox repairs. The 1.75 TBi engine is well regarded; the timing belt is changed every 60,000 miles or five years.

Check for the garage

Test the gearbox at low speed and when manoeuvring; read its fault memory; check the date of the last belt change.

Cost cited in the source

No verified estimate; ask the garage for a quote.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Sources from the original database

Engine / equipment

Alfa Romeo Tonale 1.5 Hybrid 160 hp (48 V mild hybrid)

Period mentioned

2022–2026

Symptoms

Usually nothing before the failure; in the worst case, engine damage.

Possible cause described

Stellantis recalled 33,326 Tonale 1.5 Hybrid 160 hp cars (campaign F60W, built from February 2022 to February 2026) because abnormal combustion can put excessive stress on a connecting rod. The engine-ECU software is updated in about 30 minutes; 175 hp versions are not affected.

Check for the garage

Check campaign F60W by VIN; if the engine knocks, stop and have it inspected.

Cost cited in the source

Free under the recall.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Sources from the original database