Faults and recalls.

Engine / equipment

OM651 2.1/2.2 CDI (C 200/220/250 CDI, E 200/220/250, GLK, Vito, Sprinter)

Period mentioned

2008 onwards

Symptoms

Chain rattle on a cold start; on early units, loud injector knocking; coolant loss from the plastic coolant manifold or the EGR cooler.

Possible cause described

Plastic chain guide and a hydraulic tensioner that loses pressure (the chain is at the rear). Early units used problematic piezo injectors that Mercedes replaced in a campaign.

Check for the garage

Listen to a cold start, check the dealer's injector campaign history and check the coolant level.

Cost cited in the source

Chain: approx. €1,500–3,000 (estimate)A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Sources from the original database

Engine / equipment

OM642 3.0 V6 CDI/BlueTEC (280/300/320/350 CDI, ML, GL, R, Sprinter)

Period mentioned

2005 onwards

Symptoms

Oil pooling in the engine's V, burning oil smell, drips under the engine; or a hiss or chirp next to an injector with an exhaust smell.

Possible cause described

The oil cooler seals (in the engine's V) degrade. Separately, injector washers leak combustion gas and carbon builds up around the injector.

Check for the garage

Visual inspection of the engine's V and the base of the injectors.

Cost cited in the source

Oil cooler seals: labour-heavy, approx. €800–1,800 (estimate)A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Sources from the original database

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

1.2, 1.4, 1.9 and 2.0 TDI unit-injector (PD) engines, including the VW-sourced 2.0 CRD in Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep

Period mentioned

2000–2010

Symptoms

Growing noise from the cylinder head, power loss and rough running (cams and lifters); unstable idle, smoke or hesitation (injectors); on the 16-valve 2.0 TDI, coolant loss with no visible leak from a cracked head.

Possible cause described

The camshaft also drives the unit injectors and carries a heavy load: without VW 505.01 oil the lobes and lifters wear. 2.0 TDI PD injectors fail frequently. Some 16-valve 2.0 TDI heads (part number ending in A) crack; VW considered it fixed by the end of 2006.

Check for the garage

Check the oil history (VW 505.01), listen to the head, check injector balance rates with a diagnostic tool and, on the 16-valve 2.0 TDI, read the head part number (03G 103 351) and look for coolant loss.

Cost cited in the source

Camshaft and lifters: approx. €400–800; 2.0 TDI PD injectors: €900–2,000A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Mileage cited in the database: 120,000–200,000 km. This is not a maintenance interval and does not predict a failure.

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

Jeep Wrangler 4xe and Grand Cherokee 4xe (plug-in hybrids)

Period mentioned

2020–2025

Symptoms

Usually none. In rare cases, a battery fire, including when parked.

Possible cause described

Some cells may have a damaged internal separator. Stellantis has run several recalls since 2023, the latest in the US for about 320,000 cars; until a fix is available it asks owners not to charge them and to park outside. The repair is a software update and, if needed, a battery replacement.

Check for the garage

Confirm the recall status by VIN; if one is open with no fix, do not charge and park away from buildings.

Cost cited in the source

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

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

MIL, rough idle or partial power loss with DTC P0087-00, P0088-00 or P0089-00.

Possible cause described

Debris in the pump can disrupt fuel pressure on vehicles covered by the bulletin.

Check for the garage

Confirm Brazil, EYJ engine, VIN and DTCs. Exclude if P0169/P0171. Compare actual/target rail pressure and low pressure: at 5.2–6 bar follow approved cleaning; replace pump and pipe only if unresolved. Below 5.2 bar diagnose low pressure and do not apply this repair.

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

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

Period mentioned

Specific production period stated in the condition and evidence.

Symptoms

Power loss or jerking; possible failure to restart after stopping.

Possible cause described

Internal leak at the parking pawl locking piston.

Check for the garage

Confirm version and P0B0C-7A. Follow the official decision tree: check accompanying codes, mileage, external leaks and piston condition. Piston repair or transmission replacement depends on these results; do not replace based solely on the DTC.

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

Fiat 500X (2016–2020), Jeep Renegade (2015–2020) and Jeep Compass (2017–2018) built without a drain hole in the silencer

Period mentioned

2015–2020

Symptoms

Below freezing the starter turns but the engine does not start; on days without frost it starts fine. More likely after short trips.

Possible cause described

Condensation water collects in the rear silencer and freezes, blocking the exhaust. FCA bulletin 09-004-20 (also valid in Europe) says to drill a 3 mm drain hole in the silencer.

Check for the garage

Ask the garage about bulletin 09-004-20 and whether the silencer already has the drain hole; until then, avoid leaving the car outside in frost right after a very short trip.

Cost cited in the source

Short garage job: drilling a drain hole; ask for a quote.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Sources from the original database

Engine / equipment

2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee WK2 with the 3.0 V6 Turbo Diesel (EcoDiesel)

Period mentioned

2014

Symptoms

A few seconds of shudder at steady speed (80–113 km/h and 1,600–2,000 rpm), like driving over rumble strips, mostly while the engine warms up or on the 6–7 upshift; it goes away when you accelerate hard or lift off. No codes are stored.

Possible cause described

Carbon builds up on the exhaust valve stems, mostly in cars driven almost always under light load. FCA bulletin 09-006-15 replaces the cylinder heads with ones that have new valve stem seals.

Check for the garage

Tell the garage exactly when it happens (speed, rpm and a warming engine) and ask about bulletin 09-006-15; it can be mistaken for a gearbox or misfire problem.

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