KNOWN FAULTS · Alfa Romeo

Known faults for the Alfa Romeo 159.

2005–2011 · Petrol / Diesel

Sources are not verified in real time and no entry confirms that your car is affected.

3 known faults with sources

Engines: 1.75 TBi / 1.9 / 2.2 JTS (Petrol)

Applies if: Only the 2.2 JTS (and 3.2 V6) petrols; not the 1.75 TBi or 1.9 JTS.

Timing chain on the 2.2 JTS and 3.2 V6 (159, Brera and Spider)Timing system

Engine / equipment: 2.2 JTS and 3.2 V6 JTS petrol (GM-based): Alfa Romeo 159, Brera and Spider
Period mentioned: 2005–2011
Symptoms: Chain rattle on a cold start; the chain stretches and in some cases breaks, causing serious engine damage.
Possible cause described: Long oil-change intervals (about 32,000 km) create sludge that stops the chains being properly lubricated; the original GM engines had the same issue.
Check for the garage: Listen on a cold start; Honest John advises changing the oil about every 16,000 km.
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.

Engines: 1.75 TBi / 1.9 / 2.2 JTS (Petrol) · 1.9 / 2.0 / 2.4 JTDm (Diesel)

Applies if: Weak points of this model from inspections, breakdown statistics and recalls; anything specific to one engine is stated in the sheet.

Rust, diesel brakes and campaigns on the 159, Brera and SpiderKnown weak points

Engine / equipment: Alfa Romeo 159, Brera and Spider (petrol and JTDm)
Period mentioned: 2005–2011
Symptoms: Rust on the front subframe (poor factory paint) that fails the inspection, and on the floor; radiator hoses chafing on the fan housing; failing manual gearboxes; on the 1750 TBi, reverse sticking on uphill starts; on diesels, intermittent loss of brake assistance (vacuum pump), belts and water pumps on the 1.9/2.4 JTDm and the dual-mass flywheel on the 2.0 JTDm.
Possible cause described: Cases collected by Honest John; replacing the master cylinder cured the braking problem on some diesels. Recalls: possible loss of control (built 1/11/2005 to 28/2/2007), brakes (20–22/11/2007) and, on the Brera, a heat shield that could damage a brake pipe (June–August 2006).
Check for the garage: Check the subframe and floor; test reverse on a slope; check campaigns by VIN.
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.

Engines: 1.9 / 2.0 / 2.4 JTDm (Diesel)

1.9/2.4 JTD intake flaps, EGR and flywheelIntake / EGR / flywheel

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.