KNOWN FAULTS · Opel

Known faults for the Opel Astra K.

2015–2021 · Petrol / Diesel

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

3 known faults with sources

Engines: 1.0 / 1.4 Turbo (Petrol)

Opel 1.4 Turbo timing chainTiming system

Engine / equipment: 1.4 Turbo A14NET (Astra J, Meriva B, Mokka, Zafira C, Cascada…)
Period mentioned: 2009–2018
Symptoms: Chain rattle, engine light and lack of power. Note: a rattle lasting only 1–3 seconds on a cold start is usually the dual-mass flywheel, not the chain.
Possible cause described: The timing chain on the 1.4 Turbo stretches, a different problem from the naturally aspirated 1.2 and 1.4.
Check for the garage: Listen to how long the noise lasts on a cold start and check chain stretch with a diagnostic tool before replacing it.
Cost cited in the source: Chain: approx. €820–3,700 (converted from dollars)A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Engines: 1.2 Turbo (GM, desde 2019) (Petrol) · 1.5 Diesel (GM, desde 2019) (Diesel)

Oil-bath belt on the 1.2 Turbo and chain on the 1.5 Diesel in the Astra KTiming system

Engine / equipment: Opel Astra K from 2019: three-cylinder 1.2 Turbo and 1.5 Diesel
Period mentioned: 2019–2021
Symptoms: 1.2 Turbo: the timing belt runs in oil and, with the manual gearbox, there have been cases of crankshaft end play. 1.5 Diesel: rattling on a cold start or under load changes from a stretched chain, risking engine failure. On all: oil leaks that fail the roadworthiness test.
Possible cause described: The 1.2 Turbo lasts if oil changes are kept with the correct oil; the German guide recommends the automatic. The chain problems of the earlier 1.6 CDTI were never fully solved and also affect the 1.5 Diesel. Recalls: high lambda at inspection (2017–2019, software), seat welding (2019), AdBlue-pump diagnostics (from 2019) and wheel-bolt torque (2019–2020).
Check for the garage: Ask for the oil-change history; listen on a cold start; check for oil leaks and 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: 1.6 CDTI (Diesel)

Opel CDTI EGR cooler and timing beltEGR / timing

Engine / equipment: Opel 1.6 CDTI (B16DTH), 1.7 CDTI (A17DTR) and 2.0 CDTI (A20DTH) diesels: Astra, Insignia, Meriva, Mokka, Zafira, Corsa and Cascada
Period mentioned: 2006–2019
Symptoms: Coolant loss with no visible leak or white smoke (cracked EGR cooler); power loss and rough idle (clogged EGR); on the 2.0 CDTI, water pump noise before the belt breaks.
Possible cause described: On the 2.0 CDTI the EGR cooler cracks internally (common between 100,000 and 180,000 km) and the timing belt, on an interference engine, breaks early, often because the water pump seizes. On the 1.7 CDTI the EGR fills with carbon between 80,000 and 150,000 km. On the 1.6 CDTI the EGR cooler also leaks internally.
Check for the garage: Watch the coolant level, check whether the 2.0 CDTI belt and water pump were replaced together and inspect the EGR.
Cost cited in the source: 2.0 CDTI EGR cooler: approx. €550–1,650; belt kit with pump: €450–750 at a German garage; 1.7 CDTI EGR: €370–1,100 (converted from dollars)A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Mileage cited in the database: 80,000–180,000 km. This is not a maintenance interval and does not predict a failure.