KNOWN FAULTS · Opel

Known faults for the Opel Astra L.

2021–2026 · Petrol / Diesel / Plug-in hybrid / Electric

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

5 known faults with sources

Engines: 1.2 Turbo (PureTech) (Petrol)

Oil-bath timing belt degradationTiming / lubrication

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.

Engines: 1.2 Turbo (PureTech) (Petrol) · 1.5 Diesel (BlueHDi) (Diesel) · Hybrid (Plug-in hybrid)

Applies if: Only if fitted with the automatic gearbox described in the record.

EAT6/EAT8 jerking and torque converterAutomatic gearbox

Engine / equipment: Aisin EAT6 and EAT8 automatic gearboxes (308, 3008, 5008, 508, 2008, C4 Picasso, C5 Aircross, C4, DS 7, Grandland…)
Period mentioned: 2013–2026
Symptoms: Hesitation or a jolt between 1st and 2nd, torque converter shudder in traffic, harsh or delayed shifts and a gearbox fault warning, especially on 2017–2019 3008s.
Possible cause described: Torque converter wear or drift, valve deposits from degraded oil and software faults. Peugeot treats the oil as lifetime, but dirty or low oil causes harsh shifts.
Check for the garage: Check oil level and condition, update the gearbox software at the dealer and, after an oil change, record it with DiagBox and reset the adaptations.
Cost cited in the source: Oil change and update: the most common fix; torque converter or valve body: specialist garage repairA rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Engines: 1.5 Diesel (BlueHDi) (Diesel)

AdBlue system failure (start countdown)Exhaust and emissions (AdBlue)

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.

Engines: 1.5 Diesel (BlueHDi) (Diesel)

1.5 BlueHDi camshaft chainTiming system

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.

Engines: Astra Electric (Electric)

Applies if: Only cars built from 16/3 to 30/8/2023; confirm by VIN.

The e-308 and Astra Electric may move the wrong way when pulling away on a slopeElectrical and electronic systems

Engine / equipment: Peugeot e-308 and Opel Astra Electric built from March to August 2023
Period mentioned: 2023
Symptoms: When pulling away from a standstill on a slope, the car rolls the opposite way to the one selected until the brake is applied.
Possible cause described: A communication error between the electric motor control unit and the body control unit makes the immobiliser data be misread. Recall MJZ (Rapex alert 51/2023): 1,466 electric Peugeot 308 and Opel Astra cars worldwide built from 16/3 to 30/8/2023; in Germany, KBA 013243 for the Astra Electric. The motor control unit software is updated in about 20 minutes.
Check for the garage: Check campaign MJZ by VIN at a Peugeot or Opel dealer.
Cost cited in the source: Free under the recall.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.