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Alfa Romeo · Mid-Size · 2005–2011

Alfa Romeo 159 939

Weaknesses, engine ratings and buying advice

★★★★★
3.2 / 5.0 · Based on 9 engine variants
Most Fun Engine

260 PS

3.2L V6 JTS Benzin

260 hp Busso V6 in the Sports Saloon — the Last of Its Kind

Legendary!
Most Reliable Engine

140 PS

1.8L MPI Benzin

6 weaknesses

Good Choice

Body Variants

The Alfa Romeo 159 939 is available as Limousine and Kombi — choose your body type for specific insurance data:

Limousine
9 Engines 1× Good Choice
view Limousine →
Kombi
9 Engines 1× Good Choice
view Kombi →

Engine Overview

The Alfa Romeo 159 939 is available with 9 engine variants — from 116 to 260 hp. 1 variants had engine changes — the model year is crucial.

1.9 JTDM · Diesel· 116–120 PS
2005 2011
Be Careful 6 weaknesses
1.9 JTDM 16V · Diesel· 150 PS
2005 2011
Be Careful 6 weaknesses
2.0 JTDM · Diesel· 163–170 PS
2005 2011
Be Careful 6 weaknesses
2.4 JTDM · Diesel· 200–209 PS Engine Change
2005 2011
Be Careful 6 weaknesses
2005 2011
Be Careful 6 weaknesses
Show all weaknesses →
1.75 TBi · Benziner· 200 PS
2009 2011
Be Careful 6 weaknesses
1.8 MPI · Benziner· 140 PS
2005 2011
Good Choice 6 weaknesses
1.9 JTS · Benziner· 160 PS
2005 2011
Be Careful 6 weaknesses
2.2 JTS · Benziner· 185 PS
2005 2011
Be Careful 6 weaknesses
3.2 V6 · Benziner· 260 PS
2005 2011
Be Careful 5 weaknesses

The Alfa Romeo 1.9 JTDM (Diesel, 116–120 PS) has the 939A1.000 (1.9L JTDM) — rated: "Be Careful", 6 known weaknesses.

The Alfa Romeo 1.9 JTDM 16V (Diesel, 150 PS) has the 939A2.000 (1.9L JTDM 16V) — rated: "Be Careful", 6 known weaknesses.

The Alfa Romeo 2.0 JTDM (Diesel, 163–170 PS) has the 939B3.000 (2.0L JTDM) — rated: "Be Careful", 6 known weaknesses.

The Alfa Romeo 2.4 JTDM (Diesel, 200–209 PS) comes with 2 different engines: 939A9.000 (2005–2011, Be Careful) und 939A9.000 (2005–2011, Be Careful). Pay attention to the model year for the 2.4 JTDM!

The Alfa Romeo 1.75 TBi (Benziner, 200 PS) has the 939B1.000 (1.75L TBi) — rated: "Be Careful", 6 known weaknesses.

The Alfa Romeo 1.8 MPI (Benziner, 140 PS) has the 939A4.000 (1.8L MPI) — rated: "Good Choice", 6 known weaknesses.

The Alfa Romeo 1.9 JTS (Benziner, 160 PS) has the 939A6.000 (1.9L JTS) — rated: "Be Careful", 6 known weaknesses.

The Alfa Romeo 2.2 JTS (Benziner, 185 PS) has the 939A5.000 (2.2L JTS) — rated: "Be Careful", 6 known weaknesses.

The Alfa Romeo 3.2 V6 (Benziner, 260 PS) has the 939A.000 (3.2L V6 JTS) — rated: "Be Careful", 5 known weaknesses.

Vehicle Weaknesses

WeaknessCost
✖Front subframe heavily corroded

The front subframe (engine cradle), rear axle carrier and sills rust without adequate factory protection. Particularly on TI models, areas behind trim panels corrode unnoticed. Subframe replacement costs approximately 1,000 € plus fitment.

Symptoms: Visible rust on underbody carriers, rust behind sill trim, underbody damage on ramp inspection
from 100,000 km
Ad subframe Alfa 159 frontMotorträger 159 939Achsträger 159 frontsubframe 939 gebraucht
 High

Test Reports

vergleichstest

Used Car Test 2018

Average

Only around 58.5 percent of seven-year-old Alfa 159s pass their MOT at the first attempt — a noticeably worse result than comparable German rivals. Diesel engines in particular cause significant problems up to and including total engine failure. Brake discs and suspension wear above average.

2018-01

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Known Problems and Issues

A total of 61 weaknesses have been documented for the Alfa Romeo 159 939 (2005–2011) — 53 engine-related and 8 vehicle-related. Typical issues affect Rust, Gearbox, Suspension, Steering. Considered reliable: 939A4.000 (1.8L MPI).

159 (939A1.000, 2005–2011) — Be Careful: Intake manifold coked by EGR, VTG turbocharger coked and jammed, Dual-mass flywheel wears out. Power: 116–120 PS.

159 (939A2.000, 2005–2011) — Be Careful: Oil pressure loss — oil pump or feed line seal, Intake manifold coked by EGR, VTG turbocharger coked. Power: 150 PS.

159 (939A9.000, 2005–2011) — Be Careful: Dual-mass flywheel wears out, Intake manifold coked by EGR, DPF blockage with short-trip driving. Power: 200 PS.

159 (939A9.000, 2005–2011) — Be Careful: Dual-mass flywheel wears out, Intake manifold coked by EGR, DPF blockage with short-trip driving. Power: 209 PS.

159 (939B3.000, 2005–2011) — Be Careful: Intake manifold coked by EGR, VTG turbocharger coked, Oil pump O-ring hardened — brief pressure drop. Power: 163–170 PS.

159 (939A6.000, 2005–2011) — Be Careful: Cylinder head crack — mainly high-output variant, Carbon deposits on intake valves, Elevated oil consumption. Power: 160 PS.

159 (939A5.000, 2005–2011) — Be Careful: Carbon deposits on intake valves, Ignition coils failed, Dual-mass flywheel prematurely worn. Power: 185 PS.

159 (939A.000, 2005–2011) — Be Careful: Timing chain rattles when cold, Carbon deposits on intake valves, Swirl flaps — linkage bush worn. Power: 260 PS.

159 (939B1.000, 2009–2011) — Be Careful: Turbocharger vulnerable under high-performance use, Timing belt drives the high-pressure pump, Injectors fouled (direct injection). Power: 200 PS.

What to watch out for with the Alfa Romeo 159? See the detailed listing of all engine and vehicle weaknesses in the sections above.

Frequently Asked Questions

What problems and weaknesses does the Alfa Romeo 159 939 have? +
The Alfa Romeo 159 939 has 53 known engine weaknesses and 8 vehicle weaknesses.
What should I look for when buying a used Alfa Romeo 159 939? +
faq.watch_a_solid
Which engine is recommended? +
Good choice: 939A4.000 (1.8L MPI). The most reliable engine is the 939A4.000 (1.8L MPI) with the lowest risk score. The most fun to drive is the 939A.000 (3.2L V6 JTS).
Which Alfa Romeo 159 939 engine is the most reliable? +
The {code} ({displacement}) is the most reliable engine in the Alfa Romeo 159 939. It has the lowest risk score of all available engines and is rated "Good Choice". However, there are 6 known weaknesses to be aware of.
Which Alfa Romeo 159 939 engine is the most fun? +
The {code} ({displacement}) offers the most driving fun in the Alfa Romeo 159 939 — rated: "Legendary!". {description} The 159 3.2 V6 with manual gearbox is the last Alfa with a Busso engine and a manual transmission — after that, the legendary six-cylinder was finished. The engine howls from 5,000 rpm with the typical Busso sound, the 159 is significantly heavier than the old 156 GTA and therefore less nervous. The six-speed manual is long-geared, but suits the character: authoritative on the motorway, rewarding with manual downshifts into the engine's rev band on country roads. One of the rarest 159s — most buyers opted for the automatic.
Is the Alfa Romeo 159 939 worth buying used? +
The Alfa Romeo 159 939 is a good choice as a used car — 1 of 9 engine variants are rated 'Good Choice'.
What horsepower variants are available for the Alfa Romeo 159 939? +
The Alfa Romeo 159 939 is available with engine variants from 116 to 260 hp. Petrol: 939A4.000 (1.8L MPI), 939A6.000 (1.9L JTS), 939A5.000 (2.2L JTS), 939A.000 (3.2L V6 JTS), 939B1.000 (1.75L TBi). Diesel: 939A1.000 (1.9L JTDM), 939A2.000 (1.9L JTDM 16V), 939A9.000 (2.4L JTDM), 939B3.000 (2.0L JTDM).

Last updated: February 2026 · All information without guarantee