Opel Adam
Modern 1.4 L turbo with direct injection. Powerful but prone to turbocharger and water ingress problems. Timing chain instead of belt.
Adam S – genuine city sprinter
110 kW turbo, sport suspension, direct gearbox – the Adam S is a real fun machine on tight twisty roads.
Engine Weaknesses 4
The timing chain can stretch, especially with neglected oil change intervals. In extreme cases the chain jumps a tooth.
Symptoms: Rattling on cold start, engine management light, rough running, VVT actuator faults.
The internal water pump leaks coolant into the engine oil or externally. Can lead to engine overheating if not detected in time.
Symptoms: Coolant level drops, milky oil on the filler cap, sweet smell from engine bay.
Electronic boost pressure control fails, engine enters limp mode. Solenoid valve or pressure sensor faulty.
Symptoms: Power loss, limp mode, engine management light, fault code P0299.
The turbocharger wastegate valve develops play and rattles metallically when cold. Common from 60,000 km.
Symptoms: Metallic clanking on cold start and at low RPM, disappears when engine is warm.
Vehicle Weaknesses 13
Recall (2018): The panoramic glass roof may detach while driving. Adhesive on the aluminium frame inadequate. Affected: Opel Adam with panoramic roof.
Steering intermediate shafts made from non-approved material can fracture, causing complete loss of steering.
The in-tank fuel pump can fail on the Adam, leading to no-start or engine cut-out while driving. Typical failure mode at higher mileage, sometimes already below 100,000 km.
The air conditioning compressor on the Adam can seize or fail, causing it to cut out completely. Replacement cost: €500–900 including regas.
Tie rod ends on the Adam wear prematurely. Noticeable play in the steering and MOT failures are common consequences.
Coil springs and shock absorbers on the Adam wear faster than average — particularly on the sport suspension. Springs can break at the coil end.
TÜV bemängelt beim Adam häufiger als üblich defekte oder falsch eingestellte Abblendlichter. Probleme treten bereits ab dem dritten Betriebsjahr auf.
Front wheel bearings on the Adam can develop a humming or grinding noise from around 80,000–100,000 km. Replacement cost per side: €180–280.
Surface corrosion on the underbody and sill edges is common on the Adam from around the third year. The thin factory undercoating is insufficient for winter use.
Water enters through the ventilation grilles below the rear bumper and leaking tail light seals. Spare wheel well and trunk floor become soaked. A known production-line issue.
The plastic flange on the thermostat housing becomes porous after 6–8 years. Pieces break off, coolant leaks out. Metal replacement available as an upgrade.
The gear linkage on the Adam's manual gearbox becomes stiff and imprecise with age, especially cold. 2nd and 3rd gears are the most affected.
Plastic connections in the dashboard rattle especially in cold weather and at certain engine speeds. Instrument cluster area and interior mirror trim particularly affected.
