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Opel · Compact · 2015–2022 Custom Search

Opel Astra K

Weaknesses, engine ratings and buying advice

2.4 / 5.0 · Based on 10 engine variants
Most Fun Engine

280 PS

2.0L Turbo Benzin

The Opel that's really worth it

Legendary!
Most Reliable Engine

120–150 PS

1.4L Turbo Benzin

4 weaknesses

Good Choice
Problem Engine

100–136 PS

1.2L Turbo PureTech Benzin

8 weaknesses

Stay Away!

Body Variants

The Opel Astra K is available as Sports Tourer and Hatchback — choose your body type for specific insurance data:

Generations


Engine Overview

The Opel Astra K is available with 8 engine variants — from 75 to 280 hp. 4 variants had engine changes — the model year is crucial.

1.5L BlueHDi · Diesel· 105–122 PS Engine Change
2019 2022
Stay Away! 5 weaknesses
2019 2022
Stay Away! 5 weaknesses
1.6L CDTI · Diesel· 95–160 PS Engine Change
2015 2019
Be Careful 4 weaknesses
2015 2019
Be Careful 4 weaknesses
2015 2019
Be Careful 4 weaknesses
2015 2019
Be Careful 4 weaknesses
1.0L Turbo · Petrol· 90 PS
2018 2022
Be Careful 8 weaknesses
1.0L Turbo ECOTEC · Petrol· 105 PS
2015 2019
Be Careful 4 weaknesses
1.2L Turbo PureTech · Petrol· 110–131 PS Engine Change
2019 2022
Stay Away! 8 weaknesses
2019 2022
Stay Away! 8 weaknesses
1.4L ECOTEC · Petrol· 101 PS
2015 2019
Be Careful 4 weaknesses
1.4L Turbo · Petrol· 120–150 PS Engine Change
2015 2019
Good Choice 4 weaknesses
2015 2019
Good Choice 4 weaknesses
1.6L Turbo · Petrol· 200 PS
2015 2019
Stay Away! 4 weaknesses

The Opel 1.5L BlueHDi (Diesel, 105–122 PS) comes with 2 different engines: DV5RD (2019–2022, Stay Away!) and DV5RD (2019–2022, Stay Away!). Pay attention to the model year for the 1.5L BlueHDi!

The Opel 1.6L CDTI (Diesel, 95–160 PS) comes with 4 different engines: B16DTH (2015–2019, Be Careful) and B16DTH (2015–2019, Be Careful) and B16DTH (2015–2019, Be Careful) and B16DTH (2015–2019, Be Careful). Pay attention to the model year for the 1.6L CDTI!

The Opel 1.0L Turbo (Petrol, 90 PS) has the B10XFL (1.0L Turbo) — rated: "Be Careful", 8 known weaknesses.

The Opel 1.0L Turbo ECOTEC (Petrol, 105 PS) has the B10XFT (1.0L Turbo ECOTEC) — rated: "Be Careful", 4 known weaknesses.

The Opel 1.2L Turbo PureTech (Petrol, 110–131 PS) comes with 2 different engines: EB2DTS (2019–2022, Stay Away!) and EB2DTS (2019–2022, Stay Away!). Pay attention to the model year for the 1.2L Turbo PureTech!

The Opel 1.4L ECOTEC (Petrol, 101 PS) has the B14XER (1.4L ECOTEC) — rated: "Be Careful", 4 known weaknesses.

The Opel 1.4L Turbo (Petrol, 120–150 PS) comes with 2 different engines: B14NET (2015–2019, Good Choice) and B14NET (2015–2019, Good Choice). Pay attention to the model year for the 1.4L Turbo!

The Opel 1.6L Turbo (Petrol, 200 PS) has the D16SHT (1.6L Turbo) — rated: "Stay Away!", 4 known weaknesses.

Explore more

Vehicle Weaknesses

WeaknessCost
!LED headlight connector problems

LED headlights on the Astra K fail sporadically due to loose connectors and faulty control units. Mainly affects early production years 2015–2017.

Symptoms: Headlight does not illuminate or only intermittently, headlight warning light in dashboard, headlight levelling not responding.
from 50,000 km
Medium
IntelliLink 900 display failure

The display on the Navi 900 IntelliLink flickers, stays black, or shows colour errors. Hardware defect at the display panel. Replacement costs around €160 (used) to €1,250 (new).

Symptoms: Display flickers one-sided on startup, screen stays black, colours distorted or shifted, navi and radio not operable.
from 50,000 km
Medium
HMI / infotainment system freezes

The first HMI module in the Astra K (pre-2016 recall) freezes or becomes unresponsive. Sporadic audio dropouts can still occur even after updates.

Symptoms: Infotainment system unresponsive, audio briefly drops out, screen frozen, restart required.
from 30,000 km
Medium
Navi / infotainment system freezes

The infotainment system on the Astra K regularly freezes or crashes. Navigation and Apple CarPlay stop responding. Often fixable by a software update, but the problem returns.

Symptoms: Screen unresponsive to touch, navigation drops out, radio stops playing, black screen on cold start.
from 40,000 km
Low

Test Reports

tuev

AUTO BILD TÜV-Report

Average

Oil loss remains the dominant problem. On the Astra K, infotainment failures, juddering 1.4 turbo engines and fogged driver assistance camera lenses are additional issues. Recalls affected defective airbag inflators and brake master cylinders.

2024-11

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Known Problems and Issues

A total of 66 weaknesses have been documented for the Opel Astra K (2015–2022) — 52 engine-related and 14 vehicle-related. 4 problem engines: D16SHT (1.6L Turbo), EB2DTS (1.2L Turbo PureTech), DV5RD (1.5L BlueHDi), EP6 (1.6L THP). Typical issues affect Electronics, Other, Gearbox, Rust. Considered reliable: B14NET (1.4L Turbo).

Astra (B16DTH, 2015–2019) — Be Careful: Timing chain rattles – tensioner problem, Recall emissions scandal – coke deposits after update, Intake manifold and EGR valve coked up. Power: 95 PS.

Astra (B16DTH, 2015–2019) — Be Careful: Timing chain rattles – tensioner problem, Recall emissions scandal – coke deposits after update, Intake manifold and EGR valve coked up. Power: 110 PS.

Astra (B16DTH, 2015–2019) — Be Careful: Timing chain rattles – tensioner problem, Recall emissions scandal – coke deposits after update, Intake manifold and EGR valve coked up. Power: 136 PS.

Astra (B16DTH, 2015–2019) — Be Careful: Timing chain rattles – tensioner problem, Recall emissions scandal – coke deposits after update, Intake manifold and EGR valve coked up. Power: 160 PS.

Astra (DV5RD, 2019–2022) — Stay Away!: Camshaft chain: premature wear (recall), AdBlue system: pump, sensor and dosing valve, DPF blockage in short-trip operation. Power: 105 PS.

Astra (DV5RD, 2019–2022) — Stay Away!: Camshaft chain: premature wear (recall), AdBlue system: pump, sensor and dosing valve, DPF blockage in short-trip operation. Power: 122 PS.

Astra (A20NFT, 2012–2018) — Be Careful: Timing chain guide rail breaks, Turbocharger shaft play / bearing failure, Dual-mass flywheel worn. Power: 280 PS.

Astra (B14XER, 2015–2019) — Be Careful: Ignition coil module faulty, Thermostat housing leaking, Charcoal canister purge valve faulty. Power: 101 PS.

Astra (B10XFT, 2015–2019) — Be Careful: Timing chain worn, Head gasket failure, Turbocharger wear. Power: 105 PS.

Astra (D16SHT, 2015–2019) — Stay Away!: Timing chain wear (recall), DPF blocked in short-trip use, EGR valve coked up. Power: 200 PS.

Astra (B10XFL, 2018–2022) — Be Careful: Timing cover leaking – water in oil, Turbocharger premature failure, VVT solenoid faulty. Power: 90 PS.

Astra (EB2DTS, 2019–2022) — Stay Away!: Wet timing belt disintegrates, Oil starvation from blocked oil passages, Wet belt degrades in oil – oil contamination. Power: 110 PS.

Astra (EB2DTS, 2019–2022) — Stay Away!: Wet timing belt disintegrates, Oil starvation from blocked oil passages, Wet belt degrades in oil – oil contamination. Power: 131 PS.

Astra (EP6, 2021–2025) — Stay Away!: Timing chain stretched, tensioner faulty, Turbocharger: oil supply blocked, High-pressure fuel pump faulty. Power: 149–150 PS.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What problems and weaknesses does the Opel Astra K have? +
The Opel Astra K has 52 known engine weaknesses and 14 vehicle weaknesses.
What should I look for when buying a used Opel Astra K? +
faq.watch_a_avoid faq.watch_a_rec
Which engine is recommended? +
Good choice: B14NET (1.4L Turbo). The most reliable engine is the B14NET (1.4L Turbo) with the lowest risk score. The most fun to drive is the A20NFT (2.0L Turbo). Problem engine: EB2DTS (1.2L Turbo PureTech) — stay away!
Which Opel Astra K engine is the most reliable? +
The {code} ({displacement}) is the most reliable engine in the Opel Astra K. It has the lowest risk score of all available engines and is rated "Good Choice". However, there are 4 known weaknesses to be aware of.
Which Opel Astra K engine is the most fun? +
The {code} ({displacement}) offers the most driving fun in the Opel Astra K — rated: "Legendary!". {description} HiPerStrut front axle, mechanical limited-slip differential, Brembo brakes – this isn't a marketed special edition, it's a genuine sports car. The steering stays neutral even under full-throttle cornering; the diff pushes without steering kickback. The turbo pulls hard from 3,000 rpm through to 7,000.
Is the Opel Astra K worth buying used? +
Caution is advised with the Opel Astra K — 4 of 10 engine variants are rated 'Stay Away!'. The engine choice is crucial.
What horsepower variants are available for the Opel Astra K? +
The Opel Astra K is available with engine variants from 75 to 280 hp. Petrol: B14XER (1.4L ECOTEC), B14NET (1.4L Turbo), B10XFL (1.0L Turbo), B10XFT (1.0L Turbo ECOTEC), D16SHT (1.6L Turbo), EB2DTS (1.2L Turbo PureTech), EP6 (1.6L THP), A20NFT (2.0L Turbo). Diesel: B16DTH (1.6L CDTI), DV5RD (1.5L BlueHDi).

Last updated: February 2026 · All information without guarantee