Opel Mokka
Opel's own 1.7-litre common-rail diesel that replaced the Isuzu Z17DTH. Thermally well designed but with known weaknesses in the EGR system and timing chain. Short-trip use is poison for this engine.
Mokka diesel
96 kW diesel in the Mokka – good torque for the compact SUV.
Engine Weaknesses 5
The EGR cooler can develop an internal leak allowing coolant into the intake. This results in gradual coolant loss and, in worst case, engine failure through overheating.
Symptoms: Gradual coolant loss, white smoke from exhaust, bubbles in coolant reservoir, coolant temperature rising abnormally.
The variable geometry turbocharger can seize at the vanes due to soot deposits. Aggravated by EGR and DPF problems and short trips. Limp mode at 2,500 rpm is typical.
Symptoms: Engine management light, power loss with limp mode at approx. 2,500 rpm, boost pressure fault code, whistling from turbo.
The timing chain can stretch prematurely with neglected oil change intervals. Rattling on cold start indicates wear. If the chain breaks, catastrophic engine failure follows.
Symptoms: Rattling or ticking on cold start from the timing chain area, noise fades on warm-up, engine management light at advanced wear.
The EGR valve carbons up with soot deposits and sticks open or closed. Typical problem on short trips without reaching the self-cleaning temperature.
Symptoms: Power loss under full load, misfires at low rpm, engine management light, elevated exhaust soot.
The metering unit of the high-pressure pump regulates common-rail fuel pressure and can fail through wear. Replacement is inexpensive; a failed pump itself is costly.
Symptoms: Rough idle, misfires between 1,500 and 2,000 rpm, hot-start problems, engine stalling shortly after start.
Vehicle Weaknesses 15
The Haldex coupling of the Mokka A AWD variants becomes sludged due to infrequent coupling oil changes. The pre-pressure pump fails and the rear wheels are no longer driven.
Opel recalled Mokka A models due to defective airbag igniter modules. Ignition chemistry can decompose and emit fragments. Affects certain build years and production batches.
The rear brake calipers of the Mokka A tend to stick due to corrosion build-up. Especially on vehicles used predominantly on motorways where the brakes are rarely used hard, corrosion locks the pistons.
The AC system of the Mokka A fails due to a defective compressor. Refrigerant loss through leaking pipe connections is also known. According to owner reports this occurred within the first two years on some vehicles.
The AC system of the Mokka A fails due to compressor defects or refrigerant loss. Stone chip damage to the condenser and age-related hose leaks are common causes.
The rear brake calipers of the Mokka A tend to seize due to corroded guide pins. Brake pads are loaded unevenly and prematurely destroy the discs.
Ignition switch and starter motor on the Mokka A fail prematurely. The starter cranks but no longer reliably fires the engine — especially on older high-mileage examples.
The EPS control unit of the Mokka A shuts down during voltage drops. Defective capacitor in the ECU or weak alternator as cause. Sudden failure while driving possible.
The M32 6-speed manual gearbox has excessive bearing preload from the factory. Bearings in the gearbox cover wear prematurely. Particularly affects gears 1, 5 and 6.
The Navi 950 IntelliLink of the Mokka A crashes regularly or freezes in navigation mode — a fault officially acknowledged by Opel. Software updates only helped to a limited degree; map updates were discontinued in 2018.
Water enters through all four doors and the tailgate and runs over the door sill when opening — a known design fault. The door drainage holes are suboptimally positioned so water collects in the cavities.
Exhaust hangers, rear subframe edges and spring seat plates of the Mokka A rust comparatively early. The affected areas have only paint without wax preservation, which quickly leads to visible rust on winter vehicles.
The rubber bushings of the front axle control arms wear on the Mokka A and cause clunking noises. Incorrect torque can lead to sudden loss of driving stability.
On the Mokka A (1.4 Turbo) the front coolant flange made of plastic cracks or the expansion tank splits. Loss of approx. 0.2 l/1,000 km possible. The supply line to the turbocharger also leaks.
The dashboard of the Mokka A rattles or ticks in the area above the speedo, especially in cold weather and on start-up. Chrome plastic trim strips and loose trim clips are common causes.
Reports & Tests
Oil loss is the dominant weak point with costly repairs. Exhaust system (particularly flex pipes) shows increased wear from four to nine years of age. Suspension deteriorates noticeably from the second MOT.
