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Lancia Thesis problems (2002–2009)

The only engine of the Lancia Thesis that we have documented, the 2.4 JTD / JTDm Multijet, has no high or critical severity faults in the versions it is fitted to. Our verdict depends on the version: «Buy» for 2.4 JTD 10V (136-150 hp, 1998-2007); «With caution» for 2.4 JTDm / Multijet 20V (175-185 hp, 2003-2009).[1][2][3]

Outside the engine: The Thesis has a reputation for delicate electronics, but the evidence is owner testimony from Italy, Poland and France, not statistics or recalls. Erratic warnings, the electric parking brake and ESP are mentioned.[4][5][6][7]

Lancia Thesis (2002–2009)
Photo: Rudolf Stricker · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons. Reference image for this generation.
02468107.6out of 10

Lancia Thesis rating: good reliability

Calculated using only 9 documented faults and their sources: the most serious and frequent faults weigh more. Limited evidence: a score of 7.0 or more claims that the car is reliable, and getting into the rankings requires at least 6 sources in 3 languages, 2 real documented faults outside the engine and well-studied engines. It doesn't meet that yet. How it is calculated

  • Engine7.53 faults
  • Gearbox9.31 fault
  • Suspension10.0No documented faults
  • Brakes9.31 fault
  • Tyres and wheels10.0No documented faults
  • Steering10.0No documented faults
  • Electrical system9.61 fault
  • Headlights and lights10.0No documented faults
  • Electronics and infotainment8.22 faults
  • Climate control10.0No documented faults
  • Bodywork and interior8.61 fault
  • Airbags and safety10.0No documented faults

The weak points of the Lancia Thesis

  1. 1Medium severity: Clogged or faulty EGR valve on the 2.4 JTD and JTDm2.4 JTD / JTDm Multijet engine · repair €130–€800
  2. 2Medium severity: Injector failure and diesel leaks on the 2.4 JTDm2.4 JTD / JTDm Multijet engine
  3. 3Medium severity: Dual-mass flywheel and clutch wear on the 2.4 JTD2.4 JTD / JTDm Multijet engine
  4. 4Medium severity: Control unit faults and electronic warnings with no real causeElectronics and infotainment
  5. 5Medium severity: Corrosion on the bonnet, tailgate, rear pillar and underbodyBodywork and interior

Documented engine

The first label is the most serious fault affecting that engine in this car; the second, our verdict for the versions it is fitted to. Each engine's risk index is calculated only from the faults that affect this car (how we calculate it). We only show engines we have documented with sources: if yours does not appear, we have not analysed it yet. View all engines

See what to check before buying

Outside the engine

10 sourcesHow we work

2.4 JTD / JTDm Multijet

Fiat 2.4 JTD / JTDm / Multijet de 5 cilindros (Alfa Romeo, Lancia and Fiat) · Diesel

In the Thesis
2002–2009[8]
Names
2.4 JTD 10V 150 CV · 2.4 Multijet 175 CV · 2.4 Multijet 185 CV
Faults that affect it
3
Risk index on this car
25
Moderate risk

Verdict for the versions it uses

  • 2.4 JTD 10V (136-150 hp, 1998-2007)1998–2007 · 136–150 hp

    Buy

    Auto Świat says the 10V breaks down relatively rarely on its own and that its faults tend to come from lack of maintenance and wear (small oil leaks, air-flow meter, crankshaft sensor and high-pressure pump), with a fairly durable injection system. The 156 page has testimonies of 136 and 150 hp cars with between 219,000 and 394,000 km. These are cars more than 18 years old: demand the invoice for the last belt and water pump change.[1][2][3]

  • 2.4 JTDm / Multijet 20V (175-185 hp, 2003-2009)2003–2009 · 175–185 hp

    With caution

    Auto Świat describes the 20V as more complex and more failure-prone than the 10V. On the 175 hp 156 page (29 testimonies) the most-cited items are the EGR valve (7), probes and sensors (6) and the turbo (3). We have not found testimony pages for the 166 or the Thesis. Worth buying with the invoice for the belt and water pump and by checking the EGR and the particulate filter (if fitted).[1][2]

Faults that affect the Thesis

Only those that affect the versions and years that this car used. The 2.4 JTD / JTDm Multijet has 4 documented faults in total.

  1. Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalEmissions controlClogged or faulty EGR valve on the 2.4 JTD and JTDmThe EGR valve is the most-cited fault in the testimonies for the 200 hp 2.4 JTD of the Alfa 159: 24 mentions in 63, plus 8 in 36 for the 210 hp and 12 in 64 for the 156. It gets dirty or fails; RACE puts the cost of replacing an EGR between €130 and €800 on cars in general (not a price specific to this engine).Repair (garage): €130–€800
  2. Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalInjectionInjector failure and diesel leaks on the 2.4 JTDmThere are injector failures on the 2.4 JTDm: 9 mentions in 163 testimonies for the Alfa 156 and 159. A 2008 210 hp lost five injectors one after another at 93,000 km, with diesel leaks, and Fiat's 2007 action on the 200 hp replaced all the injectors.
  3. Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalClutchDual-mass flywheel and clutch wear on the 2.4 JTDThe flywheel of the 2.4 JTD appears in 11 mentions out of 163 testimonies (6 on the Alfa 159, 5 on the 156), often together with the clutch and between about 113,000 and 200,000 km. Auto Świat warns that on the 10V replacing the dual-mass flywheel can be expensive and that not all parts are easy to find.

Thesis 2.4 JTD / JTDm Multijet pageAll versions and faults of the 2.4 JTD / JTDm Multijet

Faults of the Lancia Thesis outside the engine

Suspension, brakes, tyres, electronics and the rest of the car. They occur with any engine.

Checklist for buying a used Lancia Thesis

Check the advert or the paperwork to see which engine the car has and go through its section. Each point comes from a documented fault; you can tick them off as you inspect.

If it has the 2.4 JTD / JTDm Multijet (2002–2009)

Clogged or faulty EGR valve on the 2.4 JTD and JTDm

Medium severity

Injector failure and diesel leaks on the 2.4 JTDm

Medium severity

Dual-mass flywheel and clutch wear on the 2.4 JTD

Medium severity

Wear parts for the Lancia Thesis

Brakes, wiper blades, pollen filter and battery, searched for this model. The exact part number depends on the engine and year: confirm it with the registration plate or VIN.

Affiliate links: if you buy from these shops, MotorFiable may receive a commission at no cost to you. Check compatibility against the registration plate or VIN before ordering. Affiliate links

Buying a Lancia Thesis?

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Own a Lancia Thesis? Tell us what faults you have had, at what mileage and how much you paid. Report your fault.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Lancia Thesis reliable?

The only engine of the Lancia Thesis that we have documented, the 2.4 JTD / JTDm Multijet, has no high or critical severity faults in the versions it is fitted to. Our verdict depends on the version: «Buy» for 2.4 JTD 10V (136-150 hp, 1998-2007); «With caution» for 2.4 JTDm / Multijet 20V (175-185 hp, 2003-2009). The Thesis has a reputation for delicate electronics, but the evidence is owner testimony from Italy, Poland and France, not statistics or recalls. Erratic warnings, the electric parking brake and ESP are mentioned.

What problems does the Lancia Thesis have apart from the engine?

The Thesis has a reputation for delicate electronics, but the evidence is owner testimony from Italy, Poland and France, not statistics or recalls. Erratic warnings, the electric parking brake and ESP are mentioned. The most important documented faults are: control unit faults and electronic warnings with no real cause (electronics and infotainment, medium severity), corrosion on the bonnet, tailgate, rear pillar and underbody (bodywork and interior, medium severity), electric parking brake that gives problems or locks the gearbox (brakes, medium severity) and ESP and ASR stability control faults (electronics and infotainment, medium severity).[4][5][6][7]

What faults does the Lancia Thesis have?

The most important by severity and frequency, on the engines we have documented, are: clogged or faulty EGR valve on the 2.4 JTD and JTDm (2.4 JTD / JTDm Multijet, medium severity), injector failure and diesel leaks on the 2.4 JTDm (2.4 JTD / JTDm Multijet, medium severity) and dual-mass flywheel and clutch wear on the 2.4 JTD (2.4 JTD / JTDm Multijet, medium severity).

Sources

Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.

  1. Silnik 2.4 JTD: mocny i trwały, ale czasem też kapryśnyAuto Świat · Motoring press · published 26 September 2011 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in another language
  2. Fiabilité Alfa-romeo 156: pannes par motorisation (2.4 JTD)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
  3. Alfa Romeo Brera (guía del taller)The Alfa Workshop · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
  4. Lancia Thesis 2.0 Turbo: opiniones de propietariosalVolante (Italia) · Owners' forum · published 12 January 2013 · consulted 29 October 2026 · in another language
  5. Lancia Thesis 2.4 JTD Executive: opiniones de propietariosalVolante (Italia) · Owners' forum · consulted 29 October 2026 · in another language
  6. Lancia Thesis: usterki i opinieAutoCentrum (Polonia) · Owners' forum · consulted 29 October 2026 · in another language
  7. Foro Lancia ThesisForum Auto Matmut (Francia) · Owners' forum · consulted 29 October 2026 · in French
  8. Lancia ThesisWikipedia (español) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026 · in Spanish
  9. Fiabilité Alfa-romeo 159 (2005-2012) (428 témoignages)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
  10. Alfa Romeo 159 2.4 JTD 210 ch 93 000 km (2008, Ti): avis d'un propriétaireFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · published 26 January 2013 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French