2016 Opel Adam problems
The 2016 Opel Adam was sold with 2 engines that we have documented: the 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec and the 1.4 Turbo. All of them have serious faults that affect the cars of that year. The safest option is the 1.4 Turbo (verdict “With caution”). Outside the engine, 3 documented faults affect 2016 cars, such as electronic control unit (BCM), immobiliser, remote key and parking sensor faults.
2016 Opel Adam score: acceptable reliability
Calculated using only 9 documented faults and their sources: the most serious and frequent faults weigh more. How it is calculated
- Engine5.6From 4.1 to 7.1 depending on the engine
- Gearbox10.0No documented faults
- Suspension8.21 fault and ITV (technical inspection)
- Brakes8.2Technical inspection (ITV) only: 0.7 times the defects normal for its age
- Tyres and wheels10.0No documented faults
- Steering0.0Technical inspection (ITV) only: 5.6 times the defects normal for its age
- Electrical system10.0No documented faults
- Headlights and lights7.9Technical inspection (ITV) only: 0.8 times the defects normal for its age
- Electronics and infotainment8.61 fault
- Climate control9.61 fault
- Bodywork and interior7.3Technical inspection (ITV) only: 1.1 times the defects normal for its age
- Airbags and safety10.0No documented faults
What changes compared with the 2015 Opel Adam
- Score: 6.3 → 6.7
- No longer affected by: faulty lambda sensors on the 1.2 and 1.4 petrol (1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec), whistling, loss of power and turbocharger wear (1.4 Turbo), coolant leak from the water pump or thermostat housing (1.4 Turbo) and ignition coil failure (1.4 Turbo)
1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec engine in the 2016 Opel Adam
Names: 1.2 ecoFLEX · 1.4 ecoFLEX
- With caution
A10XEP / A12XEL / A12XER / A14XEL / A14XER / A14XFL (2008-2019)
65–100 hp · A10XEP, A12XEL, A12XER, A14XEL, A14XER, A14XFL
A generic article on problem engines from a French site expressly singles out the 1.2 "from the late 2000s and early 2010s" as prone to chain failures; on the Adam, the reliability report describes the water pump as "the clearest weakness" of the car and documents ignition coil replacements, as well as imperfect gear changes from the Easytronic gearbox. These points are worth checking, although there is no sign of a systematic block failure.[2][3]
Faults that affect 2016 cars
- Critical severityFrequency: CommonTimingTiming chain stretch and breakageOn the Corsa C, D and E, the Astra H and the Meriva A, this engine's timing chain tends to stretch prematurely because the tensioner does not always hold up; in the worst cases, documented across several models, the chain has jumped or snapped and forced a complete engine replacement.Repair (garage): €900–€1,400Appears at around 70,000 km
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonLubricationOil leaks and increased consumptionOn the Corsa C, D and E, the Astra H and the Meriva, oil leaks from the rocker cover, oil filter or pressure switch are common, along with somewhat higher than normal oil consumption between changes; there is no pattern of major engine damage if they are dealt with in time.Appears at around 80,000 km
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonIgnitionIgnition coil failureThe ignition coils on this engine fail fairly often in the Corsa, Astra, Meriva and Adam, causing jerking, the engine warning light and, in the clearest cases, the engine running on one cylinder fewer; the garage fixes it by replacing the affected coil.Repair (garage): €150–€480Appears at around 15,000 km
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonCoolingWater pump and thermostat leak or wearA reliability report describes the water pump as "the clearest weakness" of the Opel Adam, and the same component - along with the thermostat - often fails or leaks coolant on the Corsa, Astra and Meriva with this engine too, sometimes at low mileage.Repair (garage): €300–€760Appears at around 22,000 km
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalTransmissionSlow shifts and clutch actuator wear on the Easytronic gearboxThe Easytronic automated gearbox, available with this engine on the Corsa, Astra, Meriva and Adam, changes gear slowly and with jerks according to several sources; there are also some cases of actuator wear or clutch control unit failure, although the evidence on its real-world reliability is limited.
1.4 Turbo engine in the 2016 Opel Adam
Names: 1.4 Turbo 150
- With caution
1.4 Turbo 150-152 hp (B14NEH/B14XFT/D14XFT, from 2015-2016)
150–152 hp · B14NEH, B14XFT, D14XFT
On small samples of owners, the Astra K and Adam with this 150-152 hp revision account for several engine failure cases, including a piston crack confirmed by the garage at 20,000 km; there is no public acknowledgement from the manufacturer nor overall fleet figures, so it is worth asking for a compression test and the full history before buying, without this meaning an engine to be avoided across the board.[2][5]
Faults that affect 2016 cars
The Opel Adam 1.4 Turbo: all its faults and what to checkFaults outside the engine in the 2016 Opel Adam
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalElectronics and infotainmentElectronic control unit (BCM), immobiliser, remote key and parking sensor faultsAccording to the owner reports collected by fiches-auto.fr, there are 8 cases of electronic faults on the Adam: immobiliser, remote key, on-board computer, parking sensors and blind spot alert. The listing attributes them to the body control module (BCM) and the wiring. There is no known recall.
- Low severityFrequency: RareClimate controlAir conditioning faults: hose, compressor and climate controlThe fiches-auto.fr listing includes 3 cases of faulty air conditioning on the Adam: a defective hose with several repairs, an air con fixed under warranty after five visits and a climate control that could not be switched off. This is owner-report data, not a recall.
- Low severityFrequency: RareSuspensionPremature wear of the rear shock absorbersAccording to the fiches-auto.fr owner reports, there are 3 suspension cases on the Adam: a left rear shock absorber replaced at 29,400 km, another rear suspension replaced at 40,000 km and uneven tyre wear. There are few cases and no official confirmation.
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Frequently asked questions
Is the 2016 Opel Adam reliable?
The 2016 Opel Adam was sold with 2 engines that we have documented: the 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec and the 1.4 Turbo. All of them have serious faults that affect the cars of that year. The safest option is the 1.4 Turbo (verdict “With caution”). Outside the engine, 3 documented faults affect 2016 cars, such as electronic control unit (BCM), immobiliser, remote key and parking sensor faults.
Is the 2016 Opel Adam better than the 2015?
Our score goes from 6.3 in 2015 to 6.7 in 2016. No longer affected by: faulty lambda sensors on the 1.2 and 1.4 petrol (1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec), whistling, loss of power and turbocharger wear (1.4 Turbo) and coolant leak from the water pump or thermostat housing (1.4 Turbo).
What is the best year for the Opel Adam?
According to our score, the best is 2012 (7.0/10). The year with the worst score is 2013 (6.3/10). Each year's score counts only the engines sold that year and the faults that affect those cars.
What faults does the 2016 Opel Adam have?
The most important ones documented for 2016 cars are: timing chain stretch and breakage (1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec, critical severity), early engine failure from a cracked piston (1.4 Turbo, critical severity), oil leaks and increased consumption (1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec, medium severity), ignition coil failure (1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec, medium severity) and water pump and thermostat leak or wear (1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec, medium severity).
Own a 2016 Opel Adam? Tell us what faults you have had and at how many kilometres. Report your fault.
Sources
Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.
- Opel AdamWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
- Opel Adam : fiabilité, pannes et rappelsFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
- Distribution : les moteurs à problèmesFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
- GM Family 0 engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
- Opel Astra 5 : fiabilité, pannes et rappelsFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French