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Opel Combo D problems (2011–2018)

The only engine of the Opel Combo D that we have documented, the 1.3 Multijet, has high or critical severity faults in the versions it is fitted to. Our verdict for the versions it is fitted to: «With caution».[1][2]

Outside the engine: Outside the engine, the Opel Combo D has only two documented precautionary recalls: the vacuum hose connector for the brake servo on summer 2012 units, and the steering gear housing on 2018 units. We have not found reliable sources on recurring faults in the suspension, electronics or air conditioning.[3][4]

Opel Combo D (2011–2018)
Photo: Corvettec6r · CC0 · Wikimedia Commons. Reference image for this generation.
02468105.0out of 10

Opel Combo D rating: acceptable reliability

Calculated using only 7 documented faults and their sources: the most serious and frequent faults weigh more. How it is calculated

  • Engine3.65 faults
  • Gearbox10.0No documented faults
  • Suspension6.8Technical inspection (ITV) only: 1.3 times the defects normal for its age
  • Brakes7.71 fault and ITV (technical inspection)
  • Tyres and wheels10.0No documented faults
  • Steering8.41 fault and ITV (technical inspection)
  • Electrical system10.0No documented faults
  • Headlights and lights7.7Technical inspection (ITV) only: 0.9 times the defects normal for its age
  • Electronics and infotainment10.0No documented faults
  • Climate control10.0No documented faults
  • Bodywork and interior8.3Technical inspection (ITV) only: 0.7 times the defects normal for its age
  • Airbags and safety10.0No documented faults

Ranked 32 of 45 among the vans with solid evidence. See the ranking

The weak points of the Opel Combo D

  1. 1Critical severity: Timing chain stretch and tensioner failure1.3 Multijet engine · repair €350–€550
  2. 2High severity: Incomplete particulate filter regenerations and oil dilution1.3 Multijet engine
  3. 3Critical severity: Brake servo vacuum hose connector that can break (2012 Combo D)Brakes
  4. 4High severity: Seized variable-geometry turbo1.3 Multijet engine · repair €450–€700
  5. 5High severity: Injector and high-pressure pump wear from contaminated fuel1.3 Multijet engine · repair €600–€1,200

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

2 recalls and campaigns documented, the latest: RAPEX 33/2018: steering gear housing on the Combo D (2018 model year). See the campaigns for the Opel Combo D

9 sourcesHow we work

1.3 Multijet

Fiat 1.3 Multijet / JTD (SDE) · Diesel

In the Combo D
2011–2018[5]
Names
1.3 CDTI 75 · 1.3 CDTI 95
Faults that affect it
5 · 4 of high or critical severity
Risk index on this car
64
High risk

Verdict for the versions it uses

  • 1.3 Multijet II 16v Euro 5 (75-95 hp, 2009-2015)2009–2015 · 75–95 hp · Z13DTH, 199B1.000

    With caution

    It improves consumption and noise compared with the first generation, but shares the same chain and tensioner design, with documented cases of stretching. Ask for the maintenance history and watch for oil dilution if the car is used mostly in town.[1][2]

  • 1.3 Multijet II 16v Euro 6 (95 hp, 2015-2020)2015–2020 · 95 hp · A13DTE

    With caution

    The timing chain problem is partly mitigated compared with earlier generations, but it does not go away, and the demands of particulate filter regenerations on cars used mainly in town are added to it. Worth considering with an oil history and mixed journeys.[1][2]

Faults that affect the Combo D

  1. Critical severityFrequency: CommonTimingTiming chain stretch and tensioner failureYes: the timing chain's hydraulic tensioner can lose pressure and let the chain slacken; if it skips teeth or breaks, it can destroy the engine. It is a documented problem on Fiat, Opel, Suzuki and Ford cars with this engine, mainly linked to long oil change intervals.Repair (garage): €350–€550Appears at around 70,000 km
  2. High severityFrequency: CommonEmissions controlIncomplete particulate filter regenerations and oil dilutionIn heavy urban use, with short journeys that do not let the particulate filter regeneration finish, unburnt diesel passes into the sump and dilutes the oil; the level can rise on the dipstick and the oil loses its ability to lubricate. Repeated many times, it speeds up engine wear.
  3. High severityFrequency: OccasionalTurboSeized variable-geometry turboOn versions with a variable-geometry turbo, the vanes can seize through soot build-up, especially on cars used in town for short journeys. The engine loses power gradually and may give off black smoke when accelerating.Repair (garage): €450–€700
  4. High severityFrequency: OccasionalInjectionInjector and high-pressure pump wear from contaminated fuelThe Bosch injectors and the high-pressure pump of the common rail system are sensitive to poor-quality fuel or fuel with condensed water. With contaminated diesel they can generate metal shavings that damage first the pump and then the injectors themselves.Repair (garage): €600–€1,200
  5. Medium severityFrequency: CommonEmissions controlEGR valve blocked by sootThe 1.3 Multijet's EGR valve easily accumulates soot on short urban journeys, causing an unstable idle, loss of power and the engine warning light. It is one of the most cited problems among owners of this engine.Repair (garage): €130–€400

Combo D 1.3 Multijet pageAll versions and faults of the 1.3 Multijet

Faults of the Opel Combo D outside the engine

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

What the MOT inspection finds on the Opel Combo D

Official Dutch MOT (APK) inspection data: 2,790 inspections of 1,050 cars registered between 2011 and 2017, compared with cars of the same age.

  • Suspension and axles· counts in the score

    Defects in 9.1% of inspections; in cars of its age, 7.1%.

    More defects than average

  • Brakes· counts in the score

    Defects in 5.2% of inspections; in cars of its age, 7.9%.

    Fewer defects than average

  • Steering· counts in the score

    Defects in 1% of inspections; in cars of its age, 3.1%.

    Fewer defects than average

  • Headlights and lights· counts in the score

    Defects in 26.9% of inspections; in cars of its age, 29.2%.

    Average

  • Rust and bodywork· counts in the score

    Defects in 0.5% of inspections; in cars of its age, 0.9%.

    Fewer defects than average

  • Exhaust and emissions

    Defects in 12% of inspections; in cars of its age, 4.2%.

    Many more defects than average

  • Fluid leaks

    Defects in 5.5% of inspections; in cars of its age, 4.8%.

    Average

  • Glass, wipers and mirrors

    Defects in 6.6% of inspections; in cars of its age, 6.9%.

    Average

  • Tyres and wheels· depends mostly on maintenance

    Defects in 21.2% of inspections; in cars of its age, 18.8%.

    Average

The inspection measures wear and the defects visible at a periodic check, not engine or electronics failures. Source: RDW Open Data (public domain). How we calculate it · opendata.rdw.nl

Checklist for buying a used Opel Combo D

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 1.3 Multijet (2011–2018)

Timing chain stretch and tensioner failure

Critical severity

Incomplete particulate filter regenerations and oil dilution

High severity

Seized variable-geometry turbo

High severity

Injector and high-pressure pump wear from contaminated fuel

High severity

EGR valve blocked by soot

Medium severity

Wear parts for the Opel Combo D

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.

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Buying a Opel Combo D?

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

Frequently asked questions

Is the Opel Combo D reliable?

The only engine of the Opel Combo D that we have documented, the 1.3 Multijet, has high or critical severity faults in the versions it is fitted to. Our verdict for the versions it is fitted to: «With caution». Outside the engine, the Opel Combo D has only two documented precautionary recalls: the vacuum hose connector for the brake servo on summer 2012 units, and the steering gear housing on 2018 units. We have not found reliable sources on recurring faults in the suspension, electronics or air conditioning.

What problems does the Opel Combo D have apart from the engine?

Outside the engine, the Opel Combo D has only two documented precautionary recalls: the vacuum hose connector for the brake servo on summer 2012 units, and the steering gear housing on 2018 units. We have not found reliable sources on recurring faults in the suspension, electronics or air conditioning. The most important documented faults are: brake servo vacuum hose connector that can break (2012 Combo D) (brakes, critical severity) and defective steering gear housing, with a risk of oil leaks and reduced power assistance (2018 Combo D) (steering, high severity).[3][4]

What faults does the Opel Combo D have?

The most important by severity and frequency, on the engines we have documented, are: timing chain stretch and tensioner failure (1.3 Multijet, critical severity), incomplete particulate filter regenerations and oil dilution (1.3 Multijet, high severity), seized variable-geometry turbo (1.3 Multijet, high severity), injector and high-pressure pump wear from contaminated fuel (1.3 Multijet, high severity) and EGR valve blocked by soot (1.3 Multijet, medium severity).

What is the best year to buy a Opel Combo D?

According to our rating by year, the best are 2017, 2016, 2015 and 3 other years with the same rating (6.5/10); the worst rated is 2012 (5.4/10). Each year's rating counts only the engines sold that year and the faults that affect those units: open each year to see what changes.

Does the Opel Combo D have recalls?

Yes: we have documented 2 campaigns for the Opel Combo D, such as RAPEX 33/2018: steering gear housing on the Combo D (2018 model year) (2018). Check with your VIN at the official service centre whether yours has been done.[4]

Sources

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

  1. Fiat 1.3 JTD/Multijet: corrente folgada e entupimento dos canais de lubrificaçãoProvmec · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Portuguese
  2. 1.3 CDTi Opel (Z13DT) Multijet: ficha técnica, problemas y tuningMotordinámico · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  3. Vauxhall Combo recall R/2013/009: reduction in braking performanceAutoInsider · Other source · published 8 February 2013 · consulted 8 October 2026
  4. Recall: Opel Combo D (MY 2018) accident, steeringcar-recalls.eu · Other source · published 16 August 2018 · consulted 8 October 2026
  5. Moteur Fiat 1.3 MultiJetWikipédia · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  6. Fiat 1.3 Multijet: ficha técnica, problemas y tuningMotordinámico · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  7. Quando sostituire la catena di distribuzione sul 1.3 Multijet: riconoscere i sintomiRettifica Pompeo · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Italian
  8. Fiat 1.3 Multijet: problemas, fallos y averías más frecuentesTotalrenting · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  9. FIAT 500 1.3 MultiJet II: EGR Valve Problems and How to Fix ThemAutoricambi Tritella · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026