2012 Opel Combo problems
The 2012 Opel Combo was sold with an engine that we have documented: the 1.3 Multijet. The 1.3 Multijet has serious faults that affect the cars of that year. Outside the engine, one documented fault affects 2012 cars, such as brake servo vacuum hose connector that can break (2012 Combo D).
2012 Opel Combo score: acceptable reliability
Calculated using only 6 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
- Steering9.0Technical inspection (ITV) only: 0.4 times the defects normal for its age
- 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
What changes compared with the 2011 Opel Combo
- Score: 6.5 → 5.4
- Starts to be affected by: brake servo vacuum hose connector that can break (2012 Combo D) (rest of the car)
1.3 Multijet engine in the 2012 Opel Combo
Names: 1.3 CDTI 75 · 1.3 CDTI 95
- With caution
1.3 Multijet II 16v Euro 5 (75-95 hp, 2009-2015)
75–95 hp · Z13DTH, 199B1.000
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.[2][3]
Faults that affect 2012 cars
- 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
- 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.
- 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
- 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
- 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
Faults outside the engine in the 2012 Opel Combo
Buying a 2012 Opel Combo?
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Frequently asked questions
Is the 2012 Opel Combo reliable?
The 2012 Opel Combo was sold with an engine that we have documented: the 1.3 Multijet. The 1.3 Multijet has serious faults that affect the cars of that year. Outside the engine, one documented fault affects 2012 cars, such as brake servo vacuum hose connector that can break (2012 Combo D).
Is the 2012 Opel Combo better than the 2011?
Our score goes from 6.5 in 2011 to 5.4 in 2012. Starts to be affected by: brake servo vacuum hose connector that can break (2012 Combo D) (rest of the car).
What is the best year for the Opel Combo?
According to our score, the best are 2017, 2016, 2015 and 3 other years with the same score (6.5/10). The year with the worst score is 2012 (5.4/10). Each year's score counts only the engines sold that year and the faults that affect those cars.
What faults does the 2012 Opel Combo have?
The most important ones documented for 2012 cars are: timing chain stretch and tensioner failure (1.3 Multijet, critical severity), brake servo vacuum hose connector that can break (2012 Combo D) (brakes, critical severity), incomplete particulate filter regenerations and oil dilution (1.3 Multijet, high severity), seized variable-geometry turbo (1.3 Multijet, high severity) and injector and high-pressure pump wear from contaminated fuel (1.3 Multijet, high severity).
Own a 2012 Opel Combo? 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.
- Moteur Fiat 1.3 MultiJetWikipédia · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
- Fiat 1.3 JTD/Multijet: corrente folgada e entupimento dos canais de lubrificaçãoProvmec · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Portuguese
- 1.3 CDTi Opel (Z13DT) Multijet: ficha técnica, problemas y tuningMotordinámico · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish