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Opel Combo E problems (2018–today)

All 2 engines of the Opel Combo E that we have documented have high or critical severity faults: the 1.5 BlueHDi and the Stellantis e-CMP (e-208, Corsa-e, ë-C4…). The safest option is the 1.5 BlueHDi in its 1.5 BlueHDi with 8 mm chain (from February 2023) version, with a «Buy» verdict.[1][2][3]

Outside the engine: Outside the engine, the Opel Combo E shares a platform with the Citroën Berlingo III and the Peugeot Rifter, and shares with them safety campaigns over the passenger seat belt and the engine undershield. Steering linkage problems in 2019-2020 and handbrake problems have also been documented, without a campaign number of their own, along with a specific campaign for versions with a 4x4 transfer case over the risk of the rear wheels locking.[4][5][6]

Opel Combo E (2018–today)
Photo: Alexander-93 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons. Reference image for this generation.
02468105.3out of 10

Opel Combo E rating: acceptable reliability

Calculated using only 14 documented faults and their sources: the most serious and frequent faults weigh more. How it is calculated

  • Engine4.5From 2.3 to 6.8 depending on the engine
  • Gearbox8.61 fault
  • Suspension8.6Technical inspection (ITV) only: 0.6 times the defects normal for its age
  • Brakes8.11 fault and ITV (technical inspection)
  • Tyres and wheels10.0No documented faults
  • Steering7.91 fault and ITV (technical inspection)
  • Electrical system10.0No documented faults
  • Headlights and lights8.3Technical inspection (ITV) only: 0.7 times the defects normal for its age
  • Electronics and infotainment9.31 fault
  • Climate control10.0No documented faults
  • Bodywork and interior7.91 fault and ITV (technical inspection)
  • Airbags and safety7.11 fault

Ranked 30 of 45 among the vans with solid evidence. See the ranking

The weak points of the Opel Combo E

  1. 1Critical severity: Wear and breakage of the 7 mm chain between the camshafts1.5 BlueHDi engine · repair €730–€820
  2. 2Critical severity: Front passenger seat belt with reduced effectivenessAirbags and safety
  3. 3Medium severity: AdBlue tank and pump failure1.5 BlueHDi engine · repair €1,000–€1,500
  4. 4High severity: Seizure of the high-pressure pump and injection system1.5 BlueHDi engine
  5. 5High severity: Traction battery control calibration: motor cut-out from faulty readings (2022)Stellantis e-CMP (e-208, Corsa-e, ë-C4…) engine

Documented engines, from highest to lowest risk

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

4 recalls and campaigns documented, the latest: 4x4 transfer case oil seal replacement. See the campaigns for the Opel Combo E

26 sourcesHow we work

1.5 BlueHDi

Safest option

PSA/Stellantis 1.5 BlueHDi (DV5) · Diesel

In the Combo E
since 2018[2][3][7][8]
Names
1.5 Diesel 75 · 1.5 Diesel 100 · 1.5 Diesel 130
Faults that affect it
5 · 4 of high or critical severity
Risk index on this car
77
Very high risk

Verdict for the versions it uses

  • 1.5 BlueHDi 75-130 with 7 mm chain (October 2017 - January 2023)2017–2023 · 75–130 hp · DV5RC, DV5RD, DV5RE, DV5RCE, DV5RCF, DV5RUC

    With caution

    Worth buying if the chain campaign has been carried out and the servicing is documented with the required oil, because Stellantis's 10-year or 240,000 km cover depends on it, and that cover requires following the manufacturer's recommendations and presenting invoices.[9][10][11]

  • No problems are known with the reinforced chain. You only need to check by VIN for two recent campaigns: the injection rail one (units from July to October 2025) and the water pump sprocket one (October 2025 to February 2026).[1][2][3]

Faults that affect the Combo E

  1. Critical severityFrequency: Very frequentTimingWear and breakage of the 7 mm chain between the camshaftsIn 1.5 BlueHDi engines built between October 2017 and January 2023, the 7 mm chain linking the camshafts can stretch and break, causing serious engine damage. Stellantis has recalled them and covers the fault for 10 years or 240,000 km.Repair (garage): €730–€820
  2. Medium severityFrequency: Very frequentEmissions controlAdBlue tank and pump failure1.5 BlueHDi engines built up to August 2020 can suffer failures of the AdBlue tank pump module, with a "no engine start" countdown. The whole tank is usually replaced and Stellantis contributes to the cost up to 8 years.Repair: €1,000–€1,500
  3. High severityFrequency: OccasionalInjectionSeizure of the high-pressure pump and injection systemSome early 1.5 BlueHDi engines have suffered seizure of the Bosch high-pressure pump, with juddering or the engine stalling on the road, sometimes before 50,000 km. The repair means replacing the entire injection system and the fuel tank.
  4. Critical severityFrequency: RareFuelDiesel leak at the common rail (2026 recall)Stellantis has recalled more than 50,000 vehicles in Europe with 1.5 BlueHDi engines built between July and October 2025: a badly positioned cone on the common rail can loosen the nut and cause a diesel leak with a fire risk. The repair is free.Repair: €0
  5. High severityFrequency: RareTimingWater pump sprocket slipping and belt misalignment (2026 recall)In 1.5 BlueHDi engines built between October 2025 and February 2026, the water pump sprocket can slip and misalign the timing belt, causing a loss of power or the engine stopping. Stellantis replaces the water pump kit free of charge in about 2.5 hours.Repair: €0

Combo E 1.5 BlueHDi pageAll versions and faults of the 1.5 BlueHDi

Stellantis e-CMP (e-208, Corsa-e, ë-C4…)

Stellantis e-CMP: motor síncrono de 100 and 115 kW and baterías de 50 a 75 kWh · Electrical

In the Combo E
since 2021[12][13]
Name
Combo-e
Faults that affect it
3 · 1 of high or critical severity
Risk index on this car
32
Moderate risk

Verdict for the version it uses

  • e-CMP 50 kWh, 136 hp (2019-2024)2019–2024 · 136 hp

    With caution

    Cars built before 2022 may have two outstanding campaigns: one for a high-voltage power cut (2022) and one for battery control calibration (2023). Check with the VIN that they were carried out. The battery, on the other hand, holds up well: Aviloo measures a median of 94% at 50,000 km and 90.7% at 150,000 km in the e-208 and Corsa-e.[14][15][16]

Faults that affect the Combo E

Only those that affect the versions and years that this car used. The Stellantis e-CMP (e-208, Corsa-e, ë-C4…) has 5 documented faults in total.

  1. High severityFrequency: OccasionalTraction batteryTraction battery control calibration: motor cut-out from faulty readings (2022)A faulty software calibration of the battery control unit could misread the cell voltage or temperature and trigger an emergency motor cut-out. It affected Stellantis and Toyota electric cars built in 2022.
  2. Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalChargingOn-board charger and charging port: AC charging refused or interruptedOwners of the e-208, e-2008, Corsa-e, ë-C4 and 600e mainly cite faults with the on-board charger, the cable lock or the charging port, which stop AC charging even when the battery is healthy.
  3. Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalElectronicsFaulty air-conditioning compressor that can cut the drivetrain (2023)In 2023 the KBA published a campaign for Opel, Peugeot, Citroën and DS electric cars over a faulty air-conditioning compressor that can cause the drivetrain to disconnect. It is fixed with a software update.

Combo E Stellantis e-CMP (e-208, Corsa-e, ë-C4…) pageAll versions and faults of the Stellantis e-CMP (e-208, Corsa-e, ë-C4…)

Faults of the Opel Combo E 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 E

Official Dutch MOT (APK) inspection data: 744 inspections of 600 cars registered between 2019 and 2022, compared with cars of the same age.

  • Suspension and axles· counts in the score

    Defects in 0.4% of inspections; in cars of its age, 1.7%.

    Fewer defects than average

  • Brakes· counts in the score

    Defects in 2.4% of inspections; in cars of its age, 4.2%.

    Fewer defects than average

  • Steering· counts in the score

    Defects in 0.4% of inspections; in cars of its age, 0.8%.

    Average

  • Headlights and lights· counts in the score

    Defects in 14.4% of inspections; in cars of its age, 22%.

    Fewer defects than average

  • Rust and bodywork· counts in the score

    Defects in 0% of inspections; in cars of its age, 0.4%.

    Fewer defects than average

  • Exhaust and emissions

    Defects in 0.4% of inspections; in cars of its age, 1.6%.

    Fewer defects than average

  • Fluid leaks

    Defects in 0.8% of inspections; in cars of its age, 0.6%.

    Average

  • Glass, wipers and mirrors

    Defects in 4.4% of inspections; in cars of its age, 6.7%.

    Fewer defects than average

  • Tyres and wheels· depends mostly on maintenance

    Defects in 15.9% of inspections; in cars of its age, 17.6%.

    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 E

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 1.5 BlueHDi (since 2018)

Wear and breakage of the 7 mm chain between the camshafts

Critical severity

AdBlue tank and pump failure

Medium severity

Seizure of the high-pressure pump and injection system

High severity

Diesel leak at the common rail (2026 recall)

Critical severity

Water pump sprocket slipping and belt misalignment (2026 recall)

High severity

If it has the Stellantis e-CMP (e-208, Corsa-e, ë-C4…) (since 2021)

Traction battery control calibration: motor cut-out from faulty readings (2022)

High severity

On-board charger and charging port: AC charging refused or interrupted

Medium severity

Faulty air-conditioning compressor that can cut the drivetrain (2023)

Medium severity

Wear parts for the Opel Combo E

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. More information

Buying a Opel Combo E?

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Own a Opel Combo E? 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 E reliable?

All 2 engines of the Opel Combo E that we have documented have high or critical severity faults: the 1.5 BlueHDi and the Stellantis e-CMP (e-208, Corsa-e, ë-C4…). The safest option is the 1.5 BlueHDi in its 1.5 BlueHDi with 8 mm chain (from February 2023) version, with a «Buy» verdict. Outside the engine, the Opel Combo E shares a platform with the Citroën Berlingo III and the Peugeot Rifter, and shares with them safety campaigns over the passenger seat belt and the engine undershield. Steering linkage problems in 2019-2020 and handbrake problems have also been documented, without a campaign number of their own, along with a specific campaign for versions with a 4x4 transfer case over the risk of the rear wheels locking.

Which Opel Combo E engine is the most reliable?

Among the 2 engines we have documented, the safest option is the 1.5 BlueHDi in its 1.5 BlueHDi with 8 mm chain (from February 2023) version, with a «Buy» verdict. No problems are known with the reinforced chain. You only need to check by VIN for two recent campaigns: the injection rail one (units from July to October 2025) and the water pump sprocket one (October 2025 to February 2026).[1][2][3]

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

Outside the engine, the Opel Combo E shares a platform with the Citroën Berlingo III and the Peugeot Rifter, and shares with them safety campaigns over the passenger seat belt and the engine undershield. Steering linkage problems in 2019-2020 and handbrake problems have also been documented, without a campaign number of their own, along with a specific campaign for versions with a 4x4 transfer case over the risk of the rear wheels locking. The most important documented faults are: front passenger seat belt with reduced effectiveness (airbags and safety, critical severity), the engine undershield can trap material (fire risk) (bodywork and interior, high severity), damaged steering linkage (track rods), with loss of stability (steering, high severity) and handbrake mechanism failure (brakes, high severity).[4][5][6]

What faults does the Opel Combo E have?

The most important by severity and frequency, on the engines we have documented, are: wear and breakage of the 7 mm chain between the camshafts (1.5 BlueHDi, critical severity), adBlue tank and pump failure (1.5 BlueHDi, medium severity), seizure of the high-pressure pump and injection system (1.5 BlueHDi, high severity), traction battery control calibration: motor cut-out from faulty readings (2022) (Stellantis e-CMP (e-208, Corsa-e, ë-C4…), high severity) and diesel leak at the common rail (2026 recall) (1.5 BlueHDi, critical severity).

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

According to our rating by year, the best is 2024 (9.4/10); the worst rated is 2018 (4.2/10). 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 E have recalls?

Yes: we have documented 4 campaigns for the Opel Combo E, such as 4x4 transfer case oil seal replacement (2024). Check with your VIN at the official service centre whether yours has been done.

Sources

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

  1. Llaman a revisión a miles de Citroën, Opel, Peugeot, DS y Fiat en España con el motor diésel 1.5 BlueHDiMotorpasión · Motoring press · published 3 July 2025 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  2. 1.5 BlueHDi. Stellantis rappelle plusieurs milliers de véhicules pour un problème d'injectionL'argus · Motoring press · published 14 March 2026 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  3. Europa amplía la llamada a revisión por los graves problemas del motor 1.5 BlueHDi de StellantisAutonoción · Motoring press · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  4. Opel Combo E: Probleme, Schwachstellen und RückrufeGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Reliability study · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  5. Vauxhall Combo RecallsAutoinsider · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  6. Opel ComboWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  7. PSA 1.5L BlueHDi: a focus on the DV5 engineSumax · Technical documentation · published July 2025 · consulted 26 September 2026
  8. Opel Combo (Combo E, Technische Daten)Wikipedia (de) · Other source · consulted 29 October 2026 · in German
  9. Cobertura especial para los 1.5 BlueHDi del Grupo Stellantiscoches.net · Motoring press · published 3 July 2025 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  10. Casse chaîne 1.5 BlueHDi. Stellantis étend sa prise en charge à 7 ans ou 180 000 kmL'argus · Motoring press · published 15 January 2025 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  11. Fiabilité moteur Stellantis 1.5 BlueHDi. Une nouvelle huile pour éviter la casseL'argus · Motoring press · published 14 January 2024 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  12. Peugeot Rifter (electric versions)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026
  13. E-Auto: Rückruf bei Opel, Peugeot, Citroën und DSGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 8 June 2023 · consulted 30 October 2026 · in German
  14. Peugeot e-208, e-2008, DS 3 e-Tense. Un rappel de 5 761 exemplairesL'argus · Motoring press · published 20 April 2022 · consulted 30 October 2026 · in French
  15. E-Fahrzeug-Rückruf: E-Motor könnte ausfallenauto motor und sport · Motoring press · published 1 March 2023 · consulted 30 October 2026 · in German
  16. Ni un solo eléctrico baja del 86 % de batería: 500.000 tests miden la degradación de 20 modelos a los 150.000 kmtestcoches.es · Reliability study · published 4 September 2026 · consulted 30 October 2026 · in Spanish
  17. 1.5 BlueHDi. Stellantis rappelle 930 000 véhicules et étend la couverture à 10 ansL'argus · Motoring press · published 3 July 2025 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  18. Peugeot 1.5 BlueHDi Engine ProblemsGT Automotive · Technical documentation · published 25 September 2024 · consulted 26 September 2026
  19. Motor DV5Oryx Parts · Technical documentation · published 24 January 2024 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  20. Rappel du 1.5 BlueHDi lié à la chaîne de distributionFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  21. Stellantis amplía las compensaciones por los problemas técnicos de sus depósitos AdBlueMinisterio de Derechos Sociales, Consumo y Agenda 2030 · Official body · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  22. Compensaciones para los usuarios de vehículos Citroën, DS, Opel y Peugeot afectados por un fallo de fabricación de los depósitos AdBlue y de los vehículos PureTechConsumo Responde (Junta de Andalucía) · Official body · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  23. Moteur 1.5 BlueHDi PSA. Problème de grippage du système d'injectionL'argus · Motoring press · published 6 June 2021 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  24. Llamada a revisión de Stellantis a estos coches diésel por avería graveAutofácil · Motoring press · published 9 April 2026 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  25. Fiabilité Peugeot 208 II (2019-) : pannes et avis des propriétaires (e-208)Fiches-auto.fr · Reliability study · consulted 30 October 2026 · in French
  26. Fiat 600 : fiabilité, pannes et rappels (600e)Fiches-auto.fr · Reliability study · consulted 30 October 2026 · in French