Kia Ceed I vs Opel Astra J: which is more reliable?
According to the MotorFiable Score, the Opel Astra J (5.7/10) has fewer serious documented faults than the Kia Ceed I (5.0/10), mainly because of their engines.
| Item | Kia Ceed I | Opel Astra J |
|---|---|---|
| Segment | Compact | Compact |
| Years | 2006–2012 | 2009–2015 |
| MotorFiable Score | 5.0 out of 10 | 5.7 out of 10 |
| Engine score | 4.1/10 | 5.8/10 |
| Most recommended engine | 1.6 CRDi · With caution | 1.6 and 1.8 Ecotec 16v · Buy |
| Score for the rest of the car | 5.9/10 | 5.7/10 |
| Suspension | 8.4 out of 101 faultMedium severity | 8.1 out of 101 faultMedium severity |
| Brakes | 7.1 out of 101 faultCritical severity | 7.3 out of 100 faults |
| Gearbox and clutch | 7.9 out of 101 faultMedium severity | 6.8 out of 101 faultHigh severity |
| Electrical system | No documented faults | 7.1 out of 101 faultCritical severity |
| Headlights and lights | 6.5 out of 100 faults | 8.5 out of 101 faultMedium severity |
| Electronics and infotainment | 9.3 out of 101 faultLow severity | No documented faults |
| Bodywork and interior | 7.8 out of 102 faultsHigh severity | 7.7 out of 100 faults |
Scores out of 10: the higher, the fewer serious documented faults. How we calculate them
Main faults of the Kia Ceed I
Outside the engine
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalBrakesFaulty brake master cylinder on Ceed with ESP built in 2008-2009Yes: in 2010 Kia recalled cee'd models with ESP built between 1 April 2008 and 30 March 2009, because the brake master cylinder could fail to deliver the expected force and lengthen braking distance. The inspection and, if necessary, replacement of the part were free of charge.
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalBodywork and interiorRusted fuel tank straps: the tank can come looseThis is a documented weak point of the Ceed I: according to Germany's KBA, corrosion can eat through the straps holding the fuel tank, causing it to drop. The fix is to replace the tank mounting; it affects cars up to model year 2010.
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonGearbox and clutchPremature clutch and dual-mass flywheel wearThe clutch is a weak point of the Ceed I: Gebrauchtwagenberater advises budgeting for a replacement between 60,000 and 100,000 km, especially on diesels, and fiches-auto also records dual-mass flywheel failures on the 2.0 CRDi 140. It is a workshop repair, not a campaign.Appears at around 60,000 km
In their engines
- Critical severityFrequency: Common1.6 CRDiTiming chain stretchThe two timing chains of the U2 D4FB (one of which also drives the high-pressure pump) tend to stretch at around 120,000-150,000 km, with a characteristic metallic rattle. If left unattended, the chain can jump teeth and cause the pistons and valves to collide.Appears at around 120,000 km
- High severityFrequency: Occasional1.6 CRDiPremature variable-geometry turbo (VGT) failureThe first units of the U2 D4FB (up to ~2009) had variable-geometry turbos that could fail between 30,000 and 100,000 km; the manufacturer corrected this with an ECU update. On later engines, the actuator can seize because of carbon build-up.Appears at around 30,000 km
- High severityFrequency: Occasional1.6 CRDiFuel pressure regulator and injectors sensitive to diesel qualityThe common-rail pressure regulator can seize and bleed off too much fuel, which makes starting difficult; the system works at a high pressure (around 1,600 bar) that makes it sensitive to poor-quality diesel, and the injectors need individual coding if they are replaced.
Main faults of the Opel Astra J
Outside the engine
- High severityFrequency: CommonGearbox and clutchGear lever shudder and risk of M32 manual gearbox failureBefore the 2012 redesign, the Astra J's M32 manual gearbox (petrol turbos from the 1.4T and diesels) could signal an impending failure with a gear lever shudder when accelerating or braking; fiches-auto.fr records gearbox and clutch/flywheel faults in a noticeable proportion of its respondents.
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalElectrical systemFire risk from a short circuit in the radiator cooling fanYes: in 2014 Opel recalled around 60,000 Astra J/GTC cars from 2010-2012 because a deviation in the electrical design could cause a short circuit if the cooling fan seized, with a risk of fire.
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalSuspensionLeaks from the dampers of the FlexRide adaptive suspensionThe dampers of the Astra J's FlexRide adaptive suspension can start to leak oil from around 150,000 km, according to gebrauchtwagenberater.de; fiches-auto.fr also records suspension and damper warnings in an owner survey of this car.
In their engines
- Critical severityFrequency: Common1.3 MultijetTiming 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
- Critical severityFrequency: Common1.0/1.2/1.4 EcotecTiming 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
- High severityFrequency: Common1.3 MultijetIncomplete 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.