Opel Combo E vs Renault Trafic III: which is more reliable?
According to the MotorFiable Score, the Renault Trafic III (6.4/10) has fewer serious documented faults than the Opel Combo E (5.3/10), mainly because of the faults in the rest of the car (suspension, brakes, electronics…).
| Item | Opel Combo E | Renault Trafic III |
|---|---|---|
| Segment | Van and combi | Van and combi |
| Years | 2018–today | 2014–today |
| MotorFiable Score | 5.3 out of 10 | 6.4 out of 10 |
| Engine score | 4.5/10 | No documented engines |
| Most recommended engine | 1.5 BlueHDi · Buy | 1.6 dCi · With caution |
| Score for the rest of the car | 6.2/10 | 6.4/10 |
| Suspension | 8.6 out of 100 faults | 7.0 out of 101 faultHigh severity |
| Brakes | 8.1 out of 101 faultHigh severity | 7.6 out of 101 faultHigh severity |
| Steering | 7.9 out of 101 faultHigh severity | 0.0 out of 100 faults |
| Gearbox and clutch | 8.6 out of 101 faultCritical severity | No documented faults |
| Electronics and infotainment | 9.3 out of 101 faultMedium severity | No documented faults |
| Bodywork and interior | 7.9 out of 101 faultHigh severity | 7.1 out of 100 faults |
| Airbags and safety | 7.1 out of 101 faultCritical severity | 6.8 out of 103 faultsCritical severity |
Scores out of 10: the higher, the fewer serious documented faults. How we calculate them
Main faults of the Opel Combo E
Outside the engine
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalAirbags and safetyFront passenger seat belt with reduced effectivenessA campaign affected around 1,735 Opel Combo E units built in 2018-2019 in which the front passenger seat belt could have reduced restraint effectiveness.
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalBodywork and interiorThe engine undershield can trap material (fire risk)A 2022 campaign (ref. KAE/200511EE) covers Combo E vehicles built between 12 March 2018 and 17 September 2021 whose metal engine undershield can trap material next to the exhaust, with a risk of fire.
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalSteeringDamaged steering linkage (track rods), with loss of stabilityIn 2019-2020 units, the steering linkage (track rods) can become damaged, with loss of driving stability and a greater risk of an accident; the Peugeot Rifter and the Citroën Berlingo III had an official campaign for a defect in the same component over a similar period.
In their engines
- Critical severityFrequency: Very frequent1.5 BlueHDiWear 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
- Medium severityFrequency: Very frequent1.5 BlueHDiAdBlue 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
- High severityFrequency: Occasional1.5 BlueHDiSeizure 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.
Main faults of the Renault Trafic III
Outside the engine
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalBrakesSecondary parking brake cable faultTwo recalls notified in the EU (2018 and 2019) affect the Trafic III handbrake: one over the end fitting of the secondary cable and another because the brake might not engage when the lever is pulled. They affect only certain manufacturing windows.
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalAirbags and safetyBuckles and guides of the third-row seat beltsSafety Gate lists two Renault recalls from 2017-2019 on the Trafic's third-row seat belts: faulty buckles that might not restrain a passenger or a child seat, and badly fitted plastic guides that might jam.
- Critical severityFrequency: RareAirbags and safetyPassenger airbag gas generator ruptureRenault recalled Trafic vans built between 29 January and 16 March 2020 because the passenger airbag gas generator could crack and fail to inflate the airbag properly. It is notified on the EU's Safety Gate.