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Problems with the alternator and starter motor: symptoms, cost and affected models

We have documented 75 faults with the alternator and starter motor in 2 engines and 71 cars, affecting 81 models of car in our database. The most important by severity and frequency: risk of electric arcing at the 48 V starter-generator terminal on the hybrid Junior (Alfa Romeo Junior), 2025 campaign for corrosion of the starter motor relay (risk of fire) (BMW Serie 3 G20) and starter motor corrosion from water ingress (fire risk) (BMW Serie 4 G22).

Documented faults
75
33 of high or critical severity
Engines
2
with at least one fault on this part
Affected models
81
car generations in our database
Garage repair
No data
No reliable published costs

1 sourceHow we work

How it works and why it fails

Alternator and starter motor

The starter motor turns the engine over when you turn the key, and the alternator recharges the battery while you drive. On 48 V mild hybrids, the two are combined in a starter-alternator. With Start&Stop, the starter motor works many more times, and some models have had campaigns over relays or cables with a fire risk.

What to do

If the engine is slow to start with a good battery, you hear a click without it turning over or the battery warning light comes on while driving, check the charging system. An alternator that is not charging leaves the car with a flat battery within a few kilometres.

General explanation by MotorFiable. The specific faults of each engine and car, with their sources, are on the linked pages.

Common symptoms

The symptoms that come up most often in the documented faults with the alternator and starter motor. Open each one to see what other faults cause it.

Problems with the alternator and starter motor by engine

From most to least important (severity × frequency). Each page details the affected versions and years, symptoms, cost and how to check for it.

  1. 1High severityFrequency: Occasional2.2 JTDm Multijet IIAlternator cable touching the exhaust gas recirculation pipe (fire risk)An Alfa Romeo campaign covers diesel Stelvio built between 18 January 2017 and 18 September 2018: an alternator cable may rub against the exhaust gas recirculation pipe and cause a short circuit, with a fire risk in the worst case.
  2. 2Medium severityFrequency: Occasional1.7 CDTIPremature alternator wearThe Hitachi-brand alternator fitted at the factory to the 1.7 CDTI tends to wear out sooner than expected, according to a German buying guide on the Opel Astra H, with typical replacements at around 140,000 km; there are similar accounts on the Opel Meriva with this engine.

Engines with faults with the alternator and starter motor

Problems with the alternator and starter motor by car

Faults documented on specific cars, which occur with any engine. From most to least important.

  1. 1Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalAlfa Romeo JuniorRisk of electric arcing at the 48 V starter-generator terminal on the hybrid JuniorYes: a March 2026 Safety Gate alert (campaign F60F) covers Junior MHEVs built between 27 November 2023 and 18 December 2025. The clearance between the particulate filter pipe and the 48 V starter-generator terminal cover is under 10 mm and, in damp conditions, there could be electric arcing and fire.
  2. 2Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalBMW Serie 3 G202025 campaign for corrosion of the starter motor relay (risk of fire)Yes: in September 2025 BMW recalled, among other models, the 2019 to 2021 330i (G20) because the starter motor relay can corrode, overheat and cause a short circuit with a risk of fire even when the car is parked.
  3. 3Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalBMW Serie 4 G22Starter motor corrosion from water ingress (fire risk)Yes: in September 2025 BMW recalled 4 Series cars (G22, G23 and G26 among them) because the starter motor can let in water and corrode; in the worst case, a short circuit overheats the part and can cause a fire. The press reports that replacing the starter is free of charge.
  4. 4Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalBMW Serie 4 G22Wear of the RSW22 starter motor relay contact (fire risk)Yes: in 2026 BMW extended the starter motor recall because, in the RSW22 model with a water-resistant reinforced relay, the magnetic contact wears and builds up deposits, which can cause false starts or a short circuit with fire risk. It affects the 4 Series from 2020, and the starter is replaced with one from a different supplier.
  5. 5Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalBMW Serie 5 G30Two successive campaigns over a fire risk in the starter motor relay (2025 and 2026)Yes: BMW recalled the 5 Series G30 twice for the same risk in the starter motor relay - which can corrode or build up deposits, overheat and cause a short circuit with a risk of fire - first in September 2025 and again in July 2026 for more recent cars.
  6. 6Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalBMW X3 G01Two successive campaigns for a fire risk in the starter motor relay (2025 and 2026)Yes: BMW recalled the X3 G01 twice for the same risk in the starter motor relay, which can corrode or build up deposits, overheat and cause a short circuit with a risk of fire, first in September 2025 and again in July 2026 for more recent cars.
  7. 7Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalBMW X5 G05Overheating of the starter motor and its relay, with a risk of fireSince 2024 BMW has launched several campaigns that include the X5 over the starter motor: insufficient software protection, electrical contacts that overheat, a relay that corrodes through water ingress and a relay with deposits from contact wear. In the worst case there can be a short circuit and a fire, while driving or shortly after parking.
  8. 8Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalBMW X6 G06Overheating of the starter motor and its relay, with a risk of fireSince 2025 BMW has launched several campaigns that include the X6 over the starter motor: electrical contacts that overheat, a relay that corrodes through water ingress and a relay with deposits from contact wear. In the worst case there can be a short circuit and a fire, while driving or shortly after parking.
  9. 9Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalBMW X7 G07Overheating of the starter motor and its relay, with a risk of fireSince 2024 BMW has launched several campaigns that include the X7 over the starter motor: insufficient software protection, electrical contacts that overheat, a relay that corrodes through water ingress and a relay with deposits from contact wear. In the worst case there can be a short circuit and a fire, while driving or shortly after parking.
  10. 10Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalCitroën C4 IIIFire risk from the small gap between the particulate filter and the 48 V starter-generator (mild-hybrid version)In the 48 V mild-hybrid versions of the C4 III (1.2 PureTech 136 hp with e-DCS6 gearbox) built between October 2023 and January 2026, the gap between the petrol particulate filter pipe and the 48 V starter-generator may be less than 10 mm, which poses a fire risk in the engine bay.
  11. 11Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalCitroën C4 XFire risk from insufficient clearance between the petrol particulate filter and the 48 V starter-generatorYes: on petrol C4 X cars built between 25 October 2023 and 12 January 2026 the particulate filter pipe sits less than 10 mm from the protective cap of the 48 V starter-generator and, in damp conditions, an electric arc can occur with a risk of fire. Recall published on Safety Gate in March 2026.
  12. 12Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalFiat Scudo IIIBattery positive cable routed badly next to the starter motor: risk of electrical arcing and fireAccording to car-recalls.eu (July 2026), Germany's KBA lists a recall of 2,076 Scudos built between 15 October 2025 and 22 January 2026: the battery positive cable may rub against the starter motor housing, causing electrical arcing and a short circuit. It is protected with tape and corrugated tubing.
  13. 13Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalLancia Ypsilon IV48 V starter-generator cap too close to the particulate filter pipe: fire riskYes: Stellantis recalled the Ypsilon built between 18 March 2024 and 13 January 2026 because the petrol particulate filter pipe sits less than 10 mm from the cap of the 48 V starter-generator. In damp conditions an electric arc can form and set the engine bay alight.
  14. 14Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalMercedes-Benz Clase B W246Overloaded starter motor current limiter, fire riskOn cars from the 2014 to 2017 model years, an overloaded starter motor current limiter can set nearby components on fire, the reason for a manufacturer campaign.
  15. 15Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalOpel Frontera48 V belt alternator-starter cap in contact with the particulate filter pipe on the Frontera: fire riskYes: the KV7 campaign covers Frontera built between July 2024 and December 2025 because the petrol particulate filter pipe may touch, or come within 10 mm of, the cap on the 48 V alternator-starter; water could cause an electric arc and fire.
  16. 16Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalVolkswagen Jetta VIIncorrectly fitted starter motor switch spring: risk of overheatingYes: a 2018 European alert (A12/0332/18) covers units built in 2011 because a spring in the starter motor's magnetic switch may have been fitted incorrectly, with a risk of overheating and fire. It affects many Volkswagen Group models, including the Jetta.
  17. 17Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalVolkswagen Sharan IIStarter motor that may stay engaged and overheat, with a risk of fireVolkswagen recalled Sharans built in 2011 over the starter motor solenoid spring: the starter could stay engaged, overheat and cause a fire. The DVSA limits it to diesels with Start&Stop and counts 16,625 cars in the United Kingdom; the remedy is to replace the solenoid.
  18. 18High severityFrequency: OccasionalBMW Serie 1 F202025 recall for starter motor fire riskYes: in September 2025 BMW recalled, among other models, the 1 Series F20/F21 built between September 2015 and the end of its production, because of a starter motor that can let in water, corrode and short-circuit, with a fire risk even when the car is parked.
  19. 19High severityFrequency: OccasionalFord Focus IIAlternator fault with false battery, ESP and power steering warningsThe alternator is the most repeated electrical fault of the Focus II across all engines: an unstable charge lights the battery and ESP warning lights for no real reason and, in the most pronounced cases, an occasional loss of power steering assistance may be noticed.Appears at around 60,000 km
  20. 20High severityFrequency: OccasionalMercedes-Benz Vito W639Starter motor wiring harness fitted the wrong way round that can touch the exhaust manifold (March to September 2006)On Viano models built between March and September 2006, the starter motor wiring harness may have been fitted twisted and sit too close to the exhaust manifold, with a risk of it burning. A known-problems sheet lists it; it is a single source.
  21. 21High severityFrequency: OccasionalSeat Alhambra IIStarter motor relay spring wrongly positioned: risk of overheatingA 2018 Safety Gate alert covers the Alhambra, Altea, Leon and Ibiza built from 18-03 to 28-05-2011: the starter relay spring could be wrongly positioned, overheat the relay and cause a fire.
  22. 22High severityFrequency: OccasionalToyota GR Supra A90Corrosion of the starter motor relayAn EU alert from October 2025 records that water can reach the starter motor relay of GR Supras built from February 2019 to September 2020, corrode it and, in the worst case, cause a fire.
  23. 23Medium severityFrequency: CommonFord Kuga IAlternator and battery faultsOn the first-generation Kuga, the alternator and battery are among the most frequently reported faults: ADAC (via Gebrauchtwagenberater) points to the battery, CarWiki to alternators that fail often, and French owners mention both often.
  24. 24Medium severityFrequency: CommonOpel Astra GPremature alternator failureThe alternator is one of the parts that comes up most often in Astra G fault testimonials, with failures reported between 80,000 and 270,000 km and a higher incidence on the diesel versions.Appears at around 80,000 km
  25. 25Critical severityFrequency: RareAudi A5 IIBelt-driven alternator-starter on the 2.0 TFSI mild hybrid with fire riskAudi recalled A5s with the 2.0 TFSI engine and mild hybrid system built between May 2017 and March 2020 because moisture could enter the belt-driven alternator-starter, causing a short circuit and overheating with a risk of fire.
  26. 26Critical severityFrequency: RareFiat 600Fire risk from water ingress into the 48 V belt-starter generator protection (built 2023-2025)Yes: a recall covers cars built between 28 July 2023 and 19 December 2025 in which insufficient clearance between the petrol particulate filter pipe and the protective cap of the 48 V starter-generator allows water in and can cause an electrical arc and a fire.
  27. 27Critical severityFrequency: RareJeep AvengerFire risk from water ingress into the 48 V starter-generator protection (2023-2025 production)Yes: a 2026 campaign covers MHEV versions built between 9 March 2023 and 18 December 2025 in which insufficient clearance between the particulate filter pipe and the protective cap of the 48 V starter-generator lets water in and can cause an electric arc and a fire.
  28. 28Critical severityFrequency: RareVolkswagen Tiguan IFire risk from the starter motor on 2011 vehiclesOn vehicles from the 2011 production year, a faulty solenoid in the starter motor could stay energised continuously instead of switching off, with a risk of fire; Volkswagen recalled the affected cars to put it right.Repair: €0
  29. 29Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalAlfa Romeo 147Alternator and electric window failuresThe Alfa Romeo 147 has recurring testimonies of alternator failures, which can leave the battery flat, and of electric window mechanism failures, mostly on the post-facelift version.
  30. 30Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalBMW Serie 4 G2248 V battery cables of the belt-driven starter generator not securely fastenedIn January 2021 BMW carried out a recall in the United Kingdom on several models, including the 4 Series built between August and September 2020, because the battery cables of the 48 V belt-driven starter generator might not be securely fastened. The remedy is to inspect the bolted connection and retighten it if necessary.
  31. 31Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalBMW Serie 5 E39Alternator failure and battery drain on the BMW 5 Series E39According to the owner reports collected by fiches-auto.fr (317 for the 1995-2003 5 Series), there are 13 cases of alternator failure, 7 of battery failure (one that went flat in two days) and 7 of starter motor failure.
  32. 32Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalCitroën C1 IIBattery and alternator faults in the charging circuitAccording to the fiches-auto.fr reports, 4 of 44 C1 owners (2014-2021) cite electrical problems: three with the battery and one with the alternator, with false warning lights.
  33. 33Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalCitroën C5 IIShort-circuit risk from rubbing of the starter motor cable (2015-2016 production)An EU alert (RAPEX A12/0997/17) covers C5s built between 30 June 2015 and 29 April 2016 in which the starter motor terminal was incorrectly positioned and could rub against the EGR valve, damaging the cable insulation and creating a risk of a short circuit.
  34. 34Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalCitroën C6Alternator failure and battery problems on the Citroën C6According to fiches-auto.fr, 12 of 151 C6 owner reports cite alternator failures, with repairs of around €600 to €800, and another 6 talk about battery problems.
  35. 35Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalDacia JoggerAlternator and 12V battery failureCases of a failed alternator at around 30,000 km and of 12V battery problems have been described on the Jogger, although they are a minority among the owner accounts consulted.
  36. 36Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalFiat 500XInfotainment system faults and electronic warnings (screen, Start&Stop, alternator)Yes: several reports document infotainment system faults (frozen screen, FM radio, weeks in the garage to resolve it), Start&Stop system faults and diagnostic confusion between a battery fault and an alternator fault.
  37. 37Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalFiat Panda IIAlternator faults on the Fiat Panda IITwo Polish sources cite alternator faults among the typical failures of the Panda II: Autobaza.pl blames it on the alternator taking in water from puddles, and Auto Świat mentions alternators that crack or fail.
  38. 38Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalFord FusionPremature alternator failureAccording to fiches-auto.fr, 17 Fusion reports (out of 206) cite alternator faults: noisy bearings, irregular charging and repeated failures, with one case at 155,000 km costing over €500 and another with two failures in six years.
  39. 39Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalHyundai Santa Fe IIAlternator failureThe alternator appears with 18 cases among the 209 fiches-auto.fr reports on the Santa Fe II. It is an electrical part failure with no known public campaign.
  40. 40Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalLand Rover Range Rover IIIAlternator and battery failureAccording to fiches-auto.fr, 10 testimonials cite alternator failures and 9 battery failures (one at only 17,000 km). One testimonial cites €745 at the dealer compared with around €110 with an aftermarket part.
  41. 41Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalLand Rover Range Rover Sport IAlternator failureAccording to fiches-auto.fr, 10 testimonies out of 65 cite alternator failures on the Sport I, compared with a single mention of the battery. No official campaign is recorded.
  42. 42Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalMazda 3 IStarter motor solenoid fault on the Mazda 3 (BK) that prevents startingTwo German sources, gebrauchtwagenberater.de and Auto Zeitung, indicate that the starter motor is a failure point on the Mazda 3 of this generation, with the starter solenoid specifically cited for the BK.
  43. 43Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalMercedes-Benz Clase A W168Failures of the 12 V battery, alternator and starter motorIn 2007 ADAC cited battery problems across all registration years of the A-Class W168 and faulty starter motors on petrol models up to 2003. On fiches-auto, the alternator gets 10 mentions among 114 testimonials, the battery 5 and the starter motor 4.
  44. 44Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalMercedes-Benz CLK C208Electrical faults: window winders, electric seats, alternator, starter motor and immobiliserAuto Bild (2007) identifies the electrics as the weakest point of the CLK C208: immobilisers, alternators and starter motors fail, as do comfort features such as the electric windows and electric seats. AutoScout24 (2009) adds occasional lighting faults, including xenon headlights.
  45. 45Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalNissan Almera IIAlternator failure on the Nissan Almera N16The alternator is the electrical part that appears most: according to the owner reports collected by fiches-auto.fr, 10 of 90 cases of the 2000-2005 Almera cite its replacement, at very varied mileages (from about 34,000 to about 250,000 km).
  46. 46Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalOpel Zafira ARepeated alternator failuresSeveral accounts describe more than one alternator replaced on the same Zafira A, with failures documented between 160,000 and 380,000 km.Appears at around 160,000 km
  47. 47Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalPeugeot 607Starter motor and alternator failureAccording to the fiches-auto.fr page, 22 owner reports for the 607 talk of a failed starter motor and 19 of the alternator, with failures between around 90,000 and 230,000 km; 13 more mention the battery.
  48. 48Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalRenault Kangoo IIStarting, alternator and battery faults, with a campaign on Stop & StartSeveral Kangoo II owners document alternators and starter motors failing at relatively low mileage, and batteries that do not cope well with use of the Stop & Start system; Renault also recalled Kangoos built between December 2018 and February 2019 over this system in November 2019.Appears at around 51,892 km
  49. 49Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalRenault Twingo IIElectrical faults: faulty alternator and ABS systemThe reports cite an alternator failing at 22,000 km (€900 with no manufacturer cover) and an ABS fault at 18,000 km. These are isolated fiches-auto.fr cases, with no official campaign.
  50. 50Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalSuzuki Swift IIIAlternator failureAccording to the fiches-auto.fr testimonies, some owners have replaced the alternator (cases at 90,000 and 170,000 km on the 1.3 DDIS). There is no official campaign.
  51. 51Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalToyota Avensis T25Starter motor failure on the Toyota Avensis T25According to fiches-auto.fr, the starter motor failed in 29 of the 370 reports for the 2003-2009 Avensis, 19 of them on the 2.0 D4D 116 hp. The page also records 28 battery cases and 16 alternator cases.
  52. 52Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalToyota Corolla IXThe alternator can fail and stop charging the batteryFiches-auto.fr documents 25 cases of alternator failure on the Corolla E120, with loss of charging capacity through wear of the regulator or the internal bearing, detected between 120,000 and 205,000 km.Appears at around 120,000 km
  53. 53Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalToyota VersoAlternator and battery failure on the Toyota VersoAccording to the reports on fiches-auto.fr, the Verso's alternator is recorded as faulty in several cases (50,000, 118,000, 125,000 and 145,000 km) and some owners report batteries that last only 2 to 4 years.
  54. 54Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalToyota Yaris IPremature alternator failure, more frequent on D-4D versionsSeveral owners describe an alternator that stops charging sooner than expected, especially on the 1.4 D-4D diesel versions, with documented failures between 70,000 and 100,000 km.Appears at around 70,000 km
  55. 55Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalVolvo C30Volvo C30 alternator failureAccording to the reports gathered by fiches-auto.fr, the alternator is one of the electrical parts most cited on the C30: 16 cases, mostly on diesels, between about 60,000 and 159,000 km. It is an owner pattern, not an official campaign.Appears at around 60,000 km
  56. 56Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalVolvo V40 IIAlternator and 12 V battery failure on the Volvo V40According to the reports on fiches-auto.fr, there are battery and alternator faults, the latter cited at around 80,000-90,000 km. There is no known recall or official data.Appears at around 80,000 km
  57. 57High severityFrequency: RareAudi A7 C8Moisture in the belt-driven starter-generator of the mild hybrid systemAudi recalled A7s with the 2.0 TFSI engine and mild hybrid system built between May 2017 and March 2020 because moisture could enter the belt-driven starter-generator and cause a short circuit, with a risk of fire even when the car is parked.
  58. 58High severityFrequency: RareBMW Z4 G29Relay and starter motor with fire riskTwo European campaigns affect the Z4 starting system: one from 2025 for water in the starter relay (2015-2021) and one from 2026 for wear of the RSW22 starter contact (2020-2026), both with a fire risk.
  59. 59High severityFrequency: RareDacia Logan IIPositive battery terminal touching the alternator (fire risk)A Safety Gate alert (8/2020, Dacia code 0D9F) warns that on the Logan II built before 26 July 2019 the positive battery terminal may touch the alternator heatsink, with a risk of short circuit and fire in the engine bay.
  60. 60High severityFrequency: RareJaguar XJ X351Alternator positive cable can loosen: fire riskOn Jaguar XJs built between August and October 2014, the alternator positive cable can come loose and increase the risk of fire; the campaign also checked the mountings of the belt-driven ancillaries, whose failure can reduce power steering assistance.
  61. 61High severityFrequency: RarePeugeot 508 IStarting system faults: starter motor and wiring (2013-2017 production)Two campaigns cover the 508 I starting system: one from 2017 (ref. R2017215) over a starter motor power cable that could rub and wear through, on vehicles built between October 2013 and April 2017; and another, also from 2017 (ref. R2017140), over a starter motor that might not work properly, on vehicles from May-October 2016.
  62. 62High severityFrequency: RareSeat León IIStarter motor relay that can overheat (campaign, León built in 2011)León IIs built between 18 March and 28 May 2011 were recalled because the starter motor relay spring can be incorrectly positioned, overheating the relay and causing a fire.
  63. 63Medium severityFrequency: RareHonda Accord VIIIHonda Accord VIII alternator failureThree testimonials (out of 57) cite replacing the alternator; one of them at 270,000 km together with the air conditioning pump, and another from a three-year-old car with a battery replacement.
  64. 64Medium severityFrequency: RareHyundai i10 IIDifficulty starting due to the starter motor’s pinion or freewheelGebrauchtwagenberater.de reports that the i10 II occasionally has starting difficulties caused by a faulty freewheel (pinion) on the starter motor. It is a single source, with no frequency figures.
  65. 65Medium severityFrequency: RarePeugeot 2008 IStarter motor that may not work correctly (2016 production)Yes: a 2017 campaign (ref. r2017140) covers vehicles built between 15 May and 12 October 2016 in which the starter motor might not work correctly. The same reference also appears for the Peugeot 208 built on the same dates.
  66. 66Medium severityFrequency: RarePeugeot 208 IStarter motor that may not work correctly (2016 production)Yes: a 2017 campaign (ref. r2017140) covers vehicles built between 15 May and 12 October 2016 in which the starter motor may not work correctly. The same reference also appears for the Peugeot 2008 built on the same dates.
  67. 67Medium severityFrequency: RarePeugeot 3008 IStarter motor that may not work properly (2016 production)Yes: a 2017 campaign (ref. r2017140) covers vehicles built between 15 May and 12 October 2016 in which the starter motor might not work properly. The same reference and the same dates also cover the Peugeot 208 and the Peugeot 2008.
  68. 68Medium severityFrequency: RareSuzuki IgnisWeak alternator-starter belt and start-stop faultOn the first Ignis (model year 2016, petrol units with a mild hybrid system), Suzuki found two defects: a start-stop fault that could prevent the battery from charging, and a belt without enough grip that could break. They were corrected through campaigns.
  69. 69Medium severityFrequency: RareSuzuki Swift VBattery charging interrupted and alternator-starter belt breakage on the 2017 SwiftOn early-series 2017 Swifts, a software fault could stop the starter battery from charging, and on a few cars built in February and March 2017 the belt driving the alternator-starter of the mild hybrid system could break. Suzuki fixed both with campaigns.
  70. 70Low severityFrequency: OccasionalFord Galaxy IIAlternator freewheel pulley failure on the diesel GalaxySeven Galaxy II testimonials mention the alternator, six of them with the 1.8 TDCi 125 hp: a faulty freewheel pulley (one case at 60,000 km), noise and belt wear.
  71. 71Low severityFrequency: OccasionalHonda CR-V IV12 V battery drain and alternator fatigueAccording to the reports on fiches-auto.fr, 8 of 142 CR-V IV owners replaced the 12 V battery earlier than expected (a stop/start battery at 64,000 km for €175) and 3 had alternator problems.
  72. 72Low severityFrequency: RareAlfa Romeo 166Isolated electrical faults: alternator, rear window winder and central lockingAn owner who covered about 170,000 km in a 166 2.4 JTDm says that his only fault history apart from servicing was the alternator, the rear window winder motor and the central locking.Appears at around 26,000 km
  73. 73Low severityFrequency: RareRenault Clio IVFlat battery and positive terminal touching the alternatorADAC data gathered by car-recalls.eu cites the battery as a common fault on Clios from 2012-2016, and the same page lists a recall for a positive terminal that could touch the alternator heatsink (2012-2019).

Alternator and starter motor: compare prices in shops

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Problems with the alternator and starter motor by make

Problems with the alternator and starter motor in your car

1 car has several documented faults with the alternator and starter motor. Choose yours to see only the ones that affect it, by engine and by year.

BMW 1

How much it costs to repair a fault with the alternator and starter motor

Sorted from the most expensive repair to the cheapest. Prices in Spain including VAT (parts and labour); what each figure includes is on its page.

How we calculate costs · The most expensive repairs across all engines

OBD fault codes with the alternator and starter motor

The codes the ECU usually stores when this part fails: what they mean, causes and what to check.

Frequently asked questions

Which engines have the most faults with the alternator and starter motor?

By severity and frequency, the 2.2 JTDm Multijet II (alternator cable touching the exhaust gas recirculation pipe (fire risk), high severity) and the 1.7 CDTI (premature alternator wear, medium severity).

Which cars have problems with the alternator and starter motor?

Among those we have analysed: BMW Serie 4 G22 (starter motor corrosion from water ingress (fire risk)), Alfa Romeo Junior (risk of electric arcing at the 48 V starter-generator terminal on the hybrid Junior), BMW Serie 3 G20 (2025 campaign for corrosion of the starter motor relay (risk of fire)), BMW Serie 5 G30 (two successive campaigns over a fire risk in the starter motor relay (2025 and 2026)), BMW X3 G01 (two successive campaigns for a fire risk in the starter motor relay (2025 and 2026)), BMW X5 G05 (overheating of the starter motor and its relay, with a risk of fire), BMW X6 G06 (overheating of the starter motor and its relay, with a risk of fire) and BMW X7 G07 (overheating of the starter motor and its relay, with a risk of fire). In total, 71 cars with documented faults with the alternator and starter motor.

How much does it cost to repair a fault with the alternator and starter motor?

It depends a lot on the engine or car. At a dealer, from €0 to €0, including VAT, based on the 1 fault with a documented cost. The most expensive is fire risk from the starter motor on 2011 vehicles (Volkswagen Tiguan I).

What symptoms does a fault with the alternator and starter motor cause?

The most frequently cited in the documented faults: electric charging failure or interruption, battery goes flat while the car is parked, hard starting or engine will not start, battery warning light on, electric windows or central locking not responding and burning smell.

Sources

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

  1. VW Tiguan I (5N): Schwachstellen & KaufberatungGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German