The 1.6 naturally aspirated petrol engines of the Astra H (Z16XEP, Z16XE1, Z16XER) run a timing belt, not a chain.
Applies to the engine Z16XEP.
1998–2004. The fault list covers this generation and the engines in it. If the listing gives the exact version, pick it below.

Rudolf Stricker / Attribution
What to watch for
The list covers the generation, the engines and the transmissions. Once you pick the version, only the faults that apply to it stay.
The 1.6 naturally aspirated petrol engines of the Astra H (Z16XEP, Z16XE1, Z16XER) run a timing belt, not a chain.
Applies to the engine Z16XEP.
The Opel Easytronic is not a conventional automatic: it is an ordinary manual gearbox in which electric actuators operate the clutch and change gear.
It can affect every car in this generation.
Repair: 2,500–3,000 EUR
The 1.4 naturally aspirated petrol engines of the Astra H (Z14XEL, Z14XEP) run a chain driven valvetrain unlike the 1.6 Twinport/XER family, which is belt driven.
Applies to the engine Z14XEP.
The Opel F17 (and F17+) is one of the most common five speed manual gearboxes of the Astra / Corsa / Zafira era.
Applies to the transmission F17.
The Opel F23 (Getrag, roughly 1998 to 2011) is the five speed manual gearbox of the stronger engines in the Astra G/H, Vectra and Zafira A.
Applies to the transmission F23.
The manufacturer fixes these for free at a franchised dealer. Ask with the VIN whether it was done. The list covers the whole generation. We did not filter it by model year. Some apply only to a narrower production window.
Most recent: 1 December 2023
A12/01581/24Safety recallInjuries1 December 2023 · EU Safety GateThe propellant used in the driver airbag inflator can degrade when exposed to very high temperatures and levels of humidity. If activated after an impact, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to burst, and metal fragments could pass through the cushion material causing injury to occupants. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: 01/12/2023
Engines and transmissions in this generation
A fault is often tied to the engine, not to the whole generation. You find the engine code in the registration document.
G · 1998–2004
The fault list opens on the version page.
354 versions
1.2 l · 1199 cm³
X12XE · F23
1.2i-16V Eco
1998–2004 · 1.2i-16V Eco
1.2 l · 1199 cm³
X12XE · F17
1.2i-16V GL
1998–2004 · 1.2i-16V GL
1.2 l · 1199 cm³
X12XE · F17
1.2i-16V GL
1998–2004 · 1.2i-16V GL
1.6 l · 1598 cm³
X16SZR · F17
1.6i CDX
1998–2004 · 1.6i CDX
1.6 l · 1598 cm³
X16SZR
1.6i CDX
1998–2004 · 1.6i CDX
1.6 l · 1598 cm³
X16SZR · F17
1.6i CDX
1998–2004 · 1.6i CDX
1.6 l · 1598 cm³
X16SZR
1.6i CDX
1998–2004 · 1.6i CDX
1.6 l · 1598 cm³
X16SZR
1.6i CDX
1998–2004 · 1.6i CDX
1.6 l · 1598 cm³
X16SZR · F17
1.6i CDX
1998–2004 · 1.6i CDX
1.6 l · 1598 cm³
X16SZR · F17
1.6i Club
1998–2004 · 1.6i Club
1.6 l · 1598 cm³
X16SZR
1.6i Club
1998–2004 · 1.6i Club
1.6 l · 1598 cm³
X16SZR
1.6i Club
1998–2004 · 1.6i Club
1.6 l · 1598 cm³
X16SZR · F17
1.6i Club
1998–2004 · 1.6i Club
1.6 l · 1598 cm³
X16SZR
1.6i Club
1998–2004 · 1.6i Club
1.6 l · 1598 cm³
X16SZR · F17
1.6i Club
1998–2004 · 1.6i Club
1.6 l · 1598 cm³
X16SZR · F17
1.6i Diamond
1998–2004 · 1.6i Diamond
1.6 l · 1598 cm³
X16SZR · F17
1.6i Diamond
1998–2004 · 1.6i Diamond
1.6 l · 1598 cm³
X16SZR · F17
1.6i Diamond
1998–2004 · 1.6i Diamond
1.6 l · 1598 cm³
X16SZR
1.6i GL
1998–2004 · 1.6i GL
1.6 l · 1598 cm³
X16SZR
1.6i GL
1998–2004 · 1.6i GL
1.6 l · 1598 cm³
X16SZR
1.6i GL
1998–2004 · 1.6i GL
1.6 l · 1598 cm³
X16SZR · F17
1.6i GL
1998–2004 · 1.6i GL
1.6 l · 1598 cm³
X16SZR · F17
1.6i GL
1998–2004 · 1.6i GL
1.6 l · 1598 cm³
X16SZR · F17
1.6i GL
1998–2004 · 1.6i GL
1.6 l · 1598 cm³
X16SZR · F17
1.6i Pearl
1998–2004 · 1.6i Pearl
1.6 l · 1598 cm³
X16SZR · F17
1.6i Pearl
1998–2004 · 1.6i Pearl
1.6 l · 1598 cm³
X16SZR · F17
1.6i Pearl
1998–2004 · 1.6i Pearl
1.6 l · 1598 cm³
X16SZR · F17
1.6i Sport
1998–2004 · 1.6i Sport
1.6 l · 1598 cm³
X16SZR · F17
1.6i Sport
1998–2004 · 1.6i Sport
1.6 l · 1598 cm³
no engine code
1.6i Comfort
1998–2004 · 1.6i Comfort
1.6 l · 1598 cm³
no engine code
1.6i Comfort
1998–2004 · 1.6i Comfort
1.6 l · 1598 cm³
no engine code
1.6i Comfort
1998–2004 · 1.6i Comfort
1.6 l · 1598 cm³
no engine code
1.6i Comfort
1998–2004 · 1.6i Comfort
1.6 l · 1598 cm³
no engine code
1.6i Comfort
1998–2004 · 1.6i Comfort
1.6 l · 1598 cm³
no engine code
1.6i Comfort
1998–2004 · 1.6i Comfort
1.6 l · 1598 cm³
no engine code
1.6i Edition
1998–2004 · 1.6i Edition
1.6 l · 1598 cm³
no engine code
1.6i Edition
1998–2004 · 1.6i Edition
1.6 l · 1598 cm³
no engine code
1.6i Edition
1998–2004 · 1.6i Edition
1.6 l · 1598 cm³
no engine code
1.6i Edition
1998–2004 · 1.6i Edition
1.6 l · 1598 cm³
no engine code
1.6i Edition
1998–2004 · 1.6i Edition
1.6 l · 1598 cm³
no engine code
1.6i Edition
1998–2004 · 1.6i Edition
1.6 l · 1598 cm³
no engine code
1.6i Elegance
1998–2004 · 1.6i Elegance
1.6 l · 1598 cm³
no engine code
1.6i Elegance
1998–2004 · 1.6i Elegance
1.6 l · 1598 cm³
no engine code
1.6i Elegance
1998–2004 · 1.6i Elegance
1.6 l · 1598 cm³
no engine code
1.6i Elegance
1998–2004 · 1.6i Elegance
1.6 l · 1598 cm³
no engine code
1.6i Elegance
1998–2004 · 1.6i Elegance
1.6 l · 1598 cm³
no engine code
1.6i Elegance
1998–2004 · 1.6i Elegance
1.6 l · 1598 cm³
no engine code
1.6i GL
1998–2004 · 1.6i GL
1.6 l · 1598 cm³
no engine code
1.6i GL
1998–2004 · 1.6i GL
1.6 l · 1598 cm³
no engine code
1.6i GL
1998–2004 · 1.6i GL
1.6 l · 1598 cm³
no engine code
1.6i GL
1998–2004 · 1.6i GL
1.6 l · 1598 cm³
no engine code
1.6i GL
1998–2004 · 1.6i GL
1.6 l · 1598 cm³
no engine code
1.6i GL
1998–2004 · 1.6i GL
1.6 l · 1598 cm³
no engine code
1.6i Njoy
1998–2004 · 1.6i Njoy
1.6 l · 1598 cm³
no engine code
1.6i Njoy
1998–2004 · 1.6i Njoy
1.6 l · 1598 cm³
no engine code
1.6i Njoy
1998–2004 · 1.6i Njoy
1.6 l · 1598 cm³
no engine code
1.6i Njoy
1998–2004 · 1.6i Njoy
1.6 l · 1598 cm³
no engine code
1.6i Njoy
1998–2004 · 1.6i Njoy
1.6 l · 1598 cm³
no engine code
1.6i Njoy
1998–2004 · 1.6i Njoy
1.6 l · 1598 cm³
no engine code
1.6i Pearl
1998–2004 · 1.6i Pearl
Neighbouring generations
Astra G (1998-2004). If the listing is from the changeover year, look at the neighbour too.
Common questions
1998–2004. The changeover year can fall in two generations. If the listing is from that year, look at the neighbour too.
No. It depends on the engine and the transmission too.
The fault list is.
We write the descriptions, and we put the source next to them. A person reviews them before they go out. They are still information, not a technical expert opinion.