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Opel Astra K common faults.

2015–2021. The fault list covers this generation and the engines in it. If the listing gives the exact version, pick it below.

Opel Astra K

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What to watch for

What can go wrong on this car?

The list covers the generation, the engines and the transmissions. Once you pick the version, only the faults that apply to it stay.

critical3

1.2 PureTech / DI Turbo (EB2*): wet timing belt

critical

Opel's post 2017 PSA platform 1.2 litre turbo petrol engines (PureTech / 1.2 Direct Injection Turbo, engine codes EB2*) run the timing belt in engine oil.

Applies to the engine EB2ADTS.

1.6 SIDI Turbo (A16XHT / A16SHT): timing chain

critical

The Insignia and Astra 1.6 litre direct injection turbo petrol engines (A16XHT, A16SHT, later B16SHT / D16SHT) run a chain driven valvetrain unlike the belt driven A16LET 1.6 Turbo.

Applies to the engine B16SHT, D16SHT.

expensive2

Official recall9 recallsShow

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: 4 August 2025

SR/02979/25Safety recallInjuries4 August 2025 · EU Safety Gate

The structure of the airbag can deteriorate. If the airbags deploy, it could result in fragments from the inflator, injuring the vehicle's 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: 04/08/2025 Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Request to stop driving Date of entry into force: 04/08/2025

The authority's notice

SR/02659/25Safety recallInjuries3 July 2025 · EU Safety Gate

Due to oil carbonisation and high contact pressure, the 7 mm camshaft chain resistance can be reduced. This may cause the camshaft chain to break, leading to an engine failure. This can cause a loss of vehicle's control and increase the risk of accidents and injuries. 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: 03/07/2025

The authority's notice

A12/01581/24Safety recallInjuries1 December 2023 · EU Safety Gate

The 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

The authority's notice

A12/01877/23Safety recallEnvironment19 June 2023 · EU Safety Gate

A software error in the engine control unit prevents the malfunction indicator light (MIL) from switching on if the urea injector stops working. This can lead to higher emissions and poses a risk to the environment. 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: 19/06/2023

The authority's notice

A12/00135/21Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

The wheel screws are not tightened with the required torque. This could lead to a wheel being lost during driving, increasing the risk of an accident.

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: Unknown

The authority's notice

A12/00381/22Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

A defect in the gas generator of the driver airbag can lead to uncontrolled inflation and the release of metal fragments when the airbag is activated. This defect may increase the risk of injuries in the event of an accident. 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: Unknown

The authority's notice

A12/0126/17Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

Due to a wrong mixing ratio of the primary ignition chemicals in the gas generators, the airbag may not be triggered in the event of an accident.

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: Unknown

The authority's notice

A12/1017/18Safety recallFireno date · EU Safety Gate

A wrongly-fitted sealing ring may lead to oil leakage on the turbo oil-line. The leaking oil may ignite and cause a fire.

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: Unknown

The authority's notice

A12/1889/19Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

As a result of a production error, the crossmember of the front seat structure has been welded incorrectly. This could lead to the seat not having the required crash behaviour in the event of an accident, increasing the risk of an injury.

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: Unknown

The authority's notice

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.

K · 2015–2021

Pick the version.

The fault list opens on the version page.

232 versions

Showing 60 of 232 versions.

Neighbouring generations

K · 2015–2021

Astra K (2015-2021). If the listing is from the changeover year, look at the neighbour too.

Previous generation

J · 2009–2015

This generation

K · 2015–2021

Next generation

L · 2022–

Common questions

About this generation

Which years does this page cover?

2015–2021. The changeover year can fall in two generations. If the listing is from that year, look at the neighbour too.

Does the fault apply to every car like this?

No. It depends on the engine and the transmission too.

Is it free?

The fault list is.

Information, not an expert opinion

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.

  • A fault on the list does not mean the car you are looking at has it.
  • A fault missing from the list does not mean the model is fault-free. Write-ups are made model by model. Not all of them are done.
  • You decide whether to buy. This is no substitute for an inspection. That needs a workshop and a history check.
Details in the terms