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Opel Combo E common faults.

2018–2021. The fault list covers this generation and the engines in it. If the listing gives the exact version, pick it below.

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.

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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 EB2DT, EB2ADT, EB2DTS and 1 more.

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Official recall11 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: 6 August 2025

SR/03207/25Safety recallEnvironment6 August 2025 · EU Safety Gate

The malfunction indicator light (MIL) may fail to illuminate if the diagnostic system of the Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) and/or the diesel particulate filter (DPF) malfunctions after a fault code has appeared. This could cause the vehicle to operate without the required warning, and resulting in emissions above the regulatory limits. The product does not comply with the Regulation on type-approval of motor vehicles with respect to emissions from light passenger and commercial vehicles (Euro 5 and Euro 6) and on access to vehicle repair and maintenance information.

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: 06/08/2025

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

A12/01877/23Safety 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

A12/00790/21Safety recallInjuries22 April 2021 · EU Safety Gate

The clipping of the control button of the hand-brake restraint system might be incorrect. Consequently, the hand-brake might not be correctly engaged when used, leading to the vehicle to spontaneously move when parked, increasing the risk of accident or injuries to by-passers. The product does not comply with the requirements laid down in 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: 22/04/2021

The authority's notice

A12/0986/19Safety recallEnvironment8 April 2019 · EU Safety Gate

The vehicles may have a higher diesel particulate rate than the specified rate. Higher emission of diesel particles causes global warming, acid rain, and harms the environment and human health.

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: 08/04/2019

The authority's notice

A12/00041/20Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

The steering column has not been manufactured in accordance with the specification. This can cause steering failure and, consequently, loss of control of the vehicle, 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

A12/00056/22Safety recallFire, Injuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

This passenger car is exposed to fuel leak from the auxiliary heating. Consequently, leaking fuel may come into contact with hot parts of the engine, increasing the risk of fire. The product does not comply with the requirements laid down in 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

A12/00135/21Safety 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

A12/01161/20Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

The track rods may be damaged when they are under load. This may result in a loss of driving stability, 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

A12/0686/19Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

Possible misalignment of the ratchet on the handbrake lever latching mechanism. As a result the handbrake may not engage or could disengage by itself, 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

A12/1951/19Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

The front passenger seat belt may not be correctly installed during production. As a result, the seat belt may not retain the passenger sufficiently in the event of an accident, increasing the risk of an injury.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Importer 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.

E · 2018–2021

Pick the version.

The fault list opens on the version page.

67 versions

Showing 60 of 67 versions.

Neighbouring generations

E · 2018–2021

Combo E (2018-2021). If the listing is from the changeover year, look at the neighbour too.

Previous generation

D · 2012–2018

This generation

E · 2018–2021

Next generation

E.5 · 2021–

Common questions

About this generation

Which years does this page cover?

2018–2021. 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