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Opel Combo L2H1 1.6 CDTI 90hp Edition common faults.

2012–2018, MPV, diesel, 90 HP.

The fault list covers: A16FDL engine, F17, M32, M20 transmission.

What you save stays on this device only. My saves

2 fault write-ups. Both are important. 5 recalls.

If you know the year, pick it. Faults for other years drop out of the list.

Before you buy

Known faults

2 important faults

In the Astra H diesel range, on the Z17DTH engine, two manual gearboxes were available: the five speed F23 and the six speed M32.

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The known weakness of the M32 is wear of the bearings and the synchro rings: a whine while driving, a stiff shift, especially 3rd to 4th. Replacement or a rebuild is expensive.

between 100,000 and 200,000 km

What to check

  • Count the gears: 6 raises the M32 suspicion on this engine group; 5 means more likely the F23
  • When warm, at 80 to 100 km/h, listen for gearbox whine: a noise that rises with the revs is suspect
  • Try the 3 to 4 and 4 to 5 shifts cold and warm: binding, scratchiness
1 more steps in the write-up

The Opel F17 (and F17+) is one of the most common five speed manual gearboxes of the Astra / Corsa / Zafira era. The synchro ring and the differential wear, and so do the layshaft bearings.

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Symptoms: a stiff or scratchy shift (mostly when warm), a whine while driving, differential noise when pulling away. Failures are more common with the stronger engines (at the limit of the F17+). Oil leaks speed up the wear: 5th gear sits high, so it is the first to be short of lubrication.

between 120,000 and 220,000 km

What to check

  • When warm, at 80 to 100 km/h, listen for gearbox whine: a noise that rises with the revs is suspect
  • Try 1 to 2 and 2 to 3 shifts cold and warm: binding, scratchiness
  • When pulling away, listen for noise or a clunk from the differential
2 more steps in the write-up

Checklist

Opel Combo L2H1 1.6 CDTI 90hp Edition

First what you would check on any car. Then the faults of this model.

Before you buy

Checklist

The printed sheet starts with what you would check on any car. What you tick stays on this device only.

On every car

Ask the owner

vinkodex.com · Before you buy it, see what can go wrong.

Official recall5 recallsShow

The manufacturer fixes these for free at a franchised dealer. Ask with the VIN whether it was done.

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

We could not check this: model year. 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

We could not check this: model year. 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

We could not check this: model year. 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

We could not check this: model year. 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

We could not check this: model year. The authority's notice

Engine and transmission

1 engines · 3 transmissions

A16FDL · 1.6 CDTI Kombi, Tour

66–70 kW (90–95 HP) · diesel

F17 · 5-speed manual, transverse (Opel F17 / F17+)

manual · 5 speed

Torque limit200 Nm
MakerOpel/GM

We built the code from the model and the gear count. The factory sheet does not state it. More than one transmission is possible. The gear count does not tell them apart. The code is on the side of the transmission.

Variant data

What is in this version

Factory data

Trim
L2H1 1.6 CDTI 90hp Edition
Body
MPV
Fuel
diesel
Transmission
manual
Engine size
1598 cc
Power
66 kW (90 HP)
Drive
FWD
Production
2012–2018

Factory service interval

The manufacturer specifies this for this version. Of the mileage and the time, the one that comes first is the one that counts.

  • Air filter

    • 60,000 km or 4 years
  • Cabin (pollen) filter

    • 30,000 km or 2 years
  • Brake fluid change

    • first: 3 years, then 2 years(first change at 3 years, then every two years)
  • Timing belt, 1.6 / 2.0 TDI (EA188/EA189/EA288)

    • 210,000 km(EA288, including the 1.6 TDI, with no time limit. 130,000 miles = 209,215 km. Parts maker repair specification, read by a human. The interval chart at https://www.rwcmotorsport.com/tech/tdi-maintenance.php gives the same figure independently.)
  • Fuel filter, diesel

    • 60,000 km or 2 years

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