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Opel Insignia 1.4 Turbo Bi-Fuel Edition common faults.

2013–2017, hatchback, petrol, 140 HP.

The fault list covers: A14NET engine, M32 transmission.

What you save stays on this device only. My saves

3 fault write-ups. All are important. 7 recalls.

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

Before you buy

Known faults

3 important faults

critical1

Opel's 1.4 litre turbo petrol engine (A14NET, later B14NET) is fitted to the Astra J, Insignia A, Zafira C and Mokka.

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The chain and the tensioner wear early: a metallic rattle on a cold start, and timing fault codes of the P0016 or P0011 kind. If it is left like that, the chain can jump and the engine is badly damaged inside.

A long oil change interval and short trip use raise the risk. The replacement is not cheap: the chain kit plus labour can be a significant part of the value of a used car.

between 80,000 and 160,000 km

What to check

  • Insist on a cold start: a metallic rattle or ticking from the timing side calls for immediate expert inspection
  • Ask for a fault code read: P0016 (crankshaft to camshaft correlation) and phase codes of the P0011 kind
  • Ask whether the chain kit (chain plus tensioner plus guides) was replaced: ask for the invoice
2 more steps in the write-up

expensive2

The shared weak point of the Insignia A and B is the cooling circuit: the thermostat housing and some of the pipes are plastic, which can crack under heat cycling. The consequence: coolant loss, a risk of overheating, and a fault code on coolant temperature.

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At higher mileage the water pump shows bearing damage: a wet drip trail, running noise. If the coolant runs out, the engine can overheat and be damaged. Replacing the water pump prevents that.

between 80,000 and 180,000 km

What to check

  • Check the level and colour of the coolant in the expansion tank: frequent topping up is suspect
  • Cold and warm, look for damp around the plastic thermostat housing and the connections
  • Listen for noise from the water pump when warm
2 more steps in the write-up

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

Checklist

Opel Insignia 1.4 Turbo Bi-Fuel 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 recall7 recallsShow

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

Most recent: 10 October 2022

A11/00030/23Safety recallInjuries10 October 2022 · EU Safety Gate

Due to a vacuum loss in the hydraulic brake pressure regulator, the automatic emergency brake may not activate, increasing the risk 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: 10/10/2022

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

A12/00137/20Safety recallFireno date · EU Safety Gate

The fuel hose may be damaged by contact with a support bracket. As a result, fuel may leak, increasing the risk of 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

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

A12/00328/22Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

The rear track rods may break due to corrosion. This could impact the driving stability, increasing the risk of an accident. 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

A12/00349/20Safety recallFire, Injuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

Engine oil from a crack-prone oil return pipe may come into contact with hot exhaust parts and cause a fire. Oil might also leak onto the road.

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

A12/0126/17Safety 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

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

A12/0968/17Safety recallFireno date · EU Safety Gate

Penetration of water into the boot control module may cause a short-circuit and 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

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

A12/1297/18Safety recallFireno date · EU Safety Gate

Defective sealing may lead to moisture penetrating the central locking control unit. This could result in a short-circuit and the melting of the door-locking plug, possibly leading to 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

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

Engine and transmission

A14NET · 1.4 Turbo (ecoFLEX)

88–103 kW (120–140 HP) · petrol

M32 · 6-speed manual, transverse (Opel/GM M32)

manual · 6 speed

Torque limit320 Nm
MakerOpel/GM

We built the code from the model and the gear count. The factory sheet does not state it.

Variant data

What is in this version

Factory data

Trim
Bi-Fuel Edition
Body
hatchback
Fuel
petrol
Transmission
manual
Engine size
1364 cc
Power
103 kW (140 HP)
Drive
FWD
Production
2013–2017

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)
  • Spark plugs, petrol

    • 60,000 km or 6 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