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Opel Zafira 1.4 Turbo 120hp Edition common faults.

2011–2016, MPV, petrol, 120 HP.

The fault list covers: A14NEL, A14NET, B14NET engine, M32 transmission.

What you save stays on this device only. My saves

2 fault write-ups. Both are important. 16 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

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

expensive1

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 Zafira 1.4 Turbo 120hp 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 recall16 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/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

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

A12/01581/24Safety 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

We could not check this: model year. 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

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

A12/00191/20Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

Water may leak into the vehicle interior. This can impair the proper functioning of the airbags, increasing the risk of injury 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

A12/00363/20Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

Water may leak into the vehicle's interior. Consequently, the proper functioning of the airbags can be impaired, increasing the risk of injury 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

A12/00381/22Safety 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

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

A12/0183/19Safety recallFireno date · EU Safety Gate

There is a defective regulator on the blower motor. This can cause a fire in the cable set.

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

A12/0836/17Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

The bolts of the second seat row seat belts as well as of the third seat row seats and seat belt buckles may have been insufficiently tightened, increasing the risk of injuries in the case of an accident.

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

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

A12/0924/19Safety recallFireno date · EU Safety Gate

A pin contact on the fan motor resistor may melt. This can increase the risk of the vehicle catching 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

A12/1017/18Safety 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

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

A12/1225/19Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

Due to a manufacturing defect, the rear windscreen could become detached and fall onto the road. This can pose a risk for the following traffic.

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

A12/1333/19Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

As a result of a manufacturing error, the roof rail is not sufficiently strong. In the event of a rear collision, any objects secured there could fall from the vehicle and end up on the road, posing a risk to the following traffic.

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

A12/1336/18Safety recallFireno date · EU Safety Gate

There is a calibration error in the turbocharger's diagnostic monitoring which disables the turbocharger diagnostics. In the event of damage to the turbocharger, it may overheat and lead 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

3 engines · 1 transmissions

A14NEL · 1.4 Turbo (ecoFLEX)

88 kW (120 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. More than one engine code is possible. The fault list shows the faults of each.

Variant data

What is in this version

Factory data

Trim
Edition
Body
MPV
Fuel
petrol
Transmission
manual
Engine size
1364 cc
Power
88 kW (120 HP)
Drive
FWD
Production
2011–2016

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