Opel Astra J (2009-2015): known problems and buying guide

Built: 2009–2012
Median price: €3,600
Listings: 1,154
Running cost per month: €416–€466
Power: 100–140 PS (74–103 kW)
Reliability: 2/5
DIY: 2/5

Buy with a service record. Check the 2.0 diesel oil pump, turbo engine coolant, gearbox noise and recall repairs before paying.

Updated 24 October 2026

All versions

Variant	Running cost per month	Median price	Listings	Fuel	Engine codes	Gearbox	Production years
1.4 Turbo, 140 PS, 6-speed manual Research	€437	€4,300	290	LPG / Petrol	B14NET, LUJ	Manual (6)	2009–2012
1.7 CDTI, 110 PS, 6-speed manual Research	€427	€2,499	138	Diesel	A17DTS, LUE	Manual (6)	2009–2012
1.7 CDTI, 125 PS, 6-speed manual Research	€432	€2,990	126	Diesel	A17DTR, LPL	Manual (6)	2009–2012
1.4 ecoFlex, 100 PS, 5-speed manual Research	€416	€3,499	119	Petrol	B14XER, LDD	Manual (5)	2009–2012
1.6 ecoFlex, 115 PS, 5-speed manual Research	€458	€3,890	99	Petrol	B16XER, LDE	Manual (5)	2009–2012
1.4 Turbo, 140 PS, 6-speed automatic Research	€466	€6,790	54	Petrol	B14NET, LUJ	Automatic (6)	2009–2012
1.4 Turbo, 120 PS, 6-speed manual Research	€435	€3,700	52	Petrol	B14NET, LUJ	Manual (6)	2010–2012

At a glance

Years: built 2009 to 2015. The Sports Tourer estate came at the end of 2010, the three-door GTC in 2012.
Reliability: 2/5. Turbo petrols and the 2.0 diesel have the most reported faults, and oil loss is common across the range.
DIY: 2/5. Gearbox bearings, timing chains and the oil pump need a workshop.
Prefer: cars with a service record showing coolant and oil checks. Avoid: 2.0 CDTI cars with oil pressure warnings and any turbo petrol with no service history.
Biggest risk: the 2.0 CDTI oil pump seal, which can destroy the engine's bearings.

Engines and gearboxes

1.4 Turbo, A14NET (ADAC: B14NET), 120-140 PS: coolant loss from the water pump, and timing chain wear. Crankcase valve diaphragm faults are also reported.
1.6 Turbo, A16LET, 180 PS: cooling is weak, and cylinder 4 can overheat and damage pistons.
1.6 SIDI Turbo, A16XHT (ADAC: B16SHT), 170 PS (200 PS in the GTC): pistons, timing chain and injector coking. Early cars, built before 2013, are most affected.
1.4 and 1.6 non-turbo, A14XER/B14XER and A16XER/B16XER, 87-115 PS: oil cooler gasket leaks.
2.0 CDTI, A20DTH and A20DTR: oil pump suction seal and oil pressure loss.
1.3, 1.6 and 1.7 CDTI: no common fault confirmed.

Gearboxes are listed separately:

M32 6-speed manual (1.4 Turbo, 1.6 Turbo and diesels): bearing wear, humming and lever movement. Replacing the bearings is the usual fix.
F17 5-speed manual (non-turbo petrols): differential and secondary-shaft bearings wear, and leaks are common.
F40 manual (2.0 engines): the dual-mass flywheel may need replacing.
6-speed automatic (GM 6T40 or 6T45; an Aisin unit on the 2.0 diesel): the hydraulic block wears. A torque converter automatic needs regular fluid changes.

Known issues

Issue	Affects	Typical km	Repair cost
1.4 Turbo coolant loss and water pump	1.4 Turbo (A14NET, B14NET)	60,000-80,000 km	No confirmed price
1.4 Turbo timing chain	1.4 Turbo (A14NET, B14NET)	100,000-150,000 km	No confirmed price
1.6 SIDI Turbo pistons, chain and injectors	1.6 SIDI Turbo (A16XHT, B16SHT)	50,000-100,000 km	No confirmed price
1.6 Turbo cooling and pistons	1.6 Turbo (A16LET)	Not stated	No confirmed price
M32 6-speed gearbox bearings	M32 6-speed manual	60,000-100,000 km	No confirmed price
2.0 CDTI oil pump suction seal	2.0 CDTI (A20DTH, A20DTR)	Not stated	No confirmed price
Oil loss	Most engines	Not stated	No confirmed price
Oil cooler gasket on non-turbo engines	1.4 and 1.6 non-turbo	50,000-100,000 km	No confirmed price

Before you buy

Ask for proof that the 2.0 CDTI oil pump seal was checked or replaced. Look for oil pressure warnings and metal in the oil.
On a 1.6 Turbo, check the cooling system and ask for coolant work records. Cylinder 4 is the usual casualty.
On a 1.6 SIDI Turbo, ask for timing chain and injector work. Listen for a chain rattle and knocking under load.
On a 1.4 Turbo, check the timing chain for rattle and ask for chain history at 100,000-150,000 km.
On a manual with M32, drive in 1st, 2nd, 5th and 6th and listen for a whine or hum.
On a 1.4 Turbo, check the coolant level and the water pump for leaks. Ask whether the pump was replaced.
Check the oil level after the test drive and ask for an oil service record. Oil loss is typical for the model.
Check the oil cooler gasket on non-turbo petrols for oil leaks at the front of the engine.
On an automatic, ask for proof of regular fluid changes.
Ask the dealer to check the VIN for open recalls: cooling fan battery cover and Takata airbag.

Running costs

Operational	€181
Workshop	€136
Fixed costs (tax, insurance)	€127
Total per month	€444
New-car depreciation (not included)	€62

ADAC figures for 15,000 km a year over 60 months

Market

Listings on mobile.de priced up to 50,000 EUR, 29 October 2026.

Find offers on mobile.de

Listings: 1,154
25th percentile: €2,500
Median price: €3,600
75th percentile: €4,970
Median mileage: 180,000 km
Median first registration: 2011
Dealer share: 52.5%
Price at 100,000 km: €5,376

To check a listing's price, open its variant in the table above. Each variant page has a price check.

In detail

1.4 Turbo coolant loss and water pump

Coolant drops slowly, and the reservoir needs topping up. The water pump often fails at 60,000-80,000 km. Other causes include the thermostat housing, the coolant lines and the expansion tank cap.

Sources: Kolesa.ru, auto.ru, Kfz-Dietrich, Motor-Talk

1.4 Turbo timing chain

The timing chain can stretch, and its noise becomes audible from about 100,000 km. Oil quality and oil change intervals matter as much as mileage. Chain wear is typical at 100,000-150,000 km.

Sources: Kolesa.ru, zr.ru, auto.ru, Kfz-Dietrich

1.6 SIDI Turbo pistons, chain and injectors

Pistons can crack under detonation, which poor fuel makes worse. Direct injection causes carbon build-up on the intake side and injector faults, with lost power and higher fuel use. The timing chain can stretch at 50,000-100,000 km.

Sources: Kolesa.ru, zr.ru, auto.ru, Gebrauchtwagenberater

1.6 Turbo cooling and pistons

The cooling system is not strong enough for the engine's loads. Cylinder 4 runs hottest and can overheat, damaging the pistons and block. Detonation can crack pistons.

Sources: Kolesa.ru, zr.ru, auto.ru logbook

M32 6-speed gearbox bearings

Bearings in the M32 wear, causing a whine or hum from 60,000 km and up, mostly in 1st, 2nd, 5th and 6th. The gear lever can move back when pulling away, and the gearbox can rock when accelerating or braking. The fix is replacing the bearings. A rebuild with the revised "Generation 2" parts and larger bearings lasts longer.

Sources: australiancar.reviews, auto.ru, Kolesa.ru, Motor-Talk

2.0 CDTI oil pump suction seal

The rubber seal on the oil intake pipe hardens and can slip out. The pump then draws air, oil pressure drops and bearings can be destroyed. Warning signs are an oil pressure warning on cold starts and sudden power loss, sometimes with metal in the oil.

Sources: Motor-Talk, Autoscore, Gebrauchtwagenberater

Oil loss

Oil consumption is common across the range. Press tests describe oil loss as typical for the Astra J. Check the oil level and ask for an oil service record.

Sources: AutoScout24, Autoplenum, AUTO BILD

Oil cooler gasket on non-turbo engines

The oil cooler gasket dries out and leaks. Leaks usually start at 50,000-100,000 km.

Sources: Kolesa.ru, auto.ru, zr.ru

Recalls

Campaign	Country	Code	Years	What is done
Engine cooling fan blocked by a loose battery cover	Germany	not given	Not stated	Not stated
Takata airbag inflators	UK (Vauxhall)	not given	2010-2018	Free replacement, phased recall
Vehicle fire risk (DVSA bulletin)	UK	R/2016/023	Issued March 2016; build years not stated	Not stated

Maintenance

Engine oil: change it on time with oil of the right specification. Timing chain wear depends on oil quality as much as on mileage. Check the level often, since oil loss is common.
Coolant: on the 1.4 Turbo, check the coolant level often and fix small losses early.
Automatic gearbox: change the fluid regularly.