Opel Combo E (2018–today)Bodywork and interiorTailgate, bonnet and bodywork partsFire risk
The engine undershield can trap material (fire risk) in the Opel Combo E
Why this rating?
High severity: Risk of a serious engine, turbo or gearbox failure.
Frequency occasional: This is a preventive campaign with a definitive fix (a redesign of the part), with no fires documented in the sources consulted; it is rated occasional because it covers more than three years of production, practically the whole first phase of the model, and because the same defect recurs, independently, in the Rifter and the Berlingo III.[2][3][4]
Symptoms
- There is no detectable warning sign beforehand: the risk is that combustible material builds up between the undershield and the exhaust.[2]
Why it happens
Affected years and cars
Campaign announced on 3 November 2022 for vehicles built between 12 March 2018 and 17 September 2021.[1][2]
All faults of the Opel Combo E by affected year
All recalls and campaigns for the Opel Combo E
Other models with the same fault
They share the affected part or platform, according to the cited sources.
- Peugeot Riftersince 2018[3]
- Citroën Berlingo IIIsince 2018[4]
How much it costs to repair
Includes: Replacement of the engine undershield with a design that prevents material build-up, within the campaign.[2]
As this is a safety campaign, the repair is free at the official network within the covered production period.
Prices in Spain, including VAT. A workshop hour costs on average €38–66 at independent garages and €77–134 at dealerships in Spain, depending on the region and the brand. How we calculate costs
How to check for it before buying a used car
- If the car was built between March 2018 and September 2021, check with the VIN at an official Opel workshop whether it falls under campaign KAE/200511EE, especially if it often drives on tracks with dry vegetation.[2]
How to prevent it
- Check from time to time that no plant debris builds up under the engine after driving on tracks or in the countryside, especially if the car has not yet been through the campaign.
Recalls, campaigns and claims
RecallOpel (Stellantis) · 3 November 2022 · Ref. KAE/200511EE
Engine undershield replacement
Opel Combo vehicles built between 12 March 2018 and 17 September 2021 whose metal engine undershield could trap material next to the exhaust.[2]
What owners say
Frequently asked questions
Does it only affect the Combo?
No: the Peugeot Rifter and the Citroën Berlingo III, with which it shares a platform, had equivalent campaigns for the same defect.[3][4]
What did Opel do to fix it?
Replace the engine undershield with a design that prevents material from building up next to the exhaust.[2]
Does the check cost anything?
No: as this is a safety campaign, the repair is free at the official network within the covered production period.[2]
What can you do now?
We will put you in touch with a partner only if you authorise it in the form.
Other faults of the Opel Combo E
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalAirbags and safetyFront passenger seat belt with reduced effectivenessA campaign affected around 1,735 Opel Combo E units built in 2018-2019 in which the front passenger seat belt could have reduced restraint effectiveness.
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalSteeringDamaged steering linkage (track rods), with loss of stabilityIn 2019-2020 units, the steering linkage (track rods) can become damaged, with loss of driving stability and a greater risk of an accident; the Peugeot Rifter and the Citroën Berlingo III had an official campaign for a defect in the same component over a similar period.
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalBrakesHandbrake mechanism failureOne source documents a handbrake mechanism failure that stopped it engaging properly in units built between September 2017 and February 2019, the same period in which the Peugeot Rifter and the Citroën Berlingo III had an official campaign over a component of the mechanism being out of specification.
- Critical severityFrequency: RareGearbox and clutchOil leak in the transfer case of 4x4 versionsA 2024 campaign (ref. KJW-231260EE) affects Combo versions with a 4x4 transfer case built between April and December 2019, in which a defective oil seal could cause the rear wheels to lock and the vehicle to go out of control.
- Medium severityFrequency: RareElectronics and infotainmentLane keeping assist does not warn you when you let go of the wheelA 2022 campaign (ref. KDE-221578EE) corrects BSI module software that, in lane keeping assist (LKA) mode, might not sound the audible warning after more than 10 seconds with hands off the wheel, in units built between April 2021 and September 2022.
The faults of its engines are on the Opel Combo E page.
The same problem in other cars
- High severityFrequency: CommonRenault Twingo IIIRisk of the bonnet, roof spoiler or rear window coming offYes: Renault recalled the Twingo III in 2016 and again in 2019-2021 over the risk of the bonnet coming loose while driving, and separately, up to the end of 2016, over the roof spoiler coming off and the rear window mountings; across the three campaigns several hundred thousand units were affected.
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalCitroën C4 CactusRisk of the bonnet opening while driving due to a mounting that could be improved (built 2014-2015)Citroën recalled the first C4 Cactus cars, built between March 2014 and September 2015, because the bonnet can open while driving owing to a mounting that could be improved, which blocks the driver's view.
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalTesla Model 3Recall for possible bonnet latch breakage at high speed (2022 European alert)In April 2022, an alert in the European product safety system (Safety Gate), submitted by France and also confirmed by the Netherlands, warned that the bonnet latch bolt on the Tesla Model 3 and Model S could fracture through vibration at high speed, letting the bonnet open while driving and block the driver's view.
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalBMW X6 G06Upper rear spoiler badly made or badly fixed, with a risk of coming offBMW has recalled the X6 twice over the upper spoiler on the tailgate: on cars from November 2019 to January 2020 the spoiler may have been badly made, and on others from June and July 2020 it may have been badly fixed. In both cases it can come off while driving and put the cars behind at risk.
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalCitroën Berlingo IIIEngine undertray can trap material (fire risk)A 2022 recall (ref. R2022299) covers Berlingo IIIs built between November 2017 and September 2021 whose lower metal engine undertray can trap material next to the exhaust, with a risk of fire.
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalCitroën C4 IRecall: the bonnet catch could openAccording to CarWiki, the German KBA lists a recall of the C4 because the bonnet catch could open unexpectedly; the source gives no dates or batch.
All faults with the tailgate, bonnet and bodywork (78)Cars with the most bodywork and interior problems
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Sources
Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.
- Vauxhall Combo RecallsAutoinsider · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
- Vauxhall Combo Recall KAE/200511EE (engine protection guard)Autoinsider · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
- Peugeot Rifter RecallsAutoinsider · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
- Citroën Berlingo RecallsAutoinsider · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026