PSA / Stellantis 1.2 PureTech (EB2)Big-end bearings and pistons
Faulty piston cooling jets (naturally aspirated, 2022-2024) on the 1.2 PureTech
Stellantis recalled in France about 68,000 Peugeot 208, Citroën C3 and Opel Corsa models from 2022-2024 with the naturally aspirated PureTech because of faulty piston cooling jets: they cause noise and, in extreme cases, damage to the engine casing and oil on the exhaust. It is fixed with an oil and filter change.[1][2]
Why this rating?
High severity: Risk of a serious engine, turbo or gearbox failure.
Frequency rare: A campaign of about 68,000 units in France over a defective batch from a supplier; there is no public data on the real incidence or on the scope in Spain.[1]
Symptoms
Why it happens
Affected cars and years
Cars produced between 2022 and 2024 with the naturally aspirated PureTech (2,500 Peugeot 208, 57,000 Citroën C3 and 8,700 Opel Corsa in France).[1][2]
| Version | Years | Codes |
|---|---|---|
| 1.2 VTi / PureTech naturally aspirated 68-83 hp (EB2, EB2F, EB2FA..., from 2012) | since 2012 | EB2EB2FEB2FAEB2FBEB2FADEB2MEB2DEB2FDHMZHMR |
Models fitted with the affected versions
Citroën
- Citroën C1 II2014–2022
- Citroën C3 III2016–2024
- Citroën C-Elysée2012–2022
Opel
- Opel Corsa Fsince 2019
- Opel Crossland2017–2024
Peugeot
- Peugeot 208 IIsince 2019
How much it costs to repair
Includes: An oil and filter change of about 30 minutes within the campaign.[1]
Free at the official network. If the engine were already damaged, there are no published prices.
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
- Confirm by VIN at an official dealer that the campaign has been done, and listen to the engine from cold for abnormal noises.[1]
Parts needed
The part or kit that fixes this fault, according to the sources.
Affiliate links to Autodoc: if you buy, MotorFiable may receive a commission at no cost to you. Check compatibility using the registration number or the VIN before ordering. More information
How to prevent it
- Have the campaign done as soon as the brand's letter arrives.[1]
Recalls, campaigns and claims
What owners say
Frequently asked questions
Which cars are affected by the jets campaign?
In France, about 68,000 cars built between 2022 and 2024: 57,000 Citroën C3, 8,700 Opel Corsa and 2,500 Peugeot 208 with the naturally aspirated PureTech.[1][2]
Is it an engine design flaw?
Stellantis attributes it to a supplier that departed from the manufacturing quality of the jets, not to the engine design.[1]
What does the repair involve?
An oil and filter change of about 30 minutes at the official network, at no cost to the owner.[1]
What can you do now?
We will put you in touch with a partner only if you authorise it in the form.
Other 1.2 PureTech faults
- Critical severityFrequency: Very frequentTimingOil-bath timing belt degradationThe oil-bath belt on the 1.2 PureTech (2012-2025) can swell and shed debris that blocks the oil pump pick-up; without lubrication, the engine can be destroyed. Stellantis covers it up to 10 years or 180,000 km and asks for it to be changed every 100,000 km or 6 years.Repair (garage): €400–€800
- Critical severityFrequency: Very frequentLubricationLoss of braking assistance from vacuum pump damageOn 1.2 PureTech turbos built between 2013 and 2018, belt debris can damage the vacuum pump that feeds the brake servo and reduce braking assistance. There were two free recalls (2020 and 2022); it is worth confirming they were done.
- High severityFrequency: Very frequentLubricationExcessive oil consumption from carbon on the piston rings or oil separator failureThe 2014 to 2023 1.2 PureTech turbos can use too much oil: those from 2014-2018 through carbon blocking the piston rings and those from 2018-2023 through a defective oil separator. Stellantis considers more than 0.3 l per 1,000 km abnormal and includes it in its cover.
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalIgnitionSpark plug breakage on the 130 hp 1.2 PureTech turboOn the 130 hp 1.2 PureTech/e-THP turbo the original spark plugs can break; if a fragment falls into the cylinder it can damage the engine. Autojournal cites a 2015 recall to replace them on the 308 II.
- Critical severityFrequency: RareFuelPossible petrol leak in the high-pressure circuit (chain-driven generation)In 2025 Stellantis recalled the new-generation 1.2 turbos (chain-driven, 100 and 136 hp, hybrids included) built from 2023 to 2025: a joint on the high-pressure pipe could leak petrol, with a risk of fire. It is fixed with a free re-tightening taking under 30 minutes.Repair: €0
- High severityFrequency: RareTimingTiming misalignment from the camshaft sprocket bolts (chain-driven generation)On the third-generation 1.2 (chain-driven) built up to 17 February 2024, the camshaft sprocket bolts could be incorrectly fitted and throw the timing out: engine warning light, loss of power and, in the worst case, contact between pistons and valves.
More faults with the big-end bearings and pistons on other engines and cars
- Critical severityFrequency: Common1.5 dCiWear and seizure of the big-end bearingsThe Euro 3 and Euro 4 1.5 dCi engines (approx. 2001-2010), especially the 100 and 105/106 hp, have fragile big-end bearings that can seize and wreck the engine. Renault went as far as paying up to 90% of the repair, with a limit of 7 years and 180,000 km.
- Critical severityFrequency: Common1.9 dCiSeizure and wear of the big-end bearingsOn the 95 to 120 hp versions built before 2005, the big-end bearings of the 1.9 dCi (F9Q) are fragile and can seize, which wrecks the bottom end of the engine. Renault did not acknowledge an official campaign, but it resolved some out-of-warranty cases.
- Critical severityFrequency: CommonSubaru bóxerBearing wear and crankshaft failure on the EE20 dieselOn the first EE20 boxer diesels (Legacy and Outback built from autumn 2007 to February 2009; Impreza 2007-2009) the crankshaft bearings could fail and break the crankshaft, destroying the engine. AUTO BILD cites two causes: silicone in the sump and bearings with incorrect clearance.Appears at around 65,000 km
- Critical severityFrequency: Common1.9 TDIBig-end bearing failureOn the unit injector, above all in the 105 hp version, there are several documented cases of big-end bearings that wear and break, destroying the engine, with no manufacturer campaign or official incidence figure.Appears at around 138,000 km
- Critical severityFrequency: Occasional1.6 GDI / T-GDILow-speed pre-ignition and connecting rod damage in the 1.6 T-GDI (documented in the US)In the US, Hyundai and Kia have recalled the 1.6 T-GDI (Veloster, Forte): an engine software fault can allow pre-ignition that damages connecting rods and pistons, with knocking complaints after the update. No equivalent pattern documented for the same engine in Europe.Appears at around 100,000 km
- Critical severityFrequency: Occasional2.0 / 2.4 GDI and T-GDI (Theta II)Premature connecting rod bearing wearThe connecting rod bearings can wear prematurely and end up stopping the engine. It is the defect behind Hyundai and Kia's big US campaigns; in Europe, since 2023 Kia has been inspecting 2011-2015 Sorento XM 2.4 MPI (and other models) for this reason.
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Sources
Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.
- Automaker Stellantis recalls 68,000 units in France due to fire riskEuronews · General press · published 25 February 2025 · consulted 26 September 2026
- Fiabilité du 1.2 PuretechFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French