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Problems with the alternator and starter motor: symptoms, cost and affected models

We have documented 50 faults with the alternator and starter motor in 2 engines and 48 cars, affecting 56 models of car in our database. The most important by severity and frequency: alternator fault with false battery, ESP and power steering warnings (Ford Focus II), risk of electric arcing at the 48 V starter-generator terminal on the hybrid Junior (Alfa Romeo Junior) and 2025 campaign for corrosion of the starter motor relay (risk of fire) (BMW Serie 3 G20).

Documented faults
50
19 of high or critical severity
Engines
2
with at least one fault on this part
Affected models
56
car generations in our database
Garage repair
No data
No reliable published costs

1 sourceHow we work

How it works and why it fails

Alternator and starter motor

The starter motor turns the engine over when you turn the key, and the alternator recharges the battery while you drive. On 48 V mild hybrids, the two are combined in a starter-alternator. With Start&Stop, the starter motor works many more times, and some models have had campaigns over relays or cables with a fire risk.

What to do

If the engine is slow to start with a good battery, you hear a click without it turning over or the battery warning light comes on while driving, check the charging system. An alternator that is not charging leaves the car with a flat battery within a few kilometres.

General explanation by MotorFiable. The specific faults of each engine and car, with their sources, are on the linked pages.

Common symptoms

The symptoms that come up most often in the documented faults with the alternator and starter motor. Open each one to see what other faults cause it.

Problems with the alternator and starter motor by engine

From most to least important (severity × frequency). Each page details the affected versions and years, symptoms, cost and how to check for it.

  1. 1High severityOccasionalFrequency: Occasional2.2 JTDm Multijet IIAlternator cable touching the exhaust gas recirculation pipe (fire risk)An Alfa Romeo campaign covers diesel Stelvio built between 18 January 2017 and 18 September 2018: an alternator cable may rub against the exhaust gas recirculation pipe and cause a short circuit, with a fire risk in the worst case.
  2. 2Medium severityOccasionalFrequency: Occasional1.7 CDTIPremature alternator wearThe Hitachi-brand alternator fitted at the factory to the 1.7 CDTI tends to wear out sooner than expected, according to a German buying guide on the Opel Astra H, with typical replacements at around 140,000 km; there are similar accounts on the Opel Meriva with this engine.

Engines with faults with the alternator and starter motor

Problems with the alternator and starter motor by car

Faults documented on specific cars, which occur with any engine. From most to least important.

  1. 1High severityCommonFrequency: CommonFord Focus IIAlternator fault with false battery, ESP and power steering warningsThe alternator is the most repeated electrical fault of the Focus II across all engines: an unstable charge lights the battery and ESP warning lights for no real reason and, in the most pronounced cases, an occasional loss of power steering assistance may be noticed.Appears at around 60,000 km
  2. 2Critical severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalAlfa Romeo JuniorRisk of electric arcing at the 48 V starter-generator terminal on the hybrid JuniorYes: a March 2026 Safety Gate alert (campaign F60F) covers Junior MHEVs built between 27 November 2023 and 18 December 2025. The clearance between the particulate filter pipe and the 48 V starter-generator terminal cover is under 10 mm and, in damp conditions, there could be electric arcing and fire.
  3. 3Critical severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalBMW Serie 3 G202025 campaign for corrosion of the starter motor relay (risk of fire)Yes: in September 2025 BMW recalled, among other models, the 2019 to 2021 330i (G20) because the starter motor relay can corrode, overheat and cause a short circuit with a risk of fire even when the car is parked.
  4. 4Critical severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalBMW Serie 5 G30Two successive campaigns over a fire risk in the starter motor relay (2025 and 2026)Yes: BMW recalled the 5 Series G30 twice for the same risk in the starter motor relay - which can corrode or build up deposits, overheat and cause a short circuit with a risk of fire - first in September 2025 and again in July 2026 for more recent cars.
  5. 5Critical severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalBMW X3 G01Two successive campaigns for a fire risk in the starter motor relay (2025 and 2026)Yes: BMW recalled the X3 G01 twice for the same risk in the starter motor relay, which can corrode or build up deposits, overheat and cause a short circuit with a risk of fire, first in September 2025 and again in July 2026 for more recent cars.
  6. 6Critical severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalCitroën C4 IIIFire risk from the small gap between the particulate filter and the 48 V starter-generator (mild-hybrid version)In the 48 V mild-hybrid versions of the C4 III (1.2 PureTech 136 hp with e-DCS6 gearbox) built between October 2023 and January 2026, the gap between the petrol particulate filter pipe and the 48 V starter-generator may be less than 10 mm, which poses a fire risk in the engine bay.
  7. 7Critical severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalCitroën C4 XFire risk from insufficient clearance between the petrol particulate filter and the 48 V starter-generatorYes: on petrol C4 X cars built between 25 October 2023 and 12 January 2026 the particulate filter pipe sits less than 10 mm from the protective cap of the 48 V starter-generator and, in damp conditions, an electric arc can occur with a risk of fire. Recall published on Safety Gate in March 2026.
  8. 8Critical severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalFiat Scudo IIIBattery positive cable routed badly next to the starter motor: risk of electrical arcing and fireAccording to car-recalls.eu (July 2026), Germany's KBA lists a recall of 2,076 Scudos built between 15 October 2025 and 22 January 2026: the battery positive cable may rub against the starter motor housing, causing electrical arcing and a short circuit. It is protected with tape and corrugated tubing.
  9. 9Critical severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalLancia Ypsilon IV48 V starter-generator cap too close to the particulate filter pipe: fire riskYes: Stellantis recalled the Ypsilon built between 18 March 2024 and 13 January 2026 because the petrol particulate filter pipe sits less than 10 mm from the cap of the 48 V starter-generator. In damp conditions an electric arc can form and set the engine bay alight.
  10. 10Critical severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalMercedes-Benz Clase B W246Overloaded starter motor current limiter, fire riskOn cars from the 2014 to 2017 model years, an overloaded starter motor current limiter can set nearby components on fire, the reason for a manufacturer campaign.
  11. 11Critical severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalVolkswagen Jetta VIIncorrectly fitted starter motor switch spring: risk of overheatingYes: a 2018 European alert (A12/0332/18) covers units built in 2011 because a spring in the starter motor's magnetic switch may have been fitted incorrectly, with a risk of overheating and fire. It affects many Volkswagen Group models, including the Jetta.
  12. 12High severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalBMW Serie 1 F202025 recall for starter motor fire riskYes: in September 2025 BMW recalled, among other models, the 1 Series F20/F21 built between September 2015 and the end of its production, because of a starter motor that can let in water, corrode and short-circuit, with a fire risk even when the car is parked.
  13. 13High severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalMercedes-Benz Vito W639Starter motor wiring harness fitted the wrong way round that can touch the exhaust manifold (March to September 2006)On Viano models built between March and September 2006, the starter motor wiring harness may have been fitted twisted and sit too close to the exhaust manifold, with a risk of it burning. A known-problems sheet lists it; it is a single source.
  14. 14High severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalSeat Alhambra IIStarter motor relay spring wrongly positioned: risk of overheatingA 2018 Safety Gate alert covers the Alhambra, Altea, Leon and Ibiza built from 18-03 to 28-05-2011: the starter relay spring could be wrongly positioned, overheat the relay and cause a fire.
  15. 15Medium severityCommonFrequency: CommonOpel Astra GPremature alternator failureThe alternator is one of the parts that comes up most often in Astra G fault testimonials, with failures reported between 80,000 and 270,000 km and a higher incidence on the diesel versions.Appears at around 80,000 km
  16. 16Critical severityRareFrequency: RareFiat 600Fire risk from water ingress into the 48 V belt-starter generator protection (built 2023-2025)Yes: a recall covers cars built between 28 July 2023 and 19 December 2025 in which insufficient clearance between the petrol particulate filter pipe and the protective cap of the 48 V starter-generator allows water in and can cause an electrical arc and a fire.
  17. 17Critical severityRareFrequency: RareJeep AvengerFire risk from water ingress into the 48 V starter-generator protection (2023-2025 production)Yes: a 2026 campaign covers MHEV versions built between 9 March 2023 and 18 December 2025 in which insufficient clearance between the particulate filter pipe and the protective cap of the 48 V starter-generator lets water in and can cause an electric arc and a fire.
  18. 18Critical severityRareFrequency: RareVolkswagen Tiguan IFire risk from the starter motor on 2011 vehiclesOn vehicles from the 2011 production year, a faulty solenoid in the starter motor could stay energised continuously instead of switching off, with a risk of fire; Volkswagen recalled the affected cars to put it right.Repair: €0
  19. 19Medium severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalAlfa Romeo 147Alternator and electric window failuresThe Alfa Romeo 147 has recurring testimonies of alternator failures, which can leave the battery flat, and of electric window mechanism failures, mostly on the post-facelift version.
  20. 20Medium severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalBMW Serie 5 E39Alternator failure and battery drain on the BMW 5 Series E39According to the owner reports collected by fiches-auto.fr (317 for the 1995-2003 5 Series), there are 13 cases of alternator failure, 7 of battery failure (one that went flat in two days) and 7 of starter motor failure.
  21. 21Medium severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalCitroën C1 IIBattery and alternator faults in the charging circuitAccording to the fiches-auto.fr reports, 4 of 44 C1 owners (2014-2021) cite electrical problems: three with the battery and one with the alternator, with false warning lights.
  22. 22Medium severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalCitroën C5 IIShort-circuit risk from rubbing of the starter motor cable (2015-2016 production)An EU alert (RAPEX A12/0997/17) covers C5s built between 30 June 2015 and 29 April 2016 in which the starter motor terminal was incorrectly positioned and could rub against the EGR valve, damaging the cable insulation and creating a risk of a short circuit.
  23. 23Medium severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalCitroën C6Alternator failure and battery problems on the Citroën C6According to fiches-auto.fr, 12 of 151 C6 owner reports cite alternator failures, with repairs of around €600 to €800, and another 6 talk about battery problems.
  24. 24Medium severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalDacia JoggerAlternator and 12V battery failureCases of a failed alternator at around 30,000 km and of 12V battery problems have been described on the Jogger, although they are a minority among the owner accounts consulted.
  25. 25Medium severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalFiat 500XInfotainment system faults and electronic warnings (screen, Start&Stop, alternator)Yes: several reports document infotainment system faults (frozen screen, FM radio, weeks in the garage to resolve it), Start&Stop system faults and diagnostic confusion between a battery fault and an alternator fault.
  26. 26Medium severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalFord FusionPremature alternator failureAccording to fiches-auto.fr, 17 Fusion reports (out of 206) cite alternator faults: noisy bearings, irregular charging and repeated failures, with one case at 155,000 km costing over €500 and another with two failures in six years.
  27. 27Medium severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalHyundai Santa Fe IIAlternator failureThe alternator appears with 18 cases among the 209 fiches-auto.fr reports on the Santa Fe II. It is an electrical part failure with no known public campaign.
  28. 28Medium severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalLand Rover Range Rover IIIAlternator and battery failureAccording to fiches-auto.fr, 10 testimonials cite alternator failures and 9 battery failures (one at only 17,000 km). One testimonial cites €745 at the dealer compared with around €110 with an aftermarket part.
  29. 29Medium severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalLand Rover Range Rover Sport IAlternator failureAccording to fiches-auto.fr, 10 testimonies out of 65 cite alternator failures on the Sport I, compared with a single mention of the battery. No official campaign is recorded.
  30. 30Medium severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalNissan Almera IIAlternator failure on the Nissan Almera N16The alternator is the electrical part that appears most: according to the owner reports collected by fiches-auto.fr, 10 of 90 cases of the 2000-2005 Almera cite its replacement, at very varied mileages (from about 34,000 to about 250,000 km).
  31. 31Medium severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalOpel Zafira ARepeated alternator failuresSeveral accounts describe more than one alternator replaced on the same Zafira A, with failures documented between 160,000 and 380,000 km.Appears at around 160,000 km
  32. 32Medium severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalPeugeot 607Starter motor and alternator failureAccording to the fiches-auto.fr page, 22 owner reports for the 607 talk of a failed starter motor and 19 of the alternator, with failures between around 90,000 and 230,000 km; 13 more mention the battery.
  33. 33Medium severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalRenault Kangoo IIStarting, alternator and battery faults, with a campaign on Stop & StartSeveral Kangoo II owners document alternators and starter motors failing at relatively low mileage, and batteries that do not cope well with use of the Stop & Start system; Renault also recalled Kangoos built between December 2018 and February 2019 over this system in November 2019.Appears at around 51,892 km
  34. 34Medium severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalRenault Twingo IIElectrical faults: faulty alternator and ABS systemThe reports cite an alternator failing at 22,000 km (€900 with no manufacturer cover) and an ABS fault at 18,000 km. These are isolated fiches-auto.fr cases, with no official campaign.
  35. 35Medium severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalSuzuki Swift IIIAlternator failureAccording to the fiches-auto.fr testimonies, some owners have replaced the alternator (cases at 90,000 and 170,000 km on the 1.3 DDIS). There is no official campaign.
  36. 36Medium severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalToyota Avensis T25Starter motor failure on the Toyota Avensis T25According to fiches-auto.fr, the starter motor failed in 29 of the 370 reports for the 2003-2009 Avensis, 19 of them on the 2.0 D4D 116 hp. The page also records 28 battery cases and 16 alternator cases.
  37. 37Medium severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalToyota Corolla IXThe alternator can fail and stop charging the batteryFiches-auto.fr documents 25 cases of alternator failure on the Corolla E120, with loss of charging capacity through wear of the regulator or the internal bearing, detected between 120,000 and 205,000 km.Appears at around 120,000 km
  38. 38Medium severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalToyota VersoAlternator and battery failure on the Toyota VersoAccording to the reports on fiches-auto.fr, the Verso's alternator is recorded as faulty in several cases (50,000, 118,000, 125,000 and 145,000 km) and some owners report batteries that last only 2 to 4 years.
  39. 39Medium severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalToyota Yaris IPremature alternator failure, more frequent on D-4D versionsSeveral owners describe an alternator that stops charging sooner than expected, especially on the 1.4 D-4D diesel versions, with documented failures between 70,000 and 100,000 km.Appears at around 70,000 km
  40. 40Medium severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalVolvo C30Volvo C30 alternator failureAccording to the reports gathered by fiches-auto.fr, the alternator is one of the electrical parts most cited on the C30: 16 cases, mostly on diesels, between about 60,000 and 159,000 km. It is an owner pattern, not an official campaign.Appears at around 60,000 km
  41. 41Medium severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalVolvo V40 IIAlternator and 12 V battery failure on the Volvo V40According to the reports on fiches-auto.fr, there are battery and alternator faults, the latter cited at around 80,000-90,000 km. There is no known recall or official data.Appears at around 80,000 km
  42. 42High severityRareFrequency: RarePeugeot 508 IStarting system faults: starter motor and wiring (2013-2017 production)Two campaigns cover the 508 I starting system: one from 2017 (ref. R2017215) over a starter motor power cable that could rub and wear through, on vehicles built between October 2013 and April 2017; and another, also from 2017 (ref. R2017140), over a starter motor that might not work properly, on vehicles from May-October 2016.
  43. 43Medium severityRareFrequency: RareHonda Accord VIIIHonda Accord VIII alternator failureThree testimonials (out of 57) cite replacing the alternator; one of them at 270,000 km together with the air conditioning pump, and another from a three-year-old car with a battery replacement.
  44. 44Medium severityRareFrequency: RarePeugeot 2008 IStarter motor that may not work correctly (2016 production)Yes: a 2017 campaign (ref. r2017140) covers vehicles built between 15 May and 12 October 2016 in which the starter motor might not work correctly. The same reference also appears for the Peugeot 208 built on the same dates.
  45. 45Medium severityRareFrequency: RarePeugeot 208 IStarter motor that may not work correctly (2016 production)Yes: a 2017 campaign (ref. r2017140) covers vehicles built between 15 May and 12 October 2016 in which the starter motor may not work correctly. The same reference also appears for the Peugeot 2008 built on the same dates.
  46. 46Medium severityRareFrequency: RarePeugeot 3008 IStarter motor that may not work properly (2016 production)Yes: a 2017 campaign (ref. r2017140) covers vehicles built between 15 May and 12 October 2016 in which the starter motor might not work properly. The same reference and the same dates also cover the Peugeot 208 and the Peugeot 2008.
  47. 47Low severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalFord Galaxy IIAlternator freewheel pulley failure on the diesel GalaxySeven Galaxy II testimonials mention the alternator, six of them with the 1.8 TDCi 125 hp: a faulty freewheel pulley (one case at 60,000 km), noise and belt wear.
  48. 48Low severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalHonda CR-V IV12 V battery drain and alternator fatigueAccording to the reports on fiches-auto.fr, 8 of 142 CR-V IV owners replaced the 12 V battery earlier than expected (a stop/start battery at 64,000 km for €175) and 3 had alternator problems.

Problems with the alternator and starter motor by make

How much it costs to repair a fault with the alternator and starter motor

Sorted from the most expensive repair to the cheapest. Prices in Spain including VAT (parts and labour); what each figure includes is on its page.

How we calculate costs · The most expensive repairs across all engines

OBD fault codes with the alternator and starter motor

The codes the ECU usually stores when this part fails: what they mean, causes and what to check.

Frequently asked questions

Which engines have the most faults with the alternator and starter motor?

By severity and frequency, the 2.2 JTDm Multijet II (alternator cable touching the exhaust gas recirculation pipe (fire risk), high severity) and the 1.7 CDTI (premature alternator wear, medium severity).

Which cars have problems with the alternator and starter motor?

Among those we have analysed: Ford Focus II (alternator fault with false battery, ESP and power steering warnings), Alfa Romeo Junior (risk of electric arcing at the 48 V starter-generator terminal on the hybrid Junior), BMW Serie 3 G20 (2025 campaign for corrosion of the starter motor relay (risk of fire)), BMW Serie 5 G30 (two successive campaigns over a fire risk in the starter motor relay (2025 and 2026)), BMW X3 G01 (two successive campaigns for a fire risk in the starter motor relay (2025 and 2026)), Citroën C4 III (fire risk from the small gap between the particulate filter and the 48 V starter-generator (mild-hybrid version)), Citroën C4 X (fire risk from insufficient clearance between the petrol particulate filter and the 48 V starter-generator) and Fiat Scudo III (battery positive cable routed badly next to the starter motor: risk of electrical arcing and fire). In total, 48 cars with documented faults with the alternator and starter motor.

How much does it cost to repair a fault with the alternator and starter motor?

It depends a lot on the engine or car. At a dealer, from €0 to €0, including VAT, based on the 1 fault with a documented cost. The most expensive is fire risk from the starter motor on 2011 vehicles (Volkswagen Tiguan I).

What symptoms does a fault with the alternator and starter motor cause?

The most frequently cited in the documented faults: electric charging failure or interruption, battery warning light on, battery goes flat while the car is parked, hard starting or engine will not start, abs or esp warning light on and engine fault warning light (check engine).

Sources

Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.

  1. 1.VW Tiguan I (5N): Schwachstellen & KaufberatungGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German