Common faults, service intervals and costs

Opel Signum

2003–2008

engines covered

known faults

official recalls

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The Opel Signum was built from 2003 to 2008.

For this generation we cover 4 engines and 21 known faults, each with the mileage range where it usually appears.

The most expensive known risk is 6T40 / 6T45 3-5-R wave plate: it usually appears at 80,000–200,000 km and costs €1,200–2,500 to fix.

Engines

Engine	Fuel	Timing drive	Oil
1.4 / 1.6 / 1.8 / 2.0 16v Ecotec (X/Z14XE, X16XEL, Z16XE, Z18XE, 1995–2006)	Petrol	Belt · 90,000 km / every 60 mo	10W-40 / 5W-30 · GM-LL-A-025 · ~4.25 L · every 15,000 km
1.6 / 1.8 16v Ecotec (Opel Family 1: Z16XER / Z18XER)	Petrol	Belt · 120,000 km / every 96 mo	5W-30 · dexos2 · ~4.5 L · every 15,000 km
1.9 JTD / MultiJet / CDTI / TiD (Fiat 1.9 8v / 16v)	Diesel	Belt · 120,000 km	5W-40 / 10W-40 · Fiat 9.55535-N2 / GM-LL-B-025 · ~4.5 L · every 15,000 km
2.0 / 2.2 DTI (Opel Y20DTH / Y22DTR)	Diesel	Chain	5W-40 / 10W-40 · GM-LL-B-025 · ~5.5 L · every 15,000 km

Faults typical of this model

Rear light cluster circuit board

usually 60,000–200,000 km · Wear part

Signs: Bulb failure warnings, lights flicker

Fix: Replace the lamp / board

€40–150

CIM steering column module

usually 80,000–200,000 km · Medium risk

Signs: Indicators / wipers / horn stop working

Fix: Repair or replace CIM

€150–450

Front wishbone bushes

usually 80,000–160,000 km · Wear part

Signs: Knocks, pulls under braking

Fix: Replace bushes / arms

€150–350

M32 6-speed manual gearbox bearings (6-speed only)

usually 100,000–220,000 km · High risk

Signs: Whine or growl in 5th / 6th gear and off throttle, gear lever vibrates or jumps out of gear

Fix: Replace the bearings (and the output shaft if worn) and fill the gearbox to the corrected oil level

€700–1,800

Faults by engine

1.4 / 1.6 / 1.8 / 2.0 16v Ecotec (X/Z14XE, X16XEL, Z16XE, Z18XE, 1995–2006)

Timing belt tensioner / idler (early failures)

usually 60,000–90,000 km · High risk

Signs: Belt failure bends valves — change on time

Fix: Replace the full belt kit

€250–500

EGR valve (Z16XE / Z18XE)

usually 80,000–160,000 km · Medium risk

Signs: Unstable idle, stalling

Fix: Clean or replace EGR

€100–300

Ignition module / leads

usually 80,000–160,000 km · Wear part

Signs: Misfire

Fix: Replace module

€100–300

Oil leaks (cam cover, oil cooler)

usually 120,000–220,000 km · Wear part

Signs: Oil drips

Fix: Replace gaskets

€80–250

1.6 / 1.8 16v Ecotec (Opel Family 1: Z16XER / Z18XER)

Camshaft phaser (variator) failure

usually 80,000–160,000 km · Medium risk

Signs: Rattle / diesel-like noise, P0016–P0017 codes

Fix: Replace phasers and solenoids

€400–900

Ignition module (cassette)

usually 80,000–160,000 km · Medium risk

Signs: Misfire; oil from the cam cover gasket in plug wells

Fix: Replace module and cam cover gasket

€150–400

Thermostat housing / coolant leaks

usually 80,000–160,000 km · Medium risk

Signs: Coolant loss, overheating

Fix: Replace housing

€150–350

Oil cooler housing seal (oil in coolant)

usually 100,000–200,000 km · Medium risk

Signs: Oil in the expansion tank

Fix: Replace oil cooler seals

€200–500

1.9 JTD / MultiJet / CDTI / TiD (Fiat 1.9 8v / 16v)

Swirl flaps / intake manifold (16v)

usually 100,000–180,000 km · High risk

Signs: Flaps can break and fall into the engine; engine light

Fix: Replace manifold or fit blanking kit

€250–700

EGR valve clogging

usually 100,000–180,000 km · Medium risk

Signs: Power loss, limp mode

Fix: Clean or replace EGR

€200–500

Turbo actuator / VGT sticking

usually 120,000–200,000 km · Medium risk

Signs: Overboost or underboost, limp mode

Fix: Clean or replace turbo actuator

€250–900

2.0 / 2.2 DTI (Opel Y20DTH / Y22DTR)

Injection pump (Bosch VP44)

usually 120,000–250,000 km · High risk

Signs: Won't start or cuts out, pump codes — pump ECU failure

Fix: Repair or exchange the pump

€600–1,500

Timing chain (double-row) wear

usually 200,000–300,000 km · Medium risk

Signs: Rattle

Fix: Replace the chain kit

€700–1,200

Injectors / turbo

usually 150,000–250,000 km · Wear part

Signs: Smoke

Fix: Test and replace

€300–900

Gearboxes

Manual

Clutch wear

usually 120,000–200,000 km · Medium risk

Signs: Slipping, high bite point

Fix: Replace clutch kit

€500–900

Automatic (Aisin AF40 / GM 6T40 / 6T45)

6T40 / 6T45 3-5-R wave plate

usually 80,000–200,000 km · High risk

model years 2008–2017 only

Signs: Loss of 3rd, 5th and reverse

Fix: Replace the wave plate (gearbox rebuild)

€1,200–2,500

AF40 valve body / harsh shifts

usually 100,000–200,000 km · Medium risk

Signs: Harsh or flared shifts

Fix: Fluid change; valve body repair

€300–1,200

Scheduled service

Intervals and typical prices for the 1.4 / 1.6 / 1.8 / 2.0 16v Ecotec (X/Z14XE, X16XEL, Z16XE, Z18XE, 1995–2006) engine. Other engines differ in oil, timing drive and some filters; the app gives the exact plan.

Item	Interval	Typical price
Engine oil + oil filterEngine	every 15,000 km or every 12 months	€70–150
Cabin (pollen) filterClimate	every 15,000 km or every 12 months	€15–40
Brake fluidBrakes	every 24 months	€50–95
A/C service (regas + desiccant)Climate	every 24 months	€70–150
Air filterEngine	every 30,000 km or every 24 months	€15–45
Spark plugsIgnition	every 60,000 km or every 48 months	€50–160
Timing belt kit + water pumpEngine	every 90,000 km or every 60 months	€450–900
Auxiliary (serpentine) beltEngine	every 120,000 km	€70–180
Coolant replacementCooling	every 150,000 km or every 96 months	€70–150
Manual gearbox oilTransmission	every 150,000 km	€60–130
Front brake padsBrakes	usually at 30,000–60,000 km	€60–150
Front brake discs + padsBrakes	usually at 60,000–120,000 km	€150–320
Rear brake padsBrakes	usually at 50,000–90,000 km	€50–130
Tyres (set of 4)Wheels	usually at 40,000–60,000 km	€320–700
Wiper bladesBody	checked at service	€20–50
12V batteryElectrical	checked at service	€100–220

Official recalls

Recalls the manufacturer published in the United Kingdom for this model (4). The same recalls usually apply across Europe. Ask an authorised dealer to check by VIN whether your car is affected and whether the work has been done.

Airbag Vauxhall cross carline Driver’s Airbag - Takata01/12/2025 · R/2025/511
Brakes / ABS / ESP Handbrake may partially release07/04/2008 · R/2008/014
Wheels / tyres Rear axle hub may not be to specification17/12/2005 · R/2005/166
Other Rear exhaust pipe may move backwards slipping off the front pipe05/11/2004 · R/2004/148

Common questions

Does the Opel Signum have a timing chain or a timing belt?

1.4 / 1.6 / 1.8 / 2.0 16v Ecotec (X/Z14XE, X16XEL, Z16XE, Z18XE, 1995–2006): belt · 90,000 km / every 60 mo; 1.6 / 1.8 16v Ecotec (Opel Family 1: Z16XER / Z18XER): belt · 120,000 km / every 96 mo; 1.9 JTD / MultiJet / CDTI / TiD (Fiat 1.9 8v / 16v): belt · 120,000 km; 2.0 / 2.2 DTI (Opel Y20DTH / Y22DTR): chain.

What are the known problems with the Opel Signum?

The faults with the highest risk: 6T40 / 6T45 3-5-R wave plate (80,000–200,000 km, €1,200–2,500); M32 6-speed manual gearbox bearings (6-speed only) (100,000–220,000 km, €700–1,800); injection pump (Bosch VP44) (120,000–250,000 km, €600–1,500); swirl flaps / intake manifold (16v) (100,000–180,000 km, €250–700). The full list by engine is on this page.

What should you check when buying a used Opel Signum?

Before you buy, ask an authorised dealer to check by VIN that the recalls have been done (4 have been published for this model). If the engine has a timing belt, ask for the invoice for its replacement: with no proof, assume it has not been done. On the test drive, watch for these signs: loss of 3rd, 5th and reverse; whine or growl in 5th / 6th gear and off throttle, gear lever vibrates or jumps out of gear. The full checklist is in the guide to buying a used car.

Models with the same engines

These models share engines with this car, so they share some of its faults too.

Opel Astra H 2004–2010 Opel Zafira B 2005–2014 Opel Astra G 1998–2004 Opel Vectra C 2002–2008 Saab 9-3 2002–2012 Saab 9-5 1997–2010 Fiat Stilo 2001–2007 Opel Zafira A 1999–2005

Other Opel models

Opel Meriva A 2003–2010 Opel Combo C 2001–2011 Opel Vivaro A 2001–2014 Opel Agila A 2000–2007 Opel Antara 2006–2015 Opel Corsa C 2000–2006 Opel Corsa D 2006–2014 Opel Agila B 2008–2014 Opel Insignia A 2008–2017 Opel Omega B 1994–2003

Sources and notes

Faults, intervals and prices are indicative and collected from public sources and owner experience; always rely on the service book and a qualified workshop. Test statistics: DVSA – Anonymised MOT tests and results, Open Government Licence v3.0. Dutch tests: RDW Open Data (CC0). Engine versions: EEA, monitoring of CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars (CC BY 4.0, DG CLIMA). Owner complaints: NHTSA ODI (public domain). Recalls: DVSA Vehicle Safety Branch Recalls Database, OGL v3.0. Brand and model names are trademarks of their owners and are used only to describe the vehicles.

Updated 08/10/2026

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