Common problems · engines and gearboxes

PureTech Engine Problems

PureTech is the family of three-cylinder petrol engines used by Peugeot, Citroën, DS and Vauxhall. The 1.0 and 1.2 versions built through the 2010s and early 2020s use a timing belt that runs in the engine oil. These are the problems the manufacturer has acknowledged and the recall issued.

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Recall · StellantisBrakes
Recall: belt debris can block the brake vacuum pump
Material shed by the timing belt can get into the oil and block the brake vacuum pump, which reduces brake assistance. The brake pedal then needs far more effort. This was a DVSA safety recall: dealers update the detection software and inspect, and if needed replace, the vacuum pump and timing belt.
Applies to: Stellantis 1.2 PureTech turbo 110/130 (EB2DT / EB2DTS) (petrol), built 2013–2017
4 sources

Recall · VauxhallBrakes
Recall: timing-belt debris can affect the brake vacuum pump
On Crossland X and Grandland X built in 2017, material shed by the timing belt as the engine oil ages can affect the brake vacuum pump, which reduces brake assistance — the brake pedal then needs much more effort. The DVSA safety recall (R/2022/352, 10,100 vehicles) updates the software so the car warns earlier of reduced brake assistance.
Applies to: Vauxhall Crossland X and Grandland X built in 2017 (DVSA's recall names no engine)
The recall text names no engine. It is pinned to the 1.2 petrol because its defect — timing-belt material in ageing oil reaching the brake vacuum pump — is the PureTech belt-in-oil fault behind stellantis-puretech-brake-vacuum-pump-recall. DVSA lists it only against 2017 builds.
2 sources
- DVSA – Check vehicle recalls (GOV.UK) — Update the vehicle s software in order to improve the diagnosis of the braking assistance system (R/2022/352)
- DVSA – Check vehicle recalls (GOV.UK) — Update the vehicle s software in order to improve the diagnosis of the braking assistance system (R/2022/352)

Compensation scheme · StellantisTiming belt / chain
Timing belt breaking down in the oil
On earlier 1.2 PureTech petrol engines the timing belt runs in the engine oil and can degrade early. Peugeot describes the result as an oil pressure issue, so the oil pressure warning is often the first sign. Stellantis has extended cover on these engines to 10 years or 112,000 miles, subject to its servicing conditions.
Applies to: Peugeot, Citroën and DS with the 1.2 PureTech petrol (EB2, belt-in-oil), built 2012–2023
Stellantis moved the 1.2 PureTech to a timing chain during 2023, and DVLA does not record which version a 2023-built car has.
5 sources

Compensation scheme · StellantisTiming belt / chain
Timing belt breaking down in the oil (1.0 PureTech)
The 1.0 PureTech three-cylinder petrol uses the same belt-in-oil timing belt as the 1.2, and Stellantis's extended cover names both engines. The belt can degrade early and shed material into the oil, and Peugeot describes the result as an oil pressure issue, so the oil pressure warning is often the first sign. Cover runs to 10 years or 112,000 miles, subject to Stellantis's servicing conditions.
Applies to: Peugeot and Citroën with the 1.0 PureTech petrol (EB0, belt-in-oil), built 2012–2023
4 sources

Compensation scheme · StellantisEngine
Excessive oil consumption
Stellantis acknowledges excessive oil consumption on earlier 1.2 PureTech engines and covers it under the same extended warranty as the timing belt. An owner typically notices the oil level dropping between services or a low-oil warning. Keep receipts for oil top-ups and dealer checks, because the cover depends on the servicing record.
Applies to: Peugeot, Citroën and DS with the 1.2 PureTech petrol (EB2), built 2012–2023
4 sources

Compensation scheme · StellantisEngine
Excessive oil consumption (1.0 PureTech)
Stellantis acknowledges excessive oil consumption on earlier PureTech 1.0 and 1.2 engines and covers it under the same extended warranty as the timing belt. An owner typically notices the oil level dropping between services or a low-oil warning. Keep receipts for oil top-ups and dealer checks, because the cover depends on the servicing record.
Applies to: Peugeot and Citroën with the 1.0 PureTech petrol (EB0), built 2012–2023
3 sources

Compensation scheme · StellantisTiming belt / chain
Timing belt breaking down in the oil
On earlier 1.2 PureTech petrol engines the timing belt runs in the engine oil and can degrade early, and Stellantis describes the result as an oil pressure issue, so the oil pressure warning is often the first sign. Stellantis has extended cover on these engines to 10 years or 112,000 miles, subject to its servicing conditions; the same cover includes excessive oil consumption.
Applies to: Vauxhall Crossland, Grandland, Combo and Mokka with the 1.2 PureTech turbo petrol (belt-in-oil), built 2017–2023
Stellantis moved the 1.2 PureTech to a timing chain during 2023, and DVLA does not record which version a 2023-built car has.
6 sources

Model pages: Vauxhall Mokka

Compensation scheme · StellantisTiming belt / chain
Timing belt breaking down in the oil
The 1.2 petrol in the 2019–2023 Corsa has a timing belt that runs in the engine oil and can break down early, shedding material into the oil; the oil pressure warning is often the first sign. Stellantis has extended cover on these engines to 10 years or 112,000 miles, subject to its servicing conditions, and the cover includes excessive oil consumption. A fully stamped service history matters.
Applies to: Vauxhall Corsa (Corsa F) with the 1.2 PureTech petrol (belt-in-oil), built 2020–2023
Stellantis moved the 1.2 to a timing chain during 2023, and DVLA does not record which version a 2023-built car has. Corsas built in 2019 are left out because the old GM-engined Corsa E was still being built that year.
4 sources

Model pages: Vauxhall Corsa

Compensation scheme · StellantisTiming belt / chain
Timing belt breaking down in the oil
The 1.2 PureTech petrol in the current-shape Astra has a timing belt that runs in the engine oil and can degrade early, shedding material into the oil; the oil pressure warning is often the first sign. Stellantis has extended cover on these engines to 10 years or 112,000 miles, subject to its servicing conditions, and the cover includes excessive oil consumption.
Applies to: Vauxhall Astra (Astra L, 2022 on) with the 1.2 PureTech petrol (belt-in-oil), built 2022–2023
Stellantis moved the 1.2 to a timing chain during 2023, and DVLA does not record which version a 2023-built car has.
4 sources

Model pages: Vauxhall Astra

These describe the model, not one car. Plenty of cars never have the problems their model is known for, and a recall may already have been done on yours. Every problem links to its sources; a reported problem needs two independent publishers before we list it.

Recalls are listed by DVSA for the model around its build date — check a specific car by VIN at GOV.UK. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

Common questions

What are the common PureTech petrol engine problems?

Recall: belt debris can block the brake vacuum pump; Recall: timing-belt debris can affect the brake vacuum pump; Timing belt breaking down in the oil; Timing belt breaking down in the oil (1.0 PureTech); Excessive oil consumption; Excessive oil consumption (1.0 PureTech). Each is listed above with the models it applies to and its sources.

Does my car have one of these problems?

Not necessarily — these describe the engine or gearbox, and many cars never have them. Enter your registration in the common problems checker to see what applies to your exact car, and a service history check to see whether the work has been done.

PureTech Engine Problems

Common questions

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