Photo: Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
4 faults documented by at least two sources, listed by version then by mileage at onset when known.
4 known faults
Fiches-auto, based on 64 testimonials, presents the water pump as the Adam's clearest weakness: it can leak, whistle or become noisy, sometimes at low mileage. A thread on the Caradisiac forum also cites it as a known weak point. An untreated leak can lead to a loss of coolant.
A worn coil causes misfiring, the engine warning light, running on three cylinders and loss of power (Fiches-auto). L'argus notes risks of stalling linked to the spark plugs or coils on the 1.2 and 1.4; an owner on the Matmut forum mentions a coil that had to be replaced after 3 years.
Owners on the Caradisiac forum report that the rear shock absorbers are fragile: one mentions a sealing fault that caused a failed contrôle technique (French roadworthiness test), and a tutorial describes a shock absorber leaking at 50,000 km.
In 2019 Opel recalled Adam and Corsa models built between January 2018 and April 2019 with 1.2 and 1.4 petrol engines (including LPG): the lambda sensor could malfunction after more than 50,000 km, and the Euro 6d nitrogen oxide limit could be exceeded. The fix is a software update to the engine control unit; Opel said it was not a safety defect.
Fixed free of charge by a dealer and not counted in the reliability score: ask for proof the work was done (invoice, or a VIN check at a dealer).
Fiches-auto, based on 64 testimonials, presents the water pump as the Adam's clearest weakness: it can leak, whistle or become noisy, sometimes at low mileage. A thread on the Caradisiac forum also cites it as a known weak point. An untreated leak can lead to a loss of coolant.
A worn coil causes misfiring, the engine warning light, running on three cylinders and loss of power (Fiches-auto). L'argus notes risks of stalling linked to the spark plugs or coils on the 1.2 and 1.4; an owner on the Matmut forum mentions a coil that had to be replaced after 3 years.
Owners on the Caradisiac forum report that the rear shock absorbers are fragile: one mentions a sealing fault that caused a failed contrôle technique (French roadworthiness test), and a tutorial describes a shock absorber leaking at 50,000 km.
In 2019 Opel recalled Adam and Corsa models built between January 2018 and April 2019 with 1.2 and 1.4 petrol engines (including LPG): the lambda sensor could malfunction after more than 50,000 km, and the Euro 6d nitrogen oxide limit could be exceeded. The fix is a software update to the engine control unit; Opel said it was not a safety defect.
Fixed free of charge by a dealer and not counted in the reliability score: ask for proof the work was done (invoice, or a VIN check at a dealer).
Fiches-auto, based on 64 testimonials, presents the water pump as the Adam's clearest weakness: it can leak, whistle or become noisy, sometimes at low mileage. A thread on the Caradisiac forum also cites it as a known weak point. An untreated leak can lead to a loss of coolant.
A worn coil causes misfiring, the engine warning light, running on three cylinders and loss of power (Fiches-auto). L'argus notes risks of stalling linked to the spark plugs or coils on the 1.2 and 1.4; an owner on the Matmut forum mentions a coil that had to be replaced after 3 years.
Owners on the Caradisiac forum report that the rear shock absorbers are fragile: one mentions a sealing fault that caused a failed contrôle technique (French roadworthiness test), and a tutorial describes a shock absorber leaking at 50,000 km.
In 2019 Opel recalled Adam and Corsa models built between January 2018 and April 2019 with 1.2 and 1.4 petrol engines (including LPG): the lambda sensor could malfunction after more than 50,000 km, and the Euro 6d nitrogen oxide limit could be exceeded. The fix is a software update to the engine control unit; Opel said it was not a safety defect.
Fixed free of charge by a dealer and not counted in the reliability score: ask for proof the work was done (invoice, or a VIN check at a dealer).
Owners on the Caradisiac forum report that the rear shock absorbers are fragile: one mentions a sealing fault that caused a failed contrôle technique (French roadworthiness test), and a tutorial describes a shock absorber leaking at 50,000 km.
Fiches-auto, based on 64 testimonials, presents the water pump as the Adam's clearest weakness: it can leak, whistle or become noisy, sometimes at low mileage. A thread on the Caradisiac forum also cites it as a known weak point. An untreated leak can lead to a loss of coolant.
Owners on the Caradisiac forum report that the rear shock absorbers are fragile: one mentions a sealing fault that caused a failed contrôle technique (French roadworthiness test), and a tutorial describes a shock absorber leaking at 50,000 km.
An OBD scanner plugged in under the steering wheel shows stored fault codes, even with warning lights off: useful during the test drive.
Compare prices of parts for the Opel Adam I (timing, brakes, filters) to estimate the repairs to plan for.