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Photo: Renée Kools, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Opel Karl I faults

2 faults documented by at least two sources, listed by version then by mileage at onset when known.

Good choice, check first
Reliability
5.0/5

2 known faults

1.0 75

  1. Recall: driveshafts may corrode and break

    Manufacturer recall

    A safety recall (R/2016/090, April 2016) concerns Karl cars whose driveshafts, insufficiently coated, can corrode and break: the car then loses traction, while steering and brakes remain available. The British sources consulted limit the build period to December 2014 to March 2015 (63 vehicles in the UK). Check the serial number with an Opel dealer.

    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).

    Versions
    1.0 75, 1.0 GPL 72
    Onset
    not documented
    Repair
    not documented

  2. Erratic centre console and electronics

    Severity 1/3 · Annoying

    Karl owners report random switch-offs or restarts of the centre console (Passion bagnole), and one case at 176,000 km of error messages and audio cut-outs, attributed in a forum reply to a poorly connected control unit (MyCarly). These are anecdotal reports, with no statistics.

    Versions
    1.0 75, 1.0 GPL 72
    Onset
    not documented
    Repair
    not documented

1.0 GPL 72

  1. Recall: driveshafts may corrode and break

    Manufacturer recall

    A safety recall (R/2016/090, April 2016) concerns Karl cars whose driveshafts, insufficiently coated, can corrode and break: the car then loses traction, while steering and brakes remain available. The British sources consulted limit the build period to December 2014 to March 2015 (63 vehicles in the UK). Check the serial number with an Opel dealer.

    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).

    Versions
    1.0 75, 1.0 GPL 72
    Onset
    not documented
    Repair
    not documented

  2. Erratic centre console and electronics

    Severity 1/3 · Annoying

    Karl owners report random switch-offs or restarts of the centre console (Passion bagnole), and one case at 176,000 km of error messages and audio cut-outs, attributed in a forum reply to a poorly connected control unit (MyCarly). These are anecdotal reports, with no statistics.

    Versions
    1.0 75, 1.0 GPL 72
    Onset
    not documented
    Repair
    not documented

Price and diagnose repairs

Read fault codes

An OBD scanner plugged in under the steering wheel shows stored fault codes, even with warning lights off: useful during the test drive.

Parts and maintenance

Compare prices of parts for the Opel Karl I (timing, brakes, filters) to estimate the repairs to plan for.

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