Alfa Romeo 159 Problems by Year
The 159 is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful saloons ever made. Built to be much tougher than the 156 it replaced, it is heavy but refined. In the UK, the main concerns are now subframe corrosion and specific mechanical weak points on GM-derived engines and gearboxes.
Select a year below to see the specific problems affecting that model year, with estimated repair costs and severity ratings.
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Year Periods
4
Known Issues
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Serious Faults
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Moderate Issues
Select a Year Period
Browse Alfa Romeo 159 in our Directory
View MOT history, registration data, and reliability scores for the Alfa Romeo Alfa Romeo 159.
View Alfa Romeo 159 DirectoryBuying Tips for the Alfa Romeo 159
- ✓Inspect the front subframe extremely carefully for rust; it can rot from the inside out and is a common MOT failure.
- ✓On 1.9 JTDm and 2.2 JTS models, listen for gearbox whine (M32 unit) in 5th and 6th gear.
- ✓Check the power steering fluid color; it should be green. Red fluid can cause steering rack seal failure.
- ✓Look for uneven front tyre wear; these cars are notorious for "eating" the inner edges if alignment isn’t perfect.
- ✓The 1.75 TBi is the most desirable engine but requires strict 9,000-mile oil changes to protect the turbo.