Common Problems with the Vauxhall Insignia
FixMyCar discusses common problems with the Vauxhall Insignia and average repair costs.
Compare Vauxhall Insignia repair quotesEllie Dyer-Brown
Thursday March 26 2026
8 min read
Launched in 2008, the Insignia is a mid-sized family car produced by British automaker Vauxhall. Despite its popularity over the years, it was discontinued in 2022 - but it still makes a great used buy.
This guide explores known issues with the Insignia, providing owners and potential buyers with insights into specific faults and their average repair costs.
In a nutshell: The Vauxhall Insignia is a decent used family car, but reliability is average rather than outstanding. Common problems include DPF and timing chain issues, automatic gearbox faults, electrical glitches, steering rack noise and rear brake binding, so a full service history is especially important.
What’s wrong with the Vauxhall Insignia?
Drivers are searching online for information about the following problems.
Vauxhall Insignia engine problems
Most of the worries around the Insignia centre on its diesel engines, which are very common on UK roads.
2.0 CDTi problems
The 2.0 CDTi is a strong motorway engine but is prone to DPF trouble if mostly used for short journeys, which can lead to warning lights and limp mode. Early cars also suffer from exhaust gas temperature sensors triggering the engine management light.
Average price of a DPF clean: £207.42
Average diagnostic test price: £61.92
1.6 diesel problems
Later Insignias use the 1.6 CDTi “Whisper diesel”, which is smoother but has a well-documented timing-chain issue. The original chain tensioner design allows oil to drain away, so the chain can rattle loudly on cold starts and wear prematurely if not sorted. These engines are also more susceptible to carbon build-up in the EGR and intake system and the same DPF clogging seen on the 2.0 CDTi if the car is mainly used for short journeys.
Average timing chain replacement price: £1,118.82
Average EGR valve replacement price: £384.17
Vauxhall Insignia automatic gearbox problems
Many Insignias use a 6-speed Aisin automatic (often referred to as AF40). Owners of vehicles with this gearbox have reported jerky gear changes, delayed engagement when selecting Drive or Reverse and occasional slipping between gears. These symptoms are often experienced when the gearbox has warmed up, indicating old/contaminated transmission fluid, wear in the valve body or solenoids, or in some cases a failing torque converter, rather than a simple software quirk.
Average gearbox repair price: £361.24
Recent recalls
| Recall number | Date | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| R/2017/034 | 17.03.17 | The passenger airbag may not deploy as intended. |
| R/2017/026 | 01.03.17 | An incorrect front brake hose may have been fitted which may allow brake fluid to leak. |
| R/2016/138 | 11.07.16 | The thread on the swivel pin of the track rod end might not be to specification. Therefore when the nut was tightened onto the thread the correct clamping force may not have been attained. If not attended to there is a possibility that the component might fail and steering control would be lost. |
| R/2015/084 | 21.05.15 | Due to a gradual gas leak inside the left-hand tailgate strut the strut may become unable to support the opened tailgate. The tailgate may drop abruptly after first opening normally. |
Vauxhall Insignia 2009-2017 problems
1. Engine warning light
Some Insignias suffer an engine warning light that keeps coming back, often from new. A common cause on Mk1 cars is the exhaust gas temperature sensors fitted in the wrong order, which confuses the engine computer and logs P0421 and P2080 fault codes.
What repair is needed for an engine warning light, and how much does it cost?
A mechanic will plug in diagnostic equipment to confirm which sensors are at fault, then either reposition them correctly or replace any failed sensors. The average price of a diagnostic test is £62.08. Replacing a sensor costs £146.64 on average.
2. Oil leak
There are reports of oil leaks from the joint between the engine and gearbox on some cars. In many cases this is linked to problems with the flywheel/drive-plate mounting, which can allow oil to escape from the rear of the engine.
What repair is needed for an oil leak, and how much does it cost?
The gearbox and flywheel have to be removed so the mechanic can clean the area, fix the leak and then refit everything. Because the gearbox has to come out, labour is the big cost. Budget £700-£1,100 depending on labour rates and whether the clutch or flywheel are renewed at the same time.
3. Noisy steering
Some Mk1 Insignias suffer from a noisy steering rack. Owners report knocking or whining from the front end, and in some cases heavier or inconsistent steering. In many of these cases the rack itself is the weak point rather than something that can be adjusted.
What repair is needed for noisy steering, and how much does it cost?
The usual fix is to replace the steering rack with an updated unit, then refill and bleed the power-steering system. This is a reasonably big job. The average price of a steering rack replacement on FixMyCar is £478.73.
4. Gearbox issues
There are two potential gearbox issues to be aware of. The first relates to the gearshift cables, which can become corroded due to water, making it difficult to change gears. The second is a scraping noise from under the car caused by the synchromesh between the third and fourth and fifth and sixth gears.
What repair is needed for gearbox issues, and how much does it cost?
The first problem can be fixed by replacing the gearshift cables. Unfortunately, our average quote data doesn’t cover this type of repair.
The second problem is more complex - the gearbox will have to be removed and the synchromesh repaired. The average price of a gearbox repair on FixMyCar is £364.03.
5. Squeaking rear brakes
Older and higher-mileage Insignias are well known for squeaky rear brakes. The noise usually comes from the rear pads binding slightly in their carriers, so the brakes don’t release fully and squeal at low speeds.
What repair is needed for squeaking rear brakes, and how much does it cost?
A mechanic will strip and clean the rear brakes. Depending on how worn the parts are, it might make sense to fit new pads and often new discs at the same time. Based on quote data, replacing the rear pads and discs costs an average of £252.40, though a simple strip-and-clean will likely cost less.
6. Boot locking issues
Some Mk1 cars suffer from tailgate problems. The boot may not latch securely, unlock correctly or can end up stuck shut. A common cause is water getting into the tailgate lock mechanism, leading to corrosion and failure.
What repair is needed for boot locking issues, and how much does it cost?
The usual fix is to replace the tailgate lock mechanism and check/clean the wiring and drain holes in the tailgate. Parts are relatively inexpensive and labour is modest, so expect £150-£250 at most independent garages.
Vauxhall Insignia 2017-2022 problems
The following problems can affect the second-generation Insignia.
1. DPF issues
Some diesel Insignia Grand Sport and Sports Tourer models suffer DPF issues, including warning lights, “exhaust filter full” messages or the car dropping into limp mode. In a few cases this has been traced to faulty DPF pressure/temperature sensors, or to interrupted regenerations on cars that mostly do short, stop-start trips.
What repair is needed for DPF issues, and how much does it cost?
The first step is usually to check for fault codes using a diagnostic test, which costs £62.08 on average. Any underlying issues will then be fixed. Possible repairs include:
Sensor replacement - £146.64
DPF clean - £203.97
DPF replacement - £610.71
2. Central locking issues
There are reports of the central locking/door locks failing on some Mk2 Insignias - for example a door that won’t lock or unlock properly, or intermittent operation. In some cases, this can be caused by water leaking into the door connector units. It could also be caused by a wiring issue.
What repair is needed for central locking issues, and how much does it cost?
A mechanic will usually:
Check the affected door for a failed latch/lock actuator.
Inspect the wiring between the door and body (where the loom flexes and can eventually break).
A central locking system repair costs £140.14 on average.
3. AdBlue/SCR system warnings
On some Euro 6 diesel Mk2 Insignias, owners report AdBlue or “service exhaust/emissions” warnings, sometimes accompanied by reduced power or countdown messages if the fault isn’t addressed. These can be caused by faulty AdBlue level/temperature sensors, pump problems or issues with the NOx sensor in the exhaust.
What repair is needed for AdBlue/SCR warnings, and how much does it cost?
The fix normally involves:
Diagnostic checks of the SCR system to see whether the fault lies with the AdBlue tank module, pump, injector or NOx sensor.
Replacing the failed component and clearing the fault codes; in some cases software updates are also applied.
Costs vary with the part: a NOx sensor or AdBlue injector can often be sorted in the £400-£700 bracket, while replacement of an AdBlue pump or tank module can run to £700-£1,000+ on some models.
Is the Vauxhall Insignia reliable?
In the 2023 What Car? Reliability Survey, the Vauxhall Insignia came 21st out of 26 models in the executive car class. Vauxhall’s results weren’t much better, earning 23rd place out of 32 manufacturers. The Mk2 version has a better reliability record than its predecessor, but neither is bulletproof.
If you found this guide helpful, you might also like:
- Related topics:
- Common Problems
- Vauxhall
Ellie is FixMyCar's Content Manager. She has over three years of experience writing about cars and regularly collaborates with automotive experts to provide trustworthy advice for drivers that is easy understand. Her work has been featured in Yahoo! Finance, iNews, The Daily Express and The Sun. She has a BA in English literature and an MA in creative writing from Durham University. Outside of work, Ellie follows F1 and eagerly awaits Ferrari's next era of dominance in the sport. She drives a Suzuki Swift.