01-01-0001:
On 1.9 JTDM timing belt drives waterpump and waterpump failure can fling it off in as little as 40k miles, wrecking the engine. Seems to be a braking problem on diesels, which have a vacuum pump for the brake servo assistance: can feel like total failure of brakes, but only happens intermittently. Replacing master cylinder has cured it in some cases.
On 1.9 JTDM if the engine smokes or the car suddenly loses power, the secondary butterflies of the swirl actuator valve may have sooted up and seized. Possible to clean but this does not guarantee it won't happen again. Really requires the inlet manifold to be changed as the part where the actuator connects to jams and does not let the butterflies open. Job can take six hours as the fuel pump and cam belt have to be removed to get at it. A coincidental fault is sooting up of the EGR valve.
1.9 diesels can be delightful to drive, but give a lot of problems. Failed inlet manifold swirl flaps (and the flaps can beak and be ingested by the engine). Failed EGRs. Choked DPFs. Failed timing belts, often because the waterpump seized. Belt, tensioner, pulleys and waterpump need replacving every 40,000 miles. Failed oil pumps. Failed dual mass flywheels. Failed turbos.
03-01-2011:
Report of 159 2.0 JTD displaying same DMF problems as afflicts Insignia with the same drivetrain.
31-05-2011:
Radiator hoses chafe on fan housings.
21-07-2011:
Manuals seem to be suffering from a spate of transmission failures.
01-02-2012:
Apparently no oil pumps for 2.4JTD in the whole of Europe.
25-05-2012:
Quite a few 159s are now suffering corrosion problems. The main issue seems to be the front subframe. The paint applied at the factory is poor, and some cars are now failing the MOT due to excessive corrosion in this area. Also the underseal applied to the florrpans seems hit and miss and some are starting to show beginnings of rust in this area.
25-05-2012:
Long 20k service intervals is causing sludge build-up which is preventing proper lubrication of the timing chains of 2.2 and 3.2 GM based petrol engines leading to them stretching and occasionally snapping. The original GM engines that these were based on also suffered similar issues. Changing the oil more frequently, is a way of potentially avoiding the timing chain issues, with 10k changes more realistic.
07-11-2012:
Report of timing belt of 2.4 diesel failing at 66k milkes v/s Alfa 'life' of 72k miles.
16-05-2013:
159 TBI seems to have a problem reversing uphill. Transmission seems to stick and can get severe clutch smell.
28-06-2013:
Rear spoiler torn off back of car at speed due to insufficient glue holding one side of it on.
01-06-2014:
For an Alfa 159 2.4 JTDM, Alfa dealer quoted an outrageous 7 hours labour and £1,277 to replace timing belt and waterpump. Reader got it done, including the waterpump, for £613.
20-11-2014:
Speedo failed on 37k mile 2010 lfa 159. Mileometer and tripmeter still working. Quoted £1,300 for a new dashboard. I suggesterd a repair by Cartronix .
31-03-2016:
Report of both keys of Alfa 159 1.9JTDM intermittently failing to disengage immobiliser. May need reprogramming or may be a problem with the immobiliser/ECU.
10-10-2016:
Flat spot reported from engine of Alfa 159 Sportwagon 2.0JTD, thought to be a clogged EGR.
January 2006
Alfa 159 launched
Styled by Giugiaro and as fresh and stunning looking as 156 was when it was launched. 4,660mm x 1,828mm x 1417mm (slightly longer than Lexus IS250). Four wheel drive option. Engines from 1.9 four to 260PS 3.2V6. Based on new 'Premium' platform designed for front wheel drive, rear wheel or 4-wheel drive. Prices from £19,995 for 160PS 1.9 JTS Turismo and from £20,495 for 150PS 1.9 JTDm Turismo.
June 2007
159 Turismo Internazionale launched June 2007. Has a unique body kit, lowered sports suspension, 19-inch alloy wheels, red Brembo brake callipers all-round, plus chrome effect door mirrors and exhaust. Inside, electrically adjustable and heated leather front sports seats along with new sports dials, aluminium sports pedals, kick plates and trim inserts. A leather-clad sports steering wheel and gear knob are also included in the sporty specification list. Choice of three engines. 2.2 JTS and 3.2 JTS V6 and 2.4 JTDM diesel. 2.4 JTDM offers 210PS, 0-60mph 8.4 seconds, top speed 140, 41.5mpg combined and 179g/km CO2, priced at £25,500.
A choice of manual or QTRONIC gearboxes. In addition, Alfa Romeo’s Q4 4WD system, standard equipment on the 3.2 JTS V6, can also be specified on the diesel version. Only three body colours – Alfa Red, Stromboli Grey and Carbonio black.
2.2 JTS TI £23,400
3.2 JTS V6 Q4 TI £29,200
3.2 JTS V6 Q4 TI QTRONIC £30,650
2.4 JTDM TI £25,400
2.4 JTDM TI QTRONIC £26,850
2.4 JTDM Q4 TI £27,400
July 2007
Production of new EU5 1.9 Multijet diesel from July 2007, beginning with 132 kW (177 bhp) version. A 140 kW (188 bhp) version is to be launched in June 2008 and is also fitted to top SAAB 9-3 diesels from 2008.
October 2007
Ti version of 2.4 JTD with 210PS and sports suspension announced October 2007 at £25,500. 0-62mph 8.4 seconds, top speed 140mph, 41.5mpg combined and 179g/km CO2.
December 2008
Alfa 159 Limited Edition launched
Loaded with more than £3000 worth of extra kit, including lowered suspension, red Brembo brake callipers, sports dials with red background, black leather upholstery, Carbonio black metallic paint and darkened 19-inch spoke alloy wheels. Limited to 250 examples and powered by the 1.9 JTDM 150bhp diesel engine it costs £22,168 on the road.
August 2009
New engines and trims announced
Alfa Romeo’s new, lightweight, variable valve timing, direct injection turbocharged 1750 TBi engine develops an impressive 200 bhp along with 320 Nm of torque to bring new levels of drivability to the Alfa 159 range. The new 16-valve, twin overhead camshaft 1742 cc petrol unit brings keen fuel efficiency to Alfa 159.
1750 TBi
From a standstill, the 1750 TBi Alfa 159 Saloon can reach the 0-62 mph benchmark in 7.7 seconds, before topping out at 147 mph. However it is the flexibility of the in-gear acceleration that sets the engine apart from its competitors; with 25 - 62 mph in fifth gear achievable in 11.5 seconds and 37 – 62 mph in sixth gear reached in just 8.9 seconds – this translates, in real world driving, to a more sporting driver experience consistent with a ‘flat’ torque curve and a constant delivery of power - perfect for confident overtaking and long distance driving. In addition, the 1750 TBi version includes a mileage extension to 21,000 miles between routine maintenance intervals.
2.0 JTDM
Alfa’s new 2.0 JTDM powerplant develops 170bhp available at just 4,000 rpm, and its advanced multijet technology means that this new 2.0 JTDM unit delivers its maximum torque of 360 Nm between just 1750 rpm and 2500 rpm. The new 2.0 JTDM powered Alfa 159 covers the 0 – 62 mph sprint in just 8.8 seconds - less than one second off the pace of the more powerful 2.4 JTDM engine, on its way to a top speed of 136 mph. CO2 emissions have been reduced to just 142 g/km.
To coincide with the launch of these new engines, Alfa Romeo has introduced a new range structure which now features five trim levels - Turismo, Turismo Sport, Elegante, Lusso and TI.First of the two new trim levels, Turismo Sport offers drivers sporty upgrades including 17-inch sport alloy wheels, Blue&Me, sports seat cloth, sports leather steering wheel with remote audio controls and gear knob, and sports dials.The new Elegante trim adds additional style to the already highly specified Turismo equipment, including rear parking sensors, visibility pack and luxury Alfatex interior. Prices from £21,800 for 200PS 1750 Turismo and same £21,800 for 170PS 2.0 JTDM Turismo.