22-10-2014: Dual Mass Flywheel of 2010/60 reg SEAT Alhambra 2.0 TDI failed at 35k miles. SEAT dealer blamed Tunit ECU reprogramming for having increased the torque that the DMF had to absorb.
8-10-2016: Complaint of water ingress to December 2012 SEAT Alhambra fitted with a sunroof. Turned out that the sunroof drain pipes has become blocked with debris from a tree that the car had been parked under. Warning here is that if you regularly park an Alhambra with a sunroof under a tree you need to regularly get the sunroof drain pipes cleared with an airline.
21-1-2017: Report from Switzerland of AdBlue heater of 2012 VW Sharan (same as Alhambra) EA189 2.0TDI 140 4motion failing at 47,000 kilometres and costing £700 to replace. VW Switzerland refused to contribute, but gave a £250 voucher for future servicing.
27-1-2017: Report of problems with AdBlue sustem of high mileage (127,000 mile) 2014 SEAT Alhambra. Adblue warning light coming on regularly. Each time a warning said fill before 600 miles owner filled it. Even though it was completely full he got an orange warning light which he believed is the one before the red when the car will not start.
13-3-2017: Report of SEAT Alhambra 2.0TDI running low on AdBlue in mide January, giving message "you won't be able to start your car in XXX miles".
5-10-2017: Report of 1.4TSI 150 Twincharger engine in 2011 SEAT Alhambra "tearing itself to pieces" at 64,000 miles. Purchased at 62,000 miles in 2016, it had done very few miles but was independently serviced prior to the disaster. Local SEAT dealer (that had not previously seen the car), relented slightly and rebuilt the engine for £7,000. No 'goodwill' at all from SEAT.
20-7-2018: SEAT Alhambra 2.0 TDI needed new EGR and AdBlue heater at 100,000 miiles.
3-11-2018: Report of post NOx emissions fix problems with 2012 SEAT Alhambra 2.0 TDI: Since the upgrade the car does not drive the same. It has been in with numerous issues since and now owner has been told it needs a new turbo as there is a pressure issue along with the particulate filter and engine management light coming on.
13-3-2019: Report of DPF of SEAT Alhambra 2.0 TDI auto failing within 2 years of NOx emissions fix carried out in 2017. The fan has been running on for some time after driving despite the cold weather. "SEAT is pushing back on contributing for replacement."despite VAG commitment to fix any consequential damage within 2 years of the fix or within a total mileage of 160,000.
30-10-2019: Report of paint bubbles on offside rear door and "just above the wheelarch" on a 2013 SEAT Alhambra coverd by a 12 year no perforation warranty. Local SEAT dealer was very helpful, and after 2 inspections by SEAT UK, the dealer came back saying that SEAT had offered to pay 75% for the repair of the wing spot, but nothing for the rear door. Possible that the bubble on the rear door was superficial and not penetrative.
14-12-2019: Report of post-NOx fix problems with 2013 SEAT Alhambra 2.0 TDI Ecomotive (NOx fix carried out less than 2 years previously). Difference in economy and constant ADblue top ups required but recently performance issues and power drops felt. DPF light came up frequently but went after a 10 minute blast on a fast A road but EML came on and went into limp mode. Went into garage who took for test drive and turbo failed, but they stopped engine immediately. They replaced turbo but couldn't get faults cleared so its now in a SEAT dealership who, after replacing a sensor/switch for the DPF now say DPF is too dirty (tried cleaning by outside specialist but didn't work: too dirty/sooty). SEAT now says £2,000 job to replace DPF.
17-12-2019: Report of DQ500 DSG twin wet clutch transmission on 2017 SEAT Alhambra taking time when reversing and jerking in gears. Sometimes does not change gear in time especially when re-accellerating after braking when it it does not pick up. Recently had transmission oil and filter change but no better. We thing probably caused by a duff brake light switch that creates a delay between braking and accelerating by messaging the ECU that the brakes are applied.
17-12-2019: Report of repeated tyre problems on a 2015 SEAT Alhambra, including high wear rate and sudden deflation resulting in shredded tyres, despite regular balancing and alignment.
01-10-2020: Report of DMF failure on 2016 Seat Alhambra that has done 55,000 miles. It is outside the warranty period and SEAT UK has offered to cover half of the repair costs.
April 2010
New SEAT Alhambra unveiled
Measuring 4,854mm the new 2010 SEAT Alhambra is 220mm longer than its predecessor, while it is also wider by 92mm and 12mm lower. There's plenty of room for adults to sit comfortably, even in the third row, while the large sliding doors (with optional electric operation) allow especially easy entry. Luggage space is more than generous, too. When configured as a five-seater the new SEAT has 885 litres of load space available, which grows to a cavernous maximum of 2,297 litres if only the front two seats are in use.
Central to the new car's development has been the intelligent and extremely versatile seating concept - the new Alhambra comes with seating for five, six or seven. Unlike its predecessor if more storage room is called for the second and third-row seats need no longer be removed; instead, they can be sunk easily into the vehicle floor using the "Easy-Fold" system.
The middle row seats can also be arranged longitudinally, with integrated child seats available as an option. Meanwhile the seating position of both the driver and front seat passenger combines the best visibility with a sporty feel and ideal ergonomics. The three centre rear and two rearmost seats all have ISOFIX tethers.
Just like the TSI and TDI engines, the optional DSG dual-clutch transmission delivers a perfect combination of sporting character, comfort and efficiency. But it's the range of state-of-the-art and innovative technologies offered as optional equipment on the new Alhambra that really stand out. Among the highlights are the SEAT's bi-xenon headlamps with adaptive control and new full beam assistant. In this system, a sensor detects oncoming vehicles and automatically dips the beam.
Also new is the park/steer assistant, which autonomously manoeuvres the Alhambra into tight parking spaces. A rear view camera delivers an image of the world behind the vehicle while the optional panorama sliding roof has an opening that is 300% larger than a conventional sunroof. The new car's optional three-zone Climatronic ensures an optimum temperature in all seats while electric motors simplify the operation of the sliding doors and rear hatch.
Standard safety equipment is already well above the industry average. In the new Alhambra it encompasses seven airbags, including a driver-side knee airbag, and electric child locks on the rear doors. Also standard are ABS and ESP, including electronic braking assistant, trailer stabilisation and tyre pressure monitoring display.
August 2014
Alhambra I-TECH introduced
It offers 17-inch 'Dynamic' alloy wheels with titanium finish, sport-style front seats, chrome and black brushed interior and keyless entry & go, SEAT Media System 2.2, including satellite navigation, five-inch colour touchscreen, DAB radio, SD card slot and Bluetooth. Powered by the 2.0 TDI 140, Alhambra I-TECH is available with either manual or auto transmission, costing £28,630 or £29,915.
June 2015
SEAT Alhambra revised for 2016 model year
On sale in UK from October 2015. It offers improved specification as well as a range of diesel engines that all meet EU6 by virtue of SCR needing AdBlue. Manifold in head technology makes them up to 15 per cent more efficient than those they replace. EasyFold seating and side sliding doors continue.
Inside, the 2016 Alhambra gets new upholsteries, new steering wheels and the brand new second generation colour touchscreen MIB infotainment systems across the range. Also standard are an Automatic Post-Collision Braking System, Bluetooth phone connection and three-zone Climatronic air conditioning.
Three 2.0 diesel engines are available in the new Alhambra developing 115PS, 150PS and 184PS. All diesels are EU6 compliant (SCR with AdBlue), more efficient and have improved emissions. All apart from the 115 PS TDI are available with a choice of six-speed manual or six-speed DSG gearboxes. After dropping the 1.4TSI Twincharger a few years ago, SEAT has brought back the 1.4TSI, now belt cam, turbo only with Active Cylinder Technology and developing 150PS.