The new Lancia Ypsilon marks the brand's comeback after over a decade without a new model. Built on Stellantis' CMP platform alongside the Peugeot 208 and Opel Corsa at the Zaragoza plant, the hybrid version pairs the redesigned 1.2 PureTech Gen3 three-cylinder with a 48V mild hybrid system and e-DCS6 dual-clutch gearbox. It positions itself as a premium small car with distinctive Italian styling and a comfort-oriented interior.· more· less
Chain-driven engine, no wet belt riskComfortable, refined city car
e-DCS6 gearbox has teething issuesTwo fire-risk recalls already issued
Buy if: You want a distinctive Italian city car and can verify all recalls have been completed, ideally buying a post-February 2024 production unit.
Avoid if: You need proven long-term reliability or do heavy stop-and-go driving where the e-DCS6 gearbox transitions are most problematic.
Maintenance costs
€750 – €1,400/year
at 15,000 km/year
Fixed costsservice, tyres, brakes€400 – €700 /yr
Risk bufferunplanned repairs€350 – €700 /yr
Price estimates are based on German asking prices. Prices and costs vary by vehicle condition and location.
Maintenance costs
Maintenance assumes 15,000 km a year. Price estimates are based on German asking prices. Prices and costs vary by vehicle condition and location.
€750 – €1,400per year
€400 – €700
service, tyres, brakes
€350 – €700
repair buffer
Price & maintenance
Used price
€19,500
median asking price, typically 20,000 km
Typical range€19,000 – €20,500
Maintenance cost
€750 – €1,400/year
at 15,000 km/year
Fixed costsservice, tyres, brakes€400 – €700 /yr
Risk bufferunplanned repairs€350 – €700 /yr
Price estimates are based on French asking prices. Prices and costs vary by vehicle condition and location.
Ownership costs
Maintenance assumes 15,000 km a year. Price estimates are based on French asking prices. Prices and costs vary by vehicle condition and location.
New electrified dual-clutch gearbox struggles with hybrid-to-petrol transitions in city traffic · more· less
The e-DCS6, developed jointly with Punch Powertrain, is a brand-new transmission designed specifically for Stellantis' 48V mild hybrid system. Owner reports from Peugeot, Opel and other Stellantis models using this gearbox describe severe mechanical knocking during transitions between the electric motor and petrol engine, particularly in stop-and-go traffic. Diagnostic codes P1749 00 and P28EA 62 have been logged on affected vehicles. Some cars with as few as 10,000-15,000 km have experienced broken eccentric parts, inability to engage Drive or Reverse, and complete electrical power loss. Stellantis acquired full ownership of Punch Powertrain in early 2025 partly to address quality control. Warranty claims for gearbox replacements have been reported at multiple dealers. Software updates may resolve milder shifting complaints, but mechanical failures require gearbox repair or replacement.
Fuel line fire risk (recall)
€0 (warranty repair)2 of 6
Insufficient tightening torque on high-pressure fuel line can cause fuel leak and fire · more· less
Stellantis recalled approximately 238,000 vehicles produced between 2023 and 2025, including the Lancia Ypsilon, due to insufficient tightening of nuts on the pipe connecting the high-pressure fuel pump to the injection rail. This can result in fuel leaking onto hot engine components with a risk of fire. In France alone, 11 cases of vehicles catching fire were reported before the recall was issued. The repair is a free 30-minute dealer intervention. This is a safety-critical recall and must be verified as completed before purchase.
48V BSG/GPF clearance fire risk (recall)
€0 (warranty repair)3 of 6
Insufficient gap between particulate filter duct and 48V starter-alternator protection cap can cause overheating and fire · more· less
In March 2026, Stellantis launched a Europe-wide recall affecting over 211,000 vehicles with the 1.2 PureTech MHEV 48V engine, produced between 2023 and 2026. The problem involves insufficient clearance between the gasoline particulate filter duct and the protective cap of the 48V Belt Starter Generator. Under wet conditions, friction between these components can allow water ingress that creates an electrical arc, leading to overheating. Stellantis documented 36 incidents, 12 of which resulted in engine compartment fires, though no injuries were reported. The fix involves replacing the protective cap with an improved version and adjusting the component gap, taking approximately 30 minutes at no cost.
Incorrectly positioned camshaft sprocket screw on Gen3 engines built before February 2024 · more· less
The first batches of the 1.2 PureTech Gen3 engine, manufactured between 2023 and February 17, 2024, had a defect where a camshaft sprocket screw was incorrectly positioned. This can cause power loss, warning lights, timing system shifts, abnormal noises, misfiring, and premature wear. Stellantis implemented two fixes: a camshaft phaser upgrade on January 31, 2024, and a new pinion screw on February 18, 2024. Vehicles produced after this date are unaffected. Cars built before the fix that have not had the recall completed could face significant engine damage if the timing slips. Verify production date and recall completion status.
48V BSG (Belt Starter Generator) failure
up to €1,5005 of 6
Internal short circuits or control board faults in the 48V starter-generator unit · more· less
The 48V BSG integrates starter motor and generator functions. Failures can occur due to internal short circuits, overheating of power transistors, or electronic control faults. When the BSG fails, the engine may stall unexpectedly while driving, causing loss of power steering and brake assistance. Replacement costs typically exceed €1,000 including labor. This is a relatively new component with limited long-term data. Stellantis' experience with 48V systems across its broader range (including the eTorque system on Ram trucks, which saw significant warranty claims) suggests this component warrants monitoring.
Electric power steering column fault
up to €1,2006 of 6
Crack inside the EPS motor can cause heavy or locked steering · more· less
A recall affecting approximately 9,500 Stellantis CMP-platform vehicles manufactured between April and May 2024 addressed a potential crack inside the electric power steering motor. This can cause steering to become heavy or, in the worst case, lock up entirely during driving. While this recall targeted a narrow production window, the EPS system on the CMP platform has been flagged as a monitoring point. Verify recall status by production date. If the steering feels unusually heavy at any point during a test drive, do not purchase the vehicle.
New platform with documented early issues, needs careful pre-purchase verification
The Lancia Ypsilon Hybrid Mk4 benefits from the Gen3 PureTech engine, which eliminates the notorious wet timing belt of earlier generations. However, as a very new model (2024 onwards) on a platform with two fire-risk recalls already issued and a brand-new e-DCS6 gearbox that has drawn widespread complaints across Stellantis models, careful pre-purchase inspection is essential. Verify all recalls are completed, check production date (post-February 2024 units avoid the camshaft issue), and test-drive extensively in city traffic to evaluate gearbox behavior.
Service history
Complete Lancia or Stellantis dealer records. Verify all scheduled services have been performed on time.
Tires
Check tread depth, age (date codes), and uneven wear patterns on all four tires.
Cold start
Start the engine completely cold. Listen for unusual noises, rattling, or rough idle during the first 30 seconds.
Test drive
Drive for at least 20 minutes including city traffic with frequent stops to evaluate gearbox transitions.
Specific for this vehicle
Verify all three recalls completed
Check with a Lancia/Stellantis dealer using the VIN that the fuel line recall, BSG/GPF clearance recall, and camshaft bolt recall (if applicable by production date) have all been completed.
Check production date carefully
Vehicles built before February 18, 2024 are affected by the camshaft sprocket bolt issue. Check the build date on the B-pillar sticker or door frame plate.
Test gearbox transitions in stop-and-go traffic
Drive extensively in city traffic. Feel for jerking, knocking, or hesitation when the car switches between electric assist and petrol power. Any error codes on the dashboard are a deal-breaker.
+ 3 more checksShow less
Listen for unusual noises at 30-50 km/h
The e-DCS6 gearbox has been reported to produce rubbing sounds at low speeds. These may indicate early mechanical wear.
Check steering feel at low speed
Turn the steering wheel at parking speeds and while driving slowly. Any heaviness, notchiness, or inconsistency could indicate EPS motor issues.
Inspect under the bonnet for any signs of heat damage
Look near the particulate filter and BSG area for signs of discoloration, melting, or scorching. This relates to the BSG/GPF clearance recall.
Recalls and Technical Service Bulletins
High-pressure fuel line insufficient tightening (2023-2025 production, fire risk)Critical - verify completed
48V BSG/GPF insufficient clearance causing electrical arcing and fire risk (2023-2026 production)Critical - verify completed
Camshaft sprocket bolt loosening (engines built before February 18, 2024)Verify completed if applicable
Electric power steering motor crack (April-May 2024 production window)Verify completed if applicable
Contact a Lancia or Stellantis dealer with the VIN to verify all recalls have been completed. The fuel line and BSG/GPF recalls are safety-critical and involve fire risk. Do not purchase until confirmed resolved.
Warranty Status
Factory warranty (2 years)May still be active on 2024-2025 models
48V hybrid battery8 years / 160,000 km
PureTech extended warranty10 years / 180,000 km (Gen1/Gen2 only, not Gen3)
Lancia Certified (used)Up to 24 months, unlimited km through dealer program
Early 2024 models are approaching the end of their 2-year factory warranty. The 10-year/180,000 km extended warranty Stellantis offers for PureTech engines covers Gen1 and Gen2 (wet belt) engines only and does not apply to the Gen3 chain-driven engine in this car. The 48V battery is separately warranted for 8 years. Recall-related repairs are covered regardless of warranty status.
Sources: Research draws on model-specific owner forums and owner communities, recall information from official authorities, German automotive press, and multiple workshop cost references cross-checked against each other.
This report is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Estimates may be inaccurate. Always have a qualified specialist inspect the vehicle before purchase. We accept no liability for decisions made based on this information.
