Known issues

Volkswagen engine problems by mileage

Known problems of the Volkswagen engines covered so far, with the models they are fitted to. Each engine page has the symptoms, fault codes, tests and fixes. More engines are added over time.

VW Group 1.9 TDI PD (Pumpe-Düse)

Diesel · 1998–2010

Volkswagen models: Golf IV and V, Bora, Jetta, Touran, Caddy III, Passat B5.5 and B6, Polo (9N), Sharan

Problem	Typical mileage
Big-end bearing failure (BXE and other 105 hp versions) high severity	150,000–280,000 km 95,000–175,000 miles
Camshaft and rocker roller wear medium severity	150,000–300,000 km 95,000–185,000 miles
Injector wiring loom under the cam cover medium severity	150,000–300,000 km 95,000–185,000 miles
Sticking turbo vanes and limp mode medium severity	120,000–250,000 km 75,000–155,000 miles
Air mass meter (MAF) reading low low severity	100,000–250,000 km 60,000–155,000 miles

VW Group 2.0 TDI common rail (EA189)

Diesel · 2008–2015

Volkswagen models: Golf VI, Golf Plus, Jetta, Passat B6 and B7, Passat CC, Tiguan, Touran, Sharan, Scirocco, Caddy, Beetle, Transporter T5

Problem	Typical mileage
Intake manifold flap fault (P2015) low severity	100,000–200,000 km 60,000–125,000 miles
High-pressure pump failure (Bosch CP4.1) high severity	100,000–250,000 km 60,000–155,000 miles
EGR valve and EGR cooler medium severity	120,000–220,000 km 75,000–135,000 miles
Blocked particulate filter (DPF) medium severity	80,000–200,000 km 50,000–125,000 miles
Injector wear and leakage medium severity	150,000–300,000 km 95,000–185,000 miles

VW Group 1.6 TDI common rail (EA189)

Diesel · 2009–2015

Volkswagen models: Golf VI, Golf Plus, Polo V, Jetta, Touran, Caddy, Passat B7

Problem	Typical mileage
Leaking or worn injectors medium severity	120,000–250,000 km 75,000–155,000 miles
EGR valve sticking medium severity	100,000–200,000 km 60,000–125,000 miles
Particulate filter clogging in town use medium severity	60,000–180,000 km 35,000–110,000 miles
Dual-mass flywheel wear medium severity	120,000–220,000 km 75,000–135,000 miles

VW Group 1.2 and 1.4 TSI (EA111, timing chain)

Petrol · 2006–2015

Volkswagen models: Golf V and VI, Polo V, Jetta, Touran, Tiguan, Passat B6 and B7, Scirocco, Caddy, Beetle, Eos

Problem	Typical mileage
Timing chain stretch and tensioner high severity	60,000–160,000 km 35,000–100,000 miles
Cracked pistons on the high-output 1.4 TSI high severity	80,000–180,000 km 50,000–110,000 miles
Turbo wastegate rattle (1.4 TSI 122–125 hp) low severity	80,000–180,000 km 50,000–110,000 miles

VW Group 1.8 and 2.0 TSI/TFSI (EA888, generations 1 and 2)

Petrol · 2007–2013

Volkswagen models: Golf VI GTI, Passat B6 and B7, Passat CC, Tiguan, Scirocco, Jetta, Eos, Sharan, Beetle

Problem	Typical mileage
High oil consumption (piston rings) high severity	60,000–160,000 km 35,000–100,000 miles
Timing chain tensioner failure and chain jump high severity	60,000–180,000 km 35,000–110,000 miles
Crankcase breather (PCV) valve failure medium severity	60,000–160,000 km 35,000–100,000 miles
Carbon build-up on the intake valves medium severity	80,000–160,000 km 50,000–100,000 miles

Real Volkswagen repair cases

Browse Volkswagen cases

Reviewed cases from colleagues: complaint, measurements, tests and the repair that fixed it.