On these engines the oil pump is driven by its own small toothed belt, and that belt runs in the hot engine oil.
Applies to the engine DFGA.
Repair: 200–600 EUR
2020–. The fault list covers this generation and the engines in it. If the listing gives the exact version, pick it below.
What to watch for
The list covers the generation, the engines and the transmissions. Once you pick the version, only the faults that apply to it stay.
On these engines the oil pump is driven by its own small toothed belt, and that belt runs in the hot engine oil.
Applies to the engine DFGA.
Repair: 200–600 EUR
On short urban trips the particulate filter cannot burn through.
Applies to the engine DBGC, DFGA, DFGC and 2 more.
On AdBlue (SCR) diesels the NOx sensor after the catalyst ages, and the tip of the dosing valve crystallises.
Applies to the engine DBGC, DFGC, DTSA and 1 more.
The injector does not close fully, and with the engine standing fuel drips into the cylinder.
Applies to the engine CHZD.
The 7 speed, wet clutch DSG that replaced the DQ250 in the MQB models (0GC / DQ381) is vulnerable from the mechatronics side.
Applies to the transmission DQ381.
In the EA211 the water pump and the thermostat are one plastic module, and the pump is driven not by the timing belt but by a separate toothed belt behind the exhaust camshaft.
Applies to the engine CHZD, DADA.
On four wheel drive cars the oil and filter of the Haldex clutch are wear items and have to be replaced, and that service is the one most often skipped.
It can affect every car in this generation.
The seven speed dry DSG often starts shifting hesitantly as early as 30,000 to 50,000 km: it does not shift smoothly, sometimes it cannot find the gear, and it jerks worst in slow, congested traffic.
It can affect every car in this generation.
9 more faults belong to this generation. On the version page, only the ones that apply stay.
The manufacturer fixes these for free at a franchised dealer. Ask with the VIN whether it was done. The list covers the whole generation. We did not filter it by model year. Some apply only to a narrower production window.
Most recent: 8 October 2026
SR/02938/26Safety recallInjuries8 October 2026 · EU Safety GateMoisture ingress could lead to corrosion of a steering rack bolt, which may result in a fracture of the bolt and a loss of steering capability, increasing the risk of accidents. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Importer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: 08/10/2026
A12/00259/21Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety GateThe welding of the brake-pedal plate may be defective. As a result, the brake-pedal plate may become detached, increasing the risk of an accident.
Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown
Engines and transmissions in this generation
A fault is often tied to the engine, not to the whole generation. You find the engine code in the registration document.
I.5 · 2020–
The fault list opens on the version page.
18 versions
1.0 l · 999 cm³
no engine code
1.0 TSI FR
2020– · FR
1.0 l · 999 cm³
no engine code
1.0 TSI FR Business Intense
2020– · FR Business Intense
1.0 l · 999 cm³
no engine code
1.0 TSI Reference
2020– · Reference
1.0 l · 999 cm³
no engine code
1.0 TSI Style
2020– · Style
1.0 l · 999 cm³
no engine code
1.0 TSI Style Business Intense
2020– · Style Business Intense
1.0 l · 999 cm³
no engine code
1.0 TSI Xperience Business Intense
2020– · Xperience Business Intense
1.5 l · 1498 cm³
DADA · MQ281
1.5 TSI FR
2020– · FR
1.5 l · 1498 cm³
DADA · MQ281
1.5 TSI FR Business Intense
2020– · FR Business Intense
1.5 l · 1498 cm³
DADA · DQ381
1.5 TSI FR Business Intense
2020– · FR Business Intense
1.5 l · 1498 cm³
DADA · MQ281
1.5 TSI Style
2020– · Style
1.5 l · 1498 cm³
DADA · MQ281
1.5 TSI Style Business Intense
2020– · Style Business Intense
1.5 l · 1498 cm³
DADA · DQ381
1.5 TSI Style Business Intense
2020– · Style Business Intense
1.5 l · 1498 cm³
DADA · MQ281
1.5 TSI Xperience
2020– · Xperience
1.5 l · 1498 cm³
DADA · MQ281
1.5 TSI Xperience Business Intense
2020– · Xperience Business Intense
1.5 l · 1498 cm³
DADA · DQ381
1.5 TSI Xperience Business Intense
2020– · Xperience Business Intense
2.0 l · 1968 cm³
DFGC
2.0 TDI 115hp Style Business Intense
2020– · Style Business Intense
2.0 l · 1968 cm³
DBGC · DFGA
2.0 TDI 150hp FR Business Intense
2020– · FR Business Intense
2.0 l · 1984 cm³
DKZA · DNLA
2.0 TSI 4-Drive FR Business Intense
2020– · 4-Drive FR Business Intense
Neighbouring generations
I facelift (KH). If the listing is from the changeover year, look at the neighbour too.
Common questions
2020–. The changeover year can fall in two generations. If the listing is from that year, look at the neighbour too.
No. It depends on the engine and the transmission too.
The fault list is.
We write the descriptions, and we put the source next to them. A person reviews them before they go out. They are still information, not a technical expert opinion.