vinkodex.

Volkswagen Caddy III.5 common faults.

2010–2015. 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

What can go wrong on this car?

The list covers the generation, the engines and the transmissions. Once you pick the version, only the faults that apply to it stay.

critical2

expensive6

1.6 TDI (EA189): the water pump driven off the timing belt

expensive

On this engine the water pump is driven by the timing belt, and the plastic impeller of the pump, along with its electronically controlled shut-off ring, is the weak point: the ring sticks, and the impeller separates from the shaft or disintegrates.

Applies to the engine CAYD, CAYE.

Heater matrix and radiator leak

expensive

The two weak points of the cooling system are the radiator and the heater matrix.

It can affect every car in this generation.

8 more faults belong to this generation. On the version page, only the ones that apply stay.

Official recall3 recallsShow

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: 7 October 2026

SR/02935/26Safety recallInjuries7 October 2026 · EU Safety Gate

Moisture 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): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: 07/10/2026

The authority's notice

A12/0300/17Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

If mechanical damage occurs to the varnish layer of the gas tank, it could lead to the outer shell of the gas tank no longer having the required corrosion protection. With ongoing corrosion over an extended period of time, the residual wall thickness of the gas tank could become too low and the gas tank could burst.

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

The authority's notice

A12/0909/17Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

The earth connection of the ABS/ESP system may be interrupted as a result of thermomechanical overload. This would lead to the failure of the ABS/ESP system and 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

The authority's notice

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.

III.5 · 2010–2015

Pick the version.

The fault list opens on the version page.

94 versions

Showing 60 of 94 versions.

Neighbouring generations

III.5 · 2010–2015

III facelift (2K). If the listing is from the changeover year, look at the neighbour too.

Previous generation

III · 2003–2010

This generation

III.5 · 2010–2015

Next generation

IV · 2015–2020

Common questions

About this generation

Which years does this page cover?

2010–2015. The changeover year can fall in two generations. If the listing is from that year, look at the neighbour too.

Does the fault apply to every car like this?

No. It depends on the engine and the transmission too.

Is it free?

The fault list is.

Information, not an expert opinion

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.

  • A fault on the list does not mean the car you are looking at has it.
  • A fault missing from the list does not mean the model is fault-free. Write-ups are made model by model. Not all of them are done.
  • You decide whether to buy. This is no substitute for an inspection. That needs a workshop and a history check.
Details in the terms