A few seconds of chain rattle on a cold start, later a permanent noise; the chain stretches and the tensioner does not hold it.
Applies to the engine CKMA.
2008–2016. The fault list covers this generation and the engines in it. If the listing gives the exact version, pick it below.
Thomas doerfer / CC BY 3.0
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.
A few seconds of chain rattle on a cold start, later a permanent noise; the chain stretches and the tensioner does not hold it.
Applies to the engine CKMA.
The EGR cooler cools the recirculated exhaust gas before it enters the intake again, and coolant flows through it while it does so.
Applies to the engine CBBB, CFFB, CUWA.
Repair: 600–1,500 EUR
The balance shaft module drives the oil pump through a hexagonal shaft stub.
Applies to the engine CBAB, CBBB, CFFB and 2 more.
With the 2008 EA888 VW switched from a belt to a chain, and the tensioner of the first two generations turned out weak: as the ratchet mechanism ages it does not hold its position when the engine stops and the oil pressure disappears.
Applies to the engine CAWB, CCZB, CDAA and 1 more.
The EGR valve and its cooler block up with soot and oily deposits; the particulate filter cannot regenerate on short urban trips.
Applies to the engine CBAB, CFFB.
The solenoids of the mechatronics unit wear out: slow or harsh shifting, then limp mode.
Applies to the transmission DQ250.
A thin wall of the mechatronics valve body can crack, which causes a loss of pressure.
Applies to the transmission DQ200.
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 CZDA.
8 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: 28 April 2017
17V287000SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:HEAD RESTRAINTSEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:HEAD RESTRAINT28 April 2017 · NHTSA (USA)Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2016-2017 CC vehicles. Incorrect front seat head restraints (rests) may have been installed, possibly resulting in the seat occupant's head being inadequately restrained in the event of a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 202a, "Head Restraints."
Risk: If the seat occupant's head is inadequately restrained in the event of a crash, they have an increased risk of injury.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front seat head restraints, free of charge. The recall began June 26, 2017. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 72G5.
11V312000TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMSTIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS6 June 2011 · NHTSA (USA)VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012, CC VEHICLES, FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLES SAFETY STANDARD NO. 138, "TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS)." THE FACTORY INSTALLED WHEELS AND TIRES WERE REPLACED AT THE PORT WITH ACCESSORY WHEELS AND TIRES THAT WERE NOT EQUIPPED WITH THE PROPER TPMS SENSORS.
Risk: WITH THE INCORRECT TPMS SENSORS, DRIVERS WILL RECEIVE A CONSTANT WARNING FROM THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR SYSTEM. THE SYSTEM ALERTS THE DRIVER BUT, DUE TO INCORRECT TPMS SENSORS, THE SYSTEM CANNOT DETERMINE IF THE VEHICLE TIRES ARE PROPERLY INFLATED. THIS INCREASES THE RISK THAT THE VEHICLE WILL BE DRIVEN WITH ONE OR MORE UNDERINFLATED TIRES, INCREASING THE RISK OF A TIRE FAILURE THAT MAY LEAD TO A CRASH.
Remedy: VOLKSWAGEN WILL REPLACE THE TPMS SENSORS WITH THE PROPER SENSORS TO MAKE THE TPMS SYSTEM OF THE VEHICLES COMPLIANT WITH FMVSS 138. AS OF JUNE 1, 2011, VOLKSWAGEN HAS CONTACTED ALL AFFECTED CUSTOMERS TO SCHEDULE THE REPAIRS FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.
09V097000SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLYSEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY24 March 2009 · NHTSA (USA)VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING APPROXIMATELY 5,000 MY 2009 CC VEHICLES. SOME AFFECTED VEHICLES MAY HAVE AN INCORRECTLY ROUTED RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT BUCKLE WIRING HARNESS, CREATING THE POTENTIAL FOR WIRES TO BECOME DAMAGED WHEN THE SEAT IS MOVED FULLY UP OR DOWN OR BACK AND FORTH. IF THIS WIRING DAMAGE OCCURS, THE AIRBAG CONTROL MODULE WILL SWITCH TO A FALLBACK ALGORITHM AND DEACTIVATE THE PASSENGER'S FRONTAL AIR BAG.
Risk: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE PASSENGER'S FRONTAL AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY AND WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PROPERLY PROTECT AN OCCUPANT, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURIES.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND ADJUST THE ROUTING OF THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT WIRING HARNESS. IF A DAMAGED WIRING HARNESS IS FOUND, THE HARNESS WILL BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING APRIL 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.
A12/00923/24Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety GateThe driver airbag's gas generator may be faulty, resulting in uncontrolled inflation and the release of metal fragments. This increases the risk of injuries to the occupants. 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: Unknown
A12/01809/23Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety GateThe propellant can deteriorate due to high humidity and temperature variations. In the event of an accident in which the front airbag is deployed, this could result in fragments from the inflator housing coming loose and injuring the vehicle’s occupants. 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: Unknown
A12/0203/18Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety GateA welded joint in the gas generator of the front passenger airbag may be faulty. This means that, in the event of an accident, the airbag may not deploy properly.
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
A12/1365/19Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety GateAs a result of a production error, a capacitor in the airbag control unit may fail. In rare instances, the control unit may interpret the change in voltage when the capacitor fails as a signal similar to that in a crash and initiate the unwanted activation of the airbag(s) and/or the belt tensioner(s). Unexpected activation of the airbags may increase the risk of injury to the car occupants.
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 · 2008–2016
The fault list opens on the version page.
41 versions
1.4 l · 1390 cm³
CKMA · DQ200
1.4 TSI
2012–2014
1.4 l · 1390 cm³
CKMA · MQ250
1.4 TSI
2012–2014
1.8 l · 1798 cm³
BZB · CDAA · DQ200
1.8 TSI
2012–2014
1.8 l · 1798 cm³
BZB · CDAA · DQ200
1.8 TSI
2008–2012
1.8 l · 1798 cm³
BZB · CDAA · MQ250
1.8 TSI
2008–2012
1.8 l · 1798 cm³
BZB · CDAA · MQ250
1.8 TSI
2012–2014
2.0 l · 1968 cm³
CBAB · CFFB · MQ350
2.0 BlueTDI 140hp
2008–2012
2.0 l · 1968 cm³
CBAB · CFFB · DQ250
2.0 BlueTDI 140hp
2012–2014
2.0 l · 1968 cm³
CBAB · CFFB · MQ350
2.0 BlueTDI 140hp
2012–2014
2.0 l · 1968 cm³
CBAB · CFFB · DQ250
2.0 BlueTDI 140hp
2008–2012
2.0 l · 1968 cm³
CBAB · CFFB · DQ250
2.0 TDI 140hp
2008–2012
2.0 l · 1968 cm³
CBAB · CFFB · MQ350
2.0 TDI 140hp
2008–2012
2.0 l · 1968 cm³
CFFB · CBAB · MQ350
2.0 TDI 140hp 4Motion
2008–2012
2.0 l · 1968 cm³
CBAB · CFFB · MQ350
2.0 TDI 140hp 4Motion BlueMotion T.
2008–2012 · .
2.0 l · 1968 cm³
CBAB · CFFB · MQ350
2.0 TDI 140hp 4Motion BMT
2012–2014 · BMT
2.0 l · 1968 cm³
CBAB · CFFB · DQ250
2.0 TDI 140hp BlueMotion Technology
2008–2012 · Technology
2.0 l · 1968 cm³
CBAB · CFFB · MQ350
2.0 TDI 140hp BlueMotion Technology
2008–2012 · Technology
2.0 l · 1968 cm³
CBAB · CFFB · DQ250
2.0 TDI 140hp BMT
2012–2014 · BMT
2.0 l · 1968 cm³
CBAB · CFFB · MQ350
2.0 TDI 140hp BMT
2012–2014 · BMT
2.0 l · 1968 cm³
CBAC · MQ350
2.0 BlueTDI 143hp
2008–2012
2.0 l · 1968 cm³
CBAC · DQ250
2.0 BlueTDI 143hp
2008–2012
2.0 l · 1968 cm³
CBBB · CFGB · MQ350
2.0 TDI 170hp
2008–2012
2.0 l · 1968 cm³
CBBB · CFGB · DQ250
2.0 TDI 170hp
2008–2012
2.0 l · 1968 cm³
CBBB · CFGB · DQ250
2.0 TDI 170hp 4Motion
2008–2012
2.0 l · 1968 cm³
CBBB · CFGB · DQ250
2.0 TDI 170hp 4Motion BlueMotion T.
2008–2012 · .
2.0 l · 1968 cm³
CBBB · CFGB · DQ250
2.0 TDI 170hp 4Motion BMT
2012–2014 · BMT
2.0 l · 1968 cm³
CBBB · CFGB · DQ250
2.0 TDI 170hp BlueMotion Technology
2008–2012 · Technology
2.0 l · 1968 cm³
CBBB · CFGB · MQ350
2.0 TDI 170hp BlueMotion Technology
2008–2012 · Technology
2.0 l · 1968 cm³
CBBB · CFGB · MQ350
2.0 TDI 170hp BMT
2012–2014 · BMT
2.0 l · 1968 cm³
CBBB · CFGB · DQ250
2.0 TDI 170hp BMT
2012–2014 · BMT
2.0 l · 1968 cm³
CFGC · DQ250
2.0 TDI 177hp 4Motion BMT
2012–2014 · BMT
2.0 l · 1968 cm³
CFGC · MQ350
2.0 TDI 177hp BMT
2012–2014 · BMT
2.0 l · 1968 cm³
CFGC · DQ250
2.0 TDI 177hp BMT
2012–2014 · BMT
2.0 l · 1984 cm³
CAWB · MQ350
2.0 TSI
2008–2012
2.0 l · 1984 cm³
CAWB · DQ250
2.0 TSI
2008–2012
2.0 l · 1984 cm³
CCZB · MQ350
2.0 TSI
2008–2012
2.0 l · 1984 cm³
CCZB · DQ250
2.0 TSI
2012–2014
2.0 l · 1984 cm³
CCZB · MQ350
2.0 TSI
2012–2014
2.0 l · 1984 cm³
CCZB · DQ250
2.0 TSI
2008–2012
3.6 l · 3597 cm³
BWS · CNNA · DQ250
3.6 V6
2012–2014
3.6 l · 3598 cm³
BWS · CNNA · DQ250
3.6 V6 FSI 4Motion
2008–2012
Neighbouring generations
I. If the listing is from the changeover year, look at the neighbour too.
Previous generation
This is the earliest.
This generation
I · 2008–2016
Next generation
This is the latest.
Common questions
2008–2016. 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.