Volkswagen Multivan T5 common faults.

2003–2015. 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.

critical3

2.0 TDI (EA188, EA189): the hex drive of the oil pump rounds off

critical

The balance shaft module drives the oil pump through a hexagonal shaft stub.

Applies to the engine CCHA, CFCA.

1.6 and 2.0 TDI: the belt driving the oil pump runs in oil and crumbles

critical

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 CAAC.

Repair: 200–600 EUR

PD TDI: the injector seat works loose, cylinder head damage

critical

The PD (pump injector) unit is held in the cylinder head by a single side bolt.

Applies to the engine AXB, AXC, BRR and 1 more.

expensive5

EA189 TDI: EGR valve and particulate filter blocking

expensive

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 CAAA, CAAB, CAAC and 3 more.

2.5 TDI (R5): injector seal and cylinder head

expensive

The copper washer under the injectors of the five cylinder PD diesel (Transporter T5, Crafter I) gets crushed over time, and the seal lets go.

Applies to the engine AXD, AXE, BNZ and 1 more.

DQ500 (7 speed wet clutch DSG): mechatronics and differential

expensive

The seven speed, wet clutch DQ500 is the DSG of the high torque models (Transporter, Arteon, Tiguan).

Applies to the transmission DQ500.

EA888 (1.8 / 2.0 TSI): water pump and thermostat housing leak

expensive

The combined housing of the water pump and the thermostat is plastic, and it is bolted directly to the hot engine block.

Applies to the engine CJKA, CJKB.

EA888 gen3: crankcase ventilation, oil in the intake

expensive

The crankcase ventilation (PCV) of the third generation 1.8/2.0 TSI fails less often than its predecessors, but it is not faultless.

Applies to the engine CJKB.

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

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.

T5 · 2003–2015

Pick the version.

The fault list opens on the version page.

74 versions

EngineVersionPowerFuel · transmissionBody

Showing 60 of 74 versions.

Neighbouring generations

T5 · 2003–2015

T5 (2003-2015). If the listing is from the changeover year, look at the neighbour too.

Previous generation

This is the earliest.

This generation

T5 · 2003–2015

Next generation

T6 · 2015–2019

Common questions

About this generation

Which years does this page cover?

2003–2015. 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