This is the engine that made the VW-Audi oil sludge affair famous.
Applies to the engine AGU, ARZ, AUM.
1998–2005. The fault list covers this generation and the engines in it. If the listing gives the exact version, pick it below.

Thomas Springer / CC BY-SA 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.
This is the engine that made the VW-Audi oil sludge affair famous.
Applies to the engine AGU, ARZ, AUM.
The PD (pump injector) unit is held in the cylinder head by a single side bolt.
Applies to the engine ATD, AXR.
The light, magnesium cased MQ200 and the MQ250, sized for higher torque, are the most widespread manual gearboxes in the transverse engine VAG models.
Applies to the transmission MQ200.
The internal springs of the flywheel tire, and the two discs knock against each other.
Applies to the engine ALH, AGR, ATD and 1 more.
The PD injectors (on the 1.4, 1.9 and 2.0 TDI alike) are driven by the camshaft itself, against more than 2,000 bar.
Applies to the engine ATD, AXR.
The vanes of the variable geometry turbo are glued together by soot and oil arriving through the EGR.
Applies to the engine ALH, ATD, AXR.
The G62 sensor tells the engine control unit how hot the coolant is.
Applies to the engine AGU, AHW, AKQ and 15 more.
From the late nineties to around 2006, petrol engines used a secondary air pump to blow fresh air into the exhaust on a cold start, so the catalytic converter reaches operating temperature faster.
Applies to the engine AGU, AHW, AKQ and 11 more.
1 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: 4 December 2003
03V508000EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELSEQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS4 December 2003 · NHTSA (USA)ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE TIRE INFORMATION LABEL IS INCORRECT IDENTIFYING THE VEHICLE AS A FIVE-PASSENGER VEHICLE, INSTEAD OF A FOUR-PASSENGER VEHICLE.
Risk: EXCEEDING THE CORRECT SEATING CAPACITY IN A VEHICLE PUTS OCCUPANTS AT RISK FOR INJURY IN A CRASH, AND CAN RESULT IN VEHICLE OVERLOADING, WHICH CAN AFFECT VEHICLE HANDLING AND PUT YOU AT RISK FOR A CRASH.
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE SENT A NEW LABEL AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 9, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VWOA AT 1-800-822-8987.
03V356000AIR BAGSAIR BAGS29 September 2003 · NHTSA (USA)ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE PASSENGER DETECTION FUNCTION OF THE PASSIVE OCCUPANT DETECTION SYSTEM (PODS) MAY BECOME DISABLED.
Risk: SHOULD THE PODS CONTROL UNIT MALFUNCTION, THE AIR BAG SYSTEM IN THE VEHICLE WILL NOT WORK AS DESIGNED AND MAY NOT BE ABLE TO PROPERLY PROTECT OCCUPANTS IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE PODS. OWNER NOTIFICATION ORIGINALLY BEGAN OCTOBER 3, 2003. VW HAS DETERMINED THAT ADDITIONAL VEHICLES NEED TO BE REPAIRED. THE RECALL FOR THE ADDITIONAL VEHICLES IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON DECEMBER 17, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VWOA AT 1-800-822-8987.
03V265000EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCHEXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH25 July 2003 · NHTSA (USA)ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE BRAKE LAMP SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION.
Risk: IF THIS HAPPENS, THE BRAKE LAMPS COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE; OR THE LAMPS COULD COME ON AND STAY ON, EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE IS PARKED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE BRAKE LAMP SWITCHES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 26, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VWOA AT 1-800-822-8987.
02V244000EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUALEQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL12 September 2002 · NHTSA (USA)CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS." CHILD SEAT ANCHORAGES INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE'S REAR SEATS MUST BE IDENTIFIED BY MARKINGS, AND THEIR LOCATION AND USE BE DESCRIBED IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL.
Risk: THESE VEHICLES WERE NOT MARKED OR DESCRIBED AS REQUIRED BY THE STANDARD.
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A SUPPLEMENT FOR THE OWNER'S MANUAL AND ALSO ONE SET OF FOUR GUIDANCE FIXTURES INTENDED TO USE IN CONJUNCTION WITH CHILD SEATS EQUIPPED WITH RIGID OR SEMI-RIGID LOWER ANCHORAGE ATTACHMENTS. ALSO ENCLOSED WILL BE FOUR DECALS TOGETHER WITH INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS AND A TEMPLATE FOR ATTACHING THE DECALS TO THE LOWER SEAT BACKS. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN SEPTEMBER 15, 2002. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VWOA AT 1-800-822-8987.
02V031000SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIPSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP31 January 2002 · NHTSA (USA)ON SOME PASSENGER VEHICLES, SHORT CIRCUITS CAN OCCUR WITHIN THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT OF THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS).
Risk: THIS CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ABS CONTROL UNIT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 8, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.
SR/00793/25Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety GateThe propellant in the driver airbag may deteriorate over time. If the airbags deploy, it can result in fragments from the inflator 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
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.
9C · 1998–2005
The fault list opens on the version page.
34 versions
1.4 l · 1390 cm³
AHW · AKQ · MQ200
1.4
1998–2005
1.4 l · 1390 cm³
AHW · AKQ · MQ200
Cabrio 1.4
2003–2005 · Cabrio 1.4
1.4 l · 1390 cm³
AHW · AKQ · MQ200
Cabrio 1.4 Highline
2003–2005 · Cabrio 1.4 Highline
1.4 l · 1390 cm³
AHW · AKQ · MQ200
Cabrio 1.4 Turijn
2003–2005 · Cabrio 1.4 Turijn
1.4 l · 1390 cm³
AHW · AKQ · MQ200
Cabrio 1.4 Turijn Comfort
2003–2005 · Cabrio 1.4 Turijn Comfort
1.6 l · 1596 cm³
no engine code
1.6
1998–2005
1.6 l · 1596 cm³
no engine code
1.6
1998–2005
1.6 l · 1596 cm³
no engine code
1.6 Turijn
1998–2005 · Turijn
1.6 l · 1596 cm³
no engine code
Cabrio 1.6
2003–2005 · Cabrio 1.6
1.6 l · 1596 cm³
no engine code
Cabrio 1.6 Highline
2003–2005 · Cabrio 1.6 Highline
1.6 l · 1596 cm³
no engine code
Cabrio 1.6 Turijn
2003–2005 · Cabrio 1.6 Turijn
1.6 l · 1596 cm³
no engine code
Cabrio 1.6 Turijn Comfort
2003–2005 · Cabrio 1.6 Turijn Comfort
1.8 l · 1781 cm³
AGU · AQA
1.8 Turbo Highline
1998–2005 · Highline
1.8 l · 1781 cm³
AGU · AQA
Cabrio 1.8 Turbo Highline
2003–2005 · Cabrio 1.8 Turbo Highline
1.8 l · 1781 cm³
AGU · AQA
Cabrio 1.8 Turbo Turijn Comfort
2003–2005 · Cabrio 1.8 Turbo Turijn Comfort
1.9 l · 1896 cm³
AGR · ALH
1.9 TDI 90hp Highline
1998–2005 · Highline
1.9 l · 1896 cm³
AGR · ALH
1.9 TDI 90hp Highline
1998–2005 · Highline
1.9 l · 1896 cm³
ATD · AXR
1.9 TDI 100hp Highline
1998–2005 · Highline
1.9 l · 1896 cm³
ATD · AXR
Cabrio 1.9 TDI 100hp
2003–2005 · Cabrio 1.9 TDI 100hp
1.9 l · 1896 cm³
ATD · AXR
Cabrio 1.9 TDI 100hp Highline
2003–2005 · Cabrio 1.9 TDI 100hp Highline
1.9 l · 1896 cm³
ATD · AXR
Cabrio 1.9 TDI 100hp Turijn
2003–2005 · Cabrio 1.9 TDI 100hp Turijn
1.9 l · 1896 cm³
ATD · AXR
Cabrio 1.9 TDI 100hp Turijn Comfort
2003–2005 · Cabrio 1.9 TDI 100hp Turijn Comfort
2.0 l · 1984 cm³
APK · AQY · 01M
2.0 Highline
1998–2005 · Highline
2.0 l · 1984 cm³
APK · AQY · MQ200
2.0 Highline
1998–2005 · Highline
2.0 l · 1984 cm³
APK · AZJ · 01M
Cabrio 2.0
2003–2005 · Cabrio 2.0
2.0 l · 1984 cm³
APK · AQY · MQ200
Cabrio 2.0
2003–2005 · Cabrio 2.0
2.0 l · 1984 cm³
APK · AQY · 01M
Cabrio 2.0 Highline
2003–2005 · Cabrio 2.0 Highline
2.0 l · 1984 cm³
AZH · APK · MQ200
Cabrio 2.0 Highline
2003–2005 · Cabrio 2.0 Highline
2.0 l · 1984 cm³
APK · AQY · 01M
Cabrio 2.0 Turijn
2003–2005 · Cabrio 2.0 Turijn
2.0 l · 1984 cm³
APK · AQY · MQ200
Cabrio 2.0 Turijn
2003–2005 · Cabrio 2.0 Turijn
2.0 l · 1984 cm³
APK · AQY · MQ200
Cabrio 2.0 Turijn Comfort
2003–2005 · Cabrio 2.0 Turijn Comfort
2.0 l · 1984 cm³
AZJ · APK · 01M
Cabrio 2.0 Turijn Comfort
2003–2005 · Cabrio 2.0 Turijn Comfort
2.3 l · 2324 cm³
AQN · MQ350
2.3 V5 Highline
1998–2005 · Highline
3.2 l · 3189 cm³
no engine code
RSI
1998–2005 · RSI
Neighbouring generations
9C (1998-2005). If the listing is from the changeover year, look at the neighbour too.
Previous generation
This is the earliest.
This generation
9C · 1998–2005
Next generation
9C.5 · 2005–2010Common questions
1998–2005. 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.