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Volkswagen Amarok 2.0 TDI 122hp 4Motion Highline common faults.

2011–2016, pickup, diesel, 122 HP.

The list covers this version.

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2 fault write-ups. Both are important. 5 recalls.

If you know the year, pick it. Faults for other years drop out of the list.

Before you buy

Known faults

2 important faults

Timing belt: 120 thousand kilometres, and a snap means a rebuild

critical

The four-cylinder 2.0 TDI and 2.0 BiTDI run on a timing belt, not a chain. Replacement of the belt is due at around 120 000 kilometres.

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If the belt snaps, the damage is severe: the piston reaches the open valve, and then the valves, the pistons and the cylinder head all have to be repaired. The replacement is therefore not an item that can be left out.

The work itself is complex: a specialist workshop takes between eight and twenty hours over it, and because of the precise alignment it is not a job for home. The tensioner and the auxiliary belt have to be replaced along with the belt.

One thing is worth asking about, because many people mistake the part here. On this engine there is also a chain-driven unit: the drive of the oil pump and the balance shaft. Its wear is worth inspecting or replacing within the work that goes with the belt change, because afterwards it would need opening up separately. So look for that on the invoice for the belt change as well.

above 120,000 km

What to check

Ask for the invoice of the timing belt change: the date and the mileage at the time are needed too
Check whether the tensioner and the auxiliary belt were replaced as well: the belt alone is not enough
Ask whether the chain drive of the oil pump and the balance shaft was inspected at the same time

2 more steps in the write-up

2.0 BiTDI: stretching timing chain

critical

The timing chain of the twin turbo 2.0 BiTDI starts to stretch above 160,000 km, sooner on the most powerful version. Heavy loads speed the stretch up, and a working pickup tows a lot and often runs loaded. The precursor is a rattle audible at idle or on a cold start: the chain tensioner is not holding the chain.

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The repair requires removing the gearbox, and the cost is between 2,500 and 5,000 euro.

above 160,000 km2,500–5,000 EUR

What to check

Cold start, and pay attention to the metallic rattle in the first seconds
Listen at idle too: a stretched chain sounds when warm as well
Ask about the mileage and the towing: the load speeds it up

2 more steps in the write-up

Official recall5 recallsShow

The manufacturer fixes these for free at a franchised dealer. Ask with the VIN whether it was done.

A12/00221/20Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

Cars initially used for internal purposes of Volkswagen AG might not have been correctly modified before they were sold to the general public. There is a possibility that certain safety systems of these cars are not correctly modified for street use.

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

A12/0041/18Safety recallFire, Injuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

The servo return pipe to the steering box could be damaged by a hose clamp and/or by coming into contact with the body of the wheel housing. A damaged pipe could leak hydraulic oil on to hot components or the brake disk, leading to the risk of a fire or 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

A12/01334/20Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

The winch rope that is used to attach the spare wheel under the vehicle and the additional strap fitted as a secondary safety device may break. This may cause the spare wheel to fall onto the road, posing a risk to the following traffic.

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

A12/0387/17Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

Some vehicles have differences in the mixture ratio for the initiating device, which could lead to the driver and passenger airbag or seat-belt pre-tensioner not activating in the event 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

A12/1329/19Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

A wiring harness could be damaged when the seat is adjusted to the lowest position. Damage to a wire may lead to localised scorching and to the seat moving independently, increasing the risk of losing control over the vehicle.

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

Engine and transmission

No engine and transmission for this yet. When they are in, you see them here.

Variant data

What is in this version

Factory data

Trim: Highline
Body: pickup
Fuel: diesel
Transmission: manual
Engine size: 1968 cc
Power: 90 kW (122 HP)
Drive: AWD
Production: 2011–2016

Factory service interval

The manufacturer specifies this for this version. Of the mileage and the time, the one that comes first is the one that counts.

Air filter
- 60,000 km or 4 years
Cabin (pollen) filter
- 30,000 km or 2 years
Engine oil and oil filter
- LongLife30,000 km or 2 years(valid only with LongLife-approved oil)
- 15,000 km or 1 year
Brake fluid change
- first: 3 years, then 2 years(first change at 3 years, then every two years)
Coolant (antifreeze) change
- first: 193,000 km or 10 years, then 97,000 km or 5 years(G13 / G12++: first change at 120,000 miles or 10 years, then every 60,000 miles or 5 years)

All 2H versions

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