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SEAT Arona 1.6 TDI 115hp FR common faults.

2017–2021, SUV, diesel, 115 HP.

The list covers this version.

What you save stays on this device only. My saves

4 fault write-ups. 2 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

expensive2

Door seal: water ingress into the cabin

expensive

The door seals age at around 60,000 to 80,000 km, and water gets into the footwell. The wiring harnesses and control units running under the carpet, in the floor and the sill, can get soaked. A fault in a soaked control unit shows up as a random electrical problem, so lift the carpet first.

between 60,000 and 80,000 km

What to check

  • Lift the carpet in all four footwells and feel the felt: damp or a mouldy smell is suspect
  • Go around all the door seals: cracks, separated bonding, flat, tired rubber
  • Open the doors and look at the drain holes on the lower edge of the door: blocked, they dam the water back
2 more steps in the write-up

The seven speed dry DSG jerks and cannot find a gear

expensive

The seven speed dry DSG often starts shifting hesitantly as early as 30,000 to 50,000 km: it does not shift smoothly, sometimes it cannot find the gear, and it jerks worst in slow, congested traffic. The cause is wear of the clutch pack and the mechatronics unit. Many people skip the oil change because they believe it is a lifetime fill, and most DSG faults come from that.

What to check

  • On the test drive pull away slowly several times, imitating congestion: that is when the jerking appears
  • Watch the 1 to 2 and 2 to 3 shifts cold and warm
  • Rolling gently from standstill, watch for shuddering: that is clutch wear
2 more steps in the write-up

cheap repair2

Parking sensors: sensors dropping out and giving false readings

cheap repair

The parking sensors fail at around 40,000 to 60,000 km: one sensor beeps continuously, or does not report at all. The sensor itself is cheap, and taking the bumper off makes up the labour.

between 40,000 and 60,000 km

What to check

  • Select reverse with the car standing: the system should come on, and not beep continuously with nothing behind
  • Place an object (a bag, a cardboard box) behind the bumper and approach it: the warning should build up evenly
  • If there are front sensors too, try those as well
2 more steps in the write-up

Stop-start drops out, powered tailgate binds

cheap repair

The stop-start drops out as early as 20,000 to 35,000 km, typically on the 1.0 TSI and 1.6 TDI versions. The cause is the condition of the battery.

Show the rest

The powered tailgate starts binding at around 40,000 to 60,000 km, typically in the cold. The cause can be a sensor or the mechanism.

What to check

  • With the engine running, check whether the dash displays why the stop-start is inactive
  • Ask about a battery replacement: was an AGM or EFB type fitted
  • Open and close the powered tailgate several times, fully
1 more steps in the write-up

Checklist

SEAT Arona 1.6 TDI 115hp FR

First what you would check on any car. Then the faults of this model.

Before you buy

Checklist

The printed sheet starts with what you would check on any car. What you tick stays on this device only.

On every car

Ask the owner

Faults of this model

vinkodex.com · Before you buy it, see what can go wrong.

Official recall5 recallsShow

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

A12/00901/20Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

The double buckle for the safety belts can be defective. This will impair the safety belts' restraining effect, increasing the risk of injury 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

We could not check this: model year. The authority's notice

A12/01640/21Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

A software error in the control unit for the instrument cluster may result in no visual or audible warning being given when passengers in the rear seat do not have their seatbelt fastened, increasing the risk of injuries in the event of an accident. The product does not comply with the requirements laid down in 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

We could not check this: model year. The authority's notice

A12/0588/19Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

Due to incorrect setting, the handbrake may have to travel further to ensure immobilisation. As a result, the vehicle could roll, possibly leading to 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

We could not check this: model year. The authority's notice

A12/1023/18Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

The seat-belt buckles may open unexpectedly. There is therefore an increased risk of injury 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

We could not check this: model year. The authority's notice

A12/1193/19Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

The driver airbags may not inflate fast enough in the event of activation. As a result, sufficient protection is not guaranteed in the event of an accident, increasing the risk of an injury.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Importer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

We could not check this: model year. 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
FR
Body
SUV
Fuel
diesel
Transmission
manual
Engine size
1598 cc
Power
85 kW (116 HP)
Drive
FWD
Production
2017–2021

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 I 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