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SEAT Ateca 1.5 EcoTSI 4-Drive Xcellence common faults.

2016–2020, SUV, petrol, 150 HP.

The fault list covers: DADA engine, DQ381 transmission.

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8 fault write-ups. 4 important. 3 recalls.

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

Before you buy

Known faults

4 important faults

expensive4

DQ381 (7 speed wet DSG): mechatronics and clutch position sensor

expensive

The 7 speed, wet clutch DSG that replaced the DQ250 in the MQB models (0GC / DQ381) is vulnerable from the mechatronics side. Typical faults are a harsh 2 to 3 shift, delayed D/R engagement and limp mode; a fault in the clutch position sensors gives a separate group of codes.

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The wet clutch is more durable than the dry one, but as it wears you get shuddering and slipping when pulling away: the revs flare and the acceleration does not follow.

What to check

  • Standing still on the brake, shift between D and R and watch the engagement time and any jolt
  • Try pulling away on a slope too: shuddering, or revving without pulling, points to clutch wear
  • On the test drive watch the 2 to 3 shift specifically, cold and warm
2 more steps in the write-up

EA211 (1.0 to 1.5 TSI): water pump and thermostat module leak

expensive

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. There are usually two problems with it: the plastic housing warps or cracks (slow coolant loss, a sweet smell, rising temperature), or the drive belt ages (a chirping noise, then an engine left with no cooling). The housing is particularly sensitive if oil reaches it: for example from a leaking crankcase ventilation. The module has to be replaced whole: dismantling it warps it in itself.

What to check

  • Check the level in the expansion tank, and ask whether it needs topping up
  • After a cold start smell the engine bay: a sweet smell means coolant
  • Look for dried, whitish pink deposits on the exhaust side of the cylinder head
2 more steps in the write-up

Many people skip the Haldex oil change (four wheel drive)

expensive

On four wheel drive cars the oil and filter of the Haldex clutch are wear items and have to be replaced, and that service is the one most often skipped. If it is skipped, the rear axle engages erratically, it clicks in corners, and eventually the clutch and the pre-charge pump fail. The pump is the expensive part.

What to check

  • Ask about the Haldex oil and filter change, and ask for the invoice
  • On the test drive, manoeuvring slowly in a tight corner, listen for clicking
  • Look from below for oil traces around the rear differential and the Haldex unit
1 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

comfort1

1.5 TSI evo: jerking, "kangarooing" when cold

comfort

At low revs, mostly when cold and in the lower gears, the engine jerks; in extreme cases it stalls in a roundabout or at a junction. The cause of the phenomenon is the lean mixture used to heat the catalytic converter quickly, so it is software in origin. The maker released an update in March 2020, whose effectiveness owners judge differently.

What to check

  • Pull away with a cold engine and watch the first 2 to 3 kilometres at low revs, in 2nd and 3rd
  • On a manual, try pulling away slowly on a slope: that is where it shows
  • Ask whether the March 2020 software update was done
1 more steps in the write-up

cheap repair3

DSG selector lever: failure of the P position switch

cheap repair

The dash shows "Error: Workshop! Only leave vehicle in position P" with an audible warning. The message appears in whatever language the car is set to, for example "Fehler: Werkstatt! Fahrzeug nur in Stellung P verlassen" in German.

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The message points at the gearbox, but the fault is not there. A tiny switch sits in the module under the selector lever and signals that the lever is in park (P). Its contact wears and can also burn. That makes the signal unreliable, and the car warns you. The fault codes appear as 617752, P173400 or B116229.

At first it is intermittent. Sometimes the message comes up, sometimes not, so a short test drive easily misses it. Later it becomes permanent, and the gearbox can drop into limp mode.

This fault looks more expensive than it is. The maker released a separate retrofit switch kit for it (5Q0713128A for the black module, 3Q0713128 for the white one), which can be fitted in half an hour. The kit costs 70 to 100 pounds. At a franchised dealer, however, the whole selector lever module sometimes gets replaced, which costs 626 to 1,000 pounds there. So the difference between the two routes is roughly tenfold.

The affected group is post 2013 MQB platform Volkswagen, Audi, Seat and Skoda cars with a DSG gearbox. The switch is in these gearboxes, because that is what these cars have in common. The part itself is not part of the gearbox but of the module under the lever.

What to check

  • Watch the dash after starting: the message is intermittent and can be missed on a short loop
  • Move the lever from P to D and back several times, then get out and lock the car
  • Ask whether the selector lever switch has been replaced already, and ask for the invoice
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

TSI ignition coil: misfire, jerking, engine warning light

cheap repair

The per cylinder ignition coil of these direct injection, turbocharged petrol engines fails. According to the Haynes service material this and similar simple electrical faults account for roughly eighty per cent of workshop visits.

Show the rest

In cold, damp weather, on startup, the engine runs unevenly, misfires under acceleration, and the engine warning light flashes or stays on. Do not keep driving with the light flashing: the unburnt fuel destroys the catalytic converter.

What to check

  • Start with a cold engine and watch the first half minute: a rough idle or shaking is suspect
  • On the test drive load the engine at low revs with a lot of throttle: the misfire shows then
  • A flashing engine warning light calls for stopping immediately
2 more steps in the write-up

Checklist

SEAT Ateca 1.5 EcoTSI 4-Drive Xcellence

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 recall3 recallsShow

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

A12/00033/19Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

Due to an inadequate sensitivity in the LED turn signal operating control, a failure of the LED turn signals is not always detected. As a result, the mandatory warning (acoustic/optical) does not occur in these cases and the driver will not be notified of possible failure of the direction indicators, increasing the risk of an accident.

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

The authority's notice

A12/0282/19Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

The fitting of the headrest in the rear seat's backrest may be defective. In case of an accident the support and protection provided might be limited increasing the risk of injuries.

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

A12/0672/19Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

The locking pin for securing the head restraints may be missing from the central rear seat. In the event of an accident, the central rear head restraint may consequently become detached from the guide rods and lose its supportive and protective effect.

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

DADA · 1.5 TFSI COD

110 kW (150 HP) · petrol

DQ381 · 7-speed DSG, wet clutch

DSG · 7 speed

Clutchwet
Torque limit420 Nm
MakerVolkswagen

We built the code from the model and the gear count. The factory sheet does not state it.

Variant data

What is in this version

Factory data

Trim
EcoTSI 4-Drive Xcellence
Body
SUV
Fuel
petrol
Transmission
automatic
Engine size
1498 cc
Power
110 kW (150 HP)
Drive
AWD
Production
2016–2020

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)

  • Haldex coupling: oil and filter

    • 64,000 km or 3 years(40,000 miles, or 3 years per the older VW documentation)

  • DSG oil change, WET clutch gearbox

    • 60,000 km or 4 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)

  • Spark plugs, petrol

    • 60,000 km or 6 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