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Volkswagen Crafter L2H1 28 2.0 TDI 109hp BMT common faults.

2011–2017, van, diesel, 109 HP.

The fault list covers: CKTB engine.

What you save stays on this device only. My saves

7 fault write-ups. 6 important. 7 recalls.

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

Before you buy

Known faults

6 important faults

critical1

The automatic gearbox starts jerking and shifting late above 150,000 km, and sometimes cannot find a gear at all. In a van the load on the gearbox is significantly higher than in a car, and most Crafters are run without an oil change, even though it is not a lifetime fill here. The cost of the repair is among the highest on this list.

What to check

  • On the test drive accelerate under load, and watch for jerking and delay
  • Try it cold and warm: the fault often only appears when warm
  • Ask about the gearbox oil change, and ask for the invoice
1 more steps in the write-up

expensive5

The EGR valve and its cooler block up with soot and oily deposits; the particulate filter cannot regenerate on short urban trips. The signs are reduced power, a warning light, and frequent regeneration. The software update after the diesel emissions affair made the EGR operate more often, which accelerated the phenomenon: the maker gave goodwill repairs in several cases.

between 140,000 and 160,000 km

What to check

  • Ask what kind of journeys the car did: a daily short urban run is the worst for the filter
  • With a code reader look at the stored faults (P0401/P0402, and P2002 for the filter)
  • Ask whether it received the post emissions affair software update, and when
1 more steps in the write-up

The air conditioning stops because of a faulty compressor or a leaking pipe. In a commercial vehicle this is not a comfort question: the driver spends eight to ten hours a day in the cab, and recharging the system is no solution on its own if the leak is not found. The cost of the compressor is orders of magnitude higher than a pipe: the test drive shows which one it is.

What to check

  • Set the air conditioning to maximum and measure the outlet temperature
  • Watch whether the compressor cycles on and off (an audible click)
  • Look at the condenser in front of the radiator: damage, oil traces, corrosion
1 more steps in the write-up

The seal of the differential on the rear wheel drive Crafter lets go: oil traces around and under the housing, and in the longer term noise from the drivetrain. On a loaded, high mileage van the seal leaks, and it is visible from below.

What to check

  • Lift the car or look underneath: look for oil traces around the differential
  • Check whether there is a fresh oil stain on the parking spot
  • On the test drive listen for a droning, growling noise that changes with speed
1 more steps in the write-up

The internal springs of the flywheel tire, and the two discs knock against each other. The signs are a rattling or knocking from the bellhousing at idle and when releasing the clutch pedal, and vibration through the floor. If the clutch slips without a burnt smell, that also points to the flywheel. It is worth replacing in time: a disintegrated flywheel can destroy the bellhousing too. At a clutch replacement the two go together anyway.

What to check

  • At idle, without touching the clutch pedal, listen for the rattle from the bellhousing, then press the pedal: if it stops, that is suspect
  • Watch for the characteristic clatter on starting and switching off
  • Put your foot on the floor at idle: a noticeable vibration indicates tired springs
2 more steps in the write-up

The vanes of the variable geometry turbo are glued together by soot and oil arriving through the EGR. First you get overboost or a lack of boost, then loss of power above 2,000 rpm, and finally limp mode. Caught in time it is enough to remove the turbo, clean it and fit a new actuator rod. Short urban trips and gentle, low rev driving speed up the deposits.

What to check

  • On the motorway, load it above 2,000 rpm: does it pull evenly, or does the power break up
  • Watch whether the warning light flashes up under acceleration (overboost protection)
  • Ask what kind of journeys it did: a daily short urban run is the worst
1 more steps in the write-up

cheap repair1

The mechanism of the ignition switch can give up as early as around 50,000 km: the key turns but the car does not start, or only after several attempts. On a van this is more common than on a car, because a courier vehicle is started dozens of times a day: the wear comes from how it is used, not from the model year. The symptom typically gets worse gradually: at first you only occasionally have to try twice.

What to check

  • Restart the car several times in a row, and watch for binding in the key
  • Check whether there is play in the key while turning it
  • Ask specifically: has it ever failed to start first time
1 more steps in the write-up

Checklist

Volkswagen Crafter L2H1 28 2.0 TDI 109hp BMT

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

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

Official recall7 recallsShow

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

A12/00063/21Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

The propellant used in the airbag inflator may experience a material alteration over time due to degradation occurring after prolonged exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures and high-temperature cycling. In the event of an airbag being deployed, the excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator body to rupture and metal fragments may pass through the cushion material causing injury to the occupants.

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

A12/00221/20Safety 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

A12/00920/20Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

The drive(cardan) shaft can be damaged by resonance vibrations at high speeds. Consequently, it could break and damage surrounding components, leading to an immediate loss of propulsion power and increased risk 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

A12/01738/23Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

The airbag inflator may be faulty. In the event of an accident this can lead to the release of fragments of the front airbag from the generator housing, increasing the risk of injury. 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

The authority's notice

A12/02703/24Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

The 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

The authority's notice

A12/0470/18Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

With intensive trailer use, screws attaching the trailer coupling device may become loose. This may impair stability in trailer operation and ultimately lead to the entire trailer coupling device becoming detached.

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

A12/1265/18Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

Resonance vibrations at particular (high) speed can cause damage to the cardan shaft. As a consequence, it could break and lead 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

The authority's notice

Engine and transmission

CKTB · 2.0 TDI

80 kW (109 HP) · diesel

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
L2H1 28 2.0 TDI 109hp BMT
Body
van
Fuel
diesel
Transmission
manual
Engine size
1968 cc
Power
80 kW (109 HP)
Drive
RWD
Production
2011–2017

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)
  • Timing belt, 1.6 / 2.0 TDI (EA188/EA189/EA288)

    • 210,000 km(EA288, including the 1.6 TDI, with no time limit. 130,000 miles = 209,215 km. Parts maker repair specification, read by a human. The interval chart at https://www.rwcmotorsport.com/tech/tdi-maintenance.php gives the same figure independently.)
  • 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)
  • Fuel filter, diesel

    • 60,000 km or 2 years

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