Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI 125hp Highline common faults.

2017–2020, estate, petrol, 125 HP.

The fault list covers: CZCA engine, MQ200 transmission.

What you save stays on this device only. My saves

4 fault write-ups. All are important. 8 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

MQ200 / MQ250 manual gearbox: differential bearing and synchros

expensive

The light, magnesium cased MQ200 and the MQ250, sized for higher torque, are the most widespread manual gearboxes in the transverse engine VAG models. Both have the same two weak points, and both depend on use.

Show the rest

The first is the differential bearing: as it wears you first get a droning, then a whine from the thrust bearings of the output shaft. Left alone, the planetary shaft can fail and in extreme cases punch through the gearbox casing: from then on it is not a repair but a replacement.

The second is the synchros: they can start crunching at around 50,000 km with aggressive driving. This type does not like dumping the clutch or slipping it, and on a used car that is exactly what you have to listen for.

above 50,000 km

What to check

On the test drive with the window down, listen to the gearbox both off and on the throttle: droning or whining is suspect
Shift up and down quickly, especially into 2nd and 3rd: crunching means synchro wear
Try engaging 1st and reverse when cold: resistance here means wear

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

Panoramic roof: drain hose leak

expensive

At the factory the roof drain hoses were fixed to their stubs with only a few spots of adhesive; heat separates them over time, and the water runs onto the headlining. The drains are also narrow and block up easily. The sign is a damp headlining around the A-pillar, or water in the footwell. The maker issued a technical bulletin about it for the 2015 to 2017 Golf and GTI models.

What to check

Feel along the headlining beside the A-pillars and at the corners of the roof
Open the roof and look at the drain openings in the corners of the water channel running around it
Pour a little water carefully into the channel, and see whether it drains out behind the wheel

1 more steps in the write-up

VII: knocking from the climate control blend flap motor

expensive

After startup or while driving a loud clicking, clattering noise comes from behind the dashboard, typically for three to five seconds, at irregular intervals. The actuator motors that move the climate control blend flaps fail. Stripping the dashboard is seven to eight hours of work, so the labour makes up most of the bill.

What to check

After a cold start sit quietly in the car and listen for the clicking from behind the dashboard
Set the temperature from cold to hot and back, and watch whether there is any clattering
Check that the air blows according to the set temperature on both sides

1 more steps in the write-up

Official recall8 recallsShow

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

Most recent: 24 June 2020

20V372000EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELSEQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS24 June 2020 · NHTSA (USA)

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling two 2018 Golf GTI vehicles. The VIN printed on the Federal Certification label may not match the actual VIN on the vehicle. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of 49 CFR Part 567, "Certification."

Risk: If the stamped vehicle identification number (VIN) does not match the VIN on the Vehicle Certification Label, owners may be unable to tell if their vehicle is under an important safety recall, possibly exposing them to an increased risk of a crash, fire or injury.

Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install a correct certification label, free of charge. This recall began July 9, 2020. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 01E7.

The authority's notice

INFO/00145/21Safety recallInjuries13 May 2019 · EU Safety Gate

Defective material may be used in the rear suspension helical springs. As a result, the springs could break, impairing the driving stability and increasing the risk 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): Importer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: 13/05/2019

The authority's notice

18V464000STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICESTEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE11 July 2018 · NHTSA (USA)

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Volkswagen Golf and Golf Sportwagen vehicles. The build of silicate on the shift lever micro switch contacts may enable the key to be removed from the ignition while the vehicle shift lever is not in "Park." As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."

Risk: Removing the key while the shift lever is in a position other than "Park" increases the risk of an unintended vehicle rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash.

Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional switch and circuit board, free of charge. The recall began March 19, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 37L5.

The authority's notice

A12/00222/20Safety 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.