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Volkswagen Golf 1.2 TSI 85hp Edition common faults.

2012–2017, hatchback, petrol, 85 HP.

The fault list covers: CJZB, CYVA engine, MQ200 transmission.

What you save stays on this device only. My saves

8 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

expensive6

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

VII: steering that binds, then jolts, on the motorway

expensive

On a longer straight stretch, typically above 100 km/h, a small steering correction first has to overcome a noticeable force, and then the steering responds suddenly, with a jolt. It is most obvious when holding a lane: the car does not follow your hand smoothly but "jumps". It does not come from wear but is a characteristic of the steering rack, and VW issued a service bulletin (TPI) about replacing it. Outside warranty the replacement is a major item, comparable to a significant share of the car's value on an older example.

What to check

  • Try it on a motorway or dual carriageway: apply small steering corrections in a straight line, and watch for free play followed by a jolt
  • Ask whether the steering rack was replaced, and if so, whether under warranty
  • Do not confuse it with suspension knocking: this is the force behaviour of the steering, not a noise
1 more steps in the write-up

VII: xenon headlight misting inside, milky coating

expensive

A milky, sometimes fingerprint like coating or mist appears on the inside of the xenon headlight lens, and the light output drops noticeably. It affects cars built up to mid 2016. VW issued a service bulletin (TPI) about it with a limit sample description, and replaced the affected lights under warranty. Outside warranty the replacement is charged per headlight unit.

What to check

  • In the dark switch the dipped beam on, and from outside check whether the beam pattern is even on both sides
  • In daylight with the lights off, look into the lens at an angle: that is how the milky coating shows up
  • Look for misting on the lower edge of the lens, it shows in the cold and after rain
1 more steps in the write-up

comfort1

VII: the Composition / Discover Media touchscreen does not respond

comfort

The touchscreen of the head unit does not respond to touch, typically in the cold; meanwhile the radio changes station on its own, and the climate and navigation controls are unusable. It affects the Composition Media and Discover Media units between 2013 and 2016. A software update sometimes resolves it; if not, replacing the display unit is a substantial item.

What to check

  • In a cold car, immediately after starting, try the whole touchscreen, including the corners
  • Look for discolouration or a separating layer along the edges of the screen
  • Try the climate and the navigation from the screen, not just the radio
1 more steps in the write-up

cheap repair1

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

Volkswagen Golf 1.2 TSI 85hp Edition

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 recall7 recallsShow

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

Most recent: 13 May 2019

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

16V647000FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINEFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE7 September 2016 · NHTSA (USA)

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Volkswagen Golf, Golf SportWagen, GTI, Audi A3 sedan and A3 Cabriolet vehicles. Due to a problem with the suction pump inside the fuel tank, fuel may flow into the evaporative emissions (EVAP) system.

Risk: As fuel accumulates in the EVAP system, it may leak out through the charcoal canister filter element. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the suction pump, free of charge. The recall began November 2016. Volkswagen owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298, Audi owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 20Y6 and 20Y5. This recall has been fully superseded by recall 24V-110.

The authority's notice

15V229000FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMPFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP17 April 2015 · NHTSA (USA)

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015 Volkswagen Golf, and GTI manufactured on February 17, 2014, to May 22, 2014, and Audi A3 manufactured on February 16, 2013, to April 23, 2014. Improper nickel plating of components within the fuel pump may result in the fuel pump failing.

Risk: If the fuel pump fails, the vehicle will not start, or if the engine is running, it will stop and the vehicle will stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles and replace any affected fuel pumps, free of charge. The recall began on June 16, 2015. Owners may contact Volkswagen at 1-800-893-5298 or Audi at 1-800-253-2834.

The authority's notice

14V412000STEERINGSTEERING7 July 2014 · NHTSA (USA)

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015 Golf and GTI vehicles manufactured January 27, 2014, to May 12, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the stabilizer link fasteners may come loose and possibly interfere with the steering of the vehicle.

Risk: A loose stabilizer link may interfere with the vehicle's steering, requiring additional effort to control the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front stabilizer links, free of charge. The recall began in July 2014. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 40K9/1W.

The authority's notice

A12/00787/24Safety 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. 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

A12/1253/19Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

The belt pulley of the cam gear could break and the screws on the camshaft adjuster may loosen. As a result, engine oil can leak 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

Engine and transmission

2 engines · 1 transmissions

CJZB · 1.2 TSI

63 kW (86 HP) · petrol

MQ200 · 5- or 6-speed manual

manual · 5–6 speed

Torque limit200 Nm
MakerVolkswagen

We built the code from the model and the gear count. The factory sheet does not state it. More than one engine code is possible. The fault list shows the faults of each.

Variant data

What is in this version

Factory data

Trim
Edition
Body
hatchback
Fuel
petrol
Transmission
manual
Engine size
1197 cc
Power
63 kW (86 HP)
Drive
FWD
Production
2012–2017

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)

  • 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 VII 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