Volkswagen Golf 1.6 TDI 110hp Cup Edition common faults.

2012–2017, hatchback, diesel, 110 HP.

The fault list covers: CRKB, CXXB, DBKA engine, DQ200 transmission.

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13 fault write-ups. 11 important. 17 recalls.

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

Before you buy

Known faults

11 important faults

critical3

1.6 and 2.0 TDI: the EGR cooler leaks internally and coolant disappears without a trace

critical

The EGR cooler cools the recirculated exhaust gas before it enters the intake again, and coolant flows through it while it does so. The temperature difference between the two sides is large, so the wall can crack or the gasket can let through, and then the coolant reaches the exhaust or the intake side. This leaves no puddle under the car and the place of the leak is not visible from outside: the coolant evaporates and the level drops slowly, over weeks. The accompanying signs are whitish smoke, a rising coolant temperature, raised pressure in the cooling system and a sweetish smell. If it goes on for months the cylinder head can be damaged too, because the cooling gradually gets worse. On the EA189 engines the fault code P2425 usually comes with it. The problem is reported above 100,000 km, and replacing the cooler costs 600 to 1,500 euro.

above 100,000 km600–1,500 EUR

What to check

Look at the level in the expansion tank and ask how much has to be topped up
Look for traces outside: if the level drops but there is no puddle or streak, the leak is internal
After a cold start watch the exhaust, because lasting whitish smoke is not only condensation

2 more steps in the write-up

1.6 and 2.0 TDI: the belt driving the oil pump runs in oil and crumbles

critical

On these engines the oil pump is driven by its own small toothed belt, and that belt runs in the hot engine oil. This is not the large timing belt that drives the camshafts, it is a separate belt in the lower part of the engine. In the oil the rubber hardens over time, its surface starts to crumble, and the loose particles block the suction side of the oil pump, so the oil pressure drops. If the belt snaps, the oil pump stops at once and the engine is left without lubrication within seconds. The rubber crumbs can also ruin the turbocharger and the camshaft adjuster, because they are lubricated from the same oil circuit. The maker specifies no replacement interval for this belt, so most cars still carry the one fitted at the factory, and the failures are reported above 150,000 km. Oil outside the specification and a stretched oil change speed the process up, because this belt ages in the oil. Replacing the belt itself costs between 200 and 600 euro, as long as the engine has not run without oil pressure.

above 150,000 km200–600 EUR

What to check

Ask whether the oil pump belt has been replaced, and if so at what mileage
Unscrew the oil filler cap and look for black rubber crumbs in the lubricant
Ask which oil was used and how often the engine was serviced

2 more steps in the write-up

Rising oil level: interrupted particulate filter regeneration

critical

On short urban trips the particulate filter cannot burn through. The engine control unit then injects extra fuel late in the cycle to heat the filter, and part of that fuel passes down the cylinder wall into the sump. The oil level rises, the oil thins out, and it lubricates worse.

Show the rest

The maker addresses this itself. Audi's 2015 service bulletin (01-15-18) tells the technician how to read the oil level on 2.0 TDI engines, because an overfilled level triggers an oil change message with no engine warning light and no stored fault code.

An oil level above the maximum calls for an immediate oil change, and it points to short urban trips. A diesel driven only in town is a bigger risk from both the particulate filter and the turbo.

A thinned, rising oil level is one precondition of a runaway engine. A diesel controls torque with the quantity of fuel injected, and it has no throttle. So if enough combustible liquid reaches the intake, the engine starts running on its own oil, and cutting the injection or switching off the ignition will not stop it. The revs climb on their own until the engine destroys itself.

A raised oil level alone is rarely enough for this. The classic trigger is a failed turbo shaft seal that feeds oil mist into the intake. But the two go together: thinned oil lubricates worse, and poorer lubrication damages the turbo bearing first.

If it happens while driving, the key does not help. Only cutting off the air does: cover the intake, discharge a dry powder extinguisher into the intake tract, or on a manual select a high gear with the parking brake on and release the clutch quickly.

What to check

Pull the dipstick with a cold engine on level ground: the level must not be above the maximum mark
Smell the oil on the dipstick: a diesel smell means it is thinned with fuel
Ask whether the dash has ever shown an oil level sensor or oil change message

5 more steps in the write-up

expensive8

VII: early water pump and coolant regulator

expensive

On 2013 and 2014 Golf VII cars the early version of the water pump and the coolant regulator built into it fails at 20,000 to 30,000 km. The regulator does not open the main circuit properly, and the pump does not deliver enough. The temperature fluctuates, in extreme cases it runs up to 130 degrees, and the red light comes on. The replacement, labour included, is over a thousand euro, because the pump and the regulator are one unit. If you keep driving with the red light on, the engine can overheat.

between 20,000 and 30,000 km

What to check

Watch the coolant temperature gauge after startup: it should settle evenly and not fluctuate
Ask whether the red coolant light has ever come on, even once
Check the level in the expansion tank and the colour of the fluid

2 more steps in the write-up

DQ200 (7 speed dry DSG): mechatronics

expensive

A thin wall of the mechatronics valve body can crack, which causes a loss of pressure. The typical signs: jerking and harsh shifting from 1st to 2nd at low speed, a flashing PRNDS display, then a gear engagement fault, intermittently at first.

What to check

Pull away slowly from standstill and watch the 1 to 2 shift: does it jerk, is it harsh
Check whether the PRNDS display flashes or the dash reports a gearbox fault
In creep mode (brake released), does the car move off evenly

1 more steps in the write-up

Dual mass flywheel: diesel

expensive

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

EA288: the coolant pump needs vacuum filling and bleeding after replacement

expensive

On the EA288 the coolant pump is demand-controlled, and after replacement the cooling circuit cannot be filled the old way. The Schaeffler/INA repair specification requires the system to be filled with a vacuum device and bled with a diagnostic tool, following the vehicle manufacturer instructions.

Show the rest

If that is skipped, the pump can be destroyed and the engine can overheat. The engine must never be started without coolant.

A pump replaced at home or without a vacuum filler can fail again shortly after. Ask for an invoice and the name of the workshop.

What to check

Ask whether the coolant pump has been replaced, and if so, by which workshop
Ask for the invoice: vacuum filling and diagnostic bleeding should be on the invoice
After starting, watch the coolant temperature: it should settle evenly and not fluctuate

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

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.

Show the rest

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

Official recall17 recallsShow

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

Most recent: 7 October 2026

SR/02935/26Safety recallInjuries7 October 2026 · EU Safety Gate

Moisture ingress could lead to corrosion of a steering rack bolt, which may result in a fracture of the bolt and a loss of steering capability, increasing the risk of accidents. 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: 07/10/2026

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

22V543000AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULEAIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE27 July 2022 · NHTSA (USA)

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2016 Audi TT Roadster, TT Coupe, S3 Sedan, R8 Coupe, A3 Sedan, A3 Etron, A3 Cabriolet, 2016 Golf Sportwagen, Golf R, Golf GTI, Golf A7, and E Golf vehicles. During air bag deployment, the front passenger air bag may explode or deploy improperly.

Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking occupants, resulting in serious injury or death. An improper air bag deployment may not properly restrain the occupant, increasing their risk of injury in a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the front-passenger air bag module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 16, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69DY and 61C1.

We could not check this: model year. 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

We could not check this: model year. 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.

We could not check this: model year. 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.

We could not check this: model year. 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.

We could not check this: model year. 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.

We could not check this: model year. 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.