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SEAT Leon 1.4 TSI FR common faults.

2009–2013, hatchback, petrol, 125 HP.

The list covers this version.

What you save stays on this device only. My saves

3 fault write-ups. All are important. 2 recalls.

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

Before you buy

Known faults

3 important faults

critical1

Breaking wiring harness under the driver's seat: airbag light

critical

The wiring harness running under the driver's seat kinks and breaks from the seat being adjusted. The sign is the airbag light staying on on the dash. With the airbag light on the system will not work in a crash, and it fails the roadworthiness test too. The part is cheap, the fault finding is the expensive bit, and many sellers mention it as "just a light".

What to check

  • After switching the ignition on, watch whether the airbag light goes out within a few seconds
  • Slide the seat fully forwards and backwards, and watch whether the light flashes up
  • Look at the wiring harness under the seat: broken insulation, chafe marks
1 more steps in the write-up

expensive2

Door seal: water in the front footwell

expensive

The door seal ages, and the water runs into the front footwell. It stays in the foam under the carpet, so for a long time only the misting windows and the musty smell show it. The comfort control unit and several connectors run in the footwell: if they corrode, the fault is electrical from then on.

What to check

  • Lift the front carpets and press the foam on both sides
  • Run your finger along the door seals: hard, cracked rubber is porous
  • Smell the cabin when cold
1 more steps in the write-up

II: seized rear brake caliper

expensive

The rear calipers seize: the pad does not release, the disc overheats and turns blue, the car pulls to one side under braking, and the fuel consumption rises unnoticed. On salted winter roads it develops faster. The symptom is easy to mistake for simple pad wear, but a seized caliper takes the disc with it, and often the wheel bearing too.

What to check

  • After the test drive, carefully bring your hand near the rear hubs: a hot side means a seized caliper
  • Look at the surface of the rear discs: a bluish discolouration means overheating
  • Compare the pad thickness on the left and right side
2 more steps in the write-up

Checklist

SEAT Leon 1.4 TSI FR

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 recall2 recallsShow

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

Most recent: 10 July 2017

A12/1053/17Safety recallInjuries10 July 2017 · EU Safety Gate

The earth connection for the control unit for the ABS/ESP system may be interrupted due to a thermo-mechanical overload. If this happens, the ABS/ESP system will fail leading to the 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: 10/07/2017

The authority's notice

A12/01630/24Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

The propellant in the driver airbag may deteriorate over time. If the airbags deploy, it could 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

Engine and transmission

No engine and transmission for this yet. When they are in, you see them here.

Variant data

What is in this version

Factory data

Trim
FR
Body
hatchback
Fuel
petrol
Transmission
manual
Engine size
1390 cc
Power
92 kW (125 HP)
Drive
FWD
Production
2009–2013

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)
All II.5 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