vinkodex.5 fault write-ups. 2 important. 12 recalls.
If you know the year, pick it. Faults for other years drop out of the list.
Before you buy
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
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
The powered tailgate of the estate is a common complaint: the lifting motors, the microswitches and the closing mechanism can all fail. The tailgate stops halfway, does not close properly, or opens again on its own.
What to check
The head unit freezes, restarts, or shuts down entirely; the Bluetooth connection drops regularly, and the wireless charger does not recognise the phone. It happens as early as 10,000 to 30,000 km. It is often software, but a hardware fault can be behind it too: the slow response of the navigation and the outdated map are part of the same thing. Cars built up to 2016 still have the first generation (MIB1) head unit, and most of the faults fall on the 2014 to 2016 model years. Intermittent loss of the reversing camera belongs to the same group.
What to check
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.
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
vinkodex.Checklist
First what you would check on any car. Then the faults of this model.
Before you buy
The printed sheet starts with what you would check on any car. What you tick stays on this device only.
The manufacturer fixes these for free at a franchised dealer. Ask with the VIN whether it was done.
Most recent: 16 September 2020
20V561000UNKNOWN OR OTHERUNKNOWN OR OTHER16 September 2020 · NHTSA (USA)Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Golf R and Atlas, 2017 Golf Alltrack and E-Golf and 2016-2018 Passat vehicles. These internal use vehicles were sold without confirmation that they were built to all applicable regulatory requirements and may have been modified prior to sale. As such, these vehicles may fail to comply with the requirements of various Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.
Risk: Vehicles that do not meet all regulatory requirements may have an increased risk of a crash or injury to vehicle occupants.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners and will repurchase the vehicles. The recall began October 6, 2020. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 01E9.
19V389000EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTSEXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS22 May 2019 · NHTSA (USA)Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2020 Volkswagen Passat and 2018-2019 Atlas vehicles. The blocking cap disabling the adjustment of the headlight's horizontal aim may not have been installed. As such, these vehicles fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Risk: Without the blocking cap, the headlight aim can be adjusted out of specification, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, block the headlight horizontal adjustment, free of charge. The recall began July 16, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 94L9.
18V536000SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPERSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER15 August 2018 · NHTSA (USA)Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Atlas and 2017-2018 Volkswagen Passat vehicles. The brake caliper bracket mounting bolts on these vehicles may not have been tightened sufficiently.
Risk: The loose brake bracket bolts can allow the caliper to move, reducing braking ability or causing a loss of vehicle control and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake caliper bracket bolt tightness, replacing and re-torque the bolts as necessary, free of charge. Additionally brake caliper fasteners, bleeder valve, and brake hose bolts will be checked and torqued to the correct specification, if necessary, free of charge. For Passat vehicles, dealers will also inspect the parking brake cable for proper connection, free of charge. The recall began September 14, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 46H6.
18V369000SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPERSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER1 June 2018 · NHTSA (USA)Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Atlas, Passat, Beetle, Beetle Convertible, Golf, Golf SportWagen and GTI and Audi Q5 and SQ5 vehicles. The brake caliper pistons on these vehicles may have insufficient coating, potentially reducing the brake performance.
Risk: A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen and Audi will notify their owners. Audi dealers will bleed the rear brakes. Volkswagen dealers will bleed the front and rear brake calipers. Note: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the brake system has been checked. The recall began June 29, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 and Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 47N8, 47N9, and 47N6.
A12/00222/20Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety GateCars 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
A12/00701/20Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety GateThe brake pedal pushrod may be defective. As a result, in case of failure of the electromechanical brake booster, the effort necessary to actuate the brake increases significantly, increasing 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: Unknown
A12/0388/18Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety GateThe brake discs on the front axle are too weak. As a consequence, when placed under extreme pressure, the brake disc can crack or even break, affecting braking performance.
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
A12/0774/18Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety GateThe fastening of the active headrest may be defective. In the event of an accident, the headrest may become detached from the back of the seat, increasing the risk of injury to the person occupying the seat.
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
A12/1063/19Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety GateIn the event of a repair, due to an ambiguous indication in the replacement parts catalogue, the adhesive joint between the sunroof cover and the sliding roof may be fitted incorrectly. As a result, the sunroof cover could detach in motion and endanger 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
A12/1389/18Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety GateThe head restraint guide retaining spring is defective. As a consequence, the headrest is not properly anchored to the seat's back and it may detach in case of an accident, leading to injuries.
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
A12/1954/18Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety GateThe fitting for the headrest may have been incorrectly welded to the backrest. As a consequence, the supportive and protective effect of the headrest may be limited in the event 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
SR/00793/25Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety GateThe 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
CZDA · 1.4 TFSI COD110 kW (150 HP) · petrol
DQ200 · 7-speed DSG, dry clutchDSG · 7 speed
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
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
DQ200: lifetime fill by the maker, not in practice
Cabin (pollen) filter
Engine oil and oil filter
Brake fluid change
Coolant (antifreeze) change
Spark plugs, petrol
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.