vinkodex.5 fault write-ups. 2 important. 7 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 It is often software, but a hardware fault can be behind it too: the slow response of the navigation and the outdated map are part of the same thing.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.
16V403000FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:FUEL RAILFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:FUEL RAIL6 June 2016 · NHTSA (USA)Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2016 Jetta vehicles manufactured October 31, 2015, to January 21, 2016, 2016 Passat vehicles, equipped with 1.8T engines manufactured November 13, 2015, to December 9, 2015, and 2016 Golf vehicles manufactured November 5, 2015, to November 11, 2015. In the affected vehicles, the fuel rail may detach from the cylinder head and result in a fuel leak.
Risk: A fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, can result in a vehicle fire.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the cylinder heads, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 15F7.
15V705000ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINEENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE26 October 2015 · NHTSA (USA)Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Jetta, Beetle, Beetle Convertible, Passat, Golf and Golf SportWagen vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the camshaft lobe that drives the brake vacuum pump may shear off, resulting in a loss of brake assist.
Risk: If the camshaft lobe shears off there would be a loss of brake assist, lengthening the distance needed to stop the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen dealer will update the engine control module (ECM) software. The recall began March 2016. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 23R1.
A12/00793/24Safety 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. 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
A12/0256/17Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety GateIt is possible that the wheel bolts were not tightened with the correct torque which could result in the loss of the wheel. Also, the running direction of the tyres may not have been taken into account when the winter tyres were fitted which could have a negative effect on driving stability.
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
A12/0387/17Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety GateSome vehicles have differences in the mixture ratio for the initiating device, which could lead to the driver and passenger airbag or seat-belt pre-tensioner not activating 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
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.