vinkodex.6 fault write-ups. 4 important. 11 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 piston of a rear caliper with an electric parking brake cannot be wound back by hand: the caliper has to be put into service mode with a diagnostic tool. Where that was bypassed, the actuator of the caliper is damaged, and soon after a disc replacement the caliper needs replacing too.
The other complaint that recurs on owner forums is the parking brake fault itself: an "electric parking brake faulty" message, sometimes together with faults in the related controllers (hill hold, hill start assist, stop-start). In that case it is not necessarily the brake that failed, but the sensor or the communication between the controllers.
What to check
A recurring complaint on the Mk3 Superb is noise while steering and increased resistance, typically at higher speed. The cause is often the steering rack itself.
At low speed, in a car park, the noise does not appear. At open road speed the steering is noisy and harder to turn.
What to check
On the early 2015 to 2016 cars with the MIB2 head unit the screen stops at the brand logo, the unit restarts on its own, the navigation is inaccurate, or the sound goes completely silent.
Used car surveys find a significant part of the faults on diesel Superbs around the navigation, the infotainment and the electrical systems.
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: 1 June 2026
SR/01853/26Safety recallInjuries1 June 2026 · EU Safety GateThe 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: 01/06/2026 Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Request to stop driving Date of entry into force: Unknown
We could not check this: model year. The authority's notice
A12/00566/22Safety recallBurns, Fireno date · EU Safety GateEngine design covers installed on affected vehicles could come loose from the attachment depending on use (e.g. very sporty driving style or poor road surface conditions) and the running time. If the design cover is not fastened, there is a possibility that it will come into contact with the hot area of the exhaust gas turbocharger, increasing the risk of burns or fire. 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
We could not check this: model year. The authority's notice
A12/00636/22Safety recallFire, Injuriesno date · EU Safety GateA defective fuse can produce a voltage flashover into the vehicle interior. This might cause fire and lead to an accident. 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
We could not check this: model year. The authority's notice
A12/0068/18Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety GateThe strength of the rear wheel bearing housing may be insufficient. This could lead to failure of the rear wheel bearing housing with loss of wheel control.
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
We could not check this: model year. The authority's notice
A12/00787/23Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety GateThe airbag may deteriorate over time and if deployed, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator body to burst and metal fragments could pass through the cushion material causing injury to 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
We could not check this: model year. The authority's notice
A12/01383/21Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety GateThe screw connection of the push rod between the brake pedal and the brake booster may become detached. As a result, the foot brake pedal would not function, 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
We could not check this: model year. The authority's notice
A12/0452/17Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety GateDue to abnormalities in the chemical composition of the initiating device, the seat belt tensioner on the passenger seats may fail to trigger 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
We could not check this: model year. The authority's notice
A12/1750/19Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety GatePossible defect in the driver's airbag housing. As a result, the airbag may not deploy properly in the event of an accident, increasing the risk of an injury.
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
We could not check this: model year. The authority's notice
A12/1894/19Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety GateDue to an error in configuring the function monitoring device in the Body Control Module (BCM), a failure of the LED turn signals at the front is not always detected. The mandatory warning (acoustic/optical) does not occur in these cases. As a result, the driver will not be notified of possible failure of the direction indicators, 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
We could not check this: model year. The authority's notice
SR/00680/26Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety GateA defect in the inflator of the driver airbag may cause uncontrolled inflation and the release of metal fragments when the airbag is activated, causing injury to the 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): Importer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown
We could not check this: model year. The authority's notice
SR/02896/25Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety GateIf the front passenger airbag is deployed as a result of an accident, the gas generator housing may burst or components of the gas generator housing may come loose and cause serious or fatal injuries to vehicle 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): Other Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown
We could not check this: model year. The authority's notice
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.