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Volkswagen T-ROC 1.5 TSI 150hp Sport Business R common faults.

2017–2022, SUV, petrol, 150 HP.

The fault list covers: DADA, DPCA engine, MQ281 transmission.

What you save stays on this device only. My saves

7 fault write-ups. 3 important. 5 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

A recall covers T-Roc cars built in 2021: the retractor of the front right three point seat belt does not retract the belt properly, or the belt jams. It is safety critical, and carrying out the recall is tied to the VIN and free of charge.

What to check

  • Pull the front right belt fully out and let it retract several times
  • Watch whether it binds, retracts slowly, or jams
  • Ask the dealer by VIN for any open recalls
1 more steps in the write-up

expensive2

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

  • Check the level in the expansion tank, and ask whether it needs topping up
  • After a cold start smell the engine bay: a sweet smell means coolant
  • Look for dried, whitish pink deposits on the exhaust side of the cylinder head
2 more steps in the write-up

The air conditioning does not cool enough at high outside temperatures, after 20,000 to 40,000 km. The cause is leaked refrigerant or a faulty compressor. In cool weather the weak cooling does not show.

What to check

  • Set the air conditioning to maximum and measure the outlet temperature at the centre vent
  • Watch whether the compressor cycles on and off (an audible click, a dip in the revs)
  • Ask when the system was last charged, and ask for the invoice
1 more steps in the write-up

comfort2

At low revs, mostly when cold and in the lower gears, the engine jerks; in extreme cases it stalls in a roundabout or at a junction. The cause of the phenomenon is the lean mixture used to heat the catalytic converter quickly, so it is software in origin. The maker released an update in March 2020, whose effectiveness owners judge differently.

What to check

  • Pull away with a cold engine and watch the first 2 to 3 kilometres at low revs, in 2nd and 3rd
  • On a manual, try pulling away slowly on a slope: that is where it shows
  • Ask whether the March 2020 software update was done
1 more steps in the write-up

The electric parking brake does not release, because the control unit does not recognise the clutch bite point. The car wants to pull away, the brake holds, and the dash reports a brake system fault. The maker released a software fix for it, so the fault does not need a part replacement, but you have to know about it, because it cannot be solved without a franchised dealer, and the seller often mentions it only as "it is occasionally stubborn".

What to check

  • On a manual car, pull away with the parking brake on: normally it releases by itself
  • Repeat it cold and warm: the fault is intermittent
  • Ask at the workshop whether the latest controller software has been installed
1 more steps in the write-up

cheap repair2

The stop-start does not engage in the cold or after standing for a while, as early as 10,000 to 15,000 km. The cause is the condition of the battery.

What to check

  • With the engine running, check whether the dash displays why the stop-start is inactive
  • Ask whether the battery was replaced, and whether an AGM or EFB type was fitted
  • With a code reader look at the energy management faults
1 more steps in the write-up

The per cylinder ignition coil of these direct injection, turbocharged petrol engines fails. According to the Haynes service material this and similar simple electrical faults account for roughly eighty per cent of workshop visits.

Show the rest

In cold, damp weather, on startup, the engine runs unevenly, misfires under acceleration, and the engine warning light flashes or stays on. Do not keep driving with the light flashing: the unburnt fuel destroys the catalytic converter.

What to check

  • Start with a cold engine and watch the first half minute: a rough idle or shaking is suspect
  • On the test drive load the engine at low revs with a lot of throttle: the misfire shows then
  • A flashing engine warning light calls for stopping immediately
2 more steps in the write-up

Checklist

Volkswagen T-ROC 1.5 TSI 150hp Sport Business R

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

vinkodex.com · Before you buy it, see what can go wrong.

Official recall5 recallsShow

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

A12/00262/21Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

Due to a manufacturing error, the brake-pedal plate may not have been adequately welded and could become completely detached when the brake pedal is suddenly applied. As a result, the application of the brakes will be impaired, 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

A12/00584/22Safety recallBurns, Fireno date · EU Safety Gate

The engine covers installed on affected vehicles could detach from their fixings depending on the conditions of use (e.g. very sporty driving, or poor road surfaces) and their age. A loose engine cover could 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 vehicle.

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

A12/00751/21Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

The retractor of the front right seatbelt may be defective. As a result, the seat belt may fail to lock when the car brakes strongly or if it tips to the side, leading to increased the risk of 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

A12/1904/18Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

An incorrect adhesive bond between the upper and lower parts of the rear spoiler may have been used. The upper part of the rear spoiler may consequently become detached and drop onto the road, posing a risk to 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

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

A12/1954/18Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

The 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

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

Engine and transmission

2 engines · 1 transmissions

DADA · 1.5 TFSI COD

110 kW (150 HP) · petrol

MQ281 · 6-speed manual

manual · 6 speed

Torque limit340 Nm
MakerVolkswagen

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

What is in this version

Factory data

Trim
Sport Business R
Body
SUV
Fuel
petrol
Transmission
manual
Engine size
1498 cc
Power
110 kW (150 HP)
Drive
FWD
Production
2017–2022

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)
  • Spark plugs, petrol

    • 60,000 km or 6 years

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