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Volkswagen Transporter L2H1 28 2.0 TDI 84hp Baseline common faults.

2010–2015, van, diesel, 84 HP.

The fault list covers: CAAA engine, MQ250 transmission.

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5 fault write-ups. 4 important. 4 recalls.

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

Before you buy

Known faults

4 important faults

expensive4

MQ200 / MQ250 manual gearbox: differential bearing and synchros

expensive

The light, magnesium cased MQ200 and the MQ250, sized for higher torque, are the most widespread manual gearboxes in the transverse engine VAG models. Both have the same two weak points, and both depend on use.

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The first is the differential bearing: as it wears you first get a droning, then a whine from the thrust bearings of the output shaft. Left alone, the planetary shaft can fail and in extreme cases punch through the gearbox casing: from then on it is not a repair but a replacement.

The second is the synchros: they can start crunching at around 50,000 km with aggressive driving. This type does not like dumping the clutch or slipping it, and on a used car that is exactly what you have to listen for.

above 50,000 km

What to check

  • On the test drive with the window down, listen to the gearbox both off and on the throttle: droning or whining is suspect
  • Shift up and down quickly, especially into 2nd and 3rd: crunching means synchro wear
  • Try engaging 1st and reverse when cold: resistance here means wear
2 more steps in the write-up

EA189 TDI: EGR valve and particulate filter blocking

expensive

The EGR valve and its cooler block up with soot and oily deposits; the particulate filter cannot regenerate on short urban trips. The signs are reduced power, a warning light, and frequent regeneration. The software update after the diesel emissions affair made the EGR operate more often, which accelerated the phenomenon: the maker gave goodwill repairs in several cases.

between 140,000 and 160,000 km

What to check

  • Ask what kind of journeys the car did: a daily short urban run is the worst for the filter
  • With a code reader look at the stored faults (P0401/P0402, and P2002 for the filter)
  • Ask whether it received the post emissions affair software update, and when
1 more steps in the write-up

Dual mass flywheel: diesel

expensive

The internal springs of the flywheel tire, and the two discs knock against each other. The signs are a rattling or knocking from the bellhousing at idle and when releasing the clutch pedal, and vibration through the floor. If the clutch slips without a burnt smell, that also points to the flywheel. It is worth replacing in time: a disintegrated flywheel can destroy the bellhousing too. At a clutch replacement the two go together anyway.

What to check

  • At idle, without touching the clutch pedal, listen for the rattle from the bellhousing, then press the pedal: if it stops, that is suspect
  • Watch for the characteristic clatter on starting and switching off
  • Put your foot on the floor at idle: a noticeable vibration indicates tired springs
2 more steps in the write-up

TDI: the vanes of the variable geometry (VNT) turbo stick

expensive

The vanes of the variable geometry turbo are glued together by soot and oil arriving through the EGR. First you get overboost or a lack of boost, then loss of power above 2,000 rpm, and finally limp mode. Caught in time it is enough to remove the turbo, clean it and fit a new actuator rod. Short urban trips and gentle, low rev driving speed up the deposits.

What to check

  • On the motorway, load it above 2,000 rpm: does it pull evenly, or does the power break up
  • Watch whether the warning light flashes up under acceleration (overboost protection)
  • Ask what kind of journeys it did: a daily short urban run is the worst
1 more steps in the write-up

cheap repair1

Sliding door: wear of the lower roller and the guide rail

cheap repair

The lower roller carries the weight of the sliding door, and that is what wears first: the door is hard to start moving, it sticks on the way, and at the end it "drops" off the rail. The other characteristic case is the guide rail working loose: the M5 mounting bolts come loose, the rail hangs down, and from then on the door presses against the body, which you can see on the paint too. If the roller is not replaced, the hinge and the bodywork are damaged too. On a fleet car that was opened many times a day, the roller wears sooner.

forum sources only

What to check

  • Open and close the sliding door several times, fully and slowly: both binding and grinding are signs
  • Lift the door while it is open: vertical play shows wear of the lower roller
  • Go along the lower rail: a loose bolt, a bent rail, a worn running surface
2 more steps in the write-up

Checklist

Volkswagen Transporter L2H1 28 2.0 TDI 84hp Baseline

First what you would check on any car. Then the faults of this model.

Before you buy

Checklist

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On every car

Ask the owner

Faults of this model

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Official recall4 recallsShow

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

Most recent: 9 February 2022

A12/00380/22Safety recallInjuries9 February 2022 · EU Safety Gate

The gas tank may corrode because the protective paint will not be properly maintained over time. Refueling a corroded gas tank could lead to fuel leaks and increase the risk of explosion. The product does not meet the requirements set out in the Regulation concerning 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): Distributor Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: 09/02/2022

The authority's notice

A12/0825/18Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

Corrosion of the gas tank may occur. If there is insufficient residual wall thickness, the gas tank may burst.

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

A12/0979/19Safety recallFireno date · EU Safety Gate

If the vehicle is washed with a high-pressure cleaner, water may enter the interior, damage the control device for the tailgate and cause an incomplete short circuit with localised damage from scorching. When air enters through open windows, doors, or the sliding roof, the damage from scorching can develop into a fire.

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

A12/1235/18Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

The screw connections in the gas installation of the built-in kitchen may be inadequate. As a consequence, gas may leak and, due to poor ventilation, an explosion cannot be ruled out if an ignition source is simultaneously present.

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

CAAA · 2.0 TDI

62 kW (84 HP) · diesel

MQ250 · 5- or 6-speed manual

manual · 5–6 speed

Torque limit250 Nm
MakerVolkswagen

We built the code from the model and the gear count. The factory sheet does not state it.

Variant data

What is in this version

Factory data

Trim
L2H1 28 2.0 TDI 84hp Baseline
Body
van
Fuel
diesel
Transmission
manual
Engine size
1968 cc
Power
62 kW (84 HP)
Drive
FWD
Production
2010–2015

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)

  • Timing belt, 1.6 / 2.0 TDI (EA188/EA189/EA288)

    • 210,000 km(EA288, including the 1.6 TDI, with no time limit. 130,000 miles = 209,215 km. Parts maker repair specification, read by a human. The interval chart at https://www.rwcmotorsport.com/tech/tdi-maintenance.php gives the same figure independently.)

  • 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)

  • Fuel filter, diesel

    • 60,000 km or 2 years
All T5 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