Volkswagen Engine Reliability
enginecreep has profiled 26 Volkswagen engines, with an average reliability score of 57/100. Each one below has its own reliability score, known issues, and buying checklist.
GOOD 2SOLID 13RISKY 10AVOID 1
Volkswagen
BKD
Golf / Octavia 2.0 TDI · Mk5/1Z · 2003–2008
52/100RISKY
Porous / Cracked Cylinder HeadCoolant Leak from Cylinder Head Pipe / Coolant Hose Connections
Volkswagen
ALH
Golf TDI · Mk4 · 1997–2003
65/100SOLID
Timing Belt FailureVNT Turbo Actuator / Vacuum Line Failure
Volkswagen
EA888 Gen 3
Golf R · Mk7 · 2014–2020
48/100RISKY
Timing Chain StretchWater Pump and Thermostat Housing Failure
Volkswagen
EA113
Golf GTI · Mk5 · 2004–2009
60/100SOLID
Timing Belt Failure RiskTiming Belt Tensioner and Water Pump Failure
Volkswagen
EA888 Gen 1
Golf GTI · Mk6 · 2009–2012
52/100RISKY
Timing Chain Stretch & Tensioner FailureHigh Oil Consumption & Piston Ring Wear
Volkswagen
EA888
Golf GTI · Mk7.5 · 2017–2020
63/100SOLID
Water Pump FailureTurbo Failure (IS20 Turbocharger)
Volkswagen
EA111
Golf · Mk6 · 2008–2012
78/100GOOD
Timing Belt and Tensioner NeglectIgnition Coil Pack Failure
Volkswagen
AUM
Golf 1.8T · Mk4 · 1997–2004
58/100SOLID
Oil Sludge Build-UpTurbo Failure
Volkswagen
EA189
Golf TDI · Mk6 · 2008–2015
60/100SOLID
Dieselgate Emissions Software / NOx Defeat DeviceTiming Belt Failure Risk
Volkswagen
EA189
Tiguan · 5N · 2007–2016
52/100RISKY
Dieselgate Emissions Software Fix, Performance and Reliability FalloutEGR Cooler Failure / Leaks
Volkswagen
EA189
Golf TDI · Mk7 · 2013–2018
46/100RISKY
Dieselgate Emissions Software Recall (EA189)DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter) Clogging
Volkswagen
EA288
Passat · B8/3G · 2014–2023
46/100RISKY
Catastrophic Engine FailureEGR System Issues (Double-Loop EA288 Design)
Volkswagen
EA288
Golf TDI · Mk7 · 2015–2020
68/100SOLID
DPF Clogging / Premature Ash LoadingEGR System Fouling and Failure
Volkswagen
EA211
Golf 1.4 TSI · Mk7 · 2012–2020
64/100SOLID
Timing Belt Failure / Neglected ReplacementTiming Belt Tensioner and Pulley Wear
Volkswagen
EA211
Polo · 6R/6C · 2014–2017
67/100SOLID
Timing Belt Service Interval, High Replacement Cost RiskEGR System Reliability Concerns
Volkswagen
CAYC
Golf/Polo · Mk6 · 2009–2013
60/100SOLID
EGR Cooler Coolant LeakEGR Valve Fault / P0480 Error
Volkswagen
ASZ
Golf/Bora · Mk4 · 1999–2004
62/100SOLID
EGR Cooler Failure and LeaksFuel Injector and Injection Pump Issues
Volkswagen
EA288
Touran · 5T · 2015–2023
45/100RISKY
EGR System Failure (High-Pressure and Low-Pressure circuits)DPF Blockage and Oil Contamination
Volkswagen
BUB
Golf R32 · Mk4/Mk5 · 2002–2008
66/100SOLID
Timing Chain Tensioner Wear and Chain RattleOil Consumption from Piston Ring Wear
Volkswagen
CBAB
Golf · Mk6 · 2009–2012
62/100SOLID
Timing Belt Failure RiskEGR Valve and EGR Cooler Failure
Volkswagen
CAAC
Transporter T5 · T5 · 2009–2015
46/100RISKY
Chronic Low Oil PressureEGR Valve and Cooler Failure
Volkswagen
AAA
Golf/Corrado · Mk3 · 1991–1999
62/100SOLID
Aging Coolant Hoses & Cooling System FailureHigh Idle / Idle Control Issues
Volkswagen
CAVD
Golf · Mk6 · 2009–2012
30/100AVOID
Timing Chain Tensioner Wear and FailurePiston Failure
Volkswagen
BAC
Touareg/Transporter · 7L/T5 · 2003–2009
48/100RISKY
Dual Timing Chain & Guide WearOil Consumption & Leaks
Volkswagen
PB
Golf · Mk2/Mk3 · 1983–1996
78/100GOOD
Age-Related Engine Seal and Gasket DeteriorationCooling System Deterioration
Volkswagen
BAN
Phaeton · 3D · 2002–2016
42/100RISKY
Electrical System Failures from Water IngressVVT Solenoid Failure