VW 2.0 TDI (EA288) diesel: problems, costs and what to check

Coolant leaks, EGR and AdBlue faults are the main risks. Buy with a cold-start check, a coolant pressure test and a full scan.

Updated 26 October 2026

At a glance

What it is: VW's 2.0 TDI EA288 diesel, 1,968 cc, built from 2012. The EA288 evo has been built since 2019. The VW T6 van (2015-2019) uses it as CXG, CXH, CXF and CXE, 84 to 204 PS. Belt, not chain.
Main faults: coolant leaks from the exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) cooler, the water pump and the intake manifold; EGR and diesel particulate filter (DPF) clogging on short runs; AdBlue and nitrogen oxide (NOx) sensor faults.
Reliability: 3/5, because coolant, EGR, DPF, AdBlue and oil-pump faults each appear in several independent sources.
DIY: 2/5, because belt, pump and emissions jobs need timing tools and a scanner.
Buy: a car with a full service record, a cold heater, no coolant loss and a clean scan.
Avoid: a rising oil level, coolant loss with no puddle, and any car with the DPF or AdBlue system deleted.

Known issues

Issue	Affects	Typical km	Repair cost
EGR cooler and valve faults	All 2.0 TDI EA288, from 2012	80,000-240,000 km	150-1,300 EUR (country not stated, 2026)
Water pump failure	All 2.0 TDI EA288, from 2012	80,000-150,000 km	300-1,200 EUR (country not stated, 2026)
Intake manifold coolant leak	Passat B8, Tiguan II and other EA288 cars	100,000-200,000 km	600-1,400 EUR (country not stated, 2026)
AdBlue and NOx sensor faults	EA288 with SCR, from about 2018	80,000-120,000 km	400-1,200 EUR (country not stated, 2026)
DPF clogging	All 2.0 TDI EA288, from 2012	60,000-180,000 km	150-1,800 EUR (country not stated, 2026)
Turbocharger failure	All 2.0 TDI EA288, from 2012	150,000-250,000 km	900-2,000 EUR (country not stated, 2026)
Oil pump drive failure	All 2.0 TDI EA288, from 2012	150,000-250,000 km	300-600 EUR (country not stated, 2026)

Before you buy

Turbo (needs a scanner). Read boost faults and check the vanes. Bad: power loss, whistle or smoke.
DPF (needs a scanner). Read soot and ash loading. Bad: frequent regeneration or high oil level.
Intake manifold (pressure test). Pressure-test the cooling system. Bad: coolant loss with no puddle, worse under load.
EGR cooler (pressure test). Cap the cooler hoses and repeat the test. Bad: it holds only with the cooler bypassed.
AdBlue and NOx (needs a scanner). Read NOx sensor and dosing faults. Bad: an emissions warning, a restart countdown or crystallised AdBlue.
Water pump and heater. Start cold; heater must blow hot. Bad: weak heat, wandering gauge, dried coolant.
Oil pump drive (needs a scanner). Listen for a rattle at idle and check for oil-pressure codes. Bad: a red oil-pressure warning.
Belt and pump invoices. Ask for dated belt, pump and thermostat invoices. No record means budget for a belt job.
Recall check. Enter the VIN in the official recall check. Bad: an open 23Z7 campaign on a T6.

Models with this engine

Brand	Model	Generation	Production years	Power	Engine codes	ADAC versions
Audi	A3	8V	2012–2016	150–184 PS (110–135 kW)	DCY, DFG, DJG	69
Audi	A3	8V facelift	2016–2020	150–184 PS (110–135 kW)	DCY, DFG, DJG	66
Audi	A3	8Y	2020–2024	116–200 PS (85–147 kW)	DSR, DSU, DTR, DTU	54
Audi	A3	8Y facelift	since 2024	116–150 PS (85–110 kW)	DTS, DXP, DXR	39
Audi	A4	B9	2015–2018	122–190 PS (90–140 kW)	DET, DEU	82
Audi	A4	B9 facelift	2018–2019	122–190 PS (90–140 kW)	DET, DEU	24
Audi	A4	B9 facelift 2	2019–2024	122–204 PS (90–150 kW)	DET, DEU, DTN, DTP	85
Audi	A5	F5	2016–2019	150–190 PS (110–140 kW)	DET, DEU, DTN	114
Audi	A5	F5 facelift	2020–2024	163–204 PS (120–150 kW)	DET, DTN, DTP	94
Audi	A5	B10	since 2024	204 PS (150 kW)	DYY	16
Audi	A6	C7	2013–2014	136–190 PS (100–140 kW)	DDC, DDD	8
Audi	A6	C7 facelift	2014–2018	150–190 PS (110–140 kW)	DDC, DDD	10
Audi	A6	C8	2018–2023	163–204 PS (120–150 kW)	DEZ, DFB, DTP	55
Audi	A6	C8 facelift	2023–2025	163–204 PS (120–150 kW)	DTP	38
Audi	A6	GH/C9	since 2025	204 PS (150 kW)	DYY	8
Audi	A7	4K	2018–2023	204 PS (150 kW)	DFB	6
Audi	Q2	GA	2016–2020	150–190 PS (110–140 kW)	DFG, DFH, DXR	24
Audi	Q2	GA facelift	2020–2026	116–150 PS (85–110 kW)	DFG, DTR, DTT, DXR	34
Audi	Q3	8U facelift	2015–2018	120–184 PS (88–135 kW)	DFT, DFU	25
Audi	Q3	F3	2018–2025	150–200 PS (110–147 kW)	DFG, DFH, DTS, DTU, DXN, DXP	69
Audi	Q3	FJ	since 2025	150–193 PS (110–142 kW)	DXN, DXP	8
Audi	Q5	FY	2017–2020	150–190 PS (110–140 kW)	DET, DEU, DTN	33
Audi	Q5	FY facelift	2020–2024	163–204 PS (120–150 kW)	DFB, DTN, DTP	30
Audi	Q5	GU	since 2025	204 PS (150 kW)	DYY	12
Audi	TT	8S	2014–2018	184 PS (135 kW)	CUN	4
CUPRA	Formentor	1. Generation	2021–2024	150 PS (110 kW)	DTT	3
CUPRA	Formentor	1. Generation facelift	since 2024	150 PS (110 kW)	DTT, DXR	3
CUPRA	Leon	1. Generation	2023–2024	150 PS (110 kW)	DTT	4
CUPRA	Leon	1. Generation facelift	since 2024	150 PS (110 kW)	DTT, DXR	4
Ford	Tourneo Connect	3. Generation	since 2022	102–122 PS (75–90 kW)	DTR, DXR	44
Ford	Transit Connect	3. Generation	since 2024	102–122 PS (75–90 kW)	DTR, DXR	16
SEAT	Alhambra	7N facelift	2015–2018	184 PS (135 kW)	DFM	17
SEAT	Ateca	5FP	2016–2020	150–190 PS (110–140 kW)	DFF, DFH	29
SEAT	Ateca	5FP facelift	2020–2026	115–150 PS (85–110 kW)	DFF, DTR, DTT, DXR	35
SEAT	Leon	5F	2012–2016	150–184 PS (110–135 kW)	CRM, CUP, DFF, DFG, DJG	37
SEAT	Leon	5F facelift	2016–2020	150–184 PS (110–135 kW)	CRM, CUP, DFF, DFG, DJG	58
SEAT	Leon	KL	since 2020	115–150 PS (85–110 kW)	DST, DSU, DTR, DTT, DXR	82
SEAT	Tarraco	KN	2019–2024	150–200 PS (110–147 kW)	DFG, DFH, DTS, DTU	24
Skoda	Karoq	1. Generation	2017–2021	150–190 PS (110–140 kW)	DFF, DFH	43
Skoda	Karoq	1. Generation facelift	since 2021	115–150 PS (85–110 kW)	DTR, DTT, DXR	40
Skoda	Kodiaq	1. Generation	2017–2021	150–240 PS (110–176 kW)	CUA, DFG, DFH, DTS, DTU	93
Skoda	Kodiaq	1. Generation facelift	2021–2023	150–200 PS (110–147 kW)	DTS, DTU	18
Skoda	Kodiaq	2. Generation	since 2024	150–193 PS (110–142 kW)	DXN, DXP	8
Skoda	Octavia	3. Generation	2013–2016	150–184 PS (110–135 kW)	DFF, DJG	71
Skoda	Octavia	3. Generation facelift	2017–2020	150–184 PS (110–135 kW)	DFF, DJG	114
Skoda	Octavia	4. Generation	2020–2024	115–200 PS (85–147 kW)	DST, DSU, DTR, DTT, DTU	105
Skoda	Octavia	4. Generation facelift	since 2024	116–150 PS (85–110 kW)	DTR, DTT, DXR	32
Skoda	Superb	3. Generation	2015–2019	150–190 PS (110–140 kW)	DFG, DFH, DSR	174
Skoda	Superb	3. Generation facelift	2019–2023	122–200 PS (90–147 kW)	DFH, DSR, DTR, DTS, DTU	95
Skoda	Superb	4. Generation	since 2024	150–193 PS (110–142 kW)	DXN, DXP	28
VW	Arteon	1. Generation	2017–2020	150–240 PS (110–176 kW)	CUA, DFH, DSR	39
VW	Arteon	1. Generation facelift	2020–2024	150–200 PS (110–147 kW)	DSR, DTS, DTU, DXN, DXP	19
VW	Beetle	2. Generation	2013–2016	110–150 PS (81–110 kW)	CUU	56
VW	Beetle	2. Generation facelift	2016–2018	110–150 PS (81–110 kW)	CUU	54
VW	Golf	VII	2012–2017	150–184 PS (110–135 kW)	DFG, DJG	104
VW	Golf	VI	2015–2016	110–150 PS (81–110 kW)	CUU	15
VW	Golf	VII facelift	2017–2020	150–184 PS (110–135 kW)	DFG, DJG	93
VW	Golf	VIII	2019–2024	115–200 PS (85–147 kW)	DSR, DSU, DTR, DTS, DTT, DTU	43
VW	Golf	VIII facelift	since 2024	116–150 PS (85–110 kW)	DTR, DTS, DXP, DXR	36
VW	Passat	B8	2014–2019	150–240 PS (110–176 kW)	CUA, DFG, DFH, DSR	88
VW	Passat	B8 facelift	2019–2023	122–240 PS (90–176 kW)	CUA, DFH, DSR, DTR, DTS, DTU	59
VW	Passat	B9	since 2024	122–193 PS (90–142 kW)	DXN, DXP	18
VW	Sharan	II facelift	2015–2018	184 PS (135 kW)	DFM	18
VW	T-Roc	1. Generation	2017–2021	115–190 PS (85–140 kW)	DFF, DFH, DTR, DTT	37
VW	T-Roc	1. Generation facelift	2022–2025	115–150 PS (85–110 kW)	DTR, DTT, DXR	28
VW	Tayron	1. Generation	since 2025	150–193 PS (110–142 kW)	DXN, DXP	13
VW	Tiguan	II	2016–2021	115–240 PS (85–176 kW)	CUA, DFG, DFH, DTS, DTU	120
VW	Tiguan	II facelift	2020–2024	122–200 PS (90–147 kW)	DFG, DTR, DTS, DTU, DXN, DXP	48
VW	Tiguan	III	since 2024	150–193 PS (110–142 kW)	DXN, DXP	27
VW	Touran	II	2015–2026	115–190 PS (85–140 kW)	DFG, DFH, DTS, DXP, DXR	51
VW Nutzfahrzeuge	Caddy	V	2020–2026	75–122 PS (55–90 kW)	DTR, DXR	176
VW Nutzfahrzeuge	Caddy	V facelift	since 2026	102–122 PS (75–90 kW)	DXR	28
VW Nutzfahrzeuge	Transporter	T5 facelift	2009–2015	84–114 PS (62–84 kW)	CXG, CXH	65
VW Nutzfahrzeuge	Transporter	T6	2015–2019	84–204 PS (62–150 kW)	CXE, CXF, CXG, CXH	809
VW Nutzfahrzeuge	Transporter	T6.1 facelift	2019–2024	110–199 PS (81–146 kW)	CXE, CXF, CXH	354

In detail

EGR cooler and valve faults

Symptoms. Coolant loss with no puddle, white steam, sweet smell, rough idle, overheating. City use soots the valve and cuts power.

Cause. The cooler cracks and leaks coolant into the exhaust; valve and cooler clog on short runs.

Which cars. All EA288 from 2012. Access takes 5-7 hours.

Fix. Replace the cooler and a sticking bypass valve. Original VW part numbers are 04L131512BP and 04L131512F.

Cost. 150-1,300 EUR (country not stated, 2026); EGR clean or replacement in Ukraine 100-400 USD (2025).

Sources: VAGPULSE, EA288 problems, SUMEC, EA288 EGR cooler

Water pump failure

Symptoms. Slow warm-up, wandering gauge, weak heat; a pump stuck closed overheats. Crusty coolant shows a weep.

Cause. The switchable pump's sleeve or solenoid valve sticks or leaks.

Which cars. All EA288 from 2012. Belt-driven; some have a second electric pump.

Fix. Replace with the belt and thermostat housing. Revised pump 04L121011N replaces 04L121011L.

Cost. 300-1,200 EUR (country not stated, 2026); Germany belt job 610-1,200 EUR (year not stated).

Sources: VAGPULSE, EA288 problems, repareo, Golf 7 timing belt, DRIVE2, water pump and belt parts

Intake manifold coolant leak

Symptoms. Coolant loss with no external leak, worse under load; rough running.

Cause. The charge-air cooler inside the intake manifold cracks and leaks.

Which cars. Passat B8, Tiguan II, DFG and DFH. Most reports at 100,000-200,000 km.

Fix. Replace the manifold after a pressure test and endoscope check. No revised part number in the sources.

Cost. 600-1,400 EUR (country not stated, 2026).

Sources: VIN Service Planner, Tiguan II EA288, motor-talk, Passat B8 coolant loss, DRIVE2, intake manifold coolant leak

AdBlue and NOx sensor faults

Symptoms. Emissions warning, power loss, then a countdown and no restart.

Cause. NOx sensors drift; the dosing valve crystallises; the feed module, heater or level sensor fails.

Which cars. SCR cars from about 2018. The evo has twin dosing, two SCR catalysts, two valves and up to three NOx sensors.

Fix. Replace the sensor or valve; check module, heater and pressure. A scan is needed; N474 is the close-coupled injector.

Cost. 400-1,200 EUR (country not stated, 2026); NOx sensor 400-700 EUR, dosing module 600-1,200 EUR.

Sources: KFZ Dietrich, EA288 SCR and AdBlue, VAGPULSE, EA288 problems, Quelle Occasion, 2.0 TDI EA288

DPF clogging

Symptoms. Frequent regeneration, DPF light, oil level above maximum.

Cause. Short runs interrupt regeneration; soot and ash build up and fuel dilutes the oil.

Which cars. All EA288 from 2012. Most reports at 60,000-180,000 km.

Fix. Use long runs; clean or replace a loaded DPF; scan soot and ash.

Cost. 150-1,800 EUR (country not stated, 2026); DPF clean in Ukraine 100-300 USD (2025).

Sources: VAGPULSE, EA288 problems, VIN Service Planner, Tiguan II EA288, Mr.Driver, 2.0 TDI EA288

Turbocharger failure

Symptoms. Power loss, whistle, smoke, boost fault code.

Cause. Sooted variable vanes; actuator or bearing failure.

Which cars. All EA288 from 2012. Most reports at 150,000-250,000 km.

Fix. Free the vanes early; otherwise replace or rebuild and reset the actuator.

Cost. 900-2,000 EUR (country not stated, 2026).

Sources: VAGPULSE, EA288 problems, VIN Service Planner, Tiguan II EA288

Oil pump drive failure

Symptoms. Idle rattle from the top of the engine, then a red oil-pressure warning. Stop.

Cause. A belt in oil, or a hex shaft on some cars, drives the pump. A break cuts oil pressure and can destroy the engine.

Which cars. All EA288 from 2012. Most reports at 150,000-250,000 km; hex shafts at 100,000-120,000 km.

Fix. Replace belt or shaft before failure. A chain kit costs about 1,100 EUR plus fitting; the balance-shaft block comes as a unit.

Cost. 300-600 EUR (country not stated, 2026); chain kit about 1,100 EUR (Germany, 2025).

Sources: auto motor und sport, oil-bath timing belt, VIN Service Planner, Tiguan II EA288, Mr.Driver, 2.0 TDI EA288

Recalls

Country	Code	Years or build range	What is done
Germany	23Z7	2014-2017	Software update, about 1 hour; AdBlue use may rise; 100 EUR compensation (2019)

Maintenance

Timing belt. VW interval is 210,000 km; workshops advise 120,000-170,000 km, some Russian mechanics 85,000-90,000 km. Change the water pump and thermostat with the belt. Cost: 610-1,200 EUR in Germany with the pump (year not stated); 16,000-18,000 RUB in Russia (2024).
Oil. Service every 15,000 km or 12 months; 70-150 EUR (country not stated, 2026); VW 507.00 oil, about 4.3-4.6 L. The evo uses 0W-20 to VW 508.00/509.00 and 5.5-5.7 L. Shorten oil changes to 20,000 km.
AdBlue. Normal use is 1.2-2.8 L per 1,000 km; tank 12-17 L.