2013 Volkswagen Jetta problems

• 1.2 TSI 86/90/105 hp (EA111, CBZA/CBZC/CBZB, 2009-2015)

  86–105 hp · CBZA, CBZC, CBZB

  The chains and tensioners on the earliest units stretch early. It is a viable buy if there is an invoice for the revised timing kit, or if it starts from cold without rattling and the maintenance is up to date.^[2][3]

  With caution

• 1.4 TSI 122/125 hp (EA111, CAXA/CAXC, from 2007)

  122–125 hp · CAXA, CAXC

  It is simpler than the twincharger, but shares the EA111's chain-driven timing: listen to the cold start and check the history before buying.^[3][4]

  With caution

Faults that affect 2013 cars

• Critical severityFrequency: Very frequentTimingTiming chain stretch and tensioner failure (EA111)On the 1.2 and 1.4 TSI EA111 (2006-2015) the chain can stretch and the tensioner fall short; if the chain jumps a tooth, the valves hit the pistons. Volkswagen admitted the defect in 2012 and revised the chain and tensioner between 2010 and 2011.Repair (garage): €700–€1,400Appears at around 30,000 km
• Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalTurboTurbo wastegate actuator failureThe electric actuator that regulates turbo pressure (wastegate) can seize or fail on the 1.2 TSI and the EA211 engines: the car lights up the EPC warning light and goes into limp mode. Sometimes the actuator alone is enough; if the valve is damaged, the turbo is replaced.

• 1.6 TDI common rail EA189 (2009-2015)

  75–105 hp · CAYA, CAYB, CAYC, CAYD, CAYE

  The dieselgate scandal affects the whole series: check that the update (software and air flow stabiliser) has been done and that there are no symptoms of EGR, particulate filter, turbo or water pump problems.^[7][8]

  With caution

• 1.6 TDI EA288 (from 2012)

  80–120 hp · DGTC, CLHB, CXXA, DDYB, CLHA, CXXB, DBKA, CRKB, DDYA, DGTE, DCXA, DCZA

  The sources we consulted on dieselgate focus on the EA189 engines; we have found no indication that the EA288 is singled out in the same way. The main thing to watch is that the timing belt and the water pump have been changed on time.^[7][9]

  Buy

Faults that affect 2013 cars

• Medium severityFrequency: Very frequentEmissions controlManipulated emissions software (dieselgate) and air flow stabiliserThe 1.6 TDI EA189 engines (2009-2015, 75-105 hp) carried software that reduced exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) outside homologation tests. Unlike the 2.0 TDI, Volkswagen corrects this engine with the software update plus the fitting of an air flow stabiliser.Repair: €0
• High severityFrequency: OccasionalTimingTiming belt and water pumpThe 1.6 TDI drives its timing with a toothed belt. It is common for the water pump to be changed together with the kit: if the pump seizes first, it can drag the belt with it, with a risk of breakage and serious cylinder head damage.Repair (garage): €400–€1,500
• High severityFrequency: OccasionalTurboVariable-geometry turbo seized or with playThe variable-geometry turbo on the 1.6 TDI EA189 can seize because of carbon deposits or wear on the shaft. The engine loses power, whistles or emits bluish smoke, and replacing the turbo costs around €1,000 if there is no additional damage.Repair (garage): €1,000
• Medium severityFrequency: CommonEmissions controlEGR valve clogged with carbon depositsThe EGR valve accumulates carbon deposits, especially on short urban trips, until it seizes and no longer seals or opens precisely. The engine loses power and jerks; cleaning the valve costs considerably less than replacing it.Repair (garage): €100–€1,000
• Medium severityFrequency: CommonEmissions controlClogged particulate filter (DPF)In urban use and on short trips, the particulate filter does not complete regeneration and becomes saturated with soot. The DPF warning light comes on and, if ignored, the car may enter limp mode with a loss of power.Repair (garage): €200–€3,000

• 2.0 TDI common rail EA189 (2008-2015)

  84–177 hp · CBDC, CFFD, CAAC, CBAB, CFFB, CFHC, CFHD, CAGA, CJCA, CBAC, CAHA, CBBB, CFGB, CFGC, CGLC

  Worth buying if the emissions update has been done and, on 2009-2011 units, the diesel pipe campaign, and if there are no symptoms of EGR, particulate filter or turbo problems. Caradisiac finds it hard to recommend the Audi A4 2.0 TDI of this era because of its reliability problems.^[8][11][12]

  With caution

• 2.0 TDI EA288 (from 2012)

  110–240 hp · CRBC, CUNA, CUPA, CRLB, CRMB, DFEA, DFEB, DFFA, DFGA, DDAA, DFCA, CUAA

  Caradisiac picks it as the best diesel in the third-generation Audi A3. Its most cited fault is coolant loss from water pump leaks, easy to keep an eye on before buying.^[13]

  Buy

Faults that affect 2013 cars

• Medium severityFrequency: Very frequentEmissions controlManipulated emissions software (dieselgate) and the subsequent updateThe 2.0 TDI EA189 (2008-2015) had software that reduced the EGR outside type-approval tests. Volkswagen fixes it free of charge with an update of about 30 minutes, which is not mandatory to pass the ITV (Spain's roadworthiness inspection, similar to the MOT) and whose long-term effects are still under discussion.Repair: €0
• High severityFrequency: OccasionalInjectionHigh-pressure pump, injectors and diesel leaks on the EA189On the 2.0 TDI EA189, the high-pressure pump can shed metal particles that force the pump and injectors to be replaced. In addition, 2009-2011 units were recalled for diesel leaks from the high-pressure pipes.
• High severityFrequency: OccasionalTurboTurbo with seized vanes or premature failureOn the 110 and 140 hp 2.0 TDI engines, the vanes of the variable-geometry turbo get dirty and seize and the engine loses power. On some 140 hp units the turbo has failed before 70,000 km.Repair (garage): €1,000
• Medium severityFrequency: CommonEmissions controlDirty EGR valve and EGR cooler leaksThe 2.0 TDI's EGR valve often fills with carbon, especially with short journeys, and causes smoke and loss of power. On the EA189, the EGR cooler can also lose coolant.Repair (garage): €100–€300
• Medium severityFrequency: CommonEmissions controlClogged particulate filter or faulty pressure sensorThe 2.0 TDI's particulate filter clogs if the car mostly makes short journeys, because it never gets to regenerate; sometimes the fault is just the differential pressure sensor. Cleaning it costs around €200 and replacing it, €800 to €3,000.Repair (garage): €800–€3,000
• Medium severityFrequency: CommonCoolingCoolant loss from the water pump or the coolersMany 2.0 TDI engines lose coolant. On the 150 hp EA288 the water pump is usually the culprit and, more rarely, the cylinder head; on the 140 hp EA189 the typical causes are the oil cooler or the EGR cooler.

• 09G (Aisin TF-60SN, 2003-2018)

  · 09G, 09M, 09K

  It has a reputation for being more reliable than the DSG and the press documents hardly any systemic faults, but there are isolated cases of overheating or total gearbox failure, and as with any torque converter automatic of this age it is worth checking the oil maintenance history before buying.^[15][16][17]

  With caution

Faults that affect 2013 cars

• High severityFrequency: RareTransmissionTotal gearbox failure at low mileage, documented in an isolated caseA testimony from an Audi A3 8P 2.0 FSI with a Tiptronic gearbox says it became unusable at 100,000 km, with an expensive repair. It is the only total failure documented in this entry: there is no sign that it is a widespread problem, but it is worth checking carefully that it works properly before buying.
• Medium severityFrequency: RareTransmissionGearbox overheating under demanding use, documented in an isolated caseThere is one documented testimony of a Golf V 2.0 FSI whose automatic gearbox overheated at 49,500 km. It is an isolated case - we have found no similar testimonies for this gearbox in the other cars in this entry - but it is worth bearing in mind if you do a lot of driving in heat, heavy traffic or towing.

• Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalSuspensionDeformation of the rear axle trailing arm after an impactAccording to campaign 42G8 in the British register (DVSA), the rear axle trailing arm on Jettas built between October 2011 and August 2013 can become deformed in a rear impact or when reversing quickly over a high obstacle; if not detected, it can break later and cause a loss of steering control.