Volkswagen 2.0 TDI (EA189, EA288 and EA288 evo)InjectorsFuel pump and high-pressure pump
High-pressure pump, injectors and diesel leaks on the EA189 on the 2.0 TDI
Why this rating?
High severity: Risk of a serious engine, turbo or gearbox failure.
Frequency occasional: Caradisiac speaks of some premature pump seizures on the 140 hp Tiguan and frequent pump and injector replacements on the Audi A4. The pipe campaign was preventive: in the UK, the Yeti one affected 1,867 cars, including some Octavias and Superbs.[1][2][3]
Symptoms
- Smell of diesel or fuel residue in the engine bay if a high-pressure pipe is damaged by vibration.[2]Fuel smell: other faults that cause it · As soon as possible
- Injectors failing at low mileage (isolated cases on the Passat B7 2.0 TDI).[4]
Why it happens
The high-pressure pump can shed iron particles that contaminate the injection system.[1]
On 2009-2011 units, vibration could damage the high-pressure pipes and cause diesel leaks.[2][6]
If it is not repaired: A pump that sheds particles often means the injectors have to be replaced as well. Damaged pipes let diesel escape into the engine bay.[1][2]
Affected cars and years
The pump and injectors affect the EA189 (Audi A4 B8, Tiguan I and isolated injector cases on the Passat B7). The pipe campaign covers 2.0 TDI common-rail engines built between 2009 and 2011; on the Audi A3, from January 2008 to December 2011.[1][2][3][4][5]
| Version | Years | Codes |
|---|---|---|
| 2.0 TDI common rail EA189 (2008-2015) | 2008–2015 | CBDCCFFDCAACCBABCFFBCFHCCFHDCAGACJCACBACCAHACBBBCFGBCFGCCGLC |
Models fitted with the affected versions
Audi
- Audi A3 II2003–2012
- Audi A4 B82008–2015
- Audi Q3 I2011–2018
- Audi Q5 I2008–2017
Seat
- Seat León II2005–2012
- Seat Altea2004–2015
- Seat Exeo2008–2013
- Seat Alhambra II2010–2020
Škoda
- Škoda Octavia II2004–2013
- Škoda Superb II2008–2015
- Škoda Yeti2009–2017
Volkswagen
- Volkswagen Golf VI2008–2012
- Volkswagen Passat B62005–2010
- Volkswagen Passat B72010–2014
- Volkswagen Tiguan I2008–2016
- Volkswagen Touran I2003–2015
- Volkswagen Scirocco III2008–2017
- Volkswagen Jetta VI2010–2018
- Volkswagen Sharan II2010–2020
- Volkswagen Golf Plus2005–2014
- Volkswagen Beetle II2011–2015
- Volkswagen Amarok I2010–2016
- Volkswagen Transporter T52009–2015
How much it costs to repair
Includes: Replacement of the high-pressure pump and injectors, with cleaning of the circuit and labour.[1]
We have not found published prices in Spain. The pipe campaign is carried out at the official network.
Prices in Spain, including VAT. A workshop hour costs on average €38–66 at independent garages and €77–134 at dealerships in Spain, depending on the region and the brand. How we calculate costs
How to check for it before buying a used car
Parts needed
The part or kit that fixes this fault, according to the sources.
This fault has a manufacturer recall: if your car is included, the repair is free at an official service centre. Check with the manufacturer before buying the part. View the recall
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How to prevent it
- Fill up at trusted filling stations and change the diesel filter at the manufacturer's intervals.
- If the car is from 2009-2011, make sure the pipe campaign has been done.[2]
Recalls, campaigns and claims
RecallGrupo Volkswagen (Volkswagen, Audi, Škoda) · December 2011
Recall for diesel leaks from the high-pressure pipes
2.0 TDI common-rail engines built between 2009 and 2011 (Golf VI, Yeti, Octavia II, Superb II) and Audi A3 2.0 TDI from 2008 to 2011. Anti-vibration counterweights are fitted to the pipes. In the UK, the Yeti campaign included 1,867 vehicles.[2][5][6][7][9]
What owners say
Frequently asked questions
Which cars were included in the diesel leak campaign?
The 2009-2011 2.0 TDI common-rail engines in models such as the Golf VI, Yeti, Octavia II or Superb II, and the Audi A3 2.0 TDI from 2008 to 2011. The fix was anti-vibration counterweights on the pipes.[2][5][6][7][9]
Why do the injectors have to be replaced if the pump fails?
Because the high-pressure pump can shed iron particles that reach the injectors. Caradisiac notes that on the Audi A4 of this era both are usually replaced.[1]
Does the EA288 have the same problem?
The sources consulted do not document it. Caradisiac considers the injector problems of earlier generations to have been overcome in the Golf VIII.[10]
What can you do now?
We will put you in touch with a partner only if you authorise it in the form.
Other 2.0 TDI faults
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalLubricationOil pump failure on the pumpe-düse 2.0 TDIOn the pumpe-düse 2.0 TDI (2003-2010), especially the 140 hp, there are numerous cases of an oil pump that does not provide enough pressure. If lubrication fails, the first thing to break is usually the turbo.
- 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: 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.
- Low severityFrequency: RareTurboHissing when accelerating from damaged hoses or intercooler on the Transporter T6 2.0 TDIOn the Transporter T6 2.0 TDI (2015-2019) a hissing sound can be heard when accelerating, caused by loose or damaged hoses or a crack in the intercooler. Often there is no loss of power and no warning light; oil stains reveal the crack.
More faults with the injectors on other engines and cars
- High severityFrequency: Very frequentOM651Delphi piezo injector failure (220/250 CDI)Yes: 220 and 250 CDI models built between 2008 and 2011 had Delphi piezo injectors that were prone to failing and seizing in the cylinder head. Mercedes-Benz replaced them under warranty in 2009 and switched the 220 CDI to solenoid injectors from 2010-2011, but the 250 CDI kept them.Repair (garage): €3,600–€5,900
- High severityFrequency: CommonBMW N52 / N53N53 piezoelectric injector failureThe N53's piezoelectric direct injectors fail frequently and cause misfires, rough idle and limp mode; replacing them is expensive and they must be coded.
- High severityFrequency: CommonMZR-CDOil dilution from leaking injector seals and DPF regenerationsOn the 2.0 and 2.2 MZR-CD, injector seals that age badly and incomplete particulate filter regenerations on short journeys can let unburnt diesel into the sump, diluting the oil and leaving the engine with less lubrication.
- High severityFrequency: CommonOM642Wear and failure of the Bosch piezo injectorsThe OM642's Bosch piezo injectors can fail from around 150,000-200,000 km, especially with poor-quality diesel; they cannot be repaired, only replaced. Because it is a V engine, those on the rear bank are harder to reach, which pushes up labour costs.Repair: €4,500–€6,500
- High severityFrequency: Common2.2 CDI (OM646)Injector seal leak with carbonisation around the seatYes: the copper washer that seals each injector can harden and let combustion gases through, forming a black crust of carbon around it. It is a known fault on Mercedes CDI diesels of this era, with injectors described as fragile on both the OM611 and the OM646.
- High severityFrequency: Common2.2/2.5 dCiInjection pump or injector failureThe 2.2 dCi's common rail injectors fail fairly often on the X-Trail and Almera, with cases of seizing and leaks; on the Almera with the older YD22DDT, the documented fault is in the injection pump electronics, not the injectors.
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Sources
Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.
- Maxi-fiche fiabilité - Audi A4 (2007-2015) : belle, mais capricieuseCaradisiac · Motoring press · published 1 April 2023 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
- Used Skoda Yeti reviewAuto Express · Motoring press · published 15 June 2016 · consulted 26 September 2026
- Un Volkswagen Tiguan en occasion : les meilleures versions par budget, et la fiabilitéCaradisiac · Motoring press · published 1 April 2025 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
- Fiabilité de la Volkswagen Passat 7 : la maxi-fiche occasion de CaradisiacCaradisiac · Motoring press · published 2 October 2017 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
- Used Audi A3 (Mk2, 2003-2012) reviewAuto Express · Motoring press · published 29 January 2018 · consulted 26 September 2026
- Used Skoda Superb (Mk2, 2008-2015) review and buyer's guideAuto Express · Motoring press · published 9 March 2018 · consulted 26 September 2026
- Used Volkswagen Golf (Mk6, 2009-2013) reviewAuto Express · Motoring press · published 15 November 2016 · consulted 26 September 2026
- VW EA189Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
- Used Skoda Octavia (Mk2, 2004-2013) reviewAuto Express · Motoring press · published 13 June 2018 · consulted 26 September 2026
- Maxi-fiche fiabilité - Volkswagen Golf VIII : du genre agaçanteCaradisiac · Motoring press · published 5 April 2024 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French