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CBABCFFBCBDCCFFDCAACCFHCCFHDCAGACJCACBACCAHACBBB

2.0 TDI common rail EA189 (2008-2015) engine: faults and reliability

Volkswagen 2.0 TDI (EA189, EA288 and EA288 evo) version

With caution

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.[1][2][3]

Years
2008–2015
Power
84–177 hp
Faults that affect it
6
2 of high or critical severity
Cars that use it
23
in our database

27 sourcesHow we work

What changes in this version

Moves to common-rail injection with piezo injectors (230 to 1,800 bar) to meet Euro 5, with a particulate filter and cooled EGR. This is the series affected by the dieselgate emissions software.[4]

Engine codes of this version: CBAB, CFFB, CBDC, CFFD, CAAC, CFHC, CFHD, CAGA, CJCA, CBAC, CAHA, CBBB, CFGB, CFGC, CGLC.

Faults of the CBAB engine

The documented engine faults that affect this version and its years, from most to least important.

  1. 1Medium 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
  2. 2High 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.
  3. 3High 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
  4. 4Medium 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
  5. 5Medium 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
  6. 6Medium 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.

Cars fitted with the CBAB engine

Open each car to see all its faults with this engine and what to check before buying it.

Audi

Seat

Škoda

Volkswagen

Frequently asked questions

Is the CBAB engine reliable?

Our verdict is “With caution”. 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.[1][2][3]

What faults does the CBAB engine have?

The documented ones that affect this version, by importance: manipulated emissions software (dieselgate) and the subsequent update (medium severity), high-pressure pump, injectors and diesel leaks on the EA189 (high severity), turbo with seized vanes or premature failure (high severity), dirty EGR valve and EGR cooler leaks (medium severity), clogged particulate filter or faulty pressure sensor (medium severity) and coolant loss from the water pump or the coolers (medium severity).

Which cars use the CBAB engine?

Volkswagen Golf VI (2008–2012), Volkswagen Passat B6 (2005–2010), Volkswagen Passat B7 (2010–2014), Volkswagen Tiguan I (2008–2016), Volkswagen Touran I (2003–2015), Volkswagen Scirocco III (2008–2017), Volkswagen Jetta VI (2010–2018), Seat León II (2005–2012), Seat Altea (2004–2015) and Seat Exeo (2008–2013), among 13 others.[5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17]

Are you buying a car with the CBAB engine?

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Do you have a car with this engine? Tell us which faults you have had and at how many kilometres. Report your fault.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.

  1. Información sobre el motor EA189Volkswagen España · Manufacturer · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  2. Maxi-fiche fiabilité - Audi A4 (2007-2015) : belle, mais capricieuseCaradisiac · Motoring press · published 1 April 2023 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  3. Used Skoda Yeti reviewAuto Express · Motoring press · published 15 June 2016 · consulted 26 September 2026
  4. VW EA189Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  5. Used Volkswagen Golf (Mk6, 2009-2013) reviewAuto Express · Motoring press · published 15 November 2016 · consulted 26 September 2026
  6. Volkswagen Passat (2005 - 2010) used car reviewRAC Drive · Motoring press · published 1 November 2010 · consulted 26 September 2026
  7. Fiabilité de la Volkswagen Passat 7 : la maxi-fiche occasion de CaradisiacCaradisiac · Motoring press · published 2 October 2017 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  8. Volkswagen Passat (B7) - WikipediaWikipedia · Other source · consulted 29 October 2026
  9. 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
  10. VW EA288Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  11. Volkswagen Tiguan - WikipediaWikipedia · Other source · consulted 29 October 2026
  12. VW EA188Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  13. Fiabilité du Volkswagen Touran 2 : la maxi-fiche occasion de CaradisiacCaradisiac · Motoring press · published 3 May 2018 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  14. Lista provisional de coches afectados por los TDI de VolkswagenMotor.es · Motoring press · published 25 September 2015 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  15. Volkswagen Scirocco - WikipediaWikipedia · Other source · consulted 29 October 2026
  16. Los SEAT León y Altea se despiden del TDI "viejo"Motorpasión · Motoring press · published 23 November 2010 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  17. SEAT Exeo - WikipediaWikipedia · Other source · consulted 29 October 2026
  18. SEAT Alhambra - WikipediaWikipedia · Other source · consulted 29 October 2026
  19. Used Skoda Octavia (Mk2, 2004-2013) reviewAuto Express · Motoring press · published 13 June 2018 · consulted 26 September 2026
  20. Škoda Octavia - WikipediaWikipedia · Other source · consulted 29 October 2026
  21. Used Skoda Superb (Mk2, 2008-2015) review and buyer's guideAuto Express · Motoring press · published 9 March 2018 · consulted 26 September 2026
  22. Used Audi A3 (Mk2, 2003-2012) reviewAuto Express · Motoring press · published 29 January 2018 · consulted 26 September 2026
  23. VW Sharan II - WikipediaWikipedia · Other source · consulted 29 October 2026 · in German
  24. VW Golf PlusWikipedia (de) · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026 · in German
  25. VW BeetleWikipedia (de) · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026 · in German
  26. VW Amarok I: tabla «Technische Daten» (Motorbaureihe VW EA189, 2.0 TDI y 2.0 BiTDI; V6 TDI desde 09/2016)Wikipedia (de) · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026 · in German
  27. VW T5: tablas «Dieselmotoren 2009 bis 2016» y «Ottomotoren ab 2009» (EA189: CAAA, CAAB, CAAD, CAAC/CCHA, CFCA)Wikipedia (de) · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026 · in German