Car Model Guide/ Issues

Issue index

162 records. Each is written once against the engine, gearbox, chassis or shared component that carries it, and inherited by every variant with that part, so an issue page lists every car affected, not just the one you arrived from.

All issues, ranked by expected cost

Issue	Applies to	System	Likelihood	Cost	Detectable	Variants
Timing chain guide failure (early N20)walk away	N20	Engine	common	€1,400–€6,000	partially	2
Balance shaft gear wearwalk away	M271-KOMP	Engine	common	€2,500–€4,500	partially	4
Cylinder head distortion and coolant loss (IS 220d)walk away	2AD-FHV	Engine	common	€2,500–€4,500	partially	1
Excessive oil consumption (piston rings)walk away	CDNC	Engine	common	€2,200–€4,500	partially	3
Cylinder head distortion and coolant losswalk away	2AD-FTV	Engine	common	€2,000–€4,000	partially	3
Multitronic CVT failurewalk away	0AW-MULTITRONIC	Transmission	common	€1,800–€4,000	partially	16
Crankshaft cracking (early flat-four diesel)walk away	EE20	Engine	occasional	€4,000–€8,000	no	1
Rear timing chain failurewalk away	N47	Engine	common	€1,500–€2,500	yes	25
Rear timing chain stretch and failure (123d)walk away	N47S	Engine	common	€1,500–€2,500	partially	4
M272 balance shaft gear wear (early petrol V6)walk away	W164	Engine	occasional	€3,000–€6,000	partially	2
Sensotronic brake unit failure (pre-facelift)walk away	W211-FAMILY	Brakes	common	€1,200–€2,500	partially	8
Piston cracking from fuel dilutionwalk away	N22B	Engine	occasional	€2,500–€5,000	partially	3
Rear timing chain wear (3.0 TDI)walk away	CCWA	Engine	occasional	€2,500–€4,500	yes	3
Front-drive cars carry the multitronic CVT	C6	Transmission	common	€1,800–€4,000	partially	10
Timing chain tensioner failurewalk away	ea888-chain-tensioner	Engine	common	€900–€1,800	yes	36
Fuel injector failure	N54	Fuel	common	€1,800–€3,000	partially	8
Injector seal leaks and oil contaminationwalk away	RF7J	Fuel	common	€600–€1,800	partially	2
Turbocharger wastegate rattle and turbo failure	N54	Turbo & intake	common	€1,200–€3,500	yes	8
Excessive oil consumption (piston rings)	CCZA	Engine	common	€150–€4,500	partially	9
Oil dilution and rising oil level	SH-VPTS	Engine	common	€150–€4,500	yes	1
Timing chain and tensioner wear (1.4 TSI)walk away	CAXA	Engine	common	€700–€1,600	yes	10
Corrosion at the arches, sills and boot floorwalk away	GH	Body & corrosion	common	€300–€2,000	yes	8
CVT fluid degradation and belt wear	JATCO-CVT	Transmission	common	€1,400–€3,200	partially	2
Coolant loss and cylinder head cracking (early 1.0)walk away	M1DA	Cooling	occasional	€1,500–€4,000	partially	3
Rod bearing wear	S65	Engine	common	€1,500–€2,800	partially	3
Oil sludge and oil pickup blockage	B207	Engine	common	€800–€3,500	partially	1
Air suspension strut and compressor failure	955/957	Suspension	common	€700–€3,500	yes	2
Excessive oil consumption (piston rings)	CDAA	Engine	common	€150–€4,000	partially	10
Timing chain tensioner failure (1.2 TSI)walk away	CBZB	Engine	common	€650–€1,400	yes	5
Dry-clutch DSG mechatronic failure	DQ200-7DSG	Transmission	common	€1,200–€2,800	yes	63
Autotronic CVT shudder and failure	MB-CVT	Transmission	common	€1,200–€2,800	partially	2
Piezo injector failure (early OM651)	OM651	Fuel	common	€1,200–€2,400	partially	8
Timing chain tensioner failurewalk away	CAXC	Engine	common	€600–€1,200	partially	3
Head gasket failure (petrol flat four)	EJ204	Cooling	common	€1,200–€2,400	partially	1
Airmatic strut and compressor failure	W164	Suspension	common	€600–€3,000	yes	2
Timing chain and sprocket wear (early OM651)	OM651	Engine	common	€900–€2,500	partially	8
Transfer case actuator seizure	E70	Drivetrain	common	€500–€2,600	partially	3
PowerShift dry-clutch shudder (automatic cars)	B299	Transmission	common	€900–€2,200	yes	3
Oil-pump balance-shaft drive failurewalk away	CBAB	Engine	occasional	€700–€3,000	no	11
PowerShift wet dual-clutch shift faults and control module failure	POWERSHIFT-DCT	Transmission	common	€250–€2,800	partially	5
Timing chain stretch and tensioner wear	prince-timing-chain	Engine	common	€1,100–€1,900	yes	2
"Lifetime" fluid neglect	ZF6HP	Transmission	common	€400–€2,500	partially	115
Fluid neglect in the tiptronic automatic	ZF6HP-TIP	Transmission	common	€350–€2,500	partially	6
Timing chain and guide wear	N46	Engine	common	€1,000–€1,800	yes	6
Corrosion at the arches, boot and tailgate	W211-FAMILY	Body & corrosion	common	€300–€2,500	yes	8
Camshaft adjuster magnet oil leak	M274	Electrical	common	€250–€2,500	yes	6
Timing chain stretch and intake carbon	EP6	Engine	common	€900–€1,800	yes	3
Dual-mass flywheel and clutch wear	GS6-MANUAL	Transmission	common	€900–€1,600	yes	132
DCT mechatronic and clutch wear	MDCT	Transmission	occasional	€1,500–€4,500	partially	6
Oil cooler seal leak	OM642	Engine	common	€900–€1,600	yes	7
Timing chain stretch	A20DTH	Engine	common	€900–€1,600	yes	4
Rear differential and Haldex coupling wear	L359	Drivetrain	common	€250–€2,200	partially	2
Throttle actuator failure	S65	Engine	common	€800–€1,600	yes	3
M32 gearbox bearing failure	M32	Transmission	common	€700–€1,600	yes	5
Propshaft centre bearing and coupling wear	955/957	Drivetrain	common	€600–€1,600	yes	2
Transfer case and front propshaft wear	E83	Drivetrain	common	€350–€1,800	yes	2
DPF clogging and forced regeneration	dpf	Emissions	common	€250–€1,800	partially	206
High-pressure fuel-pump cam follower wear (S3)	CDLA	Fuel	common	€40–€2,000	yes	2
Rear timing chain wear	N57	Engine	occasional	€1,800–€3,000	yes	10
Dual-mass flywheel wear	TXBA	Transmission	common	€700–€1,200	yes	2
MMT clutch actuator and clutch wear	TOYOTA-MMT	Transmission	common	€250–€1,600	yes	2
Carbon buildup on intake valves	direct-injection-petrol	Turbo & intake	universal	€400–€700	no	142
High-pressure fuel pump failure	N54	Fuel	common	€700–€1,100	partially	8
Turbo oil feed blockage	DV6C	Turbo & intake	common	€300–€1,500	partially	3
Turbo oil feed blockage	T1DA	Turbo & intake	common	€300–€1,500	partially	3
Turbo oil feed blockage	DV6TED4	Turbo & intake	common	€300–€1,500	partially	2
Timing chain tensioner rattle	N43	Engine	common	€300–€1,400	yes	12
Convertible roof drain blockage and motor water damage	E88	Electrical	common	€200–€1,500	partially	8
Cooling system failure (pump, thermostat, expansion tank)	M54	Cooling	common	€600–€1,100	yes	2
Front control arm bushing wear	E9X	Suspension	universal	€300–€700	yes	65
Variable-vane turbo actuator sticking	vnt-turbo	Turbo & intake	common	€400–€1,200	yes	67
Injector seat leaks and seized injectors	OM646	Fuel	common	€400–€1,200	yes	2
Rear self-levelling air suspension leak (Touring)	E61	Suspension	common	€500–€1,100	yes	8
Injector wear and bore washing	K9K	Fuel	common	€400–€1,200	partially	5
Fuel pump wear and injector contamination	QYBA	Fuel	occasional	€800–€3,000	partially	2
Fuel pump wear and injector contamination	D4204T	Fuel	occasional	€800–€3,000	partially	2
Timing chain stretch	A12XER	Engine	common	€550–€1,000	yes	1
Haldex coupling wear and pump failure	PQ35-SUV	Drivetrain	common	€150–€1,400	partially	5
Electric power steering pump failure	R56	Suspension	common	€450–€1,100	yes	3
Rear air spring leak	F31	Suspension	common	€300–€1,200	yes	5
Rear arch and tailgate corrosion	312	Body & corrosion	common	€250–€1,200	yes	2
Haldex coupling pump failure	C394	Drivetrain	common	€150–€1,300	partially	2
Active steering fault	E6X	Suspension	occasional	€800–€2,500	yes	16
Heavy oil consumption (early 1.4 D-4D)	1ND-TV	Engine	occasional	€300–€3,000	yes	1
Panoramic roof drain blockage and water ingress	E91	Body & corrosion	common	€150–€1,200	yes	17
Electronic steering lock (ESL/ELV) failure	W212/S212	Electrical	common	€150–€1,200	partially	20
Module and electronics failures	E6X	Electrical	common	€150–€1,200	partially	16
Electric water pump and thermostat failure	electric-water-pump	Cooling	common	€500–€800	partially	48
7G-Tronic conductor plate and 13-pin connector leak (722.9)	7G-TRONIC	Transmission	common	€400–€900	partially	38
Rear self-levelling air-suspension leak (estate)	S212	Suspension	common	€400–€900	yes	10
Folding hardtop mechanism and hydraulic faults	E93	Electrical	occasional	€500–€2,500	yes	11
Electromechanical steering rack failure	B8	Suspension	occasional	€900–€2,000	yes	5
Plastic water pump and thermostat housing failure	CDNC	Cooling	common	€400–€800	yes	3
Water ingress and footwell module damage	E8X	Electrical	common	€0–€1,200	yes	38
Plenum drain blockage and module water damage	B6	Electrical	common	€0–€1,200	yes	10
Water pump and thermostat housing leak	vw-coolant-pump-housing	Cooling	common	€400–€800	yes	29
Electric power steering column failure	D	Suspension	common	€300–€900	partially	2
MultiAir actuator unit failure	940A2	Engine	occasional	€900–€1,800	partially	1
Valve cover and PCV failure	N55	Engine	common	€400–€700	yes	8
Underbody and rear beam corrosion	FZ	Body & corrosion	common	€200–€900	yes	2
Rotary gear selector and vent motor failure	XF-X250	Electrical	common	€200–€900	yes	4
Timing chain stretch and injector wear	R2AA	Engine	occasional	€900–€1,700	yes	2
Cold-start lifter tick and VANOS rattle	N52	Engine	common	€150–€900	yes	20
Run-flat tyres and kerbed or cracked wheels	E9X	Suspension	common	€150–€900	yes	65
Roof drain blockage and boot water ingress	E93	Body & corrosion	common	€150–€900	yes	11
Module and infotainment faults	INSIGNIA-A	Electrical	common	€150–€900	partially	6
Water ingress into the footwells	PQ25	Electrical	common	€120–€900	yes	11
Oil trap and crankcase ventilation clogging	D5244T	Engine	common	€300–€700	partially	4
Front suspension bush and link wear	P3	Suspension	common	€300–€700	partially	8
Rear differential fluid neglect	RE	Drivetrain	common	€80–€900	yes	2
Corrosion at the rear subframe and arch seams	E9X	Body & corrosion	occasional	€300–€2,000	yes	65
Rear suspension bush and subframe wear	MONDEO-MK4	Suspension	common	€250–€700	partially	8
Module and electrical faults	508-MK1	Electrical	common	€150–€800	partially	6
Module, sensor and infotainment faults	940	Electrical	common	€120–€800	yes	2
DQ250 wet-clutch DSG mechatronic and service neglect	DQ250-6DSG	Transmission	occasional	€700–€1,500	partially	49
Oil filter housing gasket leak	oil-filter-housing	Engine	common	€300–€600	yes	75
NOx sensor failure	nox-sensor	Emissions	common	€300–€600	yes	24
Front thrust-arm and control-arm bush wear	W212/S212	Suspension	common	€300–€600	yes	20
Piezo injector failure (lean-burn petrol)	piezo-injectors	Fuel	common	€350–€500	partially	24
Mechatronic sleeve and pan gasket leak	ZF6HP	Transmission	common	€250–€600	yes	115
Footwell module (FRM) failure	E9X	Electrical	common	€150–€700	yes	65
Cabriolet roof hydraulics and hall-sensor faults	8P7	Electrical	common	€150–€700	yes	5
Infotainment and module faults	FOCUS-MK3	Electrical	common	€150–€700	yes	4
Electronic steering lock failure	W204	Electrical	occasional	€600–€1,400	no	4
Rear suspension and tailgate wear	J10	Suspension	common	€200–€600	partially	3
Panoramic roof drains and boot water	PQ35-SUV	Body & corrosion	common	€100–€700	yes	5
Valve cover gasket leak	N52	Engine	common	€250–€500	yes	20
Injector seal leak (soot around injectors)	M57	Fuel	occasional	€400–€1,400	yes	15
Rear shock mount wear	E9X	Suspension	common	€250–€500	yes	65
xDrive transfer case actuator failure	E9X	Drivetrain	occasional	€600–€1,200	yes	65
Key card and ignition electronics faults	III	Electrical	common	€150–€600	yes	2
Timing chain stretch (1.2 12V)	CGPA	Engine	occasional	€600–€1,100	yes	3
Rear multi-link bush and drop-link wear	A3 8P	Suspension	common	€200–€500	partially	25
Panoramic roof drains and boot water	HYUNDAI-LM	Body & corrosion	common	€100–€600	yes	4
Crankshaft pulley and damper failure	AJD-V6	Engine	occasional	€450–€1,200	yes	2
Switch, window and lighting faults	X85	Electrical	common	€80–€600	yes	2
Rear trailing-arm and subframe bush wear	E8X	Suspension	common	€150–€500	partially	38
High-pressure fuel pump failure	N53	Fuel	occasional	€600–€950	partially	10
Tailgate glass hinge cracking (Touring)	E61	Body & corrosion	occasional	€300–€1,200	yes	8
EGR cooler leak	egr-cooler	Emissions	occasional	€400–€1,000	partially	192
Charge pipe cracking	N54	Turbo & intake	common	€150–€400	partially	8
High-pressure fuel pump cam follower wear	BLR	Fuel	common	€150–€400	partially	3
Swirl flap wear and ingestion	swirl-flaps	Engine	occasional	€400–€900	no	64
Timing chain and guide wear	N45B16	Engine	occasional	€400–€900	yes	1
Intake-port shut-off (swirl) actuator failure	OM642	Turbo & intake	occasional	€400–€900	yes	7
Electric power steering fault	ACCORD-8	Suspension	occasional	€400–€900	yes	6
iDrive CCC head unit failure	E9X	Electrical	occasional	€300–€900	yes	65
Panoramic sunroof drain blockage	W212/S212	Body & corrosion	common	€50–€400	yes	20
Pump-düse injector loom and injector wear	BKD	Electrical	occasional	€150–€900	partially	7
Carbon on the intake valves	4GR-FSE	Turbo & intake	occasional	€350–€600	partially	1
Coolant expansion tank cracking	E9X	Cooling	common	€120–€250	yes	65
Instrument-cluster (FIS) pixel failure	A3 8P	Interior	common	€120–€250	yes	25
VANOS solenoid and Valvetronic motor faults	N55	Engine	occasional	€200–€600	partially	8
Twin-opening tailgate mechanism faults	3T	Body & corrosion	occasional	€200–€600	yes	8
Eccentric shaft sensor leak	N52	Electrical	occasional	€250–€450	yes	20
Pump-duse injector loom chafing	BKC	Electrical	occasional	€150–€450	partially	9
Boot and tailgate water ingress	GF	Body & corrosion	occasional	€100–€500	yes	2
DISA intake flap failure	M54	Turbo & intake	occasional	€150–€400	yes	2
CVT fluid degradation	TOYOTA-CVT	Transmission	occasional	€200–€350	no	5
Very little recorded against the body	T27	Interior	uncommon	€150–€400	yes	8
Unregistered replacement battery	E9X	Electrical	common	€30–€60	partially	65
High oil consumption	S65	Engine	universal	–	no	3

By system

Engine · 45Transmission · 18Brakes · 1Fuel · 13Turbo & intake · 10Body & corrosion · 13Cooling · 7Suspension · 19Drivetrain · 8Electrical · 23Emissions · 3Interior · 2

Reading the columns

Expected cost is likelihood × mid repair cost, doubled for anything that justifies walking away. It ranks by money at stake rather than by how loudly a failure gets discussed, which is why a universal €500 item can outrank a rare €3,000 one.

Detectable is the most useful column here. A €2,500 failure you can hear on a cold start is a negotiating position; a €900 one you can't detect at all is a lottery ticket.