Volkswagen Diagnostic Trouble Codes
Common OBD2 fault codes found on Volkswagen vehicles with model-specific causes, known issues, TSBs, and adjusted repair cost estimates. Each guide is tailored for Volkswagen owners.
Electrical
"A" Camshaft Position Actuator Circuit (Bank 1)
Volkswagen Golf • 2006-2024
The EA888 engine uses a camshaft adjuster solenoid that can fail due to oil contamination. VW recomm...
Engine Overspeed Condition
Volkswagen Golf • 2005-2024
The DSG dual-clutch transmission can occasionally cause P0219 during rapid downshifts if the mechatr...
Vehicle Speed Sensor "A" Malfunction
Volkswagen Golf • 2003-2024
The Golf uses a Hall-effect speed sensor on the transmission. On DSG-equipped models, the sensor is ...
System Voltage Low
Volkswagen Golf • 2003-2024
The Golf Mk5 and Mk6 with the 1.4 TSI can develop alternator pulley clutch failure, where the overru...
Serial Communication Link Malfunction
Volkswagen Golf • 2004-2024
On Golf Mk5 and Mk6 models, P0600 is sometimes triggered by water intrusion into the ECU housing loc...
Intake Manifold Runner Control Circuit/Open (Bank 1)
Volkswagen Golf • 2004-2024
The Golf with 2.0 TFSI and 2.0 TDI engines commonly triggers P2008 due to actuator connector corrosi...
Emissions
"A" Camshaft Position - Timing Over-Advanced or System Performance (Bank 1)
Volkswagen Golf • 2006-2024
The 1.4 TSI (CAXA/CAVD) engines from 2006-2014 are notorious for timing chain stretch causing P0011....
"B" Camshaft Position - Timing Over-Retarded (Bank 1)
Volkswagen Golf • 2006-2024
The 1.4 TSI engines from 2006-2014 are particularly prone to timing chain issues causing P0015. An u...
Intake Air Temperature Sensor 1 Circuit High
Volkswagen Golf • 2005-2024
VW integrates the IAT sensor into the MAF sensor (part number G70/G42). A standalone IAT sensor is n...
O2 Sensor Circuit Low Voltage (Bank 1 Sensor 1)
Volkswagen Golf • 2005-2024
The EA888 2.0 TSI and 1.4 TSI engines use wideband (AFR) sensors rather than traditional narrowband ...
O2 Sensor Heater Circuit Malfunction (Bank 1, Sensor 1)
Volkswagen Golf • 2005-2024
The upstream O2 sensor on TSI engines is threaded into the turbo downpipe, subject to extreme heat. ...
O2 Sensor Heater Circuit Malfunction (Bank 1, Sensor 2)
Volkswagen Golf • 2005-2024
VW uses Bosch sensors as OEM on most Golf models. The EA888 engine's downstream sensor can be tight ...
Exhaust Gas Recirculation Flow Malfunction
Volkswagen Golf • 2003-2024
The 1.9 TDI and 2.0 TDI engines are well-known for EGR valve carbon clogging, especially in stop-and...
Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) Flow Insufficient
Volkswagen Golf • 2005-2024
The Golf TDI (diesel) models are most prone to P0401 due to heavy soot production. The EGR cooler on...
Secondary Air Injection System Malfunction
Volkswagen Golf • 2003-2024
The secondary air pump on the 2.0 FSI and EA888 engines is located in the front of the engine bay an...
Secondary Air Injection System Incorrect Flow Detected
Volkswagen Golf • 2003-2024
P0411 on the Golf is almost always caused by the combination valve (N112) sticking from carbon build...
Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 1)
Volkswagen Golf • 2005–2024
The Golf TDI (diesel) models don't typically trigger P0420. This code is predominantly found on TSI/...
Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 2)
Volkswagen Golf • 2005-2024
The Golf is predominantly an inline-4 platform, so P0430 is uncommon. However, the Golf R32 (VR6 eng...
Diesel Particulate Filter Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 1)
Volkswagen Golf • 2005-2024
The Golf TDI (1.6 and 2.0 diesel) is the most commonly affected model in the EU. The EA189 and EA288...
Ignition
Crankshaft Position - Camshaft Position Correlation (Bank 1 Sensor A)
Volkswagen Golf • 2005-2024
The 1.4 TSI (EA111) from 2006-2014 is notorious for timing chain stretch, often as early as 60,000-8...
Crankshaft Position Sensor "A" Circuit Malfunction
Volkswagen Golf • 2003-2024
On the 1.9 TDI (ALH/BEW) and 2.0 TDI (BKD/CBDB) engines, the crankshaft position sensor is located o...
Camshaft Position Sensor Circuit Malfunction
Volkswagen Golf • 2005-2024
VW uses Hall-effect CMP sensors on TSI/TFSI engines. On the EA888, the sensor is located at the back...
Camshaft Position Sensor "A" Circuit Range/Performance
Volkswagen Golf • 2006-2024
The 1.4 TSI (CAXA) in Golf Mk5 and Mk6 is infamous for timing chain stretch, often triggering P0341 ...
Fuel System
Fuel Rail/System Pressure - Too Low
Volkswagen Golf • 2005-2024
The 2.0 TDI (CR) diesel engines commonly trigger P0087 due to fuel filter contamination or high-pres...
Mass Air Flow Sensor Range/Performance
Volkswagen Golf • 2005-2024
VW uses Bosch hot-film MAF sensors. On the EA888, the intake tract has multiple joints and a charge ...
System Too Lean (Bank 1)
Volkswagen Golf • 2005–2024
The PCV valve (also called the crankcase breather or oil separator) is the most common P0171 trigger...
System Too Rich (Bank 1)
Volkswagen Golf • 2005-2024
The EA888 engine commonly triggers P0172 from a failing N80 purge valve that sticks open, continuous...
System Too Lean (Bank 2)
Volkswagen Golf • 2005-2024
Standard Golf models are inline-4 and won't produce P0174. The VR6-powered Golf R32 can trigger it. ...
Fuel Rail Pressure Sensor Circuit Range/Performance
Volkswagen Golf • 2005-2024
The EA888 2.0 TSI direct injection engine uses a high-pressure fuel rail sensor (G247) that operates...
Turbocharger/Supercharger "A" Overboost Condition
Volkswagen Golf • 2005-2024
The EA888 2.0 TSI in GTI models and the 1.4 TSI are common triggers for P0234. VW uses the N75 boost...
Turbocharger/Supercharger "A" Underboost Condition
Volkswagen Golf • 2005-2024
The 1.4 TSI and 2.0 TDI are frequent triggers for P0299. The plastic charge pipes on the EA888 can c...
Idle Control System RPM Higher Than Expected
Volkswagen Golf • 2005-2024
VW TSI engines use electronic throttle and are prone to carbon buildup on the throttle body due to d...
Intake Manifold Runner Control Stuck Open (Bank 1)
Volkswagen Golf • 2004-2024
The Golf Mk5 and Mk6 with the 2.0 TFSI (EA113/EA888) and 2.0 TDI (EA189/EA288) engines are extremely...
Intake Manifold Runner Control Stuck Closed (Bank 1)
Volkswagen Golf • 2004-2024
The Golf 2.0 TDI is the most common model to trigger P2006 in Europe, as diesel engines produce more...
Intake Manifold Runner Position Sensor/Switch Circuit Range/Performance (Bank 1)
Volkswagen Golf • 2008-2024
The Golf Mk6 and Mk7 with the 2.0 TDI CR (CBAB, CFHC, CRLB engine codes) are the single most common ...
System Too Lean at Idle (Bank 1)
Volkswagen Golf • 2005-2024
The Golf with 1.4 TSI and 2.0 TFSI engines commonly triggers P2187 due to PCV system failures. The E...
System Too Rich at Idle (Bank 1)
Volkswagen Golf • 2005-2024
The Golf TSI engines (EA111 and EA888) commonly trigger P2188 from leaking fuel injector seals and a...
Cooling System
Misfire
Random/Multiple Cylinder Misfire Detected
Volkswagen Golf • 2005–2024
The EA888 2.0T engine in Golf GTI/R models is prone to carbon buildup on intake valves (direct injec...
Cylinder 1 Misfire Detected
Volkswagen Golf • 2005-2024
On EA888 2.0 TSI engines, carbon buildup on the intake valves of cylinder 1 is a common cause of P03...
Cylinder 3 Misfire Detected
Volkswagen Golf • 2005-2024
The EA888 2.0 TSI in Golf GTI models suffers from carbon buildup on intake valves. Cylinder 3 is com...
EVAP System
Evaporative Emission System Leak Detected (Small Leak)
Volkswagen Golf • 2003-2024
The Golf Mk5 and Mk6 have a known issue with the N80 purge valve sticking, which can trigger P0442. ...
Evaporative Emission System Vent Control Circuit
Volkswagen Golf • 2005-2024
VW EVAP systems use an N80 purge valve and a separate vent valve. P0446 on the Golf typically points...
Evaporative Emission System Leak Detected (Large Leak)
Volkswagen Polo • 2005-2024
The Polo shares many EVAP components with the VW Golf. The N80 purge valve is a common failure point...
Transmission
Transmission Control System Malfunction
Volkswagen Golf • 2003-2024
Golf models with the DQ200 (7-speed dry DSG) and DQ250 (6-speed wet DSG) are the most common P0700 t...
Input/Turbine Speed Sensor Circuit Malfunction
Volkswagen Golf • 2003-2024
On Golf models with the DSG (DQ200/DQ250), the input speed sensor is integrated into the mechatronic...
Diagnose your Volkswagen with Skanyx
Connect any Bluetooth OBD2 adapter to your Volkswagen, scan for codes, and get AI-powered diagnostics with severity ratings and repair cost estimates.
Download Skanyx