Photo: VW Passat TDI TURBO Failure
Numerous reports emerged last year of metallic sounds coming from the 2nd or 3rd gears of Volkswagen Group's DSG gearboxes, especially in countries with warm climate and/or band roads. After supposedly being fixed, many people are still having costly problems, sometimes out-of-warranty mecatronic control mechanism swaps. Even the synthetic oil change, which is the official fix preposed by Volkswagen, is reportedly only a stop-gap.
That frankly sounds like the stuff of nightmares, somewhat reminiscent of the Honda Odyssey transmission failures in the 2000s. But what if we told you there's another, equally terrifying problem going on with Volkswagen engines?
More specifically, a number of reports have emerged suggesting the 2.0 TDI diesel engines in 2012, 2013 and 2014 Passat models have turbine problems. TDI Club has compiled a number of complaints through about 100 forum posts, though this could just be the tip of the iceberg. Some people are reporting multiple turbo failures per car within just months of repairs. The highest mileage failure is at 100,000 (160,000 km), the lowest being at a ridiculous 660 (1060 kilometers).
There are too many examples to sift though, but we thought forum user traveler103 has a very interesting one. His TDI's turbocharger has already failed twice this year. Here's his highly detailed testimony of what he said happened:
Build date: ? Purchased April 2013
Corrective actions from dealership: New turbo. They said different model number than the original unit, but couldn't give me the part number. Because I drove it to dealership, dumping oil through the exhaust, they also replaced the intercooler, EGR and DPF.
Outside air temps at failure: about -10
Failure warning signs, if any: slight whine from turbo for about a week before failure. Temps were VERY cold. (-7 to -21). The car failed in the evening, but that morning when leaving for work, the turbo made a split second choo-choo train whistle, but continued to function, although it felt like the turbo was free-wheeling and not really in sync with the actual boost. When it failed, there was a muffled bang, followed by a locomotive type black oily smoke rolling out of the exhaust. I was only 2 miles from the dealership, so I drove it there immediately. When standing on the throttle, it sounded like a nut rattling around in a can.
Warning lights on dash/MFI: Flashing glow plug.
Problems since replacement: Another blown turbo today.
Repair time: 13 Days.
Any dealer divulged info on other incidents involving other failures: "Yeah, we've seen a couple of those".
Did the dealership perform all maintenance and on schedule: yes
If not dealership, what oil was used/miles on oil:
Are you the original owner of the car: yes
Did you baby your car or not: Baby it, until fully warmed up.
Do you interrupt DPF regenerations: yes
How long is your daily commute: 90 miles usually round trip
Transmission (DSG/auto or manual): manual
Failed turbo part number (if known): 0005
Build date: ? Purchased April 2013
Corrective actions from dealership: New turbo. They told me that they didn't replace an oil line previously, and that was the reason for the failure this time.
Outside air temps at failure: about 24F.
Failure warning signs, if any: No warning signs at all! Just a sudden "phew" sound, followed by no boost. Wasn't even up to speed yet from leaving my driveway. No oil pouring out of exhaust this time, so I again drove to dealership.
Warning lights on dash/MFI: Flashing glow plug.
Problems since replacement:
Repair time:
Any dealer divulged info on other incidents involving other failures: This is funny. There was the exact car pulling into the service bay ahead of me. I listened as the driver told the service writer at the counter about his problem...it was the same as mine. Here's the funny part. He's is a sales guy at the dealership! He tossed the counter guy the keys and said, "I'm probably not your first priority right now, am I?"
Did the dealership perform all maintenance and on schedule: yes
If you've experience similar problems, give us a detailed report. When and where did the turbo start acting up? How did they fix it? What model year is your Passat and how many miles did it do?
More specifically, a number of reports have emerged suggesting the 2.0 TDI diesel engines in 2012, 2013 and 2014 Passat models have turbine problems. TDI Club has compiled a number of complaints through about 100 forum posts, though this could just be the tip of the iceberg. Some people are reporting multiple turbo failures per car within just months of repairs. The highest mileage failure is at 100,000 (160,000 km), the lowest being at a ridiculous 660 (1060 kilometers).
There are too many examples to sift though, but we thought forum user traveler103 has a very interesting one. His TDI's turbocharger has already failed twice this year. Here's his highly detailed testimony of what he said happened:
First turbo failure
Miles on car at failure: 15,150 miles. January 22, 2014Build date: ? Purchased April 2013
Corrective actions from dealership: New turbo. They said different model number than the original unit, but couldn't give me the part number. Because I drove it to dealership, dumping oil through the exhaust, they also replaced the intercooler, EGR and DPF.
Outside air temps at failure: about -10
Failure warning signs, if any: slight whine from turbo for about a week before failure. Temps were VERY cold. (-7 to -21). The car failed in the evening, but that morning when leaving for work, the turbo made a split second choo-choo train whistle, but continued to function, although it felt like the turbo was free-wheeling and not really in sync with the actual boost. When it failed, there was a muffled bang, followed by a locomotive type black oily smoke rolling out of the exhaust. I was only 2 miles from the dealership, so I drove it there immediately. When standing on the throttle, it sounded like a nut rattling around in a can.
Warning lights on dash/MFI: Flashing glow plug.
Problems since replacement: Another blown turbo today.
Repair time: 13 Days.
Any dealer divulged info on other incidents involving other failures: "Yeah, we've seen a couple of those".
Did the dealership perform all maintenance and on schedule: yes
If not dealership, what oil was used/miles on oil:
Are you the original owner of the car: yes
Did you baby your car or not: Baby it, until fully warmed up.
Do you interrupt DPF regenerations: yes
How long is your daily commute: 90 miles usually round trip
Transmission (DSG/auto or manual): manual
Failed turbo part number (if known): 0005
Second turbo failure
Miles on car at failure: 17,510 miles. Failed this morning.Build date: ? Purchased April 2013
Corrective actions from dealership: New turbo. They told me that they didn't replace an oil line previously, and that was the reason for the failure this time.
Outside air temps at failure: about 24F.
Failure warning signs, if any: No warning signs at all! Just a sudden "phew" sound, followed by no boost. Wasn't even up to speed yet from leaving my driveway. No oil pouring out of exhaust this time, so I again drove to dealership.
Warning lights on dash/MFI: Flashing glow plug.
Problems since replacement:
Repair time:
Any dealer divulged info on other incidents involving other failures: This is funny. There was the exact car pulling into the service bay ahead of me. I listened as the driver told the service writer at the counter about his problem...it was the same as mine. Here's the funny part. He's is a sales guy at the dealership! He tossed the counter guy the keys and said, "I'm probably not your first priority right now, am I?"
Did the dealership perform all maintenance and on schedule: yes
If you've experience similar problems, give us a detailed report. When and where did the turbo start acting up? How did they fix it? What model year is your Passat and how many miles did it do?
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