EA189 TDI
Volkswagen · 2.0L TDI (Dieselgate)
2008–2015
"The Dieselgate engine. Mechanically decent but emissions cheating scandal. Residual value impact. Fixed under recall."
Mileage Risk Timeline
When problems typically appear — enter your mileage to see your risk zone
Known Issues 2
Dieselgate NOx defeat device — verify recall complete
▸Check engine light after fix, reduced performance on some models post-recall
$30B+ global settlement. All EA189 must have recall fix applied. Post-fix: 87.7% of owners report EGR failure within 2 years.
MUST verify recall completion on any EA189 in Greece. Post-recall EGR failure is the main ongoing issue.
EGR failure post-recall (widespread)
▸Check engine light, rough idle, black smoke after recall fix
87.7% of EA189 owners report EGR failure post-recall in owner surveys. EGR tune changed as part of fix = more EGR load = faster wear.
Budget EGR valve replacement on any post-recall EA189. Very common in Greek VAG community.
Models with EA189 TDI 5
Other Volkswagen Engines
Tuning Potential
Stage 1 possible but warranty void
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Volkswagen EA189 TDI reliable?
The Volkswagen EA189 TDI scores 55/100 with a verdict of CAUTION. It has 2 documented issues with total repair costs between €400 and €2,700.
What are the common problems with the EA189 TDI?
The most common issues are:
- Dieselgate NOx defeat device — verify recall complete — critical, repair cost €0–€1,500, 0 km–∞
- EGR failure post-recall (widespread) — high, repair cost €400–€1,200, 0 km–60,000 km
What cars use the Volkswagen EA189 TDI?
The EA189 TDI is found in:
- Golf 2.0 TDI (2003–2008)
- Leon 1.6 TDI (2012–2020)
- Octavia 1.6 TDI (2012–2020)
- Passat 2.0 TDI (2010–2015)
- Tiguan 2.0 TDI (2007–2016)
How much does it cost to repair the EA189 TDI?
Total potential repair costs for all 2 known issues range from €400 to €2,700. The most expensive issue is typically .
What years was the EA189 TDI produced?
The Volkswagen EA189 TDI was produced from 2008 to 2015. It is a 1968cc I4 diesel engine.
Verdict and scores are editorial opinions based on aggregated data. Learn about our methodology. Not a substitute for professional inspection.