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
Related Guides
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 (2008–2008)
- Leon 1.6 TDI (2012–2020)
- Octavia 1.6 TDI (2012–2020)
- Passat 2.0 TDI (2010–2015)
- Tiguan 2.0 TDI (2008–2016)
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.
Scores are calculated from documented issues, repair costs, and failure patterns across thousands of owner reports and technical sources. Learn about our methodology. Always inspect before you buy.