EA288 2.0 TDI
Volkswagen · 2.0L TDI (clean diesel)
2015–present
"Post-Dieselgate clean diesel. AdBlue SCR. Reliable if DPF maintained. Strong highway cruiser."
Mileage Risk Timeline
When problems typically appear — enter your mileage to see your risk zone
Known Issues 2
DPF blockage — city use
▸DPF warning, limp mode
Clean diesel, same DPF regen requirements as all diesels.
Athens city use: plan highway runs every 2-3 weeks minimum. 30+ min at 100+ km/h.
EGR fouling (much better than EA189)
▸Rough idle, slight smoke
Post-Dieselgate engineering. Less aggressive than EA189 post-recall.
Standard diesel maintenance. Manageable with proper use.
Models with EA288 2.0 TDI 25
Related Guides
Other Volkswagen Engines
1.9 TDI (ALH/AHF/ASV)
1.9L TDI I4
View details → Compare: EA288 2.0 TDI vs 1.9 TDI (ALH/AHF/ASV)EA888 Gen 4 (2.0 TSI)
2.0L TSI I4
View details → Compare: EA288 2.0 TDI vs EA888 Gen 4 (2.0 TSI)Tuning Potential
Stage 1 ~210hp safe
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Volkswagen EA288 2.0 TDI reliable?
The Volkswagen EA288 2.0 TDI scores 76/100 with a verdict of ACCEPTABLE. It has 2 documented issues with total repair costs between €800 and €2,200.
What are the common problems with the EA288 2.0 TDI?
The most common issues are:
- DPF blockage — city use — high, repair cost €500–€1,500, 60,000 km–120,000 km
- EGR fouling (much better than EA189) — minor, repair cost €300–€700, 80,000 km–150,000 km
What cars use the Volkswagen EA288 2.0 TDI?
The EA288 2.0 TDI is found in:
- Ibiza (2015–2017)
- Fabia (2015–2018)
- Polo (2015–2017)
- Rapid (2015–2019)
- Ibiza (2015–2017)
- Fabia (2015–2018)
- Ateca 2.0 TDI (2016–2024)
- Caddy 2.0 TDI (2015–2024)
- Golf 2.0 TDI (2015–2020)
- Golf 2.0 TDI (2019–2024)
How much does it cost to repair the EA288 2.0 TDI?
Total potential repair costs for all 2 known issues range from €800 to €2,200. The most expensive issue is typically .
What years was the EA288 2.0 TDI produced?
The Volkswagen EA288 2.0 TDI was produced from 2015 to present. 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.