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Seat Exeo problems (2008–2013)

All 1 engine and 1 gearbox of the Seat Exeo that we have documented have high or critical severity faults: the Multitronic gearbox and the 2.0 TDI. None has a «Buy» verdict; the safest option is the 2.0 TDI, with a «With caution» verdict.[1][2][3]

Outside the engine: Outside the engine, the Seat Exeo has no known recalls and data is scarce: according to the fiches-auto.fr reports there are isolated cases of suspension, power steering, water leaks and clutch or dual-mass flywheel problems on the 2.0 TDI cars.[4][5]

Seat Exeo (2008–2013)
Photo: Thomas doerfer · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons. Reference image for this generation.
02468104.5out of 10

Seat Exeo rating: low reliability

Calculated using only 13 documented faults and their sources: the most serious and frequent faults weigh more. Limited evidence: it is based on few sources or few documented faults, so it is not included in the rankings. Having few documented faults does not mean it is reliable: it may simply be little studied. How it is calculated

  • Engine5.56 faults
  • Gearbox3.64 faults
  • Suspension8.61 fault
  • Brakes10.0No documented faults
  • Tyres and wheels10.0No documented faults
  • Steering8.91 fault
  • Electrical system10.0No documented faults
  • Electronics and infotainment10.0No documented faults
  • Climate control10.0No documented faults
  • Bodywork and interior8.61 fault
  • Airbags and safety10.0No documented faults

The weak points of the Seat Exeo

  1. 1Critical severity: Wear of the variator chain and conesMultitronic gearbox
  2. 2High severity: Control unit (TCU) failure and limp modeMultitronic gearbox
  3. 3Medium severity: Manipulated emissions software (dieselgate) and the subsequent update2.0 TDI engine · free repair (recall)
  4. 4High severity: High-pressure pump, injectors and diesel leaks on the EA1892.0 TDI engine
  5. 5High severity: Turbo with seized vanes or premature failure2.0 TDI engine · repair €1,000

Documented engines, from highest to lowest risk

The first label is the most serious fault affecting that engine in this car; the second, our verdict for the versions it is fitted to. Each engine's risk index is calculated only from the faults that affect this car (how we calculate it). We only show engines we have documented with sources: if yours does not appear, we have not analysed it yet. View all engines

See what to check before buying

Outside the engine

18 sourcesHow we work

Multitronic gearbox

Audi Multitronic (01J/0AW)

In the Exeo
2008–2013[6]
Name
multitronic
Faults that affect it
3 · 2 of high or critical severity
Risk index on this car
64
High risk

Verdict for the version it uses

  • Multitronic 0AW (2007-2014)2007–2014 · 0AW

    With caution

    It notably improves on the 01J's reliability, above all in the control unit, but none of the sources consulted says it completely eliminates chain wear or jerking when pulling away; apply the same checks as for the 01J before buying.[7]

Faults that affect the Exeo

  1. Critical severityFrequency: CommonTransmissionWear of the variator chain and conesYes: the variator uses a chain of more than 1,000 links between two pairs of cones that wears with mileage, especially if the oil is not changed regularly. Gebrauchtwagenberater ties the gearbox's reputation to "numerous total failures"; Schaeffler/LuK sells a kit to repair the chain.
  2. High severityFrequency: CommonElectronicsControl unit (TCU) failure and limp modeYes: the multitronic control unit, especially in the 01J code (up to 2007), is one of its best-documented weak points. Overheating with oil seeping into the control unit causes fault warnings and limp mode and, if ignored, can end up damaging the gearbox itself.
  3. Medium severityFrequency: CommonClutchJerking and vibration when pulling away from cold (multi-plate clutch)Yes: with no torque converter, the multitronic pulls away using an electronic multi-plate clutch that can jerk or vibrate, especially when cold, if its plates are worn or the oil no longer has the right properties. It is one of the most cited fault symptoms of this gearbox.

Exeo Multitronic gearbox pageAll versions and faults of the Multitronic

2.0 TDI

Safest option

Volkswagen 2.0 TDI (EA189, EA288 and EA288 evo) · Diesel

In the Exeo
2008–2013[8][9]
Names
2.0 TDI 143 CV · 2.0 TDI 170 CV
Faults that affect it
6 · 2 of high or critical severity
Risk index on this car
45
Moderate risk

Verdict for the version it uses

  • 2.0 TDI common rail EA189 (2008-2015)2008–2015 · 84–177 hp · CBDC, CFFD, CAAC, CBAB, CFFB, CFHC, CFHD, CAGA, CJCA, CBAC, CAHA, CBBB, CFGB, CFGC, CGLC

    With caution

    Worth buying if the emissions update has been done and, on 2009-2011 units, the diesel pipe campaign, and if there are no symptoms of EGR, particulate filter or turbo problems. Caradisiac finds it hard to recommend the Audi A4 2.0 TDI of this era because of its reliability problems.[1][2][3]

Faults that affect the Exeo

Only those that affect the versions and years that this car used. The 2.0 TDI has 7 documented faults in total.

  1. Medium severityFrequency: Very frequentEmissions controlManipulated emissions software (dieselgate) and the subsequent updateThe 2.0 TDI EA189 (2008-2015) had software that reduced the EGR outside type-approval tests. Volkswagen fixes it free of charge with an update of about 30 minutes, which is not mandatory to pass the ITV (Spain's roadworthiness inspection, similar to the MOT) and whose long-term effects are still under discussion.Repair: €0
  2. High severityFrequency: OccasionalInjectionHigh-pressure pump, injectors and diesel leaks on the EA189On the 2.0 TDI EA189, the high-pressure pump can shed metal particles that force the pump and injectors to be replaced. In addition, 2009-2011 units were recalled for diesel leaks from the high-pressure pipes.
  3. High severityFrequency: OccasionalTurboTurbo with seized vanes or premature failureOn the 110 and 140 hp 2.0 TDI engines, the vanes of the variable-geometry turbo get dirty and seize and the engine loses power. On some 140 hp units the turbo has failed before 70,000 km.Repair (garage): €1,000
  4. Medium severityFrequency: CommonEmissions controlDirty EGR valve and EGR cooler leaksThe 2.0 TDI's EGR valve often fills with carbon, especially with short journeys, and causes smoke and loss of power. On the EA189, the EGR cooler can also lose coolant.Repair (garage): €100–€300
  5. Medium severityFrequency: CommonEmissions controlClogged particulate filter or faulty pressure sensorThe 2.0 TDI's particulate filter clogs if the car mostly makes short journeys, because it never gets to regenerate; sometimes the fault is just the differential pressure sensor. Cleaning it costs around €200 and replacing it, €800 to €3,000.Repair (garage): €800–€3,000
  6. Medium severityFrequency: CommonCoolingCoolant loss from the water pump or the coolersMany 2.0 TDI engines lose coolant. On the 150 hp EA288 the water pump is usually the culprit and, more rarely, the cylinder head; on the 140 hp EA189 the typical causes are the oil cooler or the EGR cooler.

Exeo 2.0 TDI pageAll versions and faults of the 2.0 TDI

Faults of the Seat Exeo outside the engine

Suspension, brakes, tyres, electronics and the rest of the car. They occur with any engine.

Checklist for buying a used Seat Exeo

Check the advert or the paperwork to see which engine the car has and go through its section. Each point comes from a documented fault; you can tick them off as you inspect.

If it has the Multitronic gearbox (2008–2013)

Wear of the variator chain and cones

Critical severity

Control unit (TCU) failure and limp mode

High severity

Jerking and vibration when pulling away from cold (multi-plate clutch)

Medium severity

If it has the 2.0 TDI (2008–2013)

Manipulated emissions software (dieselgate) and the subsequent update

Medium severity

High-pressure pump, injectors and diesel leaks on the EA189

High severity

Turbo with seized vanes or premature failure

High severity

Dirty EGR valve and EGR cooler leaks

Medium severity

Clogged particulate filter or faulty pressure sensor

Medium severity

Coolant loss from the water pump or the coolers

Medium severity

Buying a Seat Exeo?

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Frequently asked questions

Is the Seat Exeo reliable?

All 1 engine and 1 gearbox of the Seat Exeo that we have documented have high or critical severity faults: the Multitronic gearbox and the 2.0 TDI. None has a «Buy» verdict; the safest option is the 2.0 TDI, with a «With caution» verdict. Outside the engine, the Seat Exeo has no known recalls and data is scarce: according to the fiches-auto.fr reports there are isolated cases of suspension, power steering, water leaks and clutch or dual-mass flywheel problems on the 2.0 TDI cars.

Which Seat Exeo engine is the most reliable?

Among the 1 engine and 1 gearbox we have documented, none has a «Buy» verdict; the safest option is the 2.0 TDI, with a «With caution» verdict. Worth buying if the emissions update has been done and, on 2009-2011 units, the diesel pipe campaign, and if there are no symptoms of EGR, particulate filter or turbo problems. Caradisiac finds it hard to recommend the Audi A4 2.0 TDI of this era because of its reliability problems.[1][2][3]

What problems does the Seat Exeo have apart from the engine?

Outside the engine, the Seat Exeo has no known recalls and data is scarce: according to the fiches-auto.fr reports there are isolated cases of suspension, power steering, water leaks and clutch or dual-mass flywheel problems on the 2.0 TDI cars. The most important documented faults are: premature wear of the shock absorbers and suspension arms (suspension, medium severity), water leaks into the cabin through the roof and doors (bodywork and interior, medium severity), premature failure of the clutch, dual-mass flywheel and manual gearbox (gearbox and clutch, medium severity) and power steering pump failure and steering rack leaks (steering, high severity).[4][5]

What faults does the Seat Exeo have?

The most important by severity and frequency, on the engines we have documented, are: wear of the variator chain and cones (Multitronic, critical severity), control unit (TCU) failure and limp mode (Multitronic, high severity), manipulated emissions software (dieselgate) and the subsequent update (2.0 TDI, medium severity), high-pressure pump, injectors and diesel leaks on the EA189 (2.0 TDI, high severity) and turbo with seized vanes or premature failure (2.0 TDI, high severity).

Sources

Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.

  1. Información sobre el motor EA189Volkswagen España · Manufacturer · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  2. Maxi-fiche fiabilité - Audi A4 (2007-2015) : belle, mais capricieuseCaradisiac · Motoring press · published 1 April 2023 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  3. Used Skoda Yeti reviewAuto Express · Motoring press · published 15 June 2016 · consulted 26 September 2026
  4. Tous les problèmes sur Seat EXEO 2008-2013 (119 témoignages)fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French
  5. SEAT ExeoWikipedia · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in Spanish
  6. Schaeffler: RepSet für Audi Multitronic Getriebeamz · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  7. Typische Probleme & Haltbarkeit der MultitronicGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  8. Lista provisional de coches afectados por los TDI de VolkswagenMotor.es · Motoring press · published 25 September 2015 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  9. SEAT Exeo - WikipediaWikipedia · Other source · consulted 29 October 2026
  10. ¿Se verá afectado mi Volkswagen diésel no actualizado en la ITV?Motor.es · Motoring press · published 20 May 2018 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  11. VW EA189Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  12. Used Volkswagen Golf (Mk6, 2009-2013) reviewAuto Express · Motoring press · published 15 November 2016 · consulted 26 September 2026
  13. Used Skoda Superb (Mk2, 2008-2015) review and buyer's guideAuto Express · Motoring press · published 9 March 2018 · consulted 26 September 2026
  14. Un Volkswagen Tiguan en occasion : les meilleures versions par budget, et la fiabilitéCaradisiac · Motoring press · published 1 April 2025 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  15. Cómo saber si el turbo está roto o a punto de romperseMotor.es · Motoring press · published 4 May 2020 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  16. Audi A6 III (2004-2011) : la fiche express fiabilité de CaradisiacCaradisiac · Motoring press · published 4 July 2022 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  17. Fiabilité du Volkswagen Touran 2 : la maxi-fiche occasion de CaradisiacCaradisiac · Motoring press · published 3 May 2018 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  18. Fiabilité de l'Audi A3 (3e génération) : la maxi-fiche occasion de CaradisiacCaradisiac · Motoring press · published 19 December 2018 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French