2012 Seat Exeo problems
The 2012 Seat Exeo was sold with 1 engine and 1 gearbox that we have documented: the Multitronic gearbox and the 2.0 TDI. All of them have serious faults that affect the cars of that year. The safest option is the 2.0 TDI (verdict “With caution”). Outside the engine, 4 documented faults affect 2012 cars, such as premature wear of the shock absorbers and suspension arms.
2012 Seat Exeo score: low reliability
Calculated using only 13 documented faults and their sources: the most serious and frequent faults weigh more. 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
What changes compared with the 2011 Seat Exeo
The same engines and the same documented faults as in 2011.
Multitronic gearbox in the 2012 Seat Exeo
Names: multitronic
- With caution
Multitronic 0AW (2007-2014)
· 0AW
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.[2]
Faults that affect 2012 cars
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
2.0 TDI engine in the 2012 Seat Exeo
Names: 2.0 TDI 143 CV · 2.0 TDI 170 CV
- With caution
2.0 TDI common rail EA189 (2008-2015)
84–177 hp · CBDC, CFFD, CAAC, CBAB, CFFB, CFHC, CFHD, CAGA, CJCA, CBAC, CAHA, CBBB, CFGB, CFGC, CGLC
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.[5][6][7]
Faults that affect 2012 cars
- 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
- 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.
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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.
Faults outside the engine in the 2012 Seat Exeo
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalSuspensionPremature wear of the shock absorbers and suspension armsAccording to the reports collected by fiches-auto.fr, some owners report shock absorbers replaced at 20,000 km, an upper arm that cost more than €800 and knocking from the anti-roll bar and its links. There is no public recall or bulletin.
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalBodywork and interiorWater leaks into the cabin through the roof and doorsAccording to the fiches-auto.fr reports, several Exeo 2.0 TDI owners describe water in the cabin, under the front and rear floor mats, through the roof or in the driver's footwell, with door seals also implicated.
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalGearbox and clutchPremature failure of the clutch, dual-mass flywheel and manual gearboxAccording to the fiches-auto.fr reports, there is a 2.0 TDI 143 hp with a failed dual-mass flywheel and clutch at 46,000 km and another with a gearbox replaced at 1,790 km and persistent noises. These are specific owner cases, not a recall.
- High severityFrequency: RareSteeringPower steering pump failure and steering rack leaksAccording to the fiches-auto.fr reports, there are owners with a failed power steering pump at 120,000 km (the manufacturer paid 50%) and a steering rack leak at 48,900 km. These are isolated cases on 2.0 TDI cars.
Buying a 2012 Seat Exeo?
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Frequently asked questions
Is the 2012 Seat Exeo reliable?
The 2012 Seat Exeo was sold with 1 engine and 1 gearbox that we have documented: the Multitronic gearbox and the 2.0 TDI. All of them have serious faults that affect the cars of that year. The safest option is the 2.0 TDI (verdict “With caution”). Outside the engine, 4 documented faults affect 2012 cars, such as premature wear of the shock absorbers and suspension arms.
Is the 2012 Seat Exeo better than the 2011?
Going by the documented faults, they are the same: the same engines and the same faults affect the 2011 and 2012 cars. Choose on condition, mileage and maintenance history.
What faults does the 2012 Seat Exeo have?
The most important ones documented for 2012 cars are: wear of the variator chain and cones (Multitronic gearbox, critical severity), control unit (TCU) failure and limp mode (Multitronic gearbox, high severity), high-pressure pump, injectors and diesel leaks on the EA189 (2.0 TDI, high severity), turbo with seized vanes or premature failure (2.0 TDI, high severity) and power steering pump failure and steering rack leaks (steering, high severity).
Own a 2012 Seat Exeo? Tell us what faults you have had and at how many kilometres. Report your fault.
Sources
Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.
- Schaeffler: RepSet für Audi Multitronic Getriebeamz · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
- Typische Probleme & Haltbarkeit der MultitronicGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
- Lista provisional de coches afectados por los TDI de VolkswagenMotor.es · Motoring press · published 25 September 2015 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
- SEAT Exeo - WikipediaWikipedia · Other source · consulted 29 October 2026
- Información sobre el motor EA189Volkswagen España · Manufacturer · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
- Maxi-fiche fiabilité - Audi A4 (2007-2015) : belle, mais capricieuseCaradisiac · Motoring press · published 1 April 2023 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
- Used Skoda Yeti reviewAuto Express · Motoring press · published 15 June 2016 · consulted 26 September 2026