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1.0 TSI / 1.5 TSI engine (EA211): faults and reliability

Volkswagen 1.0 TSI and 1.5 TSI (EA211 / EA211 evo) · Volkswagen, Seat, Cupra, Škoda and Audi

The three-cylinder 1.0 TSI has a reputation for being robust and has no systematic serious faults. The 2017–2019 1.5 TSI evo suffered cold-start jerking at low speed, which Volkswagen corrected with software between 2019 and 2020; later units and the 2022 evo2 are more mature. Watch for coolant leaks and check the 2019 and 2020 recalls.[1][2][3][4][5]

Risk index
23
Low risk · what it is
Documented faults
5
0 of high or critical severity
Timing
Timing belt (dry)
Technical data[6][7][8][9][10]
Production
since 2014
39 models on this site

36 sourcesHow we work

Which 1.0 TSI / 1.5 TSI versions should you buy?

Our verdict for each version, based on the documented faults.

Buy: No known serious faults, or they have already been corrected, in this version. With caution: Worth buying if something specific is verified: history, a replaced part or a completed campaign. Avoid: High risk of a serious fault that is hard to check for or prevent.

Known faults of the 1.0 TSI / 1.5 TSI

Sorted from most to least important (severity × frequency).

  1. 1Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalCoolingCoolant leaks from the water pump and thermostat moduleOn the EA211 the water pump and thermostat housing form a plastic module that, over the years, can crack or lose its seal and cause a slow loss of coolant. Keep an eye on the level: if it is ignored, it can end in overheating.
  2. 2Low severityFrequency: Very frequentElectronicsCold jerking at low speed ("kangaroo effect") on the 1.5 TSI evoThe 2017–2019 1.5 TSI evo can jerk and judder when pulling away and driving slowly with a cold engine, especially with a manual gearbox. It is a calibration fault, not a mechanical one: Volkswagen dealt with it through engine software updates between 2019 and 2020.
  3. 3Medium severityFrequency: RareElectronicsLack of torque on starting in the manual 150 hp 1.5 TSI (2019 recall)In 2019 Volkswagen, Seat and Škoda recalled 150 hp 1.5 TSI cars with a manual gearbox built in May and June 2019: when starting with a high electrical load, below 800 rpm, the engine could run out of torque to accelerate. It is fixed with a software update.
  4. 4Low severityFrequency: OccasionalIntakeCarbon build-up on the intake valvesLike any direct-injection engine, the 1.0 and 1.5 TSI can accumulate carbon on the intake valves and ports, especially with urban use. It is usually noticed between 80,000 and 120,000 km as a loss of power, rough running and higher consumption.Appears at around 80,000 km
  5. 5Low severityFrequency: RareInjectionLeaking injectors on the 1.0 TSI (2020 recall)In 2020 Volkswagen, Seat and Škoda recalled around 9,200 cars with three-cylinder TSI engines from the 2018–2020 model years: their injectors could drip petrol into the chamber after the engine was switched off and exceed emission limits. The injectors are replaced.

Severity colours: low, medium, high, critical. How we rate them

By part

Compare each fault with the same part on other engines: symptoms, cost and affected models.

What the 1.0 TSI / 1.5 TSI is

The 1.0 TSI and 1.5 TSI belong to the Volkswagen Group's modular EA211 family, which debuted in the Golf VII in 2012 and received major updates in 2016/17 (EA211 evo) and in 2019. They are petrol engines with an aluminium block, direct injection, a turbo and a timing belt. According to Wikipedia, in 2023 Škoda took over development of the EA211, an engine it had already been building in Mladá Boleslav since 2012.[6][7][8][12]

The 1.0 TSI is a 999 cc three-cylinder (74.5 × 76.4 mm bore and stroke) that reached the Polo V in late 2014 with 95 and 110 hp and spread across almost the whole group range, from the up! to the Octavia and the Ateca, with outputs from 82 to 115 hp. Since 2020 the evo version (codes DLAA and DLAB, in the Golf VIII and Leon IV) has used the Miller cycle and a variable-geometry turbo.[6][8]

The 1.5 TSI evo replaced the 1.4 TSI in 2017: 1,498 cc, injection at 350 bar, cylinder deactivation at low and medium load (ACT), the Miller cycle and, in the 130 hp version, a variable-geometry turbo. Many versions have had a petrol particulate filter since 2018, and since 2020 it has also been available as a 48 V mild-hybrid 1.5 eTSI (belt-driven starter-generator and lithium battery), always with a seven-speed DSG gearbox.[7][9][10][12][13]

The evo2 arrived in 2022, combining the catalytic converter and particulate filter in a single module next to the engine, extending the use of cylinder deactivation (ACTplus) and using plasma-coated cylinders and pistons with cooling channels. It debuted in the T-Roc, and the second-generation T-Roc, on sale since November 2025, is only offered with the 1.5 eTSI in 116 and 150 hp.[14][15][16]

On reliability, the German press considers the 1.0 TSI very robust and cites distances of 200,000 km without serious problems. On the 1.5 TSI, the known weak point was the cold jerking of the first units. Auto Bild notes that typical faults of earlier generations from the group, such as stretching chains, failed turbos or high oil consumption, appear to be resolved in the T-Roc's TSI engines.[1][2][17]

Manufacturer
Grupo Volkswagen
Family
EA211
Fuel
Petrol
Displacement
—
Cylinders
—
Fuel system
Turbo
Injection
Direct injection
Timing
Timing belt (dry)
Power
82–150 hp
Peak torque
250 Nm
Production
since 2014
Makes
Volkswagen, Seat, Cupra, Škoda and Audi

Technical data[6][7][8][9][10]

What changed between versions

  1. since 2014

    1.0 TSI EA211 (CHZ, DKL, DKR; 2014 onwards)

    The first turbocharged three-cylinder in the EA211: 999 cc, aluminium block, direct injection and a timing belt, with hollow sodium-cooled exhaust valves from 81 kW. The CHZ codes were later joined by the DKL (86–95 hp) and DKR (95–115 hp).[6][8][18][19]

  2. 2017–2019

    1.5 TSI evo 130/150 hp (DACA, DADA, DPBA; 2017–2019)

    Replaces the 1.4 TSI: 1,498 cc, injection at 350 bar (previously 200), ACT cylinder deactivation, the Miller cycle and a variable-geometry turbo in the 130 hp version. The 150 hp version uses aluminium cylinders with a plasma-sprayed coating.[7][10][13]

  3. since 2020

    1.0 TSI / 1.0 eTSI evo (DLAA, DLAB; 2020 onwards)

    It adopts the Miller cycle and a variable-geometry turbo; it arrived in 2020 in the Golf VIII and Leon IV with 90 and 110 hp, and in the Golf it is also offered as a 48 V mild-hybrid 1.0 eTSI with a DSG gearbox.[6][8][9]

  4. since 2020

    1.5 TSI / 1.5 eTSI evo 114/130/150 hp (DPCA, DPBC; built from 2020)

    Units built from 2020 leave the factory with the revised software following the update that Volkswagen extended to all brands in February 2020. The DPCA code with particulate filter becomes widespread, the 114 hp DPBC arrives (Caddy V), and so does the 48 V mild-hybrid 1.5 eTSI (130 and 150 hp) in the Golf VIII.[1][7][9][11][12]

  5. since 2022

    1.5 TSI / 1.5 eTSI evo2 116/150 hp (DXDB, DNKA; 2022 onwards)

    Catalytic converter and particulate filter in a single module next to the engine, improved cylinder deactivation (ACTplus), pistons with cast cooling channels and plasma-coated cylinders. It debuted in mid-2022 in the T-Roc; in the 2025 T-Roc it is sold as the 1.5 eTSI in 116 and 150 hp.[14][15][16]

Cars fitted with the 1.0 TSI / 1.5 TSI

39 models sold in Spain. Open each one to see all their faults and the buying checklist.

Audi

Cupra

Seat

Škoda

Volkswagen

Compare the 1.0 TSI / 1.5 TSI

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Sources

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

  1. Zuverlässigkeit der TSI-Motoren von 1.0 bis 2.0: welche Jahrgänge und Generationen Probleme machenAutohled · Motoring press · published 15 June 2026 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  2. VW EA211: Typische Probleme und HaltbarkeitGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · published 26 August 2026 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  3. ¿Tu motor 1.5 TSI de Volkswagen sufre de tirones en frío? Llegan novedadesMotor.es · Motoring press · published 5 September 2019 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  4. VW, Seat und Skoda: Rückruf wegen Motorsoftware-Updatekfz-betrieb (Vogel Communications) · Motoring press · published 30 September 2019 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  5. Rückruf bei VW, Seat und Skoda: Neue Einspritzanlage für TSI-Motorkfz-betrieb (Vogel Communications) · Motoring press · published 29 July 2020 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  6. VW EA211Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  7. VW EA211 evoWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  8. The compact all-rounder: TSI evo engine with a capacity of 1.0 and 1.5 litresVolkswagen Newsroom · Manufacturer · published 8 December 2020 · consulted 26 September 2026
  9. Golf eTSI, Golf eHybrid and Golf GTE – International Media Drive (dossier de prensa)Volkswagen AG · Manufacturer · published August 2020 · consulted 26 September 2026
  10. Prueba de consumo (251): VW Golf Evo 1.5-TSI ACT 150 CV DSG Sport R-Line 5pkm77 · Motoring press · published 22 January 2018 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  11. Efecto canguro, el problema de los tirones en frío de los motores 1.5 TSI del Grupo VolkswagenSeis en Línea · Motoring press · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  12. Volkswagen EA211 engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
  13. Volkswagen debuts new 1.5 litre TSI EA211 evo with VTG turbo, Miller cycle, higher 12.5:1 ratio, 0W20 oilPaul Tan's Automotive News · Motoring press · published 29 April 2016 · consulted 26 September 2026
  14. 1.5 TSI evo2: even greater efficiency and lower emissions for the Volkswagen world engineVolkswagen (vía Automotive World) · Manufacturer · published 18 July 2022 · consulted 26 September 2026
  15. Neue TSI-Motoren-Generation bei Volkswagen: 1.5 TSI EA 211 evo2 im DetailVAU-MAX · Motoring press · published 2 August 2022 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  16. VW T-Roc 1.5 eTSI im Test: Tolles Auto – aber nicht billigADAC · Motoring press · published 23 July 2026 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  17. Was Gebrauchtwagenkäufer über den ersten T-Roc wissen müssenAuto Bild · Motoring press · published 26 May 2026 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  18. DKL DKLA DKLB DKLC DKLD Motor 1.0 TSI VW Seat Skoda AudiHAS Antriebstechnik · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  19. Original Motor VW Audi Skoda Seat 1.0 TSI DKRA DKRB DKRC DKRD DKRE DKRFMolly Motors · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  20. Volkswagen Golf Mk8 - WikipediaWikipedia · Other source · consulted 29 October 2026
  21. VW T-Cross: Typische Probleme, Schwachstellen & RückrufeGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · published 9 August 2025 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  22. Neuer Rückruf im VW-Konzern: Software-Update für den 1.5-TSI-MotorVAU-MAX · Motoring press · published 1 October 2019 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  23. Volkswagen Tiguan - WikipediaWikipedia · Other source · consulted 29 October 2026
  24. Seat Ateca im Gebrauchtwagen-Test: Worauf man unbedingt achten muss!Auto Bild · Motoring press · published 29 July 2026 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  25. El Cupra León más barato, el 1.5 eTSI de 150 CV, a pruebaAutofácil · Motoring press · published 13 December 2022 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  26. Skoda Fabia Monte Carlo: Note 1- im AUTO BILD-Dauertest über 100.000 kmAuto Bild · Motoring press · published 31 July 2026 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  27. Škoda Fabia - WikipediaWikipedia · Other source · consulted 29 October 2026
  28. Škoda Scala - WikipediaWikipedia · Other source · consulted 29 October 2026
  29. Škoda Kamiq - WikipediaWikipedia · Other source · consulted 29 October 2026
  30. Engines: great choice of efficient powertrains (dossier de prensa del Škoda Octavia)Škoda Storyboard · Manufacturer · published 16 March 2020 · consulted 26 September 2026
  31. Škoda Karoq - WikipediaWikipedia · Other source · consulted 29 October 2026
  32. Audi A1 - WikipediaWikipedia · Other source · consulted 29 October 2026
  33. Audi A3 - WikipediaWikipedia · Other source · consulted 29 October 2026
  34. Audi Q2 - WikipediaWikipedia · Other source · consulted 29 October 2026
  35. VW Tiguan III - WikipediaWikipedia · Other source · consulted 29 October 2026 · in German
  36. VW T7 Multivan - WikipediaWikipedia · Other source · consulted 29 October 2026 · in German