1.2 and 1.4 TSI engine: faults and reliability

• 1.2 TSI 86/90/105 hp (EA111, CBZA/CBZC/CBZB, 2009-2015)

  2009–2015 · 86–105 hp · CBZA, CBZC, CBZB

  With caution

  The chains and tensioners on the earliest units stretch early. It is a viable buy if there is an invoice for the revised timing kit, or if it starts from cold without rattling and the maintenance is up to date.^[2][11]

• 1.4 TSI twincharger 140-185 hp (EA111, BMY/BLG/CAVD/CAVE…, 2006-2012)

  2006–2012 · 140–185 hp · BMY, BLG, CAVB, CAVC, CAVD, CAVE, CAVF, CAVG

  Avoid

  It adds the chain risk to that of piston breakage, which cannot be fully ruled out without stripping the engine. It only makes sense with a complete history and a repair already carried out with revised parts.^[2][4][12]

• 1.4 TSI twincharger revised 160-185 hp (EA111, CTHD/CTHE/CTHG, from 2012)

  since 2012 · 160–185 hp · CTHD, CTHE, CTHG

  With caution

  It fixes the previous version's piston weak point, but retains the EA111 chain-driven timing and the complexity of the supercharger: check for cold-start noise and oil consumption.^[2][4]

• 1.4 TSI 122/125 hp (EA111, CAXA/CAXC, from 2007)

  since 2007 · 122–125 hp · CAXA, CAXC

  With caution

  It is simpler than the twincharger, but shares the EA111's chain-driven timing: listen to the cold start and check the history before buying.^[2][13]

• 1.2 TSI 86-110 hp (EA211, CJZA/CJZB/CJZC/CJZD, CYVA/CYVB, 2012-2019)

  2012–2019 · 86–110 hp · CJZA, CJZB, CJZC, CJZD, CYVA, CYVB

  Buy

  It does not have the EA111's chain problem. Keep an eye on the water pump and, on units built between late 2013 and 2015, confirm that the camshaft adjuster recall was carried out.^[3][14]

• 1.4 TSI 122-150 hp (EA211, incl. ACT/COD; CMBA, CXSA, CZCA, CHPA, CPTA, CZDA, CZEA…, from 2012)

  since 2012 · 122–150 hp · CMBA, CXSA, CZCA, CPVA, CHPA, CPTA, CZDA, CZEA

  Buy

  Without the EA111's problematic chain and pistons. Its most repeated fault is a leaking water pump, which is repaired without consequences if caught in time.^[3][5]

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.

1. 1Critical severityVery frequentFrequency: Very frequentTimingTiming chain stretch and tensioner failure (EA111)On the 1.2 and 1.4 TSI EA111 (2006-2015) the chain can stretch and the tensioner fall short; if the chain jumps a tooth, the valves hit the pistons. Volkswagen admitted the defect in 2012 and revised the chain and tensioner between 2010 and 2011.Repair (garage): €700–€1,400Appears at around 30,000 km
2. 2Critical severityCommonFrequency: CommonCylinder head and blockPiston breakage and oil consumption in the 1.4 TSI twinchargerThe 1.4 TSI twincharger (turbo and supercharger) built up to 2012 can crack the pistons between the rings, with oil consumption, misfires and loss of compression. Volkswagen strengthened the pistons and rings on the 2012 CTHD engines.
3. 3Medium severityCommonFrequency: CommonCoolingWater pump and thermostat housing leak (EA211)On the 1.2 and 1.4 TSI EA211 the water pump is integrated into the plastic thermostat housing; over the years it can crack or lose its seal and the engine slowly loses coolant. Caught in time, it does not damage the engine.Appears at around 80,000 km
4. 4Critical severityRareFrequency: RareTimingCamshaft adjuster and belt failure (EA211, 2013-2015)On some 1.2 TSI EA211 engines built mainly in 2014, the camshaft adjuster bolts came loose, jammed the wheel and snapped the belt, causing serious engine failure. Volkswagen recalled units from late 2013 to 2015 (action 15H2).
5. 5Medium severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalTurboTurbo wastegate actuator failureThe electric actuator that regulates turbo pressure (wastegate) can seize or fail on the 1.2 TSI and the EA211 engines: the car lights up the EPC warning light and goes into limp mode. Sometimes the actuator alone is enough; if the valve is damaged, the turbo is replaced.

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

Manufacturer

Grupo Volkswagen

Family

EA111 / EA211

Fuel

Petrol

Displacement

—

Cylinders

4

Fuel system

Turbo

Injection

Direct injection

Timing

Chain

Power

85–185 hp

Peak torque

250 Nm

Production

since 2006

Makes

Volkswagen, Seat, Škoda and Audi

Technical data^{[6][7][8][9][10]}

1. 2006–2012

   1.4 TSI twincharger 140-185 hp (EA111, BMY/BLG/CAVD/CAVE…, 2006-2012)

   Original engine with supercharger and turbo, grey cast-iron block and a timing chain advertised as maintenance-free. The 170 hp version was specified for 98-octane petrol.^[4][6]

2. since 2007

   1.4 TSI 122/125 hp (EA111, CAXA/CAXC, from 2007)

   Single-turbo version with no supercharger. According to German buying guides, its chain problems decreased after the 2010 revision and its oil consumption is less pronounced than in the twincharger.^[2][17]

3. 2009–2015

   1.2 TSI 86/90/105 hp (EA111, CBZA/CBZC/CBZB, 2009-2015)

   First 1.2 TSI: aluminium block, two valves per cylinder and chain-driven timing. During 2011 Volkswagen introduced a revised timing set, with a wider chain, new guides and a larger tensioner.^[7][11][21]

4. since 2012

   1.4 TSI twincharger revised 160-185 hp (EA111, CTHD/CTHE/CTHG, from 2012)

   In 2012 Volkswagen updated the twincharger with improved pistons and rings, oil jets to cool the pistons and a revised chain tensioner, among other changes.^[4]

5. 2012–2019

   1.2 TSI 86-110 hp (EA211, CJZA/CJZB/CJZC/CJZD, CYVA/CYVB, 2012-2019)

   Engine from the new EA211 family: four valves per cylinder, aluminium block, exhaust manifold integrated into the cylinder head and a timing belt instead of a chain.^[8][10][15]

6. since 2012

   1.4 TSI 122-150 hp (EA211, incl. ACT/COD; CMBA, CXSA, CZCA, CHPA, CPTA, CZDA, CZEA…, from 2012)

   Complete redesign: aluminium block 22 kg lighter than the cast-iron one, timing belt, integrated manifold and, on the 140 and 150 hp versions, ACT cylinder deactivation (COD at Audi).^[8][10][15]