CRBCCUNACUPACRLBCRMBDFEADFEBDFFADFGADDAADFCACUAA

2.0 TDI EA288 (from 2012) engine: faults and reliability

Volkswagen 2.0 TDI (EA189, EA288 and EA288 evo) version

Buy

Caradisiac picks it as the best diesel in the third-generation Audi A3. Its most cited fault is coolant loss from water pump leaks, easy to keep an eye on before buying.^[1]

Years

since 2012

Power

110–240 hp

Faults that affect it

0 of high or critical severity

Cars that use it

in our database

Reviewed on 26 September 202622 sources How we work

What changes in this version

New modular generation: injection at 2,000 bar, dual-circuit EGR (high-pressure and cooled low-pressure), two-stage oil pump and, for Euro 6, an NOx storage catalyst or SCR with AdBlue depending on the model. There is a 240 hp twin-turbo version.^[2][3]

Engine codes of this version: CRBC, CUNA, CUPA, CRLB, CRMB, DFEA, DFEB, DFFA, DFGA, DDAA, DFCA, CUAA.

Faults of the CRBC engine

The documented engine faults that affect this version and its years, from most to least important.

1Medium 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.

Cars fitted with the CRBC engine

Open each car to see all its faults with this engine and what to check before buying it.

Audi

Audi A3 III2.0 TDI 150 · 2.0 TDI 184 · 35 TDI · 40 TDI2012–2020^{[1][2][3][19]}
Audi A4 B82.0 TDI 120 · 2.0 TDI 136 · 2.0 TDI 143 · 2.0 TDI 150 · 2.0 TDI 1702008–2015^[2][20]
Audi A4 B930 TDI · 35 TDI · 40 TDIsince 2015^[2][21]
Audi A6 C72011–2018^[2]
Audi Q2since 2016^[2]
Audi Q3 I2011–2018^[2][10]
Audi Q5 I2008–2017^[2][10]

Seat

Seat León III2.0 TDI 150 · 2.0 TDI 1842012–2020^[2][3]
Seat Alhambra II2.0 TDI 140 CV · 2.0 TDI 150 CV · 2.0 TDI 177 CV · 2.0 TDI 184 CV2010–2020^[2][10][12]
Seat Ateca2.0 TDI 150 CV · 2.0 TDI 190 CVsince 2016^[2][13]
Seat Tarraco2.0 TDI 150 CV · 2.0 TDI 190 CVsince 2018^[2][14]

Škoda

Škoda Octavia III2.0 TDI 150 CV · 2.0 TDI 184 CV2013–2020^[2][15]
Škoda Superb III2.0 TDI 190 CV2015–2023^[2][16]
Škoda Yeti2.0 TDI 110 · 2.0 TDI 140 · 2.0 TDI 1702009–2017^[2][17]
Škoda Kodiaq I2016–2024^[2]
Škoda Karoq2.0 TDI 150 CV · 2.0 TDI 190 CVsince 2017^[2][18]

Volkswagen

Volkswagen Golf VII2.0 TDI 150 · GTD 184 · 2.0 TDI 184 CV2012–2020^[2][3][4]
Volkswagen Passat B82.0 TDI 150 · 2.0 TDI 190 · 2.0 BiTDI 240 · 2.0 TDI 240 CV2014–2023^[2][3][5][6]
Volkswagen Tiguan I2.0 TDI 110 · 2.0 TDI 140 · 2.0 TDI 150 CV2008–2016^[2][7][8]
Volkswagen Tiguan II2.0 TDI 150 · 2.0 BiTDI 240 · 2.0 TDI 190 CV · 2.0 TDI 240 CV2016–2024^[2][5][8]
Volkswagen Touran II2.0 TDI 150 CV · 2.0 TDI 190 CVsince 2015^[2][9]
Volkswagen Scirocco III2.0 TDI 140 CV · 2.0 TDI 150 CV · 2.0 TDI 170 CV · 2.0 TDI 184 CV2008–2017^[2][10][11]
Volkswagen T-Roc2.0 TDI 150since 2017^[2][3]
Volkswagen Jetta VI2010–2018^[2][10]
Volkswagen Sharan II2.0 TDI 115 CV · 2.0 TDI 140 CV · 2.0 TDI 170 CV · 2.0 TDI 177 CV · 2.0 TDI 150 CV · 2.0 TDI 184 CV2010–2020^[22]

Frequently asked questions

Is the CRBC engine reliable?

Our verdict is “Buy”. Caradisiac picks it as the best diesel in the third-generation Audi A3. Its most cited fault is coolant loss from water pump leaks, easy to keep an eye on before buying.^[1]

What faults does the CRBC engine have?

The documented ones that affect this version, by importance: coolant loss from the water pump or the coolers (medium severity).

Which cars use the CRBC engine?

Volkswagen Golf VII (2012–2020), Volkswagen Passat B8 (2014–2023), Volkswagen Tiguan I (2008–2016), Volkswagen Tiguan II (2016–2024), Volkswagen Touran II (since 2015), Volkswagen Scirocco III (2008–2017), Volkswagen T-Roc (since 2017), Volkswagen Jetta VI (2010–2018), Seat León III (2012–2020) and Seat Alhambra II (2010–2020), among 15 others.^{[2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12]}

Are you buying a car with the CRBC engine?

Check the history before buyingMileage, inspection record (ITV in Spain), outstanding finance and accidents for the car you are interested in, from the registration number or the VIN.Request a report

We will put you in touch with a partner only if you authorise it in the form.

Do you have a car with this engine? Tell us which 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.

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
VW EA288Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
List of Volkswagen Group diesel enginesWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
Volkswagen Golf Mk7 - WikipediaWikipedia · Other source · consulted 29 October 2026
Clean and cultivated: the 2.0 TDI engine with new Euro 6d emission standardVolkswagen Newsroom · Manufacturer · published 14 December 2020 · consulted 26 September 2026
Volkswagen Passat (B8) - WikipediaWikipedia · Other source · consulted 29 October 2026
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
Volkswagen Tiguan - WikipediaWikipedia · Other source · consulted 29 October 2026
Volkswagen Touran - WikipediaWikipedia · Other source · consulted 29 October 2026
Lista provisional de coches afectados por los TDI de VolkswagenMotor.es · Motoring press · published 25 September 2015 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
Volkswagen Scirocco - WikipediaWikipedia · Other source · consulted 29 October 2026
SEAT Alhambra - WikipediaWikipedia · Other source · consulted 29 October 2026
SEAT Ateca - WikipediaWikipedia · Other source · consulted 29 October 2026
SEAT Tarraco - WikipediaWikipedia · Other source · consulted 29 October 2026
Škoda Octavia - WikipediaWikipedia · Other source · consulted 29 October 2026
Škoda Superb - WikipediaWikipedia · Other source · consulted 29 October 2026
Used Skoda Yeti reviewAuto Express · Motoring press · published 15 June 2016 · consulted 26 September 2026
Škoda Karoq - WikipediaWikipedia · Other source · consulted 29 October 2026
Audi A3 - WikipediaWikipedia · Other source · consulted 29 October 2026
Maxi-fiche fiabilité - Audi A4 (2007-2015) : belle, mais capricieuseCaradisiac · Motoring press · published 1 April 2023 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
Audi A4 - WikipediaWikipedia · Other source · consulted 29 October 2026
VW Sharan II - WikipediaWikipedia · Other source · consulted 29 October 2026 · in German