Air intakeGeneric OBD-II codeUrgency: Monitor

P0507 on Volkswagen: causes and affected engines

P0507 means: idle control system: speed higher than expected.^[1][2] Volkswagen has 6 documented faults that can trigger it, across 6 engines, including 2.0 TSI / TFSI, 1.4 16v and 1.6 MPI/FSI, 2.0 FSI and 3.0 TDI V6. Only a diagnosis can confirm the cause on your car.

Documented faults

that can trigger it

Engines

used by Volkswagen, with at least one of them

Volkswagen models

with at least one of these faults

Urgency

Monitor

Reviewed on 29 October 20263 sources How we work

Documented faults in Volkswagen engines that can trigger P0507

Grouped by engine or model, from most to least important. These are faults with carbon build-up in the intake and with the intake flaps: not all of them will necessarily set the code, and only a diagnosis confirms the cause on your car.

2.0 TSI / TFSI

In Golf VI, Golf VII, Passat B6, Passat B7, Passat B8, Sharan II and 2 more models

- Medium severityFrequency: Very frequentIntakeCarbon build-up on the intake valvesBecause the fuel is injected directly into the cylinder, no petrol washes over the intake valves, so oil residue and soot build up and, over the years, restrict airflow and affect engine response.

1.4 16v and 1.6 MPI/FSI

In Golf IV and Golf V

- Medium severityFrequency: CommonIntakeCarbon build-up on the intake valves (1.6 FSI only)The 1.6 FSI injects petrol directly into the combustion chamber, so it no longer washes the intake valves as indirect injection does. Over the miles, carbon builds up on them, causing loss of power and a rough idle; it does not affect the 1.4 16v or the 1.6 MPI.

2.0 FSI

In Golf V, Passat B6 and Touran I

- Medium severityFrequency: CommonIntakeCarbon build-up on the intake valvesBecause petrol is injected directly into the chamber, the 2.0 FSI does not wash the intake valves the way a port-injection engine does. Gebrauchtwagenberater.de documents carbon build-up in the Audi A3 8P and Passat B6, with higher consumption and less power as the mileage rises.

3.0 TDI V6

In Phaeton and Touareg I

- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalIntakeWorn intake flaps (swirl) and intake manifoldOn V6 TDI engines from 2004 to 2010 the control of the intake (swirl) flaps can develop play and turn on the engine warning light with code P3134. Hella says the flap and actuator form one unit and are replaced together; on the Q7 4L it is the category owners cite most.

VW 2.0 TFSI EA113

In Golf V, Jetta V and Passat B6

- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalIntakeCarbon build-up on the intake valves from direct injectionOn a direct-injection engine like the 2.0 TFSI the petrol does not wash over the intake valves and oil vapour from the crankcase builds up on them, causing rough idle, hesitation and loss of power; it is fixed with a professional clean.

1.0 TSI / 1.5 TSI

In Caddy V, Golf VII, Golf VIII, Multivan T7, Passat B8, Polo V and 8 more models

- Low 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

Common causes of P0507 on any make

From most to least likely, according to the sources.

1Vacuum leak or unmetered air entering after the throttle: cracked intake hose, PCV or brake servo hose, or manifold gasket.^[1][3]
2Throttle body dirty or sticking from carbon build-up, or idle air control (IAC) valve stuck open.^[1][2][3]
3Dirty mass airflow (MAF) sensor or incorrect coolant temperature signal.^[2][3]
4EVAP purge valve stuck open, letting vapours into the intake.^[1]

What to check first

The first diagnostic steps, from the most likely and cheapest to check to the most expensive.

1Use the diagnostic tool to check that the idle really is higher than the target and when it happens: cold, warm or with the air conditioning on.^[1]
2Look for unmetered air leaks with a smoke test on the intake: hoses, PCV, brake servo, gaskets and EGR.^[1][3]
3Clean the throttle body and the IAC valve, and carry out the throttle relearn with the tool if it is electronic.^[1][3]

Full guide to P0507: symptoms, diagnosis and whether you can drive

Frequently asked questions

Which Volkswagen engines have faults that can trigger P0507?

2.0 TSI / TFSI (1 fault), 1.4 16v and 1.6 MPI/FSI (1 fault), 2.0 FSI (1 fault), 3.0 TDI V6 (1 fault), VW 2.0 TFSI EA113 (1 fault) and 1.0 TSI / 1.5 TSI (1 fault). Each fault has its own page with the affected years and versions, the symptoms and the repair cost.

What does code P0507 mean on a Volkswagen?

Idle control system: speed higher than expected. The ECU has detected that the actual idle speed is consistently above the target it calculated itself, with a tolerance that AutoDTCs puts at around 200 rpm. It is a generic OBD-II code: it means the same on a Volkswagen as on any other make.^[1][2]

Can I keep driving with P0507?

Monitor. According to the sources it will not leave you stranded, but a high idle raises consumption and can punish the automatic gearbox when engaging; get it repaired soon.^[1][3]

Sources

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

P0507 – AutoDTCsAutoDTCs · Technical documentation · consulted 29 October 2026
OBD Fehlercode P0507CarWiki.de · Technical documentation · consulted 29 October 2026 · in German
P0507: OBD2 diagnostic trouble codeCarista · Technical documentation · consulted 29 October 2026