Seat Exeo
125 kW EA189 top diesel in the Exeo. Check Dieselgate recall; turbocharger pressure sensor and turbocharger failure are further weak points. Powerful unit for the Exeo; watch DPF and EGR valve.
Exeo TDI top — genuinely recommended
With 125 kW from the 2.0 TDI the Exeo 3R in its most powerful diesel version is a competent driver's car. The engine delivers strong thrust; the Audi A4 chassis brings pleasure on country roads. At the price of a Seat with Audi substance — a good find.
Engine Weaknesses 6
The CAHA (top Exeo engine, 170 hp EA189) is fully affected by the VW emissions scandal. Software update mandatory. After update, increased EGR load which can lead to consequential damage.
Symptoms: Elevated NOx emissions; post-update possible EGR failures, increased fuel consumption
The 2.0 TDI CAHA shows turbo boost sensor faults (P2563/P2564) at higher mileage. At an advanced stage of wear, the turbocharger itself can also be damaged by oil deposits.
Symptoms: Engine warning light, fault codes P2563/P2564, power shortage at high rpm, whistling noises
All EA189 engines are affected by the VW diesel scandal and must receive the software update via mandatory recall. Update not completed can lead to deregistration. Some vehicles show increased EGR wear after update.
Symptoms: Manufacturer's invitation letter, vehicle listed in KBA recall portal. Post-update: in some cases power loss, increased DPF regeneration requirement.
EGR cooler and EGR valve of the EA189 coke up through soot deposits and can develop internal leaks. Coolant can enter the intake area. Problems worsen after the mandatory Dieselgate software update.
Symptoms: Black smoke from exhaust, power loss below 2,000 rpm, increased fuel consumption, white smoke on coolant loss in intake, engine warning light.
Common rail injectors in the CAHA coke up with short-trip use and poor fuel quality. Contamination from fuel lines accelerates wear on the injector needles.
Symptoms: Rough cold start, rough idle, poor throttle response, increased fuel consumption, black soot plumes, extended cold start duration.
The DPF of the EA189 is overloaded by short-trip use, frequent cold starts and faulty EGR function. After the Dieselgate update, the DPF regeneration rate increases, raising the risk of oil dilution.
Symptoms: DPF warning light illuminated, rising oil level from fuel ingestion (oil dilution), frequent regeneration cycles, power loss in limp mode.
Vehicle Weaknesses 3
The double-wishbone front axle of the Exeo 3R (Audi A4 B7 basis) wears at high mileage and is costly to overhaul.
On the 2.0 TDI engine fuel return lines can develop leaks. Typical symptom is fuel stains under the vehicle.
Premature battery performance loss and false alarms from the anti-theft system are known weaknesses on the Exeo 3R.
