Skoda Kodiaq NS-II — Problems & Common Faults
Weaknesses, engine ratings and buying advice
Škoda rebuilt the Kodiaq from the ground up for this second generation, badged NS-II and on sale since spring 2024: bigger, more efficient (drag coefficient down from 0.32 to 0.28), and styled with a sharper front end than its predecessor. Seating for up to seven and a trunk ranging from 910 to 2,105 liters with the seats folded keep it firmly in family-hauler territory. Prices start around $46,000 (€41,990) for the base petrol, with the diesel from roughly $51,000 (€46,500) and the plug-in hybrid from about $53,500 (€48,530).
The engine range covers almost every base. Entry point is the 48V mild-hybrid DPCA-MH (1.5 TSI eTEC, 110 kW/150 hp, front-wheel drive), whose cylinder deactivation can run a little rough under partial load — long-term data on this still-young 48V system's belt-starter generator doesn't exist yet. Above that sit two 2.0-liter TSI four-cylinders: the DNPA with 150 kW/204 hp all-wheel drive, and the RS flagship DNPB at 195 kW/265 hp, also all-wheel drive. Diesel buyers get the DXPA (EA288 evo) in 110 kW/150 hp front-drive or 142 kW/193 hp all-wheel-drive form — solid units, though EGR and the particulate filter need attention on short trips. The plug-in hybrid DUC pairs the 1.5 TSI with a roughly 20-kWh battery for a combined 150 kW/204 hp; its best-known headache is the 12V support battery, which barely gets a maintenance charge during regular overnight plug-in charging and can leave the car unable to start after it sits.
Recalls and known issues so far skew toward electronics rather than mechanicals. One KBA recall covers cars built between August 2024 and December 2025: a sharp edge on the front seat frame can damage the side airbag cover in a crash and reduce its protective effect. Under service action 94EW, Škoda replaces the cruise control/ACC stalk on affected cars because the SET button wears out and stops holding a set speed or distance. More widespread and more annoying are brief simultaneous blackouts across several control units — the instrument cluster and display go dark mid-drive and restart, the emergency call system triggers for no reason, and parking sensors throw errors; service action 90EE targets the underlying infotainment, driver-assist and 12V software. On top of that, the trim panel above the rearview mirror runs noticeably hot, occasionally with a faint burning-plastic smell, and the lane-keep assist steers in abrupt jabs instead of smoothly, which is why many drivers just switch it off.
Test-drive checklist: let the engine run and watch the instrument cluster and infotainment for several minutes rather than glancing once, set and recall cruise control/ACC with the SET button a few times, feel the trim above the rearview mirror for heat after a longer drive, and try the lane-keep assist on a winding road. Before buying, run a VIN check to confirm the airbag recall and service actions 94EW and 90EE have both been completed.
2026 market: Young used examples currently trade between roughly $39,500 and $57,000 (€36,000–52,000) depending on engine and trim. The diesel's 5.8-l/100km official test result keeps running costs relatively low on the 150-hp TDI. Insider pick: the front-wheel-drive DPCA-MH for most buyers — enough power, the cheapest way in, and the typical electronics glitches affect the whole model line regardless of engine. True long-term reliability data doesn't exist yet for the NS-II; buyers who want peace of mind should focus above all on making sure every recall and service action has actually been completed.
265 PS
Kodiaq RS · Benzin
RS II — GTI engine in a family SUV
Fun to Drive!203 PS
2.0L TSI Benzin
3 weaknesses
Good ChoiceGenerations
Engine Overview
The Skoda Kodiaq NS-II is available with 4 engine variants — from 150 to 265 hp.
The EA288 evo is a further development of the proven EA288 family with aluminium engine block and wet-running timing belt instead of chain. EGR system and DPF remain typical wear points, especially for short-trip drivers. The engine is considered robust with disciplined maintenance. Use ISO 22241-certified AdBlue; oil changes every 15,000 km and at least one longer drive per month for DPF health.
- !! Wet-belt timing drive wear from 140,000 km
The EA288 evo uses an oil-bath timing belt instead of a chain. If replacement intervals (approx. 120,000–150,000 km) are not observed, belt fibre contamination in the oil and engine damage follow.
Symptoms: Whistling from engine bay, belt fibres visible in oil at oil change, engine stuttering - !! Turbocharger bearing damage from 150,000 km
Turbocharger damage mostly occurs as a secondary failure following neglected maintenance or after DPF/EGR problems. Oil blow-by into the fan or intake tract is possible.
Symptoms: Whistling under acceleration, blue smoke, power loss, oil in charge air hose - !! EGR valve carbon build-up from 100,000 km
The EGR valve clogs especially with frequent short-trip driving. Consequences include engine stumble, elevated consumption and in severe cases coolant loss from EGR cooler cracks.
Symptoms: Engine stumble, power loss, coolant loss without visible leak, elevated fuel consumption
+ 1 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
The EA288 evo is a further development of the proven EA288 family with aluminium engine block and wet-running timing belt instead of chain. EGR system and DPF remain typical wear points, especially for short-trip drivers. The engine is considered robust with disciplined maintenance. Use ISO 22241-certified AdBlue; oil changes every 15,000 km and at least one longer drive per month for DPF health.
- !! Wet-belt timing drive wear from 140,000 km
The EA288 evo uses an oil-bath timing belt instead of a chain. If replacement intervals (approx. 120,000–150,000 km) are not observed, belt fibre contamination in the oil and engine damage follow.
Symptoms: Whistling from engine bay, belt fibres visible in oil at oil change, engine stuttering - !! Turbocharger bearing damage from 150,000 km
Turbocharger damage mostly occurs as a secondary failure following neglected maintenance or after DPF/EGR problems. Oil blow-by into the fan or intake tract is possible.
Symptoms: Whistling under acceleration, blue smoke, power loss, oil in charge air hose - !! EGR valve carbon build-up from 100,000 km
The EGR valve clogs especially with frequent short-trip driving. Consequences include engine stumble, elevated consumption and in severe cases coolant loss from EGR cooler cracks.
Symptoms: Engine stumble, power loss, coolant loss without visible leak, elevated fuel consumption
+ 1 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
The 1.5 TSI eTEC (EA211 evo) with 48V mild hybrid system is a modern, efficient drivetrain. Cylinder deactivation (ACT) can cause rough running at part load on some vehicles. The 48V system is relatively new; long-term durability data for the belt-starter-generator is still limited.
- !! 48V belt-starter-generator reliability from 100,000 km
The 48V mild hybrid system with belt-starter-generator (BSG) is a newer technology; long-term experience is limited. If it fails, repair costs are high since the system is closely integrated with the engine and electrical system.
Symptoms: 48V electrical system fault message, restricted start-stop function, reduced boost when pulling away - !! Recall: torque loss at low rpm
Below 800 rpm with high-current consumers active (seat heating, air conditioning), severe torque loss occurred. Affects manual gearbox variants from May–June 2019.
Symptoms: Sudden torque loss when pulling away with heating or air conditioning active - ! Juddering from cylinder deactivation (ACT)
Active cylinder deactivation (ACT) causes noticeable juddering at low revs and in part-load operation. Software updates have only partially resolved the issue.
Symptoms: Noticeable juddering on throttle lift or at low revs, rough running in city traffic
+ 1 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
EA888 Gen3B with 180 kW in the sporty top model of this compact class. The OPF (particulate filter) noticeably dampens power delivery — the nominal 245 hp feels less punchy than the predecessor without OPF. Timing chain instead of belt; chain issues documented on early units. Water pump and camshaft adjuster are known wear points. Long-term reliable without tuning, but the OPF damping leaves enthusiasts wanting.
- !! Timing chain stretch with chain rattle from 130,000 km
The timing chain on the EA888 Gen3B can stretch and cause engine damage if not addressed. Rattling occurs especially on cold start. Recommended replacement interval approx. 120,000–150,000 km.
Symptoms: Metallic rattling on cold start that diminishes once warm; camshaft position fault codes - !! Water pump failure from 100,000 km
The EA888 water pump tends to leak or fail completely, which can lead to engine overheating. Prophylactic replacement at major service is recommended.
Symptoms: Coolant loss, rising temperature, coolant warning light, steam from engine bay - ! Camshaft adjuster malfunction from 100,000 km
Problems with the variable valve timing cause rough idle, power loss and elevated consumption. Often triggered by aged oil that blocks the adjuster's hydraulic channels.
Symptoms: Rough idle, power loss, elevated consumption, fault codes P0010/P0011
Newer PHEV generation with the 1.5 TSI EA211 Evo and a significantly larger battery (around 20 kWh net). The most commonly reported issue is 12V battery drain: when plugged into AC charging overnight, the HV system provides minimal top-up charge to the 12V auxiliary battery — after a few weeks without driving, the car won't start. Software bugs manifest as incorrect state-of-charge readings or sudden power reduction; many are resolved by updates but some persist. HV battery replacement costs are not yet well established in the market — worth factoring into residual value. With current software and a healthy 12V battery, a capable and practical PHEV setup.
- !! 12V Battery Drained by HV System
When parked, the high-voltage system drains the 12V battery. Owners report completely dead vehicles with no prior warning. Overnight standing can be sufficient. Goodwill cases take weeks to resolve.
Symptoms: Vehicle can't be unlocked (emergency key only), display black, no start, complete electronics failure - !! High-Voltage Battery Without Capacity Guarantee (new generation) from 150,000 km
The new 19.7 kWh net battery is more expensive than its predecessor DGEA. Capacity loss is explicitly not covered by warranty according to the owner's manual. Out-of-warranty damage is borne entirely by the owner.
Symptoms: Reduced electric range below 80 km (real-world), reduced charging power - ! Software Issues and Infotainment Faults
Frozen displays, driver assistance system failures, and keyless entry errors are widespread on Cupra PHEV models. The manufacturer responds slowly with updates and not all issues are resolved.
Symptoms: Display freezes, cameras drop out, lane-keep assist fails to detect lines, key not recognised
This current four-cylinder turbo petrol engine belongs to the newest generation of its family and, in early feedback, appears largely unremarkable as long as service intervals are respected. Timing chain issues that affected earlier generations of this engine family from time to time occur noticeably less often in the current version — though frequent short trips combined with delayed oil changes remain a trigger. Since the engine has only recently reached the market, no reliable long-term experience over very high mileage exists yet. Sticking to the prescribed oil-change interval and avoiding purely short-distance driving remain the most effective safeguards against premature chain wear.
- !! Piston / ring land damage under high thermal load
Under extreme use (chip tuning, sustained full-load operation), pistons and ring lands can be damaged by high thermal loads. Regular operation is significantly less affected.
Symptoms: Strongly elevated oil consumption, power loss, metallic noises, engine check light - !! Chain tensioner wear at high mileage from 120,000 km
Despite the improved timing chain versus Gen1/2, chain tensioners and guide rails can wear at high mileage, especially with extended oil change intervals or poor-quality lubrication.
Symptoms: Metallic rattling on cold start, rough engine running, engine check light - !! Turbocharger boost pressure control from 130,000 km
Turbocharger damage usually arises as a consequence of oil starvation or insufficient warm-up. Boost pressure control and turbocharger housing seals can fail at high mileage.
Symptoms: Power loss, whistling noise when revving, oil in charge air hose, blue exhaust
Vehicle Weaknesses
| Weakness | Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| Recall: seat frame edge can damage side airbag A sharp edge on the front seat frame can damage the side airbag when it deploys, reducing its protective effect. Affects vehicles built between 08/2024 and 12/2025. | Low | |
| Lane-keeping assist behaves jerkily and is often switched off The active lane-keeping assist applies abrupt rather than smooth steering corrections, prompting testers to regularly switch it off manually. Symptoms: Jerky steering interventions from the lane-keeping assist, especially in gentle bends or unclear lane markings. | Low |
Test Reports
ADAC
ADAC rates the new Kodiaq well overall but criticises the high base price, costly options and, with 20-inch wheels, harsher handling.
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Known Problems and Issues +
A total of 22 weaknesses have been documented for the Skoda Kodiaq NS-II (2024–2026) — 17 engine-related and 5 vehicle-related. Typical issues affect Other, Electronics, Interior. Considered reliable: DNPB (2.0L TSI), DPCA-MH (1.5L TSI eTEC), DNPA (2.0L TSI).
Kodiaq (DXPA, 2024–2026) — Be Careful: Wet-belt timing drive wear, Turbocharger bearing damage, EGR valve carbon build-up. Power: 149–150 PS.
Kodiaq (DXPA, 2024–2026) — Be Careful: Wet-belt timing drive wear, Turbocharger bearing damage, EGR valve carbon build-up. Power: 190–200 PS.
Kodiaq (DUC, 2024–2026) — Be Careful: 12V Battery Drained by HV System, High-Voltage Battery Without Capacity Guarantee (new generation), Software Issues and Infotainment Faults. Power: 149–150 PS.
What to watch out for with the Skoda Kodiaq? See the detailed listing of all engine and vehicle weaknesses in the sections above.
Frequently Asked Questions
What problems and weaknesses does the Skoda Kodiaq NS-II have? +
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Last updated: February 2026 · All information without guarantee