Toyota Auris
BMW-derived diesel (N47 basis), not developed by Toyota itself. Timing chain on the gearbox side — access for inspection is involved. Timing chain elongation possible at high mileage — atypical by Toyota standards.
Alien engine without charm
BMW diesel in a Toyota body — culturally mismatched and at 82 kW too weak for the E180. Neither sporty nor particularly economical.
Engine Weaknesses 7
Condensation water from the EGR system enters the throttle body and can cause engine stumbling, power loss, and in extreme cases engine failure.
Symptoms: Engine stumbling and hesitation; power drops; in extreme cases engine stall on the road
Toyota Verso models with the 1.6 D-4D from 2015–2018 have an elevated fire risk due to a faulty exhaust gas recirculation system. Dealers and workshops were called upon to inspect affected vehicles.
Symptoms: No driver warning before fire risk occurs; possible smoke developing under the bonnet
Isolated cases of timing chain failure have been reported on the N47-based 1WW at as little as 84,000 km. The N47 timing chain issue is well known from the parent engine used in BMW.
Symptoms: Sudden engine noise; engine stalls without warning; engine damage from valve-piston contact
The 1WW has direct injection only, with no port injection. Intake valves are not cleaned by fuel and carbon builds up from around 40,000 km. Toyota covers cleaning as a goodwill measure.
Symptoms: Power loss, rough idle, hesitation on acceleration, increased consumption, MIL light with heavy build-up.
Early 1WW engines (up to model year 2018) had a faulty engine management system that damaged ignition coils through incorrect actuation during start-stop operation. Toyota issued a software update and replacement coils as a remedy.
Symptoms: Misfires on individual cylinders, engine stumble, limp mode, fault code P030x (cylinder x misfire).
The 1WW (BMW diesel) in the Auris/Verso shows problems with active DPF regeneration during frequent short trips, according to auris-forum.de. The cooling system gets overloaded during regeneration and elevated coolant temperatures can occur.
Symptoms: DPF warning light, elevated coolant temperature during regeneration, sudden spike in fuel consumption
Oil loss on the 1WW 1.6 D-4D in the Verso is documented in toyota-forum.de. Various gaskets on the BMW diesel engine block can develop leaks and cause oil loss.
Symptoms: Oil spots under the car, dropping oil level, oil smell in the engine bay
Vehicle Weaknesses 11
Longitudinal members and sill transitions are prone to corrosion on vehicles from salt-heavy regions.
On the hybrid Auris the rear brakes are barely used mechanically as regeneration handles deceleration. Brake discs corrode heavily.
Tail lights are not fully sealed and allow moisture ingress. Corrosion on the contacts leads to light failure.
On manually shifted Auris E180 models the clutch wears relatively early, especially with frequent city driving.
Front strut mounts wear relatively early and cause noise when steering.
The magnetic clutch on the A/C compressor loses holding force, especially at high ambient temperatures.
The tailgate seal allows water into the boot. Blocked drain holes worsen the problem.
Clicking from the steering shaft universal joints at full lock is a widespread problem on the E180. Predominantly affects 1.8 Hybrid models with eCVT. Steering shaft or universal joint needs replacement; repair possible under warranty.
Despite Toyota's generally good corrosion protection, older E180 vehicles can develop rust at sills and wheel arches, particularly on cars without regular cavity sealing.
The headlights mist up internally, especially in damp weather. Ventilation valves become blocked.
The E180's interior trim tends to creak with age, especially in cold weather. Door panels and the dashboard produce annoying noises due to thermal expansion and age-related material fatigue.