VW T5
EA888 turbocharged petrol with 150 kW, strongest petrol engine in the T5.1/T6. Same timing chain topic as the CJKB, but fitted less frequently.
Strongest TSI T5
CJKA 2.0 TSI with 204 hp and automatic in the T5 II surprises with driving pleasure. The punchy petrol engine makes the van quick.
Engine Weaknesses 5
In the 150 kW variant the oil pump is borderline under high load. Frequent full-load operation without a warm-up phase promotes turbocharger bearing wear.
Symptoms: Whistling from the turbocharger, power loss, blue smoke
Same chain tensioner fault as the CJKB. Without repair, chain skip with total engine damage is possible.
Symptoms: Rattling on cold start for 10–15 seconds
By design, narrow oil control rings in the EA888 result in measurable oil consumption. With extended oil change intervals the risk of chain and turbocharger damage increases.
Symptoms: 0.3–1 L oil consumption per 1,000 km, occasional bluish smoke
As a direct-injection engine the CJKA 1.4 TSI does not wash the intake valves with fuel. Crankcase ventilation gases deposit as hard carbon film on the valve heads and noticeably reduce cylinder filling. Carbon build-up accelerates with short-trip driving.
Symptoms: Rough idle, power loss at low RPM, cold-start stumbling, increased fuel consumption
The CJKA 2.0 TSI 204 hp also shows oil control ring wear, leading to elevated oil consumption. The higher thermal load of the more powerful engine accelerates ring wear.
Symptoms: Elevated oil consumption, blue smoke under acceleration, MIL
Vehicle Weaknesses 11
The torque converter automatic (6-speed, up to 10/2009) often does not last 100,000 km under heavy load. Overhaul starts at €3,000. The 6-speed manual gearbox (from 2009) suffers from mainshaft bearing damage.
Electric sliding door motors are a primary weak spot on the T5. The drive motor wears out and the door no longer opens or closes fully. Replacement including labour costs around €270, but remains a recurring problem.
Paint flakes off the sill and B-pillar below the sliding door and rust forms. Paint damage from stepping and luggage accelerates the process. Sliding door handles also rust through.
Typical rust spots on the T5: wheel arches, bonnet (stone chips), windscreen frame and the tailgate fold and rain channels. Early inspection and preservation essential on vehicles from 150,000 km.
The right-hand driveshaft splines of the T5 wear out unusually often — a known weak component considered a scheduled wear item. The high vehicle weight (up to 3.5 t GVW) puts severe load on the shaft.
The high weight of the T5 (kerb weight from 2.2 t) puts considerable strain on springs and dampers. Springs break under heavy load, shock absorbers leak. Rear dampers wear out before the fronts.
Due to the high vehicle weight and often commercial use, T5 brake discs wear early. From 100,000 km brake hoses also become porous. As a working vehicle often neglected — lines corrode through.
T5 sliding windows often no longer seal properly. Water runs into the D-pillars, soaks the headliner and attacks the electrics. Rear lights can also let water in and cause short circuits.
Failed door locks are a classic T5 problem: doors can no longer be opened from inside or outside. Window regulator drives (especially sliding windows) also fail, often promoted by water ingress.
The gas struts on the T5 tailgate fail regularly — the tailgate no longer stays in the open position. A frequent wear issue on the heavy swing-open doors of the Multivan.
Blend door actuators fail on the T5 and no longer allow different temperature control zones. A widespread problem on the Multivan with rear heater at the auxiliary heater.