VW Touareg

The CJMA shares the same problematic timing chain tensioner as the more powerful CVVA. The revised CJM engine family is considered more critical than its predecessor CASD. Replacement costs can exceed €5,000.

Symptoms: Knocking or rattling noise from the engine area on cold start

Heavy soot deposits in the EGR system are particularly frequent on the CJMA, as the base engine is mostly used for urban driving. Once fouled, particles break loose and block further passages.

Symptoms: Stumbling, power loss, fluctuating idle, MIL, occasional limp mode

Faulty injectors in the CJMA cause diesel contamination of the engine oil and increase combustion chamber soot levels. Piston and cylinder damage is a possible consequence if ignored for extended periods.

Symptoms: Increased consumption, rough running, dark engine oil with fuel smell

The CJMA 2.0 TSI EA888 Gen3 (Golf 7 GTI, Tiguan) delivers borderline low oil pressure at idle due to the standard variable displacement oil pump. If the wrong oil filter is fitted (e.g. Mahle OC456 instead of the post-2012 type), bearing damage can result. Upgraded pumps increase idle pressure by approximately 20 percent.

Symptoms: Sporadic oil pressure warning at idle, bearing damage after filter change with wrong filter, metallic noises when engine is warm

Same system weakness as the predecessor: the 40A relay seizes after 3–4 years; condensate ice blocks the compressor in winter. Compressor overheating can be dangerous. Compressor replacement: 400–1,500 €.

CAN bus communication faults cause the simultaneous failure of multiple systems (reversing camera, ACC, towing module, start-stop). Often caused by a faulty trailer control unit J345 or insufficient battery voltage.

On the Touareg 7P, the ball bearing at the front axle output of the transfer case wears due to insufficient lubrication in the ZF transfer case. Repair requires approx. 10 hours of workshop time.

Brake discs wear out prematurely on the heavy Touareg 7P, sometimes after just 30,000–40,000 km. Full brake service (front and rear axle) costs approx. 2,800 €. The electric parking brake requires software tools for pad changes.

Electric parking brake fails to release or shows fault messages. The cause is defective actuator switches or actuator motors. Repair: 300–800 €. Software tools are essential for pad changes.

Seals between the longitudinal and transverse drain channels of the panoramic roof fail, especially on 2015 model year vehicles. Water penetrates and rusts internal metal carriers. Frame replacement can cost up to €1,600.

Adaptive cruise control and Front Assist regularly drop out and show 'unavailable'. Often caused by a dirty or misaligned radar sensor. Radar sensor replacement costs over 2,000 €.

Rust forms in the door flanges and at door inner edges, particularly on the tailgate. Paint undermining creates visible blisters. Less common than on the predecessor, but documented on older 7P models.

The automatic gearbox shows irregular shift behaviour and oil loss at higher mileages. Regular gearbox oil changes (every 60,000 km) are important. Gearbox overhaul: 3,000–6,000 €.

The rubber bearing in the rear propshaft ages and cracks as the rubber becomes brittle through weathering. VW only supplies the complete propshaft — individual centre bearing replacement is not factory-supported.

On the Touareg 7P, the water drain hose in the rear wheel arch detaches from its holder. Water runs directly into the spare wheel well instead of outside. The hose can be permanently secured with cable ties.