118TSI Engine Failure - nothing more, nothing less, just numbers/details

[adhock]

A thread solely to document failures of the 118 TSI engine fitted to Mk 6 Golfs and other VW family vehicles. My golf failed at 24500 km, total new engine needed, 4th for the week at my dealer apparently. I gather there's a few.

Please post only Details of failure; kilometres at failure, age in months, model and transmission, when it failed. I think that's the relevant stuff. No big irrelevant whinges.

Note from Consumer Affairs brochure: A consumer is entitled to request a refund in the event of a major failure. A major failure is a flaw sufficiently large that, if the customer had been aware of it, they would not have purchased the product. Sounds like engine failure after 25 000 km vs 250 000 km. But I haven't pursued it further yet.

[golfy]

hey mate sorry to hear this. but i guess watercool is now so sick of 118TSI that not even one bothered to reply.
Mine is 2 month old 2000 on oddo...i lost power 2 times. could not start the engine after that. on top of this at the first service i've been told nothing wrong with the car and now car gone back to dealership again.... I hope yours get sorted soon. good luck

[Ryan_R]

3.5 years, 62,000kms and my engine has been fine. Just had the clutch pack and mechatronics replaced. For all my time on the forums I've only heard of about 3 or 4 people with severe engine problems, so I'm not expecting this to be a big thread.

[adhock]

I've only heard of about 3 or 4 people with severe engine problems, so I'm not expecting this to be a big thread.

Maybe not, but I thought I'd see what stuck to the wall, after comments like 'dropping like flies'.

[The One]

A thread solely to document failures of the 118 TSI engine fitted to Mk 6 Golfs and other VW family vehicles. My golf failed at 24500 km, total new engine needed, 4th for the week at my dealer apparently. I gather there's a few.

Please post only Details of failure; kilometres at failure, age in months, model and transmission, when it failed. I think that's the relevant stuff. No big irrelevant whinges.

Note from Consumer Affairs brochure: A consumer is entitled to request a refund in the event of a major failure. A major failure is a flaw sufficiently large that, if the customer had been aware of it, they would not have purchased the product. Sounds like engine failure after 25 000 km vs 250 000 km. But I haven't pursued it further yet.

Find it funny how people think they are legally entitled to a refund.

FYI mate, aslong as the problem is rectified then a refund is not required. Once you get your engine replaced / pistons and injectors replaced, your engine will surpass the 200,000km mark.

[adhock]

Never really expected a full refund tho Consumer Protection info (the rules) implies I could ask. I'm annoyed that my engine failed at 24500 km. That is not a reasonable buyer expectation, at which stage refund is a specified option under consumer law. At the consumer's option, not the manufacturer or reseller. Read the booklet - I was very surprised - and consider whether replacement rectifies the issue. VW could reasonably say it is repaired so it is sorted, but if the problem recurs? It does (see forum posts), which lessens trust in the product. The refund option is rather extra to what I would have expected, but there theoretically.

I no longer trust my Golf even while loving the car. That's my issue. I hope my newly fitted engine will be good for 250 000 km or so, like the 14 year old Commodore the kids have interited. But there are documented double engine failures (by Consumer Protection, not forums), which at $10K or so each engine does not inspire me, although i hope VW will stand by any further replacement. 2 years warranty/expectation of engine reliability? Yeah right. If it goes for 200K, then fine, but I have a right to expect 200K or somewhat more. As in out in the middle of nowhere as long as they have 95 RON fuel or better. Our old Commodore is still ticking away at 250 000 km with minimal problems. Should my expectations be lower than a 14 year old Commodore? I suggest not.

[Ryan_R]

Drivetrain warranty was extended to 5 years / 150,000kms for DSG issues (can't remember if it covers engines as well)

[Transporter]

Never really expected a full refund tho Consumer Protection info (the rules) implies I could ask. I'm annoyed that my engine failed at 24500 km. That is not a reasonable buyer expectation, at which stage refund is a specified option under consumer law. At the consumer's option, not the manufacturer or reseller. Read the booklet - I was very surprised - and consider whether replacement rectifies the issue. VW could reasonably say it is repaired so it is sorted, but if the problem recurs? It does (see forum posts), which lessens trust in the product. The refund option is rather extra to what I would have expected, but there theoretically.

I no longer trust my Golf even while loving the car. That's my issue. I hope my newly fitted engine will be good for 250 000 km or so, like the 14 year old Commodore the kids have interited. But there are documented double engine failures (by Consumer Protection, not forums), which at $10K or so each engine does not inspire me, although i hope VW will stand by any further replacement. 2 years warranty/expectation of engine reliability? Yeah right. If it goes for 200K, then fine, but I have a right to expect 200K or somewhat more. As in out in the middle of nowhere as long as they have 95 RON fuel or better. Our old Commodore is still ticking away at 250 000 km with minimal problems. Should my expectations be lower than a 14 year old Commodore? I suggest not.

Yeah, I'm sure that nothing beats the reliability of the Commodores and Falcons, they've won the most reliable car of the year aword, so many times that I've lost the count.

[adhock]

My point exactly

[Bora Sport]

Our Vento did over 440,000k's, Our Bora has over 270,000k's on it. My Cupra currently has just over 212,000k's on it. You don't need a Commodore or a Falcon to have reliability.

[gavs]

118TSI Engine Failure - nothing more, nothing less, just numbers/details

Never really expected a full refund tho Consumer Protection info (the rules) implies I could ask. I'm annoyed that my engine failed at 24500 km. That is not a reasonable buyer expectation, at which stage refund is a specified option under consumer law. At the consumer's option, not the manufacturer or reseller. Read the booklet - I was very surprised - and consider whether replacement rectifies the issue. VW could reasonably say it is repaired so it is sorted, but if the problem recurs? It does (see forum posts), which lessens trust in the product. The refund option is rather extra to what I would have expected, but there theoretically.

I no longer trust my Golf even while loving the car. That's my issue. I hope my newly fitted engine will be good for 250 000 km or so, like the 14 year old Commodore the kids have interited. But there are documented double engine failures (by Consumer Protection, not forums), which at $10K or so each engine does not inspire me, although i hope VW will stand by any further replacement. 2 years warranty/expectation of engine reliability? Yeah right. If it goes for 200K, then fine, but I have a right to expect 200K or somewhat more. As in out in the middle of nowhere as long as they have 95 RON fuel or better. Our old Commodore is still ticking away at 250 000 km with minimal problems. Should my expectations be lower than a 14 year old Commodore? I suggest not.

Good on you adhock!

The One FYI if a fault such as engine failure, gearbox failures etc were known to adhock at time of purchase, you really think he would have bought the car? Take it to the civil tribunals and there is a better than fair chance that the consumer would win.

Adhock for more info, have a look in the 6r polo forum, at this stage I know of (off the top of my head) 5 rebuilt polo gti's all done within the first 20,000kms. Also have a look at all the gearbox failures there too.

[Mountainman]

A thread solely to document failures of the 118 TSI engine fitted to Mk 6 Golfs

Please post only Details of failure; kilometres at failure, age in months, model and transmission, when it failed. I think that's the relevant stuff. No big irrelevant whinges.

Been mentioned on this forum before. My brother's 2009 118TSI DSG Golf had the original engine replaced at 45,000km and then the pistons and rings replaced at 95,000km just inside the 3 year warranty period. He purchased another 3 years extended warranty and now at 120,000km he is without the car while it gets the "air intake regulating flap" replaced ($845 but covered by the extended warranty). I won't mention the numerous clutch packs and mechatronics failures/replacements. So much for premium VW quality heh?

And as I've asked before, where is the person who can claim that their 118TSI reached 100,000km without needing an engine replacement or piston/rings replacement? It will be interesting to see what the service record is like in 5 years time when the will be thousands on the market that have actually reached that distance.

[grtuned]

118TSI Engine Failure - nothing more, nothing less, just numbers/details

Everyone knows those motors are the biggest piece of s#%t ever made by Volkswagen. Whoever disagrees knows nothing of the product. In my time if I've heard of at least 100 motors needing repairs. And at least 50% of those replaced needed same repair again,And 15% of those repaired twice went in the third time. I love volkswagen but those motors are rubbish!!!

[jayjay]

Catastrophic engine failure
Description: Cracked piston ringlands & visible damage to piston crown
Age: 3.5 years
Mileage: 40500 KM
Service History: Independent specialist
Remedy: Engine rebuilt under warranty through VW Australia (100% parts & labour covered + free hire car). Parts replaced include all injectors and pistons.

[adhock]

Catastrophic engine failure

Ouch. Thanks - just the feedback that was asked for initially. Remedy same as mine, including decent hire car (Passat sedan), now repeated for the DSG.