Volkswagen Transporter reliability
The Volkswagen Transporter fails its MOT about as often as most cars over 10 years old: 40.6% of 156,339 tests failed in 2023, against 39.7% on average.
37 DVSA recalls for the Volkswagen Transporter
Most cover a batch of cars built in a set period, and dealers fix them free. Sweep’s check shows the recalls for a car’s age and whether the DVSA has one outstanding.
Rear lid gas strut
For affected vehicles applying excess pressure to open the rear lid to its end position may cause the upper ball socket to detach from the gas strut allowing the rear lid to fall without restraint as one gas strut alone cannot hold it open.
Fix: The gas struts of the rear lid will be checked and if necessary replaced.
Recalled models: TRANSPORTER T7 · 203 vehicles
Correct speed restriction
On affected vehicles the speed limit of 70 mph is not implemented as described in the technical data and stated in the vehicle registration document.
Fix: Adjust the software in various control units.
Recalled models: TRANSPORTER · 30 vehicles
Rear axle shock absorbers
On affected vehicles there is a possibility the rear axle shock absorbers could break.
Fix: Check and replace the rear shock absorbers if necessary.
Recalled models: TRANSPORTER T7 · 8 vehicles
Takata front drivers or passenger airbag replacement
Urgent Safety Warning – Do Not Drive Your Vehicle Our information shows your vehicle was originally allocated to or used for an extended period of time in a region with a climate zone considered to as HIGH RISK. Issue: The front airbag in your VW vehicle contains an ageing inflator propellant that may explode when deployed due to long-term exposure to heat and humidity. Risk: If the airbag inflator explodes metal fragments may be ejected causing life-threatening or fatal injuries to anyone in the vehicle.
Fix: The front airbag must be replaced. Immediate Action Required: Stop driving your vehicle immediately. Contact the Takata Stop Drive helpline at 0113 526 9646 (MONDAY to FRIDAY 9:00AM to 5:00PM to arrange your recall service.
Recalled models: TRANSPORTER · 11 vehicles
Takata Front airbag
The function of the driver airbag inflators can degrade due to air and moisture ingress.
Fix: Replace airbag
Recalled models: TRANSPORTER · 17,277 vehicles
Certain vehicles have had a front passenger airbag unit fitted that does not fit the vehicle.
Certain vehicles have had a front passenger airbag unit fitted that does not fit the vehicle.�
Fix: Replace the front passenger airbag.
Recalled models: T7 MULTIVAN · 1 vehicles
The clips for attachment of the curtain airbags may not have been correctly set
The clips for attachment of the curtain airbags may not have been correctly set.
Fix: Check to ensure the curtain airbag fasteners are correctly fitted. Cable routing is also checked and if necessary corrected.
Recalled models: T7 MULTIVAN · 300 vehicles
There is a possibility that tyres could suddenly lose air
There is a possibility that tyres could suddenly lose air.
Fix: On the affected vehicles the production data (DOT number) of all tyres including spare wheel are checked and if necessary tyres will be replaced.
Recalled models: TRANSPORTER T6.1 · 370 vehicles
With temperatures below zero the door lock bowden cables can freeze
With temperatures below zero the door lock Bowden cables can freeze.
Fix: On the affected vehicles the door Bowden cables are replaced and all door locks are given a sealing foil.
Recalled models: TRANSPORTER T6.1 · 23,068 vehicles
With temperatures below zero the door lock bowden cables can freeze
With temperatures below zero the door lock Bowden cables can freeze.
Fix: On the affected vehicles the door Bowden cables are replaced and all door locks are given a sealing foil.
Recalled models: TRANSPORTER T6.1 · 3,046 vehicles
Possibility of humidity ingress in the bowden cables of the doors
Possibility of humidity ingress in the Bowden cables of the doors due to missing seals.
Fix: Remove cables and humidity and seal off. Poznan produced cables to be replaced.
Recalled models: TRANSPORTER · 8,208 vehicles
Owner's manuals for the transporter were included instead of for the multivan
On T6.1 California vehicles owner's manuals for the Transporter were included instead of for the Multivan.
Fix: On the affected vehicles the Transporter owner's manual is replaced with the Multivan owner's manual.
Recalled models: T6 CARAVELLE · 20 vehicles
The electric child lock may not be mechanically locked although switched on by driver
Under very specific conditions the electric child lock is not mechanically locked although it has been switched on by the driver.
Fix: On the affected vehicles the software of the on-board supply control unit has to be reconfigured.
Recalled models: TRANSPORTER T6 · 5 vehicles
Water may get into interior and run onto control units for the rear lid
Water may get into the vehicle interior and run onto the control units for the rear lid
Fix: The motor lead-through for the electric sliding door is to be sealed to the right side panel.
Recalled models: T6 - (GOODS) · 753 vehicles
Water may get into the vehicle interior and run onto the control units for the rear lid
Water may get into the vehicle interior and run onto the control units for the rear lid
Fix: The motor lead-through for the electric sliding door is to be sealed to the right side panel.
Recalled models: T6 - (CAR) · 485 vehicles
Driver airbag generator housing could come loose
Increased humidity may have got into the propellant of the gas generator for the drivers air bag.
Fix: The gas generator of the front airbag on the driver side is replaced.
Recalled models: TRANSPORTER · 786 vehicles
On t5/t6 california vehicles with kitchen the bolted connections on the gas system may not have been correctly fitted
Kitchen bolted gas connections may not have been correctly fitted.
Fix: Perform gas systems check and re-tighten connections.
Recalled models: T5 · 24 vehicles
Replace front passenger airbag
The front passenger airbag may be faulty. There may be insufficient protection especially for smaller passengers in the front seat because of incorrectly folded passenger airbags.
Fix: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected and replace the passenger airbag.
Recalled models: T6 - (CAR) · 17 vehicles
Replace front passenger airbag
The front passenger airbag may be faulty. There may be insufficient protection especially for smaller passengers in the front seat because of incorrectly folded passenger airbags.
Fix: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected and replace the passenger airbag.
Recalled models: T6 - (GOODS) · 64 vehicles
Fuel hoses may crack and leak
Some fuel hoses were not manufactured to specification and as a result could crack and leak fuel. The fuel could affect the drivability of the subject vehicle and possibly others using the roads.
Fix: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affect and replace 3 fuel hoses.
Recalled models: T6 - (GOODS) · 2,501 vehicles
Fuel hoses may crack and leak
Some fuel hoses were not manufactured to specification and as a result could crack and leak fuel. The fuel could affect the drivability of the subject vehicle and possibly others using the roads.
Fix: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affect and replace 3 fuel hoses.
Recalled models: T6 - (CAR) · 572 vehicles
Airbag/belt tensioners may not trigger in event of an accident
Due to an error in the manufacturing process the air bag and/or seat belt pretensioner may not trigger in the event of a collision
Fix: On affected vehicles replace air bag assembly and seatbelt pretensioner where necessary.
Recalled models: TRANSPORTER · 3,879 vehicles
Side airbag of front left seat may not deploy correctly in collision & may have some passenger collision protection missing
On affected vehicles the near side front side air bag may have been incorrectly fitted in its module. As a result it may not deploy as intended during a collision increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: On affected vehicles replace the nearside front side airbag.
Recalled models: TRANSPORTER T6 · 235 vehicles
Risk of fire
The cooling fan may continue to run until the battery is drained. In the most unfavourable scenario this can even lead to a vehicle fire.
Fix: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected to fit an additional wiring loom.
Recalled models: T5 · 178 vehicles
Fuel may leak
On 2.0l Common Rail engines of a limited production period faulty material can cause leaks on the high pressure pipes during the service life of the vehicle.
Fix: Anti-vibration balance weights will be fitted on the high-pressure pipes.
Recalled models: T5 · 33,719 vehicles
Bonnet may open
It has been established that the mounting bolts on the bonnet catch may loosen. This may cause the lock to become loose and could result in the bonnet suddenly opening.
Fix: Recall all affected vehicles to have the bolts checked and tighten if required.
Recalled models: T5 · 152 vehicles
Fuel supply and return pipe can leak
On a small number of 5 cylinder diesel engines the welding on a seal plug in the H piece between the fuel supply and return pipes has the potential to leak. In extreme unfavourable conditions this leaking fuel may lead to a vehicle fire.
Fix: Recall all affected vehicles to have the fuel pipe replaced with a quality assured component.
Recalled models: T5 · 486 vehicles
Front right hand tyre may fail
It has been identified that during production the right-hand front tyre may have suffered damage to the inside face.
Fix: Recalled vehicles will have the subject tyre checked for damage and replaced as necessary.
Recalled models: T5 · 526 vehicles
2nd row seat backrest may not latch correctly
The back-rest of the 2nd seat row may not completely latch in. In an accident this could increase the risk of injury because the seat belts are attached to the back-rest.
Fix: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected to replace the bowden cable of the double seat bench.
Recalled models: TRANSPORTER · 4,524 vehicles
Handbrake may fail
The handbrake may not fully engage and a sudden release of the handbrake potentially allowing the vehicle to 'run away' cannot be ruled out.
Fix: Recall the likely to be affected vehicles and replace the handbrake lever and the push button.
Recalled models: TRANSPORTER · 8,345 vehicles
Bolts of the tandem fuel pump cover may break
It is advised that on some vehicles fitted with a 3 and 4 cylinder pump injector engine the bolts of the tandem fuel pump cover may break due to a bolt production fault. As a result the pump housing will not be tight and a diesel fuel leak may occur.
Fix: Recalled vehicles will have the pump checked for being of a certain manufacture. If found to be within the affected range the pump housing cover bolts will be replaced.
Recalled models: TRANSPORTER · 4,102 vehicles
Steering rack mountings may loosen
Wax residue may not have been removed from the steering rack attachment points on the subframe which may result in a loosening of the steering rack.
Fix: Recall affected vehicles remove wax from the attachment area and re-tighten rack. At the same time the cooling fan control unit will be checked and if necessary replaced on affected vehicles.
Recalled models: TRANSPORTER · 5,916 vehicles
Loosening of steering u/j clamping bolt
The steering shaft top universal clamping bolt may loosen .This will allow free movement in the steering and if not rectified could lead to loss of steering control.
Fix: Recall the affected vehicles and replace the steering shaft top universal clamping bolt and nut with new components.
Recalled models: TRANSPORTER · 4,813 vehicles
Water ingress to injectors
It is possible for water to enter the injection mechanism resulting in a sudden loss of engine power.
Fix: Recall the affected vehicles for replacement of the fuel distributors injectors and hoses.
Recalled models: TRANSPORTER · 80 vehicles
Inadvertent release of handbrake
The pawl spring fitted as original equipment to the parking brake may be insufficiently long and consequently fail to exert enough pressure to ensure that the pawl engages positively in the ratchet teeth. This could allow the parking brake to release
Fix: Recall the affected vehicles and replace the original pawl spring with a longer version.
Recalled models: TRANSPORTER · 3,918 vehicles
Steering shaft clamping bolts may loosen
The clamp bolt on one of three steering column universal couplings may not have been fully tightened on initial assembly. Should this bolt loosen it could allow excess free movement in the steering and if not rectified loss of steering control.
Fix: Recall the affected vehicles check the torque of the subject bolt and where necessary re-tighten it to the manufacturers specifications. Where a clamp bolt is found to be below the specified torque the splines on the shaft will be examined for
Recalled models: TRANSPORTER · 74 vehicles
Steering rack and lower wishbone fastenings and chafing of the light switch harness
b) The light switch harness may chafe on the dash support with a consequent fire risk. Note that the scope of the defect will depend upon the particular chassis number of the vehicle.
Fix: Recall the affected vehicles and b) Secure the light switch harness and protect it by fitting beading to the edge of the dash support.
Recalled models: TRANSPORTER · 3,066 vehicles
Checking a Volkswagen Transporter before you buy
Look at the parts above at the viewing, and read the car’s own MOT history: advisories for the same parts suggest the problem is already starting. Sweep’s free check shows every MOT, advisory and mileage reading for a registration.