Repair shops sometimes charge extensive diagnostic time to determine the problem. It’s not really necessary, as the trouble code you referred to corresponds to “Boost pressure out of range” or “Overboost” or “Wastegate stuck” rather than a general failure of the turbocharger. It takes a specialist about 30 minutes to arrive at this diagnosis. Many knowledgeable shops bill the diagnosis at their minimum one hour of labour for an inspection, which is reasonable.
Is a turbocharger wastegate failure unsafe?
You reported that you were told your Golf will accelerate poorly if it’s not repaired. If performance is decreased but the vehicle can nonetheless be brought to a safe, controlled stop or driven continually, Transport Canada is unlikely to rank your issue as a high priority. And since the fault triggers an engine trouble light, it provides an unambiguous warning to attend to the vehicle.
How much does it cost to repair the VW turbocharger wastegate?
VW sells the turbocharger and wastegate as one complete assembly for $3,000 to $3,500 when installed at a VW dealership. There is a less expensive option: If you can find someone competent to remove your turbo and have it repaired or exchanged for an improved one, you could save a bundle. However, used turbochargers are not reliable, as they are likely to experience the same problem but perhaps sooner than the five to six years in your car.
Here are two options:
- A VW-Audi specialist may be able to loosen the shaft with heat. Unfortunately, this is not a skill you will find at most VW dealerships. This alternative fix can reportedly be done for about $400 to $500. It is temporary, the repair lasting from months to years, and requires that the turbo wastegate actuator still be working correctly. After the repair, you should occasionally floor the engine to engage the turbo wastegate fully, which may delay the accumulation of corrosion on the shaft.
- The APA has identified a specialist, VAG Services, that modifies the turbocharger with an improved stainless-steel part that will not seize again and it recalibrates the wastegate actuator if required. Cost of the repair is about $1,200, installed. Your local shop can ship the turbo from your car and have it repaired or exchanged for one with the improved shaft for $1,200 including shipping to Ontario. (The specialist will receive a credit of $300 when your old turbo is returned bringing the price of the part down to about $900). There are three different turbos, and which one you may be able to use depends on the displacement of your engine—1.4L, 1.8L or 2L. In the alternative, you could schedule a same-day repair at VAG Service’s location outside Montreal, and drop off your car early in the morning. VAG Service says they will set you up with a courtesy vehicle for the day and you can go sightseeing if you’re from out of town.
How to process a claim with Volkswagen
Start by pressing your claim with VW Canada. In Quebec, where the issue has been publicized in the French-language consumer media, VW dealers are sometimes authorized to offer a discount that reduces the price of the dealer repair by $1,000 to $2,500. If you cannot reach an agreement with Volkswagen Canada or the dealer, you could pursue the automaker for a reimbursement of the repair price.
Because most failures occur after the brand’s five-year/100,000-kilometre powertrain or Audi’s four-year/80,000-kilometre comprehensive warranties have expired, the claim would be based on the implied warranty of fitness or durability offered under the consumer protection or sale of goods legislation in your province.
Keep your old part and make sure your repair shop prepares a report on what it found or is prepared to testify on your behalf.
Have a question for George Iny? Email [email protected].
My 2015 Audi Q3, 15 days after the 4 year warranty had expired had its turbocharger go . The sad part of this story is I had the engine warning light show up about six months before the expiration of the warranty and they said they couldn’t find anything wrong but this is not unusual.
They told me it would cost $3800. To replace. After I went ballistic they got back to me and said they would do a one time
Goodwill and replace it for $800. After checking out online I have seen there has been plenty problems with their turbochargers.
2018 VW Golf Highline with 106k. Spot on!
EPC light, then Engine light. You start to loose acceleration. Took it into my trusted mechanic and replaced the boost. Repair took 3 days and a $3800 price tag. I emailed VW Care Canada and awaiting response.
I just ordered a 2023 Gulf Autobaun Perforance . would that year be the same turbo problems as well . Maybe I should cancel my order and go with something else or just keep my Charger Thanks for reply
We are in a similar boat. 2013 VW Golf GTI but with only about 75KKM! The engine indicator light came on, so we took it into our local VW dealer (where we do the maintenance work religiously), and they diagnosed the turbo failure quoting about $4K. We emailed VW Canada but after the initial form letter, they are not responding. Anybody else you can recommend for us to contact for some help?
My 2016 Golf TDI comfortline with under 80k had EPC light come on. Noticed my car didn’t have the speed boost when driving. Took it in for checkup and ding! $4200 later I had my turbo charger replaced. Will be contacting VW Care Canada.
I purchased a VW Golf 2021 (used) in January 2023. It worked fine for several months but is now sending disturbing messages. Examples: EPC lit in yellow, ERROR start/stop warning?, to name most recent. Unfortunately, the manual is perplexing to say the least, which is why I am using the internet.
FYI: one owner, fewer than 9,000km
my ottawa dealer just advised turbo wastegate seized, on my 2018 6MT AWD golf wagon. $5K fix. 54K on the vehicle, about 6 months off warranty. Curse of responsible driving, I suppose.
will try our vw friends for some goodwill. I had dealings with vw for my 2012 TDI wagon. readers may recall vw was into clean diesel, before batteries.
My 2016 Golf Sportwagon has experienced Turbo failure for the second time. First time was in 2019 when I had only driven 41000 km. Now, just over 4 years later with only 63000 km it has failed again. First failure was covered under warranty. Have contacted VW customer service and am waiting to hear back to see if they will help me out. Dealer says that I drive too conservatively. I say that this should not happen
I am happy to have found this thread. 10 months ago (October 2022) I purchased a 2018 Golf SportWagen TSi with 6-spd. manual and 4Motion, it had 63,000kms. This week at 70,000kms I am told I need to spend $5000. for a new turbo. This is not right. I would like to join any group for action to VW Canada. I am dealing with Yorkdale Volkswagen in Toronto. Thank you.
Hello,
My 2018 Golf Sportwagen requires a new turbo at $4000. I have just 70,000kms on it and am 2 months past warranty. Has anyone had any success with some financial assistance from VW Canada? This is obviously a design flaw. Thank you.
2018 vw atlas 2.0 8 months after warranty ending recommended a 3700 dollar turbo swap for a stuck waste gate. I am hoping they do the right thing and replace it for alot less, they should also recall it and fix the issue, my wife and kids were almost killed getting onto the highway when the the issue first reared its ugly head, she was merging and demanded power the truck she had to try and overcome had to lock breaks up since she couldn’t get up to highway speed fast enought and ran out of merging lane.
They should have corrected this many many years ago well before this SUV was built, swap the bushing for a bearing, and maybe put something into the maintance breakdown to lubricate it to prolong life.
We had a weird rattle well before warranty ending but service said totally normal since there was no engine light on. I think this was the start but not 100% sure.
2018 volkswagon sportswagon 62,000 km problem seized up turbo accelerator repair cost $4100 plus tax
wondering if anyone else was able to get relief from Volkswagon on this issue?