The Lemon Index
Volkswagen's 2.0-liter inline-4, turbo. This page covers the versions we have sourced so far: the Volkswagen Golf R, model years 2015–2025. The engine is used in other cars too; those aren't covered here yet.
Less liked than most on YouTube: YouTube owner tone None/100, #127 of 165 engines with a YouTube study (in the bottom third); 3 engine-related recalls on record, 6 known issues listed below. Compare it with the FA24, EA888, Coyote and B58 →
Known issues on record
- Turbo wastegate sticks (class settlement) (Maker bulletin). Rust can seize the turbo wastegate rod on 2015–2019 Golf Rs, setting code P2563 or P00AF. VW denies a defect but settled a class action. Fix: VW pays 50% of a turbo repair for 8.5 years or 85,000 miles (VWP-25-16); TSB 21-25-01 first tries freeing the rod.
- Fuel hose recall (2018) (Recall). On some 2018 Golf Rs, the fuel hose connector in the engine bay can come loose and leak fuel, raising fire risk. Fix: Dealer secures the fuel line connection for free (NHTSA 18V-864). 2 owner complaints to NHTSA mention it (Mk7 / Mk7.5 Golf R).
- Coolant leaks at the water pump (Owner-reported). A few owners told NHTSA of coolant leaks that dealers traced to the water pump and thermostat housing. 3 owner complaints to NHTSA mention it (Mk7 / Mk7.5 Golf R).
- Engine cover recall (2022) (Recall). Hard acceleration could loosen the engine cover on 2022 Golf Rs; it can touch hot parts and melt, raising fire risk. Fix: Dealer removes the cover, then fits an updated one for free (NHTSA 22V-163).
- Coolant hose recall (2022–2023) (Recall). The radiator may not be fixed to the intercooler correctly, which can damage a coolant hose and let the engine overheat. Fix: Dealer inspects the radiator and replaces damaged parts for free (NHTSA 22V-707).
- Thermostat fault code P00B7 (Maker bulletin). Some 2022–2024 Golf Rs set P00B7 (low coolant flow) and the check-engine light. VW says not to replace parts first. Fix: Dealer updates the engine computer software (TSB 01-25-05).
Everyday cars with this engine Tap a year for that car's full report.
- Volkswagen Tiguan201120122013201420152016201720182019202020212022202320242025
- Audi A320092010201120122013201520162017201820192020202220232025
- Volkswagen Golf R201020112012201320142015201620172018201920202021
- Audi A62012201320142015201620172018201920202021
- Audi Q520172018201920202021202320242025
- Volkswagen Atlas20182019202020212022202320242025
- Audi Q32017201820192020202120242025
- Volkswagen CC2011201220132014201520162017
- Audi A4201620172018201920202021
- Volkswagen Jetta20172019202020212024
- Volkswagen Passat20122013201820202021
Model years from EPA version lists and NHTSA VIN decoding of owner complaints. Only years we have a car page for.
What YouTube owners say Tone 0-100, higher = more praise than trouble.
Average owner tone 42/100 across 16 model years, from 183 videos about this engine and its cars (#127 of 165 engines with a YouTube study).
Most-watched videos
- Are Golf R Engine Internals Better than a GTI? 1,841,641 views
- VW Golf GTI Review: Is it Still the Hot Hatch King? 1,517,442 views
- Dead Misfire MK7 GTI, Another Shop Said Engine is TOAST 1,501,496 views
- Why The Volkswagen EA888 Is So Good 629,727 views
- Intake Manifold for VW and Audi 2.0T TSI DIY Replacement ~ Gen 3 EA888 417,155 views
Counted from video titles and captions: praise words against trouble words, weighted by views. Videos only count when the title names this engine or a car that had only this engine in those years.
In everyday cars, matched by VIN
Owners filed 7,443 complaints about the Volkswagen Tiguan, Volkswagen Golf, Audi Q5, Audi A4, Volkswagen CC, Volkswagen Atlas, Audi A3, Audi Q3, Audi A6, Volkswagen Passat and Volkswagen Jetta with the EA888 2.0T (model years 2009–2025, engine read from each complaint's VIN). 29% name the engine, #12 of the 39 everyday engines we track (1 = the most).
Known issues, checked against owner complaints
Problems owners of cars with this engine name much more often than owners of the other 38 everyday engines we track (at least 1.5× the median, and 10+ complaints):
- Oil consumption. 272 of 7,443 owner complaints (3.7%) mention burning or losing oil, against a median of 0.5% for the other 38 everyday engines we track.
Car burns excessive oil (1 quart per 1000 miles). Smoke comes from tail pipes. Had PCV replaced. Engine blocked scoped and valve guide #3 is bad. VW has not recalled this common issue and does NOT have the parts available to fix (on 6+ month back order).
2019 owner · NHTSA complaint 11773791 - The timing chain tensioner. 254 of 7,443 owner complaints (3.4%) mention the timing chain, against a median of 0.1% for the other 38 everyday engines we track.
Timing chain issues, motor oil circulation problems, that Volkswagen has recalls out for 2.0 cc turbo 2013.
2013 owner · NHTSA complaint 11673096 - Water pump and thermostat housing leaks. 169 of 7,443 owner complaints (2.3%) mention the water pump, against a median of 0.2% for the other 38 everyday engines we track.
my initial water pump from Audi was replaced via recall. then I recently changed the thermostat hose and my water pump started leaking again. can you please look into these faulty water pumps?
2017 owner · NHTSA complaint 11763714
Also often talked about, but not standing out in complaints to NHTSA: carbon buildup (27 of 7,443, 0.4%, peers under 0.1%). That doesn't mean it never happens, only that owners rarely file it with the government.
| Car | Model years matched | Complaints | Name the engine |
|---|---|---|---|
| Volkswagen Tiguan | 2009–25 | 2,184 | 31% |
| Volkswagen Golf | 2010–24 | 987 | 39% |
| Audi Q5 | 2011–25 | 987 | 31% |
| Audi A4 | 2009–24 | 798 | 30% |
| Volkswagen CC | 2009–17 | 776 | 22% |
| Volkswagen Atlas | 2018–25 | 693 | 18% |
| Audi A3 | 2009–25 | 434 | 12% |
| Audi Q3 | 2015–25 | 225 | 24% |
| Audi A6 | 2012–21 | 137 | 34% |
| Volkswagen Passat | 2012–22 | 121 | 24% |
| Volkswagen Jetta | 2017–25 | 101 | 49% |
Owner complaints by model year
What owners complain about
5 recalls on these cars name the engine
20V153000 Mar 2020 Electrical System A6 2019, 2020
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Audi A6 vehicles equipped with mild-hybrid technology and 2.0TFSI engines. Moisture may enter the starter generator and cause an electrical short circuit.
Fix. Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the starter generator, free of charge. The recall began by May 22, 2020. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 27H2.
18V229000 Apr 2018 Engine And Engine Cooling A4 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016; Q5 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017; A6 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Audi A5 Cabriolet, A5 Sedan and Audi Q5 vehicles, 2012-2015 Audi A6 vehicles and 2013-2016 Audi A4 Sedan and A4 allroad vehicles. These vehicles, equipped with 2.0l Turbo FSI engines, have an electric coolant pump that can either become blocked with debris from the cooling system causing it to overheat or can short-circuit from moisture within the pump.
Fix. Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the pumps, free of charge. The recall began September 14, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number's for this recall is 19N3/19N4. Note: This recall is in additional to the coolant pump software update applied as a remedy under recall 17V002.
17V280000 Apr 2017 Equipment A3 2015
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015 Audi A3 1.8T FWD S tronic and 2.0T Quattro S tronic vehicles. The safety certification label has an incorrect vehicle production date. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of 49 CFR Part 567, "Certification."
Fix. Audi will notify owners, and dealers will install an overlay label containing the correct vehicle production date, free of charge. The recall June 23, 2017. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 51F5.
17V002000 Jan 2017 Engine And Engine Cooling A4 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016; Q5 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017; A6 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Audi A5, A5 Cabriolet and Q5 vehicles, 2013-2016 Audi Allroad and Audi A4 vehicles and 2012-2015 Audi A6 vehicles. These vehicles, equipped with 2.0l Turbo FSI engines, have an electric coolant pump that can be blocked with debris from the cooling system, resulting in the pump overheating.
Fix. Audi will notify owners, and dealers will update the software so that the power supply to the coolant pump is deactivated if the pump becomes blocked with debris, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin February 20, 2017. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 19M1.
08V235000 May 2008 Engine And Engine Cooling Tiguan 2009
Volkswagen is recalling 4,079 my 2008 passat and 2,500 my 2009 tiguan passenger vehicles equipped with 2.0t fsi ulev ii engines. These vehicles have an engine control module (ecm) containing software that may not properly control engine idle with the air conditioning turned on. In rare cases, the ecm may unexpectedly increase engine rpm.
Fix. Dealers will inspect and update the ecm software free of charge. The recall began on may 30, 2008. Owners may contact volkswagen at 1-800-893-5298.
Against the other everyday engines
| Engine | Years | Complaints | Name the engine | Stalled or lost power | Burning oil | Recalls naming it |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5 EcoBoost | 2014–25 | 5,622 | 66% | 15% | 0.2% | 2 |
| 6.2 V8 (Gen V) | 2014–25 | 7,219 | 65% | 24% | 2.2% | 2 |
| 2.4 Theta II | 2010–22 | 21,551 | 51% | 20% | 8.1% | 8 |
| 2.4 Ecotec | 2010–17 | 6,096 | 51% | 21% | 18% | 0 |
| 3.0 EcoDiesel | 2014–23 | 2,871 | 50% | 24% | 0.2% | 7 |
| 3.3 Lambda II | 2013–21 | 3,254 | 50% | 17% | 5.9% | 2 |
| 2.0 EcoBoost | 2012–25 | 9,735 | 48% | 12% | 0.1% | 0 |
| 2.0T Theta II | 2011–22 | 3,325 | 44% | 18% | 4.8% | 2 |
| 1.4 Turbo | 2011–22 | 3,926 | 39% | 17% | 0.9% | 2 |
| 2.4 Tigershark | 2014–22 | 9,631 | 35% | 34% | 4.5% | 5 |
| 1.5 Turbo | 2016–25 | 4,471 | 33% | 27% | 0.3% | 1 |
| EA888 2.0T | 2009–25 | 7,443 | 29% | 16% | 3.7% | 5 |
| A25A | 2018–25 | 2,979 | 26% | 12% | under 0.1% | 1 |
| 1.5 Turbo | 2017–22 | 6,390 | 26% | 14% | 0.2% | 0 |
| J35 V6 | 2003–25 | 24,038 | 24% | 14% | 0.9% | 4 |
| Skyactiv-G 2.5 | 2014–25 | 2,631 | 22% | 11% | 2.7% | 1 |
| 2.7 Turbo | 2019–25 | 1,090 | 22% | 12% | 0.5% | 0 |
| 2AZ-FE | 2001–09 | 7,176 | 22% | 3.7% | 8.6% | 0 |
| 5.4 Triton | 2005–14 | 3,952 | 21% | 15% | 0.1% | 3 |
| 5.7 HEMI | 2003–24 | 23,895 | 19% | 23% | 0.1% | 6 |
| QR25DE | 2002–20 | 16,161 | 19% | 14% | 1.5% | 4 |
| 5.3 V8 (Gen V) | 2014–25 | 13,191 | 18% | 13% | 0.5% | 3 |
| 3.6 Pentastar | 2011–25 | 34,634 | 18% | 16% | 0.4% | 9 |
| 2.3 EcoBoost | 2015–25 | 3,975 | 16% | 9.9% | 0.1% | 12 |
| 3.8 Lambda II | 2020–25 | 4,423 | 16% | 8.0% | 5.6% | 0 |
| FB20 | 2012–25 | 2,336 | 15% | 8.2% | 1.7% | 0 |
| 3.6 V6 | 2009–23 | 14,214 | 14% | 14% | 0.1% | 1 |
| K24 | 2002–19 | 15,062 | 14% | 5.1% | 1.6% | 0 |
| 2GR-FKS | 2016–24 | 3,758 | 12% | 11% | 0.2% | 2 |
| 3.5 Cyclone V6 | 2007–19 | 21,313 | 12% | 11% | 0.1% | 0 |
| VQ35 V6 | 2002–25 | 12,613 | 12% | 11% | 0.2% | 1 |
| 3UR-FE | 2007–21 | 1,377 | 12% | 8.8% | 0.4% | 0 |
| FB25 | 2011–25 | 9,853 | 11% | 6.2% | 1.5% | 0 |
| 2AR-FE | 2009–18 | 4,673 | 11% | 6.6% | 1.3% | 1 |
| 2GR-FE | 2005–18 | 8,680 | 10% | 3.5% | 0.3% | 0 |
| 3.8 V6 | 2007–11 | 7,877 | 9% | 17% | 0.5% | 0 |
| 5.3 V8 (Gen IV) | 2007–14 | 9,241 | 8% | 4.5% | 1.3% | 0 |
| 1GR-FE | 2003–24 | 5,757 | 7% | 4.0% | under 0.1% | 0 |
| 4.8 V8 | 2007–13 | 726 | 6% | 4.8% | 0.1% | 0 |
Counts and shares, not failure rates: no one reports sales by engine. Complaints: NHTSA owner complaints filed under each car's own NHTSA names (the same ones its car pages count), all years filed, one per complaint number. Engine: decoded from the complaint's VIN with NHTSA's vPIC decoder (displacement, cylinders, engine model, turbo, hybrid) and the engine maker's model years; a VIN that doesn't decode to exactly one engine is left out. Older cars have had more years to collect complaints, and popular cars draw more because more were sold. Source: NHTSA owner complaints (FLAT_CMPL + COMPLAINTS_RECEIVED_2025-2026), received through 20261111; engines: NHTSA vPIC VIN decoder (batch).
Owner complaints and recalls
Counts for the cars on this page, from NHTSA. They cover every part of the car, not only the engine.
| Car | Years | Owner complaints | Recall campaigns | NHTSA files it as |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mk7 / Mk7.5 Golf R | 2015–2019 | 43 | 9 | Golf R |
| Mk8 Golf R | 2022–2025 | 28 | 7 | Golf R |
Specs by generation
VW EA888 Gen 3 2.0 TSI: Mk7 / Mk7.5 Golf R, 2015–2019
- Output: 288–292 hp, 280 lb-ft
- Displacement: 1,984 cc
- Head: Exhaust passages run through the water-cooled head
- R-specific parts: Own head, exhaust valves, pistons, injection and turbo vs. GTI
VW EA888 evo4 2.0 TSI: Mk8 Golf R, 2022–2025
- Output: 315–328 hp, 280–295 lb-ft
- Power peak: 5,600–5,900 rpm
- Injection: Direct, 5,076 psi (was 2,900 psi)
- Built in: Győr, Hungary
What we don't have yet
- The engine's other cars: only the versions above are sourced so far.
Quick answers
What cars have the VW EA888 2.0 TSI engine?
On this site so far: the Volkswagen Golf R, model years 2015–2025. It is used in other cars we haven't covered yet.
Is the VW EA888 2.0 TSI reliable?
Not one of the safer bets on our data. YouTube owner tone None/100, #127 of 165 engines with a YouTube study (in the bottom third); 3 engine-related recalls on record, 6 known issues listed below. Owner complaints are filed by car, not engine, and cover the whole car, so none of these numbers is an engine failure rate.
How much horsepower does the VW EA888 2.0 TSI make?
292 to 328 hp in the versions on this page (factory figures).
Sources: Volkswagen of America: 2016 Golf R press kit · Volkswagen of America: 2019 Golf R press kit · Volkswagen of America: 2015 Golf R press kit · Volkswagen of America: 2022 Golf R press kit · Volkswagen of America: 2025 Golf R press kit · Volkswagen of America: 2023 Golf R press kit · Volkswagen TSB 21-25-01: Turbocharger wastegate stuck, P2563/P00AF (Mar 2025, via NHTSA) · Volkswagen VWP-25-16: Turbocharger limited warranty extension, class action (Sep 2025, via NHTSA) · Volkswagen: Kimball turbocharger class settlement dealer FAQ (Sep 2025, via NHTSA) · NHTSA recall 18V-864: 2018 Golf R fuel hose connector · NHTSA owner complaints: 2016 Volkswagen Golf R · NHTSA owner complaints: 2017 Volkswagen Golf R · NHTSA recall 22V-163: 2022 Golf GTI and Golf R engine cover · NHTSA recall 22V-707: 2022-2023 Golf R and GTI radiator / coolant hose · Volkswagen TSB 01-25-05: ECM update for thermostat performance, P00B7 (Sep 2025, via NHTSA) · Volkswagen TSB 01-25-05 update: adds 2023 Golf R (Feb 2026, via NHTSA). Complaints and recalls: NHTSA (api.nhtsa.gov).