Recalls: Skoda 3T Superb
Overview
Manufacturers, or importers, issue recalls for defects or faults which have the potential to cause injury. Generally, manufacturers will inform the original buyers if their vehicle is subject to a recall and of the steps required to remedy the defect or fault. Please note that the recalls below (if any) are for Australian-delivered vehicles only. Furthermore, the number of recalls should not be taken as an indication of a model’s reliability or its safety more generally.
Recalls: Skoda 3T Superb
2009-11 Skoda Superb 2.0 TDI: potential fuel leak
In February 2012, a recall was issued for Skoda 3T Superb vehicles that had 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engines and were manufactured between 2009 and 2011. In these vehicles, the engine’s fuel injection pulses could coincide with the natural frequency of the injector line, producing a resonance that creates additional stress in the fuel line. As a result, the injector line for the number two cylinder could develop small cracks and cause fuel to leak. In the presence of an ignition source, a fire could therefore result. To fix, Volkswagen installed an improved fuel injector line for the number two cylinder and vibration dampers on all of the injector lines (PRA 2012/13017).
2008-11 Skoda 3T Superb with 7sp DQ200 DSG: electrolytic corrosion
In June 2013, a recall was issued for Skoda 3T Superb vehicles that were fitted with seven-speed DQ200 Direct Shift Gearboxes (DSGs) and manufactured between November 2008 and August 2011. In these vehicles, sulphur in the gear oil and an inorganic heat stabiliser in the plastic parts of the mechatronic unit could cause metallic surfaces to suffer from electrolytic corrosion, particularly in conditions with high temperatures and humidity. Conducting particles could then settle between the circuit paths of the control unit and cause a short circuit and blow the gearbox fuse. If the fuse were to blow, the clutch would open and freewheel, resulting in a sudden and total loss of power to the wheels. Although other vehicle systems such as steering and braking would continue to function, the loss of power may pose a hazard to occupants and other road users (PRA 2013/13635).
In 2014, however, Skoda UK issued a ‘non-code action’ for Skoda 3T Superb vehicles that had seven-speed DQ200 DSG transmissions and were manufactured from 1 September 2008 to 1 June 2013 (NCA/2014/015).
2009-13 Skoda 3T Superb 2.0 TDI: NOx emissions and “defeat device”
In October 2015, Skoda issued a recall for Skoda Superb vehicles with 2.0-litre EA189 diesel engines that were available for sale from 2009-13. According to the recall notice, the exhaust emissions for these vehicles ‘may not meet the regulatory requirements when the affected vehicle is driven under normal conditions’ (see ‘Diesel engines: NOx emissions “defeat device”‘, below). For the 2.0-litre EA189 engine, a software update will be introduced which takes advantage of improved simulation of air currents inside the air intake system. Volkswagen aims to implement the software update from January 2016; the labour time for installing the updated software is around half an hour (PRA 2015/14956).
2014-15 model year Skoda 3T Superb: Takata driver’s airbag recall
In July 2018, a recall was issued for 2014-15 model year Skoda 3T Superb vehicles. In these vehicles, the Takata-supplied driver’s airbag contained propellant wafers that could degrade over time due to the absorption of moisture. If the vehicle was in a collision that triggered the airbag, excessive internal pressure could cause the metal airbag inflator housing to explode/rupture, such that metal fragments would be projected through the airbag material and into the cabin – these metal fragments posed a serious risk of injury or fatality. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see PRA 2018/16909.
2009-15 model year Skoda 3T Superb DSG: pressure accumulator crack and loss of power
In October 2019, recall campaign 35E1 was issued for 2009-15 model year Skoda 3T Superb vehicles. Due to a production fault, a crack in the transmission’s pressure accumulator (within the mechatronics housing) could occur. If the pressure accumulator cracked, oil and pressure would be lost in the hydraulic system of the gearbox. If this occurred, the transmission of engine power would be interrupted, similar to depressing the clutch in a vehicle with a manual transmission – this increased the risk of a collision and injury to vehicle occupants. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see PRA 2019/17887. AustralianCar.Reviews understands that the recalled vehicles had seven-speed DQ200 DSG transmissions.
Problems and faults: Skoda 3T Superb
Overview
This section identifies potential problems, causes and fixes based on the experiences of owners and repairers, online sources and technical service bulletins. This information is provided solely for reference purposes and AustralianCar.Reviews recommends that only properly qualified persons carry out repairs or modifications. Furthermore, the number of items below should not be taken as an indicator of a model’s reliability or the frequency with which they may occur.
To report a problem or fault to the AustralianCar.Reviews team, please use the Contact Us form. Note that AustralianCar.Reviews does not offer advice on automotive problems or disputes; such enquiries will not receive a reply. For vehicles purchased from dealers after 1 January 2011, please see our Australian Consumer Law fact sheet.
Skoda 3T Superb: 6sp DQ250 DSG fault and extended warranty
In December 2009, the Volkswagen Group initiated a ‘Customer Satisfaction Campaign‘ for 2007-09 ‘model year’ vehicles that had six-speed DSG transmissions.
Faulty component and jerky gearshifts
According to Volkswagen, the six-speed DQ250 DSG transmissions of a limited number of 2007-09 ‘model year’ vehicles had a faulty component inside the transmission’s Mechatronic unit. Specifically, the bushings of two solenoid valves inside the mechatronic unit could wear prematurely, causing the clutches inside the transmission to ‘operate less smoothly than before’ and provide jerky gearshifts. According to Volkswagen, the vehicle remained safe to drive since it did not affect forward or rearward motion of the vehicle. As part of the ‘Customer Satisfaction Campaign’, Volkswagen would replace mechatronic units that were identified as faulty by Volkswagen’s diagnostic tool.
Extended DSG warranty
As part of the Customer Satisfaction Campaign, Volkswagen extended the warranty on the DQ250 DSG transmission to ten years or 100,000 miles (160,900 kilometres) – whichever occurred first – from the vehicle’s original ‘in-service’ date. The ‘in-service’ date was defined as the date that the vehicle was delivered to the original purchaser/lessee or, if the vehicle was a demonstrator, the date that the vehicle commenced service.
Under the extended warranty, the dealer was responsible for diagnosing and repairing the DSG transmission at no cost to the owner provided that the vehicle was maintained in accordance with the requirements in the owner’s manual.
2008-12 Skoda 3T Superb 118TSI: chain tensioner retainer failure
For 1.8 TFSI/TSI and 2.0 TFSI/TSI EA888 engines – such as the Skoda 3T Superb’s 118TSI (engine code: CDAA) – that were manufactured from 2008 to 1 May 2012, the chain tensioner retainer was susceptible to failure. If this occurred, the pistons and valves could collide and cause serious engine damage. The chain tensioners could fail as early as 30,000 kilometres and it is recommended that owners have the most recent chain tensioner retainer fitted as a preventative measure.
Background
The tensioner on the camshaft chain used oil pressure to maintain tension. When there was no or low oil pressure, the tensioner would fall back on its ratchet to maintain tension. The ratchet, however, could slip and release chain tension – this would cause the chain to move on the sprockets and skip a couple of teeth before sufficient oil pressure accumulated to tension the chain. By skipping teeth, the engine’s camshaft timing was altered and the ECU would continue to adjust camshaft timing – generally, this caused either rough running or the vehicle would not start. It is understood that if the chain skipped around six teeth, then the pistons could collide with the valves in the cylinder head such that the engine had to be rebuilt or replaced.
Symptoms
Symptoms of a failed chain tensioner retainer include:
- The engine won’t start;
- On start-up, there is a rattling noise from the engine bay for a few seconds (until sufficient oil pressure accumulated);
- Illumination of the ‘check engine’ light, potentially accompanied by camshaft timing errors; and,
- Misfires (if the valves are bent).
Retainer revisions
The part number for the original chain tensioner retainer was 06H 109 467 AB. While a revised chain tensioner retainer was first introduced in engines built from 17 May 2010 and a second revision was introduced for engines built from December 2011, it is the third revision of the retainer – part number 06K 109 467 K – which was introduced for engines built from 1 May 2012 which fixed the problem. For further information on this problem, please see Golf GTi UK Forum: Timing Chain Tensioner Failure.
Skoda 3T Superb with 2.0 TDI engines: NOx emissions “defeat device”
Australian-delivered Skoda 3T Superb vehicles powered by 2.0-litre diesel engines that were available for sale from 2009 to 2013 had software in the electronic control module (ECM) that could sense – via sensors measuring the position of the steering wheel, vehicle speed, the duration of the engine’s operation and barometric pressure – when the vehicle was undergoing emissions testing. The ECM would then run a ‘dyno calibration’ to produce lower nitrous oxide emissions during testing. At all other times, the ECM would run a separate ‘road calibration’ which reduced the effectiveness of the emission control system, specifically the selective catalytic reduction (SCR) or the lean NOx trap.
Based on testing conducted by the EPA and the California Air Resources Board (CARB), NOx emissions for the ‘road calibration’ were 10 to 40 times higher than US standards – this led the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to issue a notice of violation under the Clean Air Act. As a result, these vehicles did not meet the environmental standards claimed by Volkswagen.
