2.0 TDI vRS 170hp (BMN / CEGA)

2010–2022 · diesel · 1968cc · 170hp

Engine codes: BMA, BMN, BMR, BUY, CBAB, CBBB, CEGA, CFFB, CFFE, CFGB, CFHC, CLCB, CLLA, CUVA

Problematic

Reliability, common problems and owner reviews for the Volkswagen Sharan II 2.0 TDI vRS 170hp (BMN / CEGA). Check this before you buy used.

The 2.0 TDI common-rail (CBAB/CFFB, EA189) is the best all-round Superb engine — strong, economical and well-matched to the big car, good for high mileage. It's the cleaner-running CR successor to the PD; watch DPF/EGR on short trips, occasional injector wear, and the EA189-era electric coolant pump. Some early CR cars had oil-pump/balance-shaft attention. With disciplined oil and motorway use it's a dependable long-hauler.

Same engine, other cars

This is the same physical engine (BMA) sold under different names across brands. Reliability is broadly shared — cross-check these:

Known Issues

Injector failure (PD/piezo)critical

Early Siemens piezo / PD injectors fail, cutting the engine. Many recalled/replaced — verify on the car.

Fix / Workaround: Confirm injector recall/replacement; budget if not done.

Repair cost: €400–€1800

Typically appears after: 100,000 km

Oil pump hex (early common-rail builds)critical

Early CR builds share the 77mm oil-pump hex-drive failure risk; revised to 100mm later.

Fix / Workaround: Check build date; verify revised shaft. Idle rattle = stop.

Repair cost: €200–€3500

Typically appears after: 100,000 km

DPF cloggingrecurring

Blocks on short trips.

Fix / Workaround: Hot motorway runs; clean/replace.

Repair cost: €200–€1200

Piezo injector failurecritical

Early Siemens piezo injectors fail, cutting the engine. Many were recalled/replaced — but verify on the specific car.

Fix / Workaround: Confirm injectors were replaced/recalled; budget for piezo injectors (expensive) if not.

Repair cost: €400–€1600

Typically appears after: 120,000 km

Balancer/oil-pump assembly (early chassis numbers)critical

Early build 170s used the chain-driven balancer assembly prone to failure; later builds switched to a cog-driven setup with no chain to fail.

Fix / Workaround: Check build/chassis number; prefer later (cog-driven) builds. Inspect oil for swarf.

Repair cost: €0–€3000

Top-end wear when neglected (lifters/cam/pistons)recurring

Neglected PPD170s show damaged lifters, scored camshafts and worn pistons — a top-end 'tick' is a warning sign.

Fix / Workaround: Listen for top-end tick; demand full service history; walk away if neglected.

Repair cost: €500–€3000

Oil pump / balance shaft hex (early builds)critical

Early common-rail builds share the 77mm oil-pump hex-drive failure risk; revised to 100mm later.

Fix / Workaround: Check build date; verify revised oil-pump shaft. Rattle at idle = stop.

Repair cost: €200–€3500

Typically appears after: 100,000 km

Oil pump hex (early CR builds)critical

Early common-rail builds share the 77mm hex risk.

Fix / Workaround: Check build date; verify revised shaft.

Repair cost: €200–€3500

Typically appears after: 100,000 km

Oil pump / balance shaft failurecritical

Same balance-shaft oil-pump hex failure as the BKP — oil pressure loss, engine destruction.

Fix / Workaround: Retrofit uprated assembly; any rattle/oil light = stop. Best avoided.

Repair cost: €250–€3500

Typically appears after: 100,000 km

DPF / EGR (short trips)recurring

DPF clogs and EGR soots on urban use.

Fix / Workaround: Motorway regens; clean/replace EGR + DPF.

Repair cost: €300–€1200

Typically appears after: 140,000 km

Injector / coolant pumprecurring

Injector wear; electric coolant pump failure.

Fix / Workaround: Injector test; replace pump.

Repair cost: €150–€800

Typically appears after: 150,000 km

Year Cutoffs

2009: Before — PD BMN era — early injector failures. After — Common-rail CEGA; verify oil-pump shaft revision.

2008: Before — Early builds: chain balancer assembly + early piezo injectors. After — Later builds: cog-driven balancer, injectors largely sorted.

Mileage Thresholds

After 100,000 km: Injector / early-build oil-pump risks.

After 120,000 km: Injector and top-end issues more likely without strong history.

After 180,000 km: Long-legged with care.

Pre-Purchase Checklist

☐Verify injectors were recalled/replaced
☐Establish build date for the CR oil-pump fix
☐Idle rattle check
☐DPF history; prefer motorway-used cars
☐Consider the 140 instead unless history is excellent
☐Verify piezo injectors were recalled/replaced
☐Check build/chassis number for balancer type
☐Cold-start: listen for top-end tick
☐Demand full service history — neglect is expensive here
☐Prefer the 140 BKD unless this car is exceptional
☐Establish build date for the oil-pump fix
☐Idle rattle check (oil-pump drive)
☐Verify injector recall/replacement
☐Build date for oil-pump fix
☐Consider the 140 instead
☐Verify injector recall
☐Best avoided — prefer 2008+ common-rail
☐Confirm uprated oil-pump assembly
☐Verify injectors
☐Idle rattle = walk away
☐Oil + DPF history
☐The best all-round Superb engine
☐Injector + coolant-pump checks
☐The engine to buy (4x4 option)
☐The engine to buy

Frequently asked questions

Is the Volkswagen Sharan II 2.0 TDI vRS 170hp (BMN / CEGA) reliable?

Problematic — The 2.0 TDI common-rail (CBAB/CFFB, EA189) is the best all-round Superb engine — strong, economical and well-matched to the big car, good for high mileage. It's the cleaner-running CR successor to the PD; watch DPF/EGR on short trips, occasional injector wear, and the EA189-era electric coolant pump. Some early CR cars had oil-pump/balance-shaft attention. With disciplined oil and motorway use it's a dependable long-hauler.

What are the common problems and reviews for the Volkswagen Sharan II 2.0 TDI vRS 170hp (BMN / CEGA)?

The most commonly reported problems: Injector failure (PD/piezo), Oil pump hex (early common-rail builds), DPF clogging, Piezo injector failure, Balancer/oil-pump assembly (early chassis numbers), Top-end wear when neglected (lifters/cam/pistons), Oil pump / balance shaft hex (early builds), Oil pump hex (early CR builds), Oil pump / balance shaft failure, DPF / EGR (short trips), Injector / coolant pump.

Is a used Volkswagen Sharan II 2.0 TDI vRS 170hp (BMN / CEGA) worth buying?

Known design issues and recurring faults that were never fully resolved. Buy only with eyes open.