Spacious and practical 7-seat MPV sharing platform with Seat Alhambra. The 2.0 TDI EA189 engine is fundamentally robust and can reach 200,000+ km with proper maintenance, but is plagued by typical VAG diesel issues: DPF/EGR/SCR emissions system failures (especially post-dieselgate fix), AdBlue heater failures, and timing belt replacement every 210,000 km. DSG gearbox variant matters enormously—avoid the DQ200 dry-clutch 7-speed; the DQ500 wet-clutch is far more reliable. Electric sliding doors fail frequently (motors, relays, sensors). Reliability rated 78% by What Car (below class average). Budget for emissions system repairs.
SCR system failure (urea crystallization)€500 - €2,200
AdBlue injector dribbles, blocking SCR catalyst with urea crystals set like concrete · more· less
Very common problem on 7N Sharan/Alhambra up to 2016 model year. The reductant injector under the car dribbles AdBlue, causing the SCR catalyst to become blocked with urea crystals that cannot be cleaned out. Volkswagen doesn't acknowledge this as a design fault for recall. If you get more than 100,000 km out of the SCR system you've done well. SCR catalyst replacement costs €1,500-2,200 from dealers (Volkswagen part 7N0254400NX), or €500 aftermarket. When SCR doesn't work properly, DPF regeneration fails, causing increased fuel consumption and potential engine damage. New reductant injector (Bosch, €150-200) must be fitted when replacing catalyst.
DPF blockage and regeneration failures€300 - €2,500
Short trips prevent regeneration; post-dieselgate fix increased soot production · more· less
Diesel Particulate Filter clogging is very common, particularly from frequent short trips or low-speed driving which prevents proper regeneration. The post-dieselgate emissions fix made this worse by increasing EGR usage, producing more particulate matter and increasing DPF regeneration frequency. Professional DPF cleaning costs €300-450; replacement €1,500-2,500. Related exhaust backpressure sensor failures (common at high mileage) cause white smoke and regeneration problems, sensor replacement €250-400. To prevent: regular highway driving at sustained speeds, avoid constant short trips.
AdBlue heater element failure€400 - €1,500
Heater fails typically around 50,000-80,000 km, based more on time than mileage · more· less
Extremely common issue on EA189 2.0 TDI engines. AdBlue heater element in the tank fails prematurely—many reports of failure at 40,000-80,000 km on 4-5 year old cars. Volkswagen generally refuses goodwill contributions. Repair kit (Volkswagen part 7N0198970B) costs €400-575; professional installation €700-1,500 total. Some owners report DIY replacement possible but requires bumper removal and care not to damage control module connections (€360 mistake if plastic piece snaps). Sharan uses approximately 1 litre of AdBlue per 500 miles.
Post-dieselgate fix dramatically increased EGR failure rate; causes power loss · more· less
EGR valve failure causes loss of power and is very common on EA189 engines, particularly after the NOx emissions fix which increased EGR usage. Volkswagen has unknowingly acknowledged the fix causes these failures by systematically refunding owners. The post-fix changes to injection system and increased EGR usage produce more diesel particulate matter. One 2011 Sharan owner reported fuel economy halved one year after fix; dealer replaced EGR. Replacement costs €400-600 for valve, €800-1,200 including cleaning/related work at dealer.
DQ200 dry-clutch 7-speed is highly problematic; solenoid/valve body failures · more· less
CRITICAL: Sharan can have either DQ200 (7-speed dry-clutch, unreliable) or DQ500 (7-speed wet-clutch, reliable). DQ200 suffers frequent mechatronics failures: valve body splitting, solenoid failures, clutch pack wear. Symptoms: P R N D S lights flashing, gearbox goes to neutral, jerky shifts, won't engage higher gears at startup, limp mode. Occurs 40,000-80,000 km. Dealer quotes €7,000-10,000 for replacement; specialist repair €1,500-5,000. DQ500 wet-clutch is "1 million times more reliable"—check which gearbox your Sharan has. DQ500 needs oil change every 40,000 km (some underfilled from factory).
Electric sliding door failures€200 - €3,000
Motors, relays, control modules, sensors—very failure-prone system · more· less
Electric sliding doors are extremely problematic. Common failures: door relay (€600 for repair, half interior removal required), motor failure (€3,000 with genuine VW/Seat parts for motor + control unit), control module issues, dirty rollers/tracks, broken wires in door hinges, pinch protection sensors. Symptoms: door pops open 1 inch but won't fully open, dashboard button doesn't work but closes manually, flashing control lights. Often fixable by cleaning/lubricating rollers with PTFE spray (99% of cases), or window reset trick. Some owners convert to manual operation to avoid ongoing issues. Critical: also check for low stop-start battery voltage (11.5V) which causes door problems.
Dual mass flywheel failure€1,000 - €2,200
Typical wear item but expensive on Sharan; sounds like marbles in tin can · more· less
Dual mass flywheel is a wear item on all TDI engines but particularly expensive on the Sharan due to labor. Symptoms: rattling/clicking sound like marbles in a tin can after engine warms up, noise during startup when starter engages flywheel. Several owner reports of flywheel failure under warranty, then breaking again post-warranty. Do NOT wait for complete failure—unseated flywheel can damage both DSG transmission and engine. Parts cost €330-350; dealer quotes total €1,700-2,200 including labor. When replacing, also replace crank position sensor and rear main crankshaft seal.
Turbo actuator sticking/failure€250 - €2,500
Carbon buildup from gentle driving causes actuator to stick; EPC light and limp mode · more· less
Turbo actuator tends to stick if car driven gently or only short trips, as carbon builds up in variable geometry mechanism. Symptoms: EPC light, limp mode, power loss, whistling during acceleration. Actuator failures appear suddenly after previously normal operation. Actuator-only repair at specialist €250-500 (Volkswagen won't sell separately), but if turbo internals damaged from sticking, full replacement €1,200-2,500. Approximately 50% of Volkswagen turbo failures are oil-related (starvation/contamination). Prevention: use premium fuel, regular spirited/highway driving to prevent carbon buildup.
Water pump and thermostat housing failure€500 - €1,800
Plastic thermostat housing leaks; often both components replaced together · more· less
Volkswagen uses plastic thermostat housing that tends to start leaking instead of metal housing that handles thermal stress better. Usually the thermostat gasket (bolted to block side) fails first. Parts cost €300-460 (thermostat €215, water pump €70, plus coolant and seals). Labor extremely variable: Volkswagen dealer quotes 6.5 hours (€1,350 total), but experienced mechanics complete in 4 hours. Shop around—one UK dealer quoted €880 labor, another €500 for identical work (€400 difference). Independent garage with customer-supplied parts: €150 labor. Total cost €500-1,800 depending on who does the work.
Water damage to ECU under passenger seat, broken wires in door hinges · more· less
The Sharan is known for various electrical issues. Most common: central locking unit under passenger seat gets flooded (clear drain holes under front wheel arch covers), costs €12-100 for replacement ECU (Ford Galaxy ECU is identical and cheaper). Broken wires between door and frame at hinge points are very common. Multi-Function Control Unit (under dash) controls wipers, central locking, windows, climate control—failures require diagnostic work. Key fob issues from dead battery, water damage, worn buttons. Symptoms: central locking only works on driver's door, windows won't close, doors unlock randomly. Fix flooded ECU first or problem returns immediately.
Electronic parking brake failures€200 - €1,000
Clutch sensor, biting point adaptation, motor failures; no manual release option · more· less
Common issue across VW/Skoda vehicles with electronic parking brake and auto hold. Frequent cause: faulty clutch pedal sensor/switch or clutch pedal biting point adaptation needed (can be fixed via VCDS adaptation). Motors drive calipers directly via gear system right next to wheel in hostile wet/salty environment—water ingress causes shorts or motor burnout. Low battery voltage also causes parking brake failures. Problem: NO manual release option if EPB fails—must remove wheels and wind out calipers by hand. When replacing parking brake module, ABS module coding is lost and must be saved/restored or you can't re-code. Important: never perform basic settings with brakes disassembled.
MAF sensor failure€200 - €400
Dirt accumulation causes erratic readings; power loss and poor fuel economy · more· less
Mass Air Flow sensor is a common failure point on Sharan. Symptoms: loss of power or slow acceleration, engine hesitation/jerking, erratic idling, misfires, poor emissions, black exhaust smoke, increased fuel consumption, EPC light. Caused by dirt/grime accumulation on sensor over time, or electrical problems (faulty connections, damaged wiring, corroded terminals). Fault codes P0100-P0104 indicate MAF issues. Cleaning with MAF cleaner spray (never use cloth/cotton swabs or other cleaners) provides temporary fix but typically requires replacement. Total cost including diagnosis and replacement: €200-400 at independent workshop.
Fundamentally sound but emissions systems are Achilles heel
The EA189 2.0 TDI engine itself is robust and many examples exceed 200,000 km with proper maintenance. However, the emissions control systems (DPF, EGR, SCR, AdBlue) are extremely problematic, particularly on cars that received the dieselgate fix or are driven mainly on short trips. Electric sliding doors and DSG gearbox (if DQ200) are major reliability weak points. Volkswagen's reliability rating of 78% places it significantly below the MPV class average. Budget €1,500-3,000 for unexpected emissions system repairs over ownership period.
Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
General checks
Complete service history Essential to verify timing belt replacements (every 210,000 km or 5 years), oil changes (every 15,000 km), and DSG services (every 40,000 km if equipped).
Tires Check tread depth (legal minimum 1.6mm), age from date codes, and uneven wear patterns indicating suspension or alignment issues.
Cold start test Engine must start completely cold. Listen for unusual noises, smoke, or warning lights. Check for smooth idle.
Extended test drive Minimum 30 minutes including highway speeds to get engine and gearbox fully warm. Monitor for any warning lights.
AdBlue level and consumption Sharan uses approximately 1 litre per 500 miles. Check tank level and ask about refill frequency.
Specific for this vehicle
Verify dieselgate fix status and check EGR Ask if NOx emissions recall was performed. If yes, ask about any EGR valve replacements post-fix. Test fuel economy on highway—should achieve 5.5-6.5 L/100km. Halved economy indicates EGR problems.
SCR system / AdBlue heater check If under 100,000 km and no SCR replacement history, budget for €1,500-2,200 failure risk. Check for any DPF regeneration warning lights. Ask when AdBlue heater was last replaced (typical failure 50,000-80,000 km).
Test electric sliding doors thoroughly Open and close both electric sliding doors multiple times using dashboard button, exterior handle, and remote. Listen for whirring sounds or hesitation. Check door control lights for flashing. Inspect rollers and tracks for dirt buildup.
Identify DSG gearbox type (critical) Check VIN or service records to confirm DQ200 (avoid) vs DQ500 (reliable). Test DSG for 15+ minutes: feel for jerky shifts, hesitation, grinding, or limp mode. Cold and warm operation should be smooth.
Listen for dual mass flywheel rattle After engine warms up, listen for rattling sound like "marbles in a tin can" at idle or during startup. DMF replacement is €1,700-2,200.
Check for DPF/EGR/turbo issues during drive Monitor for EPC warning light, power loss, limp mode, or black/white smoke. Car should accelerate smoothly without hesitation. Test turbo boost on highway acceleration.
Inspect for water ingress / electrical faults Check carpet under passenger seat for dampness (ECU location). Test all windows, central locking from key fob and all doors. Check for random unlocking or window operation.
Electronic parking brake function test Test EPB multiple times—apply and release. Should engage/disengage smoothly without errors. Check for any warning messages related to parking brake.
Timing belt service history verification Belt must be replaced every 210,000 km OR 5 years (whichever first). Late replacement risks catastrophic engine damage. Also verify water pump replaced with belt (common failure point).
Recalls and Technical Service Bulletins
EA189 dieselgate NOx emissions recall (2009-2015 TDI)Verify completed via VIN
SCR system failures (not officially recalled)Known design issue, no recall
Takata airbag inflator recall (various years)Check Volkswagen recall site
Parking brake firmware issues (some modules)TSB available for updates
Contact Volkswagen dealer with VIN to verify all recalls completed. For UK/Europe: check Volkswagen recall website by entering registration or VIN. Critical: verify dieselgate emissions fix status and whether any post-fix EGR/DPF issues have been addressed under goodwill. Volkswagen has been systematically refunding owners for post-fix EGR failures.
Warranty Status
Factory warrantyExpired (3 years standard)
Powertrain warrantyExpired (5 years/100,000 km)
Volkswagen extended warranty optionsAvailable up to 10 years/200,000 km
All 2010-2022 Sharans are outside original factory warranty. Volkswagen offers Drive Easy Protection Plans extending coverage up to 10 years/200,000 km (costly but may be worthwhile given emissions system repair costs). European Block Exemption law (2002) means servicing at independent garages doesn't void warranty if official Volkswagen service schedules are followed. Some chip tuning companies offer engine/gearbox warranties for vehicles registered in Germany.
This report is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Estimates may be inaccurate. Always have a qualified specialist inspect the vehicle before purchase. We accept no liability for decisions made based on this information.