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Emergency
KNOWN FAULTS · Seat

Known faults for the Seat León (1M).

2000–2005 · Petrol / Diesel

Sources are not verified in real time and no entry confirms that your car is affected.

Buying it used?Which engine has the fewest documented faults, which recalls to ask the seller about and what to look for on the test drive.Before you buy

2 known faults with sources

Engines: 1.4 / 1.6 (Petrol) · 1.8 T (Petrol) · 1.9 TDI (Diesel)

Applies if: Shares platform, engines and gearbox with the Golf IV; confirm by VIN which campaigns apply.

Crankcase breather, 02K gearbox, 1.8 T coils and windows on the Golf IVKnown weak points
Engine / equipment
VW Golf IV (petrol and diesel), also Bora and Seat León I
Period mentioned
1997–2006
Symptoms
On the 1.4 up to 2002, a crankcase breather that freezes and high oil consumption; oil consumption on the 2.0; possible gearbox failure on the 1.4, 1.6 and 1.9 SDI up to July 2001; 1.8 T coils (2001–2003); windows that will not go up or drop, and door microswitches.
Possible cause described
A rivet that was too weak could break and damage the 02K gearbox (1.4 and 1.6 petrol and 1.9 SDI up to July 2001). Indicative costs from the guide: coils and leads €100–200, gearbox €800–1,400, window carrier €120–220 per side. Recalls for the airbag gas generators (1997–1999 and 2001–2002).
Check for the garage
Check gearbox noises and oil consumption; check windows and airbag campaigns by VIN.
Cost cited in the source
No verified estimate; ask the garage for a quote.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Sources from the original database

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Engines: 1.9 TDI (Diesel)

PD TDI camshaft, injectors and cylinder headInjection / cylinder head
Engine / equipment
1.2, 1.4, 1.9 and 2.0 TDI unit-injector (PD) engines, including the VW-sourced 2.0 CRD in Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep
Period mentioned
2000–2010
Symptoms
Growing noise from the cylinder head, power loss and rough running (cams and lifters); unstable idle, smoke or hesitation (injectors); on the 16-valve 2.0 TDI, coolant loss with no visible leak from a cracked head.
Possible cause described
The camshaft also drives the unit injectors and carries a heavy load: without VW 505.01 oil the lobes and lifters wear. 2.0 TDI PD injectors fail frequently. Some 16-valve 2.0 TDI heads (part number ending in A) crack; VW considered it fixed by the end of 2006.
Check for the garage
Check the oil history (VW 505.01), listen to the head, check injector balance rates with a diagnostic tool and, on the 16-valve 2.0 TDI, read the head part number (03G 103 351) and look for coolant loss.
Cost cited in the source
Camshaft and lifters: approx. €400–800; 2.0 TDI PD injectors: €900–2,000A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Mileage cited in the database: 120,000–200,000 km. This is not a maintenance interval and does not predict a failure.

Sources from the original database

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Engines for this model