KNOWN FAULTS · Skoda

Skoda Kamiq 1.6 TDI (EA288) common problems.

2019–2026 · Diesel

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

5 known faults with sources

Cracked EGR coolerCooling / EGR

Engine / equipment: 1.6 and 2.0 TDI (EA189 and EA288)
Period mentioned: Approx. 2010–2020
Symptoms: Coolant level drops with no visible leak, white smoke with a sweet smell, rising temperature or engine light. In severe cases the engine hydrolocks.
Possible cause described: The internal tubes of the EGR cooler crack and coolant enters the intake. It worsened after the post-Dieselgate software update, which increased EGR use.
Check for the garage: Cooling system pressure test and check for coolant in the intake or manifold.
Cost cited in the source: €400–1,300A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Applies if: Only if fitted with the air conditioning system described.

A/C not cooling: N280 valveClimate control

Engine / equipment: Air conditioning with clutchless compressor and N280 regulating valve (combustion VW, Audi, Seat, Cupra and Skoda from 2006)
Period mentioned: 2006–2026
Symptoms: The air does not cool or cools intermittently (for example only at motorway speed), and sometimes the compressor rattles with the A/C on. Codes 01232 (N280 valve), P2612 or 00898.
Possible cause described: The compressor regulates its output with the N280 solenoid valve, its most common failure point. Audi issued technical bulletins over a manufacturing fault in this valve on Sanden compressors. Its connector can also become brittle and corrode (especially without the engine undertray), or the wiring fails.
Check for the garage: Read the codes and N280 control current with VCDS or ODIS, measure its resistance (about 10 ohms) and check the connector and wiring before replacing parts. If the valve or compressor is replaced, the whole circuit must be flushed.
Cost cited in the source: N280 valve: a cheap part (about 30 dollars) where sold separately; new compressor with circuit flush: considerably moreA rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Applies if: Transverse EA288 engines with the water-cooled intercooler inside the intake manifold (the garage confirms it).

Cracked water-cooled intercooler on the 1.6 and 2.0 TDI EA288: coolant loss with no external leakCooling

Engine / equipment: 1.6 and 2.0 TDI EA288 with the intercooler inside the intake manifold, liquid-cooled
Period mentioned: All EA288 years
Symptoms: The coolant level drops and needs frequent topping up, but there is no visible stain or drip outside; there may be some white smoke. A clue: a greasy oil-and-water paste on the block next to cylinder 4, near the bulkhead.
Possible cause described: On these engines the intercooler sits inside the intake manifold and is cooled by the engine's own coolant. According to Schaeffler (REPXPERT), repeated heating and cooling can open fine cracks in its inner mesh: the coolant does not leak outside but passes in small amounts into the cylinders and burns, which is why the fault goes unnoticed.
Check for the garage: The garage can check it before removing the manifold: take out the intake air temperature sensor, insert an endoscope camera through its hole, pressurise the cooling circuit and look at the intercooler's inner fins. Have them also rule out the EGR cooler and the head gasket, which give similar symptoms.
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.

Applies if: All versions.

Škoda Kamiq: brake discs that wear early and fail the inspection early on (AUTO BILD, 2026 TÜV report)Brakes

Engine / equipment: Brake discs of the Škoda Kamiq
Period mentioned: 2019–2026
Symptoms: The source describes no symptoms: these are defects found by the German roadworthiness test.
Possible cause described: AUTO BILD (June 2026), with the TÜV report data, says that the Kamiq's brake discs wear much more than those of comparable cars, from the first inspection on, and that the service brake function is criticised slightly more than normal at every age. Otherwise the Kamiq does well: no oil leaks and a reliable exhaust. AUTO BILD also mentions timing chain problems on the petrol engines and DSG gearboxes that sometimes jerk.
Check for the garage: Before the MOT or periodic inspection, and when buying one second-hand, have the disc thickness measured and check for a lip or scoring.
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.

Applies if: Confirm with Škoda, using the VIN, whether the campaign applies to your car.

Unstable rear camera, SmartLink or Bluetooth on recent Škoda Fabia, Scala, Kamiq, Karoq, Kodiaq and SuperbElectrical and electronic systems

Engine / equipment: Fabia, Scala, Kamiq, Karoq, Kodiaq and Superb with updatable infotainment
Period mentioned: Recent generations (the brand gives no years)
Symptoms: The reversing camera image is slow to appear, cuts out or does not show; Android Auto, Apple CarPlay or Bluetooth disconnect; the connected services fail.
Possible cause described: Škoda runs official software campaigns for these models: the SW0330 infotainment one improves the stability of the rear camera, SmartLink and Bluetooth; 0334 increases stability and connectivity, and those for the communication unit (OCU 0306 and 0311) stabilise the network connection.
Check for the garage: Ask Škoda, with the VIN, whether any of these campaigns applies to the car and whether it still needs installing. If the camera keeps failing with up-to-date software, check the camera, its connector and its wiring.
Cost cited in the source: Free: it is a manufacturer service action.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.