A problem of 2.0TDI PD 140s and 170s is failure of the oil pump. The oil pump is driven from a balancre shaft via a short hexagonal shaft. The peaks of this hexagonal shaft locate in six corresponding but minute grooves machined within the otherwise circular-bored oil pump drive shaft. Thus, the oil pump drive relies entirely on an interference fit of little more than 0.010" along the peaks of the hexagonal shaft. After about 50,000 miles, the shaft can round off, resulting in a totally destroyed engine and turbo, plus a bill of up to £9,000. If the danger is known and the oil pump is removed by the garage in good time, a new replacement pump will cost over £500, plus the labour etc to remove and refit it. However, it is also possible to save the old pump and modify the drive at a fraction of the cost of a new one. Many local machine shop already have numbers of these pumps in for such rectification, the drive shaft of each having been on the point of rounding off.
3-4-2013: 1.6TDI 105 engine criticised for relatively poor economy of 42-45mpg in the Altea XL.
10-10-2013: DSG of 43,500 mile 2009 Seat Altea XL stylance (2009) 1.9 diesel jerking at low speeds when parking or reversing or in slow moving traffic. May need no more than a fluid and microfilter change.
23-5-2015: Complaint of creases appearing in the roof of a 5,000 mile 2 year old Altea XL. First creases above the 'C' pillars, then more aboove the 'B' pillars, suggesting that the welds of the strengthening beams across the roof had separated. Car was independently inspected by Scotia Vehicle Inspections who issued a report that they said was similar to reports they had made on other VAG vehicles. Update 28-4-2016: FCA Ombudsman in possession of the report, is pursuing SEAT to take the car back and pay compensation. He is seeking return of my 2k deposit and interest on the equity that I have paid, £150 compensation for inconvenience, plus reimbursement of the Scotia fee. Reader told that SEAT has the right to remedy the fault and return the car to him for the remainder of the finance agreement. But FCAOmbudsman thinks they will rather take it away immediately.
2-7-2015: DSG 7 transmission of 2007 SEAT Altea XL failed (shift went from 4th to 1st). Quoted £6,500 for repairs. Needs to visit fedauto.co.uk
27-3-2017: Report of SEAT Altea XL 1.6TDI DSG running roughly, stalling and jolting after the NOx emissions fix. SEAT says it is the clutch pack failing.
5-4-2018: No official word from VAG, but ECU testing believes that the DQ200 7-speed dry cutch Mechatronics control box was finally re-engineered in 2016. This DSG 7 control unit is a common failure with engines under 2.0 litres on the SEAT Altea (2009 – 2016)
See Altea entry.
28-1-2012: Manufacturer recall to replace Siemens Piezoelectric injectors of 2006 - 2009 2.0 TDI BMN engines. All the injectors from the the 2.0 TDI PD engines that use piezoelectric Siemens injectors and Siemens ECUs are affected by this problem. The most problems are on the Passat BKD 2.0 TDI 140HP. No problem from 2009 and the introduction of the common rail 2.0 TDI engine (CEGA).
8-7-2017: Announcement on Reuters that Volkswagen (VAG) is recalling 766,000 VW Golf Mk VIs, Audi A3s, Skoda Octavias and SEAT Leons worldwide for a software update to their braking control systems. It is designated 'safety recall 45FS ESC control unit'. The braking control system may not function properly in certain driving conditions, such as when the driver over-steers, under-steers or slams on the brakes. VAG is recalling 288,000 VW Golf Mk VIs, Audi A3s, Skoda Octavias and SEAT Leons in Germany over the issue. The German recall impacts about 385,000 cars, the spokesman said. The recall in Germany was first reported by news agency DPA.
September 2006
Debut Paris Motor Show
Increase in length of 18.7 cm results in not only a larger boot capacity (up from 409 to 532 litres) but also in more space and flexibility for occupants. With the rear seats moved forwards by 14 cm, boot capacity is increased to 635 litres. Total luggage capacity 1,604 litres with rear seats down. Initially be offered with three engines, the 1.6 102 PS petrol, plus 1.9 TDI 105 PS and 2.0 TDI 140 PS diesels. A short time after launch, the 2.0-litre FSI 150 PS, a new 1.8 T FSI 160 PS and the powerful 2.0-litre TDI 170 PS became available. All models have air conditioning, an MP3 compatible CD player with Aux-In socket (for iPod or other auxiliary device connection), electric front windows, six airbags, and remote central locking. Altea XL achieves a full 5 stars in Euro NCAP for passenger protection and 3 stars for pedestrian protection.
1.6 Reference 102PS £12,995
1.8 T FSI Stylance 160PS £16,295
2.0 FSI Stylance Tiptronic 150PS £17,195
1.9 TDI Stylance 105PS £14,995
2.0 TDI Stylance 140PS £16,895
2.0 TDI Stylance DSG 140PS £17,795
2.0 TDI Stylance 170PS £18,045
Altea XL-based Freetrack with Haldex clutch four wheel drive launched at Barcelona Motor Show 7th June 2007. Has 200PS 2.0 TFSI petrol engine or 170PS 2.0 TDI PD diesel. 2.0 TFSI does 133mph, 0-60 in 7.3 seconds and 30mpg combines; 2.0 TDI does 127mph, 0-60 in 8.5 seconds and 41.5mpg combined. On sale in UK from September 2007. Has standard roof mounted DVD screen and multimedia system for rear passengers.
Altea Freetrack 2.0-litre TSI 200 £20,495
Altea freetrack 2.0-litre TDI 170 £21,395
February 2009
Facelift on sale from Summer 2009
Significant engineering upgrades, including use of common rail instread of PD diesels. Interior design changes and equipment upgrades. In SEAT's words, "They now boast smoother, more elegant lines, a new grille with a smaller SEAT logo and more stylised chrome surround as well as larger headlights, new door mirrors and new wheel designs. At the rear, the glass area is made larger to deliver greater visibility, while the rear hatch and light clusters have also been modified." Inside, mods to the instrument panel and centre console as well as changes to the door panel trim and materials.
XDS electronic traction control technology also new. Mimicking the function of a conventional limited slip differential but doing without the costly and heavy mechanicals associated with existing systems, XDS works together with ESP to improve the car’s performance in situations where traction is lost by braking the wheel that loses grip.
More powerful 211 PS 2.0-litre TSI petrol engine, while diesels switch from PD to common rail, including a 170 PS 2.0-litre TDI. All versions equipped with SEAT’s slick DSG automatic sequential manual gearbox get paddleshifts.
September 2009
Altea XL Ecomotive models with only 119 g/km of CO2 emissions.
November 2013
Simplified SEAT Altea XL line-up announced. All models replaced by I-TECH trim for the same price as the outgoing Copa SE.
I TECH adds 16-inch titanium finish alloys wheels, front parking sensors, a colour TFT screen for rear passengers, and forward sliding rear seats for added versatility. Three I TECH powertrain options: a 1.6 TDI Ecomotive diesel engine with 105 PS, the same engine with a DSG automatic transmission, or a 2.0 TDI diesel with 140 PS.
I TECH trim also includes dark tinted rear windows, roof rails, dual-zone climate control, automatic wipers and headlights, rear parking sensors, SEAT Media System 2.2 (including satellite navigation and Bluetooth), a double floor boot, and overhead interior storage. In addition, two new colours are introduced: Bahama Blue and Technic Grey.
The Altea XL range now begins at £20,065 for an Altea XL I TECH 1.6 TDI 105 PS Ecomotive, while the DSG version is £20,935, and the 2.0 TDI 140 PS is £20,865
The manual 1.6 TDI Ecomotive achieved 62.8 mpg combined in the EC tests, while both the 1.6 TDI DSG and 2.0 TDI 140 PS manual returned the same 57.6 mpg figure.
The five-seat Altea XL combines the styling and dynamics of a traditional family hatchback with the space of an MPV; its high roofline, commanding driving position and 532-litre boot make the Altea XL a versatile family car.
August 2014
Altea XL I-TECH introduced to replace the Altea XL Copa. Has sliding rear seats, dual-zone climate control, electric front and rear windows, Hill Hold Control, plus front and rear parking sensors, central roof-mounted TFT screen in the rear, SEAT Media System 2.2, including satellite navigation, five-inch colour touchscreen, DAB radio, SD card slot and Bluetooth, 16-inch 'Elio' alloy wheels with titanium finish, auto headlights and rain sensing wipers, eight airbags and a tyre pressure monitoring system. Prices rising to £20,865 for the XL I-TECH 2.0 TDI 140.
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Longer than standard Altea. Very roomy inside and a huge boot. Decent amount of kit. Excellent crash test rating.
Only five seats. Less versatile than a Renault Scenic. Ride quality not forgiving enough
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