More than two million examples of the VW T5 were sold from 2003 - 2015, when it was replaced by the current T6. So it’s fair to say that the T5 is very popular.
The Volkswagen Transporter T5, by the way, is the panel van version – available in short and long-wheelbase forms – while the Caravelle is the people carrier. There’s a camper van, too, called the VW California, a double-cab called the VW Kombi and a minibus called the VW Shuttlebus. Among these are automatic and four-wheel drive (called 4MOTION) versions.
The T5 range was launched with a choice of 2.0-litre and 3.2-litre V6 petrol engines, and 1.9 and 2.5-litre diesels, later ones fitted with diesel particulate filters (DPF). A facelift in 2010 reduced the engine range to a 2.0-litre diesel and a 2.0-litre TSI petrol.
Check out our T5 routine maintenance guide
Whichever version of VW T5 you choose, all are rated for their overall quality, sturdiness, reliability (although there are some serious issues you can’t ignore, as we explain), performance and driving manners. You sit high and have a great view over vehicles ahead of you.
Expect to see many used models with sky-high mileages. The good news is that, as long as they have been serviced regularly, they can take hard work, which is why prices are still quite strong.
Typical users range from those with a job to do and those for whom VW’s T-series of vans and people carriers, around since 1950, is a lifestyle choice. Check for salt-water corrosion if the one you’re looking at was used by a surfer.
Common problems with the VW T5 camper
While the T5 line-up is, on the whole tough, reliable and rust-resistant, there are some issues with the engines that, if ignored, can be expensive to sort out. For this reason, only buy a car with full, or near-full, service history.
It shouldn’t be difficult; there are many such examples to choose from since owners generally take good care of them.
All versions have experienced serious, official safety recalls [check the government recall website here]. If you’re buying from a dealer, check they are aware of any recalls and whether they have attended to them.
If you are buying privately, check whether the seller knows if the work has been carried out. If they don’t, contact VW customer services (0800 0833 914) and ask if they have any records of the work having been carried out. Note that often, only specific build dates are affected by a recall notice.
Volkswagen Transporter T5/Caravelle recalls
Recalls Model build dates
Steering rack mountings may loosen 01/11/03 – 01/12/03
Handbrake may fail 01/05/03 – 30/06/04
2nd row seat backrest may not latch correctly 01/12/03 – 31/05/06
Front right-hand tyre may fail 12/05/07 – 08/06/07
Fuel supply and fuel return pipe can leak 01/03/08 – 30/04/08
Bonnet may open 02/11/09 – 10/11/09
Fuel may leak 01/01/09 – 15/12/11
VW Transporter T5 engine problems
Common to all versions of the VW Transporter is the possibility of a cruise control malfunction. A simple reconnection job should fix it.
However, fluctuating engine speed at low revs on some 1.9 diesel engines can mean either excessive camshaft wear or damaged hydraulic tappets on cylinder number four.
The engine warning light suddenly going on could mean worn rocker shafts or even a missing oil plug. A screeching noise on start up could indicate a seized throttle valve.
This same engine and the 2.5 diesel, both fitted with a diesel particulate filter (DPF), can suffer an increase in engine speed, running on after being switched off, a rise in the engine oil level or contaminated fuel, all of which could mean fuel dilution of the DPF. Noises from the engine could suggest a faulty turbocharger air inlet hose.
On 2.0-litre diesel engines, a sudden switch to limp-home mode could mean a faulty absolute manifold pressure sensor, while poor starting and juddery performance could spell a faulty exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve.
On the subject of juddery performance, the diesel engine’s dual-mass flywheel can also play up. It’s worth investigating, since failure will cost you dearly.
Do you smell fuel? Suspect a loose injector union nut. If the 2.5 diesel engine stalls at running temperature, it could be suffering loss of injector pressure through the injector O-rings.
The petrol engines are potentially less troublesome but also rarer and less popular from an economy and pulling power perspective. The 2.0 TSI can suffer power loss above 3000rpm because of problems with the variable inlet manifold switchover valve actuator – this can also cause engine surge at partial loads – or the vacuum control solenoid.
More worrying still, all engines can suffer failure of the tandem fuel pump cover bolts, leading to a fuel leak and possibly a fire. It was a recall, so check if your car was affected. Another wide-ranging recall was a poorly welded sealing plug in the H-piece between the fuel supply and return pipes. It could lead to a fuel leak and possibly a fire, too.
Another fire risk lies with the cooling fan which may run on and flatten the battery. An additional wiring loom is the answer. This, too, was a recall affecting most versions.
VW Transporter T5 transmission problems
VW Transporter T5 gearbox problems here fall into three main areas. On early 1.9-litre diesel and 2.0-litre petrol T5s, the ABS and ESP (electronic stability program) lights can suddenly come on when you’re driving.
This condition was the subject of a technical service bulletin. (A TSB is issued by manufacturers and is intended to make garages aware of a common technical problem; it’s generally not a critical safety issue.) The problem, in this case, lies with dirty wheel bearings.
The second transmission problem concerns 2.0-litre diesel engines post-2010 and involves an oil leak between the engine and gearbox. The blame lies with poorly threaded tapped holes for the six bolts securing the flywheel/drive plate.
Finally, 2.5-litre diesels and the 3.2 V6 petrol, manufactured between 2004 and 2009, suffer combination punches of ABS/ESP warning lights coming on (dirty wheel bearings again) and a noisy propshaft. You could be looking at a new propshaft centre bearing and, possibly, a rear propshaft, too.
VW Transporter T5 steering and suspension problems
This area of the VW Transporter T5 was subject to a recall notice concerning loose steering rack mounts. Models affected were the 1.9 and 2.5-litre diesels (all non-DPF models).
Meanwhile, VW issued a technical service bulletin for all models bar the 2.0-litre diesel from 2010 onwards, concerning noisy front suspension when steering, a problem most likely caused by faulty axial bearings.
It also issued a TSB involving the same models, this time for oil leaks from the rear shock absorbers as grease leaked past the upper seal and liquefied.
VW Transporter T5 brakes problems
Again, the post-2010 2.0-litre diesel models are largely free of problems here. Not so, all other versions. All of these can suffer a trio of problems. The most serious concerns a recall notice requiring the fitment of a new handbrake lever and push button. The old one could suddenly disengage.
Elsewhere, the ABS warning light can come on unannounced when you’re driving (suspect a faulty ABS control unit). The same condition, this time also involving the ESP warning light, prompted VW to issue a TSB. Dirty wheel bearings are the most likely cause.
VW Transporter T5 exterior and interior problems
While many recalls tend to affect only small batches of vehicles produced during a few days or weeks, the one concerning the VW T5’s second row backrest affected all models, bar post-2010 2.0-litre diesels, built between December 2003 and May 2006. In short, there was a danger that the backrest wouldn’t fully latch, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
Another recall, again not involving post 2010 diesels, concerned the possibility of a damaged front right-hand tyre. It was a production fault. The notice covered vehicles built in May and June 2007 so it’s unlikely you’ll come across a T5 still riding on these tyres.
A third and final recall, this time involving most versions of the post 2010 diesel model, was to enable checking of the mounting bolts on the bonnet catch. They could become loose, allowing the bonnet to suddenly spring open.
Meanwhile, post-2010 diesel T5s were also the subject of a couple of technical service bulletins. The first concerned the airbag warning light (a poor contact in the airbag connectors) and the second, intermittent operation of the air-conditioning system, a condition traced to faulty software in the air-con control unit.
VW Transporter T5 electronics problems
All versions of the T5 can suffer a loss of some electrical functions, leading to zero communication with, if one is being used, the diagnostic tool. It’s generally a faulty ignition switch.
