VW Touran DPF Failure Causing Smoke and Power Loss

Had similar symptoms with a 2015 VW Tiguan diesel engine. The exhaust back pressure sensor reading was incorrect, causing DPF regeneration issues. Initial symptoms matched yours, black smoke, reduced power, and DPF warning lights. The pressure sensor malfunction prevented proper particulate filter operation, leading to soot buildup. Root cause was a faulty sensor combined with clogged DPF. Required complete DPF cleaning and new pressure sensor installation. These diesel exhaust issues can escalate if not addressed promptly. Main repairs involved: Diagnostic scan to confirm pressure sensor failure, Replacement of exhaust back pressure sensor, Professional DPF cleaning, Reset of engine management system, Test drive to verify proper regeneration This was a serious repair requiring specialized equipment. Waiting too long risks complete DPF failure or engine damage. The repair resolved all symptoms, power returned to normal, no more black smoke, and proper sensor readings. Recommend getting it checked soon, as these diesel engine problems typically worsen with time. A blocked DPF combined with sensor issues can lead to expensive repairs if left unattended.

Thanks for sharing that detailed repair info. My Touran had very similar emission control issues last year. Good to hear the pressure sensor replacement and DPF cleaning fixed your problems completely. Have you kept track of how your exhaust system has been performing since the repair? Also curious what the total cost ended up being for the full fix, would help me compare with what I was quoted for similar work. The reduced power issues are really frustrating to deal with.

Good to provide an update on my Tiguan repair. The emission control system has been performing flawlessly since fixing the diesel exhaust pressure sensor. No more reduced power problems or warning lights in over 25000km of driving. The repair cost ended up at 245€ for replacing the defective exhaust back pressure sensor. This was much less than initially expected, since the diagnosis showed we caught the issue before any major DPF damage occurred. The pressure readings are now stable and correct. Regular DPF regeneration cycles happen automatically as they should. Power delivery is back to normal with no black smoke during acceleration. The diesel engine performs like new again. If your quotes are significantly higher, it might be worth getting a second opinion, especially if your symptoms match what mine were. The early warning signs helped avoid a complete particulate filter replacement, which would have been much more costly. Monitoring the exhaust system regularly through the vehicle diagnostics has shown everything working within normal parameters.

Thanks for the advice. Finally got my Touran fixed last week and wanted to share the outcome. Took it to a diesel specialist who properly diagnosed the low pressure readings in the exhaust system. The repair involved cleaning the particulate filter and replacing a faulty pressure sensor that was causing incorrect readings. Total cost came to 380€, bit more than expected but worth it to have it done right. The reduced power issues disappeared completely after the fix. No more black smoke coming from the diesel exhaust during acceleration. The engine runs smoothly now and all warning lights have cleared. Regular driving has been enough to maintain proper DPF regeneration cycles. Really glad I dealt with this promptly based on the advice here. The mechanic confirmed waiting longer could have meant complete DPF failure. Now I know to watch for any early warning signs with the exhaust system to avoid future problems.