P2015 Volkswagen Engine Code – Diagnosis & Troubleshoot

P2015 VW Fault Code: Intake Manifold Failure

Receiving a P2015 code on your Volkswagen will read out “Intake Manifold Runner Pos. Sen/Switch Circuit Bank X” or anything intake manifold related. When this engine code pops, 9 times out of 10 it is the intake manifold runner or the flap position sensor that has failed. This code is most common on the earlier 2.0t TSI & 2.0t TDI Volkswagen engines. The majority of the time, this code will be covered under VW extended warranty, so the first thing we advise is to call VW directly or your local dealer to see if it is covered. If your vehicle is out of warranty, read below for diagnosis, DIY guides, and replacement parts for the P2015 VW engine code.

What is the Intake Manifold and why is it important? Essentially the intake manifold’s job is to supply fresh air to the cylinders. Air from the engine will go through the air intake, then the throttle body, and enter the intake manifold which will filter the air and push it evenly into the cylinders to ensure proper air to fuel ratios. A failing intake manifold can cause uneven distribution of airflow to the cylinders which can lead to performance and efficiency issues in your engine.

Can you still drive with a P2015 VW Fault Code? The short answer is yes, most of the time you can, but it is not advised. There is a certain aspect where the vehicle absolutely shouldn’t be driven and that is when the flap motor arm is stuck open. When this occurs, and it happens more than people would think, you will have a big vacuum leak causing the vehicle to lose boost or even pop lean fault codes (P0171).

P2015 VW Symptoms

• Check Engine Light (CEL) illuminating
• Rough idle
• Engine surge
• Reduced fuel economy
• Slight loss of low-end torque
• Rare engine misfires

Causes of P2015 Engine Code for Volkswagen

• Intake manifold flap position sensor failure
• Carbon deposits on the intake manifold runner flaps
• Intake manifold runner control solenoid failure
• Intake manifold runner control pops out which causes a big vacuum leak
• Rare intake manifold wiring issue
• Mechanical defect within the intake manifold itself

Unfortunately, when the P2015 code is received, you will likely have to replace the whole intake manifold. This is because none of the components on the intake manifold are sold separately, at least for the 2.0t, and your time will be better spent just replacing it. There is a “hack” that you can do for the Volkswagen 2.0t TDI engine that you can find here. As stated previously, this should be covered on VW’s extended warranty of 120k miles, so give VW or your local shop a call and provide your VIN to see if it is covered. 

How to Repair a Volkswagen with a P2015 Engine Code

If the vehicle is not covered, we advise doing it yourself because it would be a costly repair if you ended up going to a shop. However, if you don’t feel up to DIY, you will be looking at a bill of $600 – $1,400. The wide range depends on if you go to an independent shop vs a VW dealership. 

DIY Difficulty: Difficult
2.0t TSI Intake Manifold Replacement Kit: https://bit.ly/37WEqpZ
DIY Guide: https://bit.ly/3kA5jFs

2.0t TDI Bracket: https://amzn.to/3bLLRBn
Bracket DIY Guide: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6H8E_o_Z3AE&t=491s

Since the intake manifold is being replaced, we recommend looking at the injector seals, the injectors themselves, and the intake runners for any carbon build-up. 

DIY Difficulty: Intermediate
Injector Replacement DIY: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFNS03vxywg

Conclusion

This post is written for the 2.0t TSI engine just because it is very common for the early versions to experience failure. However, if you are looking for assistance with another engine, please leave a comment below and we will look into it for you!