VW Crafter DPF Failure Causing Multiple Warning Signs

Speaking from some experience with diesel exhaust issues, I faced nearly identical symptoms on my 2011 VW Transporter. The reduced power and DPF warning lights were particularly concerning. After checking with several workshops, I found the root cause was a faulty exhaust back pressure sensor. These sensors are crucial for proper DPF regeneration and emission control systems to work correctly. When they fail, the engine management system cant accurately monitor exhaust flow, leading to those exact symptoms, reduced power, excessive smoke, and constant DPF warnings. The repair involved replacing the pressure sensor and performing a forced DPF regeneration to clear any built-up particles. Total cost was 245€, including diagnostics and labor. The fix completely resolved the low pressure readings and power issues. Before suggesting specific solutions for your Crafter, could you share: Current mileage, Service history, especially recent DPF maintenance, Any error codes from diagnostic scans, How long the symptoms have been present, Type of driving (short trips vs highway) This information would help determine if your issue matches what I experienced or points to a different problem in the exhaust system.

Thanks for sharing your experience. My Crafter has 75315KM on the clock, with the last major service done at 70000KM. The particulate filter has never been serviced before. The issue started about 2 weeks ago, and error codes point to low exhaust pressure values. I do mostly short distance trips, which probably hasnt helped the diesel exhaust system perform proper regeneration cycles. Makes sense about checking the pressure sensor first. The reduced power and warning lights match your description exactly. Really helpful to know the typical repair costs, 245€ sounds more reasonable than what I feared with a complete DPF replacement. Will get it checked focusing on the sensor and regeneration cycle. The emission control system probably needs attention due to my driving pattern.

Good to hear back and thanks for those details. My Transporter had similar mileage when this happened, though I noticed you mention doing mainly short trips, this is actually significant for diesel particulate filter health. Short trips prevent the DPF from reaching proper temperatures needed for regeneration cycles. While the pressure sensor was my issue, your driving pattern suggests potential soot buildup in the particulate filter itself. The emission control system struggles when the filter gets clogged. After fixing mine, I made some changes to prevent future issues: Monthly highway drives of 30+ minutes to help with DPF regeneration, Using premium diesel fuel, Not interrupting active regeneration cycles Since your symptoms match but usage differs, consider requesting both sensor testing and a DPF inspection. The diagnostic might reveal more extensive particulate filter cleaning is needed. The good news is even if its more than just the sensor, a professional DPF cleaning service costs around 350-400€, still less than replacement. Monitoring the exhaust pressure readings after repair will confirm if the fix worked. The diesel engine should run smoother with proper exhaust flow restored.

Thanks for the detailed explanation. Based on my vehicle stats and symptoms, I see how both the sensor and DPF could be contributing factors. The driving pattern definitely hasnt been ideal for the emission control system. My short trips match what you mentioned about preventing proper regeneration temperatures. The low pressure readings and diesel exhaust issues make more sense now. Knowing both potential repair paths, sensor replacement at around 245€ or DPF cleaning up to 400€, helps set realistic expectations. Will book it in for diagnostics focusing on both the pressure sensor and DPF condition. The regular highway drives sound like a good preventive measure once its fixed. Really dont want these DPF issues coming back. Before taking it to the workshop, I plan to run it on the highway for 30 minutes to see if that helps the regeneration cycle complete. The diesel engine symptoms and warning lights should indicate if that makes any difference.