VW Sharan DPF Failure Causing Smoke and Warning Lights

Had a similar issue with my 2009 VW Touran 2.0 TDI. The exhaust back pressure sensor failure caused exactly these symptoms, white smoke during acceleration and DPF regeneration problems. Vehicle diagnostics confirmed the pressure sensor was sending incorrect readings to the ECU. The repair required removing the old exhaust sensor and installing a new one, plus clearing the error codes. The mechanic also performed a forced DPF regeneration to clear accumulated particles. This is a moderately serious issue because a malfunctioning pressure sensor can lead to DPF damage if left untreated. Based on the symptoms described, especially the failed regeneration attempts, the pressure sensor is likely the culprit. The mileage is in the range where these sensors commonly start failing on VW diesel engines. Getting it checked soon is important since incorrect pressure readings can cause progressive damage to the exhaust system. Worth noting that after the sensor replacement, the car performed a successful regeneration cycle and the smoke issues disappeared completely. Car maintenance records show these sensors typically need replacement every 80000-100000km on these models.

Thanks for sharing your experience. I had nearly identical symptoms on my Sharan last year, white smoke, DPF warnings, the works. The pressure sensor replacement fixed it completely for me too. Just wondering what the repair ended up costing you? Mine was around 450€ including labor and parts. Vehicle emissions have been perfect since the fix and engine performance returned to normal. Though I did have to replace the EGR valve about 6 months later, not sure if it was related but worth keeping an eye on during regular car maintenance checks. Let me know if any other emission control issues have popped up since your repair. These exhaust system problems can sometimes indicate other developing issues.

Thanks for asking about the repair costs. I had my Touran fixed last month and the total came to 245€ for the exhaust back pressure sensor replacement. Quite a bit less than yours, but prices can vary. The auto repair was straightforward and completely resolved the emission control issues. Since the fix, the engine performance has been spot on with no smoke or warning lights. The exhaust system is working perfectly and DPF regeneration cycles are happening normally. No problems with the EGR valve or any other components so far. Regular diagnostics show all emissions values are within normal range. The mechanic mentioned these back pressure sensor issues are pretty common on our engine type, but once fixed they rarely cause trouble again. Good preventive maintenance and keeping an eye on exhaust system readings during regular service intervals helps catch potential problems early.

Thanks for the helpful input. I wanted to share how my repair went since posting my initial question. Took the car to a specialized auto repair shop and they immediately identified the exhaust sensor issue. The mechanic ran a full emission control diagnostic which confirmed the faulty pressure sensor readings. The repair took about 3 hours total. They replaced the exhaust sensor and did a forced DPF regeneration to clear everything out. Total cost came to 380€ including parts and labor. The vehicle emissions are now perfect, no more smoke under acceleration and all warning lights have cleared. One tip from my experience: the shop found some minor wiring corrosion near the old sensor that could have contributed to the problem. Worth having them check the surrounding connections when doing this type of repair. Really glad I got this fixed promptly. The exhaust system is working properly now and the engine performance is back to normal. Definitely learned my lesson about not ignoring emission-related warning lights.