Why some Audi engines score below 68/100
Audi was an early adopter of direct injection and small-displacement turbocharging — and paid for it with the 2008–2015 generation. Oil consumption class actions, chain tensioner failures, and DSG issues dominate the avoid list. The good news: post-2016 Audi engines are materially better.
The pattern
Audi's avoid list is dominated by two failure modes: the EA888 Gen 1/2 oil consumption and plastic chain tensioner saga, and the V6 FSI / W12 chain-and-coil complexity bills. Both are direct injection downsizing problems — Audi was an early adopter of small-displacement turbocharging and paid for it with the 2008–2014 cars. Anything from 2017+ is materially better.
EA888 Gen 1/2 (1.8/2.0 TFSI/TSI) — 38/100 (AVOID)
1.8/2.0L Turbo I4 (early EA888)
Found in: A3, A5, Alhambra, Exeo, Golf, Leon, Octavia, Passat
Known problems
| Issue | Severity | Typical cost | Onset |
|---|---|---|---|
| Excessive oil consumption — narrow oil-control rings (built 2008 to mid-2011) | critical | €6.500 | 40.000 km |
| Timing-chain tensioner failure — chain can jump and wreck the engine | critical | N/A | 80.000 km |
| Intake-valve carbon build-up (direct injection) | moderate | €300 | 80.000 km |
| Plastic thermostat / coolant-pump housing leaks | moderate | N/A | N/A |
Full EA888 Gen 1/2 (1.8/2.0 TFSI/TSI) reliability report →
5.0 V10 TT (BUH) — 48/100 (CAUTION)
5.0 V10 Twin-Turbo RS6 C6
Found in: A6
Known problems
| Issue | Severity | Typical cost | Onset |
|---|---|---|---|
| Twin turbo failure (K24) | critical | €8.000 | 60.000 km |
| Carbon buildup (DI V10) | high | €3.000 | 60.000 km |
| Cooling system under stress | high | €2.000 | 60.000 km |
Full 5.0 V10 TT (BUH) reliability report →
4.2 V8 40V (ARS/ASG/AQJ/ANK/AXQ/BAS/BAT/BBK) — 60/100 (CAUTION)
4.2L NA V8 40V
Found in: A6, Touareg
Known problems
| Issue | Severity | Typical cost | Onset |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plastic timing-chain guides and tensioner break up - engine-out repair | critical | €3.220 | 97.000 km |
| Timing belt (interference) and inlet-cam chain tensioners - C5 A6/S6 and Touareg engines | high | N/A | N/A |
Full 4.2 V8 40V (ARS/ASG/AQJ/ANK/AXQ/BAS/BAT/BBK) reliability report →
2.7 V6 Biturbo (EA835: AGB/AZB/ASJ, A6 AJK/ARE/BES) — 63/100 (CAUTION)
2.7 Biturbo V6 (AGB/AZB/ASJ)
Found in: A4
Known problems
| Issue | Severity | Typical cost | Onset |
|---|---|---|---|
| Timing belt and tensioner failure (bends the valves) | critical | €1.380 | 60.000 km |
| Turbocharger failure (twin K03/K04) | high | €2.300 | N/A |
| Oil and vacuum leaks (PCV system, cam covers, rear crank seal) | moderate | N/A | 129.000 km |
| Water pump and thermostat housing leaks | moderate | N/A | N/A |
Full 2.7 V6 Biturbo (EA835: AGB/AZB/ASJ, A6 AJK/ARE/BES) reliability report →
EA839 3.0 TFSI single-turbo (LK2) — 65/100 (CAUTION)
3.0 V6 TFSI Turbo
Found in: A4, A5, A6, A7, A7 3.0 TFSI TT, A8, Q5, Q8
Known problems
| Issue | Severity | Typical cost | Onset |
|---|---|---|---|
| Piston skirt wear and cylinder-wall scoring - knocking, oil use, engine replacement | critical | €29.400 | 120.000 km |
| Rocker-arm needle bearing failure (engines built to about August 2018) | high | €29.400 | 92.000 km |
| Coolant pump leak - coolant loss | moderate | €1.500 | 80.000 km |
| Crankcase breather membrane failure - oil at the filler cap | moderate | €1.200 | 90.000 km |
| Oil consumption and carbon deposits | moderate | N/A | N/A |
Full EA839 3.0 TFSI single-turbo (LK2) reliability report →
6.0 W12 — 65/100 (CAUTION)
6.0 W12 (BHT/BSB/BTE)
Found in: A8
Known problems
| Issue | Severity | Typical cost | Onset |
|---|---|---|---|
| Timing chain tensioners and chain drive (engine-out job) | critical | N/A | N/A |
| Overheating sensitivity - water pump, cylinder scoring and oil consumption | high | N/A | N/A |
Full 6.0 W12 reliability report →
What to buy instead
Not all Audi engines are problematic. These score well:
- 2.5 TFSI I5 (EA855: CEPA, CZGA/CZGB, DAZA, DNWA) — 89/100 (BEST)
- 4.0 TDI V8 EA898 — 84/100 (BUY)
- 5.2 FSI V10 Gen 2 (dual injection) — 84/100 (BUY)
- EA837 3.0 TFSI supercharged — 84/100 (BUY)
Generated from EngineScope's reliability database. Reviewed by the editorial team. Methodology →