Audi A3 8P

Generations

Engine Overview

The Audi A3 8P is available with 13 engine variants — from 86 to 360 hp. 6 variants had engine changes — the model year is crucial.

Vehicle Weaknesses

Alternatives

Known Problems and Issues

A total of 177 weaknesses have been documented for the Audi A3 8P (2003–2013) — 171 engine-related and 6 vehicle-related. 9 problem engines: BLS (1.9L TDI), CBZA (1.2L TSI), CBZB (1.2L TSI), CAXA (1.4L TSI), AXX (2.0L TFSI), CCZA (2.0L TFSI), BKD (2.0L TDI), CGGA (1.2L TFSI), BHZ (2.0L TFSI). Typical issues affect Gearbox, Suspension, Rust, Cooling. Considered reliable: BGU (1.6L MPI), CZEA (1.4L TFSI).

A3 (BKC, 2003–2008) — Be Careful: Camshaft scored — typical PD weakness, Timing belt — PD system increases belt load, PD unit injector failure. Power: 101–105 PS.

A3 (BKD, 2003–2008) — Stay Away!: Cylinder head crack, Oil pump drive rounds off, PD unit injector defective. Power: 136–140 PS.

A3 (BLS, 2005–2010) — Stay Away!: Con-rod bearing damage from material defect, Con-rod bearing material defect MY 2008, Camshaft scored. Power: 115 PS.

A3 (CBAB, 2008–2013) — Be Careful: Camshaft Seal Leaks onto Timing Belt, EGR Valve and EGR Cooler Blocked / Faulty, Turbocharger Vacuum Actuator Failure. Power: 163–170 PS.

A3 (CAYC, 2009–2013) — Be Careful: Oil Pump Drive Timing Belt Wear, EGR Valve Failure and Carbon Buildup, Water Pump Failure with Coolant Loss. Power: 90 PS.

A3 (CAYB, 2009–2013) — Be Careful: Injector Premature Failure, EGR Valve Sooting and Failure, Diesel Particulate Filter Blockage. Power: 105–110 PS.

A3 (CJCA, 2009–2013) — Be Careful: High-pressure pump metal shavings in fuel system, EGR valve failure, Water pump failure. Power: 136–143 PS.

A3 (CRLB, 2012–2020) — Be Careful: Water Pump Fails Before Timing Belt Change, EGR Cooler Leaking — Gradual Coolant Loss, Diesel Particulate Filter Clogged by Short Trips. Power: 143–150 PS.

A3 (CRBC, 2012–2016) — Be Careful: Wet Belt in Oil Bath — Interval Often Overlooked, EGR Cooler Hairline Cracks and EGR Valve Coked, Turbocharger Power Loss from EGR Secondary Damage. Power: 143–150 PS.

A3 (BAG, 2003–2007) — Be Careful: Steuerkette und Nockenwellensteller verschleißen, Hochdruckpumpe undicht oder defekt, Kohlenstoffablagerungen Einlassventile (FSI). Power: 116 PS.

A3 (BHE, 2003–2009) — Be Careful: Timing chain stretch — four chains, Intake valve carbon build-up from direct injection, Camshaft adjuster fault (P0014/P0018). Power: 250 PS.

A3 (BHE, 2003–2012) — Be Careful: Timing chain stretch — four chains, Intake valve carbon build-up from direct injection, Camshaft adjuster fault (P0014/P0018). Power: 241 PS.

A3 (BLX, 2003–2008) — Be Careful: Valve carbon deposits from direct injection, Camshaft timing chain rattle, NOx sensor failure. Power: 150 PS.

A3 (DMSA, 2003–2009) — Be Careful: Ring Land Fracture — Piston Damage from High Ignition Pressure, Swirl Flap Screw Comes Loose — Engine Damage, Timing Chain Rattle — Cold-Start Rattle. Power: 250 PS.

A3 (AXX, 2004–2008) — Stay Away!: Becherstößel / Cam Follower Hochdruckpumpe, Ölpumpenmodul / Ausgleichswellen unzureichend, Becherstößel Hochdruckpumpe verschlissen. Power: 200 PS.

A3 (BHZ, 2006–2012) — Stay Away!: Oil consumption from worn piston rings, HPFP bucket tappet — critical wear, Timing chain tensioner defective. Power: 256 PS.

A3 (CAXA, 2007–2013) — Stay Away!: Timing Chain Stretched / Tensioner Failed, Timing Chain Stretched, Turbocharger VTG Linkage Stuck. Power: 122–125 PS.

A3 (CCZA, 2008–2013) — Stay Away!: Massive Oil Consumption Due to Faulty Piston Rings, Timing Chain Stretched / Oil Pump Insufficient, Timing Chain Elongated / Chain Tensioner Defective. Power: 200 PS.

A3 (CBZA, 2010–2013) — Stay Away!: Timing Chain Elongation — Known Serial Fault, Elevated Oil Consumption, Turbocharger Pressure Loss from Deposits. Power: 86 PS.

A3 (CBZB, 2010–2013) — Stay Away!: Timing Chain Elongation — Known Serial Fault, Sporadic Misfires on All Cylinders, Elevated Oil Consumption. Power: 105 PS.

A3 (CGGA, 2010–2013) — Stay Away!: Timing Chain Prematurely Elongated (EA111), Turbocharger Failure, Elevated Oil Consumption. Power: 105 PS.

A3 (CEPA, 2011–2012) — Be Careful: Ring Land Fracture — Piston Cylinder 1, Tumble Flap Screw Falls into Combustion Chamber, Water Pump Housing Cracks — Coolant Loss. Power: 340 PS.

A3 (CJSA, 2012–2016) — Be Careful: Timing chain stretched — simplex chain, High-pressure pump — cam follower wear, Two-stage oil pump — insufficient pressure at idle. Power: 180 PS.

A3 (CZCA, 2012–2016) — Be Careful: Timing belt rupture from faulty camshaft adjuster, Elevated oil consumption from piston ring coking, Water pump premature failure. Power: 122–125 PS.

A3 (CZCA, 2012–2016) — Be Careful: Timing belt rupture from faulty camshaft adjuster, Elevated oil consumption from piston ring coking, Water pump premature failure. Power: 116–125 PS.

A3 (CJXB, 2012–2016) — Be Careful: Timing chain stretched, Oil pump — pressure deficit at low load, HPFP cam follower worn. Power: 280–286 PS.

What to watch out for with the Audi A3? See the detailed listing of all engine and vehicle weaknesses in the sections above.

Frequently Asked Questions