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Audi · Mid-Size · 2015–2026

Audi A4 B9

Weaknesses, engine ratings and buying advice

3.2 / 5.0 · Based on 20 engine variants
Most Fun Engine

450 PS

2.9L TFSI V6 BiTurbo Benzin

BiTurbo V6 replaces V8 — faster, wider, less soul

Legendary!
Most Reliable Engine

272 PS

3.0L TDI V6 Diesel

5 weaknesses

Good Choice

Body Variants

The Audi A4 B9 is available as Limousine and Avant — choose your body type for specific insurance data:

Generations


Engine Overview

The Audi A4 B9 is available with 13 engine variants — from 120 to 470 hp. 4 variants had engine changes — the model year is crucial.

2.0L TDI · Diesel· 120–190 PS Engine Change
2015 2019
Be Careful 5 weaknesses
2015 2019
Be Careful 5 weaknesses
2015 2019
Be Careful 6 weaknesses
2019 2024
Be Careful 5 weaknesses
3.0L TDI V6 · Diesel· 204–272 PS Engine Change
2015 2019
Be Careful 5 weaknesses
2015 2019
Good Choice 5 weaknesses
2015 2023
Be Careful 5 weaknesses
1.4L TFSI · Benziner· 150 PS
2015 2019
Good Choice 6 weaknesses
2.0L TFSI · Benziner· 190 PS
2015 2019
Be Careful 8 weaknesses
RS4 Avant · Benziner· 450 PS
2017 2024
Be Careful 5 weaknesses
S4 · Benziner· 354 PS
2016 2018
Be Careful 8 weaknesses
S4 Avant · Benziner· 354 PS
2016 2018
Be Careful 8 weaknesses
1.5L TFSI · Benziner Mild-Hybrid· 150 PS
2019 2023
Be Careful 5 weaknesses
2.0L TFSI · Benziner Mild-Hybrid· 190–252 PS Engine Change
2019 2023
Be Careful 7 weaknesses
2019 2023
Be Careful 7 weaknesses
2020 2023
Be Careful 6 weaknesses
RS4 · Benziner Mild-Hybrid· 470 PS
2024 2026
Be Careful 6 weaknesses
2.0L TDI · Diesel Mild-Hybrid· 204 PS
2019 2023
Be Careful 5 weaknesses
S4 · Diesel Mild-Hybrid· 341–347 PS Engine Change
2019 2024
Be Careful 5 weaknesses
2019 2024
Be Careful 6 weaknesses
S4 Avant · Diesel Mild-Hybrid· 347 PS
2019 2024
Be Careful 5 weaknesses

The Audi 2.0L TDI (Diesel, 120–190 PS) comes with 4 different engines: DFGA (2015–2019, Be Careful) und DETA (2015–2019, Be Careful) und DEUA (2015–2019, Be Careful) und DKGE (2019–2024, Be Careful). Pay attention to the model year for the 2.0L TDI!

The Audi 3.0L TDI V6 (Diesel, 204–272 PS) comes with 3 different engines: CNHA (2015–2019, Be Careful) und CSWB (2015–2019, Good Choice) und CLZB (2015–2023, Be Careful). Pay attention to the model year for the 3.0L TDI V6!

The Audi 1.4L TFSI (Benziner, 150 PS) has the CZDA (1.4L TFSI) — rated: "Good Choice", 6 known weaknesses.

The Audi 2.0L TFSI (Benziner, 190 PS) has the CYRB (2.0L TFSI) — rated: "Be Careful", 8 known weaknesses.

The Audi RS4 Avant (Benziner, 450 PS) has the DECA (2.9L TFSI V6 BiTurbo) — rated: "Be Careful", 5 known weaknesses.

The Audi S4 (Benziner, 354 PS) has the CWGD (3.0L TFSI V6) — rated: "Be Careful", 8 known weaknesses.

The Audi S4 Avant (Benziner, 354 PS) has the CWGD (3.0L TFSI V6) — rated: "Be Careful", 8 known weaknesses.

The Audi 1.5L TFSI (Benziner Mild-Hybrid, 150 PS) has the DADA (1.5L TFSI) — rated: "Be Careful", 5 known weaknesses.

The Audi 2.0L TFSI (Benziner Mild-Hybrid, 190–252 PS) comes with 3 different engines: DKZA (2019–2023, Be Careful) und DKWB (2019–2023, Be Careful) und DKYA (2020–2023, Be Careful). Pay attention to the model year for the 2.0L TFSI!

The Audi RS4 (Benziner Mild-Hybrid, 470 PS) has the DNXB (2.9L TFSI V6 BiTurbo) — rated: "Be Careful", 6 known weaknesses.

The Audi 2.0L TDI (Diesel Mild-Hybrid, 204 PS) has the DTUA (2.0L TDI) — rated: "Be Careful", 5 known weaknesses.

The Audi S4 (Diesel Mild-Hybrid, 341–347 PS) comes with 2 different engines: DTPA (2019–2024, Be Careful) und DTNS (2019–2024, Be Careful). Pay attention to the model year for the S4!

The Audi S4 Avant (Diesel Mild-Hybrid, 347 PS) has the DTPA (3.0L TDI V6) — rated: "Be Careful", 5 known weaknesses.

Vehicle Weaknesses

WeaknessCost
!Control Arm Rubber Bushings Prematurely Worn

The rubber bushings in the upper control arms wear prematurely, in some cases from as early as 60,000–80,000 km. The issue is said to have been fixed only with the 2019 facelift.

Symptoms: Knocking or clattering from the front axle, unsettled handling, vehicle pulling slightly to one side
from 70,000 km
Medium
!Premature Inner Tyre Flank Wear

Certain 19-inch tyre combinations on the B9 lead to premature wear on the inner flanks. The cause is a suspension setup not optimally tuned for larger wheels. Regular wheel alignment recommended.

Symptoms: One-sided tyre wear on the inside, shorter tyre life than expected with 19-inch tyres
from 30,000 km
Medium
NHTSA Owner Complaints
Below Average
314 complaints · 2015–2026
Electrical
121 ⚠ 1
Other
92 ⚠ 2
Engine
49
Backup Camera/Sensors
46
Airbags
37 ⚠ 5

Top Reported Issues

Electrical (121 complaints)
Other (92 complaints)
Engine (49 complaints)
Source: NHTSA (nhtsa.gov) · 2026-03

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Known Problems and Issues

A total of 132 weaknesses have been documented for the Audi A4 B9 (2015–2026) — 125 engine-related and 7 vehicle-related. Typical issues affect Suspension, Gearbox, Electronics, Cooling. Considered reliable: CZDA (1.4L TFSI), CSWB (3.0L TDI V6).

A4 (DFGA, 2015–2019) — Be Careful: Camshaft Oil Seal Leaks onto Timing Belt, Timing Belt: Interval NOT Maintenance-Free, Turbocharger Bearing Damage from Oil Starvation. Power: 150 PS.

A4 (DETA, 2015–2019) — Be Careful: Turbocharger Bearing Damage, Camshaft Seal Leaks Oil onto Timing Belt, Early Water Pump Failure. Power: 190 PS.

A4 (DEUA, 2015–2019) — Be Careful: EGR Cooler Cracked — Coolant Loss, Wet Timing Belt — Long-Term Risk, Elevated Oil Consumption (More Common Than Base EA288). Power: 120–122 PS.

A4 (CNHA, 2015–2019) — Be Careful: Camshaft Seized — Material Defect, Timing Chain — 4 Chains, Gearbox Side, High Cost, EGR Valve Coked — Diesel Power Loss. Power: 218 PS.

A4 (CLZB, 2015–2023) — Be Careful: Camshaft breakage from material defect, Piezo injectors wear prematurely, Timing chain system prone to wear. Power: 204–218 PS.

A4 (DKGE, 2019–2024) — Be Careful: EGR Cooler Cracking and Coolant Ingress, Oil Pump Drive Belt in Wet-Belt System Vulnerable, DPF Over-Saturation from Incomplete Regeneration. Power: 136 PS.

A4 (CAKA, 2009–2016) — Be Careful: Internal intercooler in supercharger leaking, High-pressure pump failure with swarf distribution, Timing chain rattles on cold start. Power: 333 PS.

A4 (CYRB, 2015–2019) — Be Careful: Oil pump — pressure deficit at idle, Recall: belt starter-generator fire risk, Timing chain — cold-start rattle from pressure drop. Power: 190 PS.

A4 (CWGD, 2016–2018) — Be Careful: Rocker Arm Roller Failure (GP0 Production), Water Pump Internal Failure with Coolant in Vacuum System, 48V Mild Hybrid System Fault (from 2019 Facelift). Power: 354 PS.

A4 (DECA, 2017–2024) — Be Careful: Rocker Arm Bearing Roller Ejection, Intake Valve Carbon Buildup — BiTurbo Direct Injection, Elevated Oil Consumption — TFSI High-Performance Engine. Power: 450 PS.

A4 (DKZA, 2019–2023) — Be Careful: Recall: Belt Starter Generator Fire Risk, Timing Chain Elongated, Combined Water Pump / Thermostat Housing Leaking. Power: 190 PS.

A4 (DADA, 2019–2023) — Be Careful: Elevated oil consumption from piston rings, Gasoline particulate filter (GPF) clogged, Turbocharger wear from carbon deposits. Power: 150 PS.

A4 (DKWB, 2019–2023) — Be Careful: Recall: 48V Belt Starter Generator Fire Risk, Oil Pump — Pressure Deficit at Idle, 48V MHEV System Complexity — BSG Follow-Up Defects. Power: 245–252 PS.

A4 (DKYA, 2020–2023) — Be Careful: Recall: Belt Starter Generator Fire Risk, Combined Cooling Housing Leaking, Timing Chain Elongated. Power: 204 PS.

A4 (DNXB, 2024–2026) — Be Careful: Water pump — internal leak into vacuum system, Rocker arm roller bearing failure (early build dates), Turbocharger wear from thermal stress. Power: 470 PS.

A4 (DTUA, 2019–2023) — Be Careful: EGR cooler cracks and coolant loss, Wet timing belt with sensitive water pump, DPF regeneration fails on short trips. Power: 204 PS.

A4 (DTPA, 2019–2024) — Be Careful: Low oil pressure from variable oil pump, Camshaft breakage (material defect), Timing chain drive worn (4-chain system). Power: 341–347 PS.

A4 (DTNS, 2019–2024) — Be Careful: Timing chain wear and tensioner failure, Camshaft fracture due to material defect, Coolant loss from defective control valves. Power: 341–347 PS.

What to watch out for with the Audi A4? See the detailed listing of all engine and vehicle weaknesses in the sections above.

Frequently Asked Questions

What problems and weaknesses does the Audi A4 B9 have? +
The Audi A4 B9 has 125 known engine weaknesses and 7 vehicle weaknesses.
What should I look for when buying a used Audi A4 B9? +
faq.watch_a_solid
Which engine is recommended? +
Good choice: CZDA (1.4L TFSI), CSWB (3.0L TDI V6). The most reliable engine is the CSWB (3.0L TDI V6) with the lowest risk score. The most fun to drive is the DECA (2.9L TFSI V6 BiTurbo).
Which Audi A4 B9 engine is the most reliable? +
The {code} ({displacement}) is the most reliable engine in the Audi A4 B9. It has the lowest risk score of all available engines and is rated "Good Choice". However, there are 5 known weaknesses to be aware of.
Which Audi A4 B9 engine is the most fun? +
The {code} ({displacement}) offers the most driving fun in the Audi A4 B9 — rated: "Legendary!". {description} 450 hp twin-turbo V6 replaces the NA V8. 0-60 in 4.1 seconds, wider than its predecessor, technically superior. But the sound doesn't touch the B7, and the auto-only gearbox leaves no room for manual nostalgia. The RS4 for people who rank lap times above goosebumps.
Is the Audi A4 B9 worth buying used? +
The Audi A4 B9 is a good choice as a used car — 2 of 20 engine variants are rated 'Good Choice'.
What horsepower variants are available for the Audi A4 B9? +
The Audi A4 B9 is available with engine variants from 120 to 470 hp. Petrol: CYRB (2.0L TFSI), DKZA (2.0L TFSI), DKYA (2.0L TFSI), CZDA (1.4L TFSI), DADA (1.5L TFSI), DECA (2.9L TFSI V6 BiTurbo), CWGD (3.0L TFSI V6), CAKA (3.0L TFSI V6), DKWB (2.0L TFSI), DNXB (2.9L TFSI V6 BiTurbo). Diesel: DFGA (2.0L TDI), DETA (2.0L TDI), DTUA (2.0L TDI), DTPA (3.0L TDI V6), DEUA (2.0L TDI), CNHA (3.0L TDI V6), CSWB (3.0L TDI V6), DKGE (2.0L TDI), CLZB (3.0L TDI V6), DTNS (3.0L TDI V6).

Last updated: February 2026 · All information without guarantee