Audi A4
Powerful 3.0-litre V6 TDI with 245 PS from the EA897 range. Known weaknesses are timing chain elongation and the cam belt to the common-rail pump, which must be changed every 120,000 km. Watch injector sealing — leaking piezo injectors dilute the engine oil.
Refined multi-cylinder — relaxed cruising
211 hp 3.0L with a pleasant, refined character. Relaxed long-distance cruiser without sporting ambitions. Factor in the known weak points.
Engine Weaknesses 5
In the 3.0 TDI V6 (production up to approximately January 2017) defective camshafts were fitted. Camshaft scoring or breakage leads to catastrophic engine failure.
Symptoms: Knocking or ticking from the valvetrain, power loss, rough running, starting problems in advanced cases.
The piezo injectors on the 3.0 TDI V6 show increased wear from around 120,000 km. All 6 injectors must be replaced simultaneously and individually coded.
Symptoms: Blue or white smoke on cold start after standing, rough running, judder, rising oil level from fuel dilution, engine warning light.
The multi-stage timing chain system on the V6 TDI wears with delayed oil changes or incorrect oil specification. Complete system replacement is required.
Symptoms: Rattling on cold start that fades when warm. Timing chain noise from the engine bay, engine warning light from variable camshaft control.
The turbocharger on the 3.0 TDI V6 wears at high mileages, particularly with inadequate oil supply or prolonged cold-start periods. Replacement costs 1,600–2,000 euros.
Symptoms: Power loss under load, whistling or hissing from the engine bay, blue exhaust smoke, increased oil consumption from the turbo.
The EGR system on the 3.0 TDI V6 is prone to carbon build-up, especially with frequent short trips. The EGR cooler and valve are a combined unit and replaced together.
Symptoms: Engine warning light, power loss, rough idle, occasional limp-home mode, increased fuel consumption, smoking on cold start.
Vehicle Weaknesses 7
Defective coolant valves cause coolant loss that can silently lead to overheating. Temperature sensors and thermostat housing are a weak point from 60,000–100,000 km.
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.
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.
The S tronic dual-clutch gearbox judders when pulling away and at low speeds. The mechatronics unit can become defective.
Water pump and thermostat housing typically fail between 60,000 and 170,000 km. A well-known weak point on the 2.0 TFSI and 2.0 TDI.
The S tronic dual-clutch gearbox exhibits a known juddering in D and R at idle that Audi classes as within the state of the art. Diesel variants may additionally creep.
The MMI infotainment system frequently exhibits Bluetooth connectivity problems in facelift models: choppy music playback, missed ringtones. Software updates do not always provide a permanent fix.