Audi A4
EA888 Gen3B facelift with 140 kW. Particulate filter and WLTP optimisation standard. Proven technology with few known issues.
204 hp – enough for smooth progress
The 2.0 TFSI with 204 hp in the A4 B9 is a respectable daily engine: refined, economical and amply powerful. Compared to the 252 hp variant it lacks spontaneity and the last bit of bite.
Engine Weaknesses 7
Recall 27H2 (2020): moisture ingress into BSG causes short circuits and fire risk. Affects A4, A5, A6, A7, Q5 (production years 2017–2020) with 48V mild hybrid. ~530,000 vehicles worldwide, approx. 17,769 in Germany.
Symptoms: Electrical fault messages, vehicle breaks down, smoke development possible
DKZA timing chain stretches from ~100,000 km. Gen3B with revised tensioner, but fundamentally the same system as Gen3. Regular oil changes with quality oil substantially reduce wear.
Symptoms: Rattling on cold start, P0016/P0017, metallic chain noise
Integrated plastic housing for water pump and thermostat cracks from ageing and thermal cycling. Coolant loss, typically from 60,000–100,000 km. Typical Gen3B issue.
Symptoms: Coolant loss, overtemperature indicator, coolant smell, weak heater
Gen3B variable oil pump delivers insufficient oil pressure at low rpm. Camshaft phasers and chain tensioners are inadequately supplied. At 204 hp less critical than higher variants, but fundamentally the same weakness.
Symptoms: Ticking after cold start, camshaft phaser codes, oil pressure warning
DKZA direct injection without port injection deposits carbon on intake valves via EGR gases and oil mist. Typically noticeable from 60,000–80,000 km. Walnut blasting every 50,000 km recommended.
Symptoms: Power loss, rough cold start, increased consumption, P2015 tumble flap
PCV membrane valve tears. Intake air leak under boost pressure causes misfires and rough running. A common wear item on all EA888 generations.
Symptoms: Whistling when accelerating, P2279, rough idle
Electronic wastegate actuator absorbs moisture through cracks in the plastic housing. Boost pressure control failure, occasionally without prior warning. Belongs to the same turbo families as CYRB.
Symptoms: MIL boost pressure fault, turbo noises, P0299
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.