Audi A4
EA288 evo with 147 kW for B9 facelift. Twin-Dosing (dual SCR catalysts) for stricter emissions standards. Technically mature, high mileages expected.
Solid everyday engine — does its job
200 hp 2.0L for everyday use. Be aware of known weak points.
Engine Weaknesses 5
EGR cooler develops hairline cracks — coolant enters the exhaust tract. Slow, silent coolant loss without visible leaks is the main symptom. Hydro-lock risk if left unaddressed.
Symptoms: Gradual coolant consumption, white smoke, sweet exhaust smell inside cabin, engine warning with fault code P200200.
Wet-running timing belt runs in an oil bath. Water pump can fail before the official service interval and contaminate the belt. Recommendation: early combined replacement.
Symptoms: Whistling from engine bay, sudden overheating, coolant loss, belt fragments visible in oil at oil change.
EA288 evo needs long-distance runs for complete DPF regeneration. Frequent incomplete regenerations lead to oversaturation. Consequential turbo damage from back-pressure is possible.
Symptoms: Warning 'particulate filter full', power reduction, increased consumption. Engine runs rough for a short time after idle phase.
190-hp EA288 evo turbo is under higher load. Oil coking after hot shutdowns accelerates bearing wear. VTG mechanism can stick from soot, causing boost pressure drop.
Symptoms: Whistling or whining on acceleration, power loss, oil in air filter box or intercooler, fault code P0299.
Exhaust after-treatment sensors fail sporadically. NOx sensor and DPF differential pressure sensor are frequently affected. Leads to limp mode or incorrect DPF regeneration.
Symptoms: Engine warning light without clear mechanical cause, incorrect consumption reading, limp programme, AdBlue warning with full tank.
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.