Audi A5 8T
Weaknesses, engine ratings and buying advice
450 PS
4.2L FSI V8 Benzin
RS5 Coupé — NA V8 in the best-looking B8 body
Legendary!170–177 PS
1.8L TFSI Benzin
5 weaknesses
Good Choice354 PS
4.2L FSI V8 Benzin
12 weaknesses
Stay Away!Body Variants
The Audi A5 8T is available as Coupé and Cabrio — choose your body type for specific insurance data:
Generations
Engine Overview
The Audi A5 8T is available with 11 engine variants — from 136 to 450 hp. 4 variants had engine changes — the model year is crucial.
The Audi 2.0L TDI (Diesel, 136–177 PS) comes with 3 different engines: CAGA (2007–2016, Be Careful) und CAHA (2008–2016, Stay Away!) und CGLC (2011–2015, Stay Away!). Pay attention to the model year for the 2.0L TDI!
The Audi 2.7L TDI V6 (Diesel, 190 PS) has the CANA (2.7L TDI V6) — rated: "Be Careful", 5 known weaknesses.
The Audi 3.0L TDI V6 (Diesel, 239–245 PS) has the CCWA (3.0L TDI V6) — rated: "Stay Away!", 7 known weaknesses.
The Audi 1.8L TFSI (Benziner, 144–177 PS) comes with 4 different engines: CDHB (2007–2012, Be Careful) und CJSA-130 (2007–2016, Good Choice) und CDHB-106 (2007–2016, Stay Away!) und CJEB (2011–2016, Be Careful). Pay attention to the model year for the 1.8L TFSI!
The Audi 2.0L TFSI (Benziner, 179–230 PS) comes with 4 different engines: CAEB (2007–2016, Stay Away!) und CDNC (2008–2016, Stay Away!) und CNCD (2012–2016, Be Careful) und CNCD (2012–2016, Be Careful). Pay attention to the model year for the 2.0L TFSI!
The Audi 3.0L TFSI V6 (Benziner, 272 PS) has the CDMD (3.0L TFSI V6) — rated: "Be Careful", 7 known weaknesses.
The Audi 3.2L FSI V6 (Benziner, 265 PS) has the CALA (3.2L FSI V6) — rated: "Be Careful", 6 known weaknesses.
The Audi RS5 (Benziner, 450 PS) has the CFSA (4.2L FSI V8) — rated: "Stay Away!", 9 known weaknesses.
The Audi S5 (Benziner, 333–354 PS) comes with 2 different engines: CGKD (2007–2012, Stay Away!) und CAKA (2012–2016, Be Careful). Pay attention to the model year for the S5!
The Audi S5 Cabriolet (Benziner, 333 PS) has the CAKA (3.0L TFSI V6) — rated: "Be Careful", 15 known weaknesses.
The Audi S5 Sportback (Benziner, 333 PS) has the CAKA (3.0L TFSI V6) — rated: "Be Careful", 15 known weaknesses.
Vehicle Weaknesses
| Weakness | Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| Multitronic CVT Gearbox: Complete Failure and Juddering The CVT Multitronic (0AW) tends to catastrophic failures around 100,000 km: juddering when pulling away, extreme rpm fluctuations and loss of reverse gear. Without regular gearbox oil changes, complete failure is likely. Symptoms: Juddering when accelerating, rpm fluctuations in partial load, PRND display flashing, clutch slipping from 100,000 km | High | |
| S tronic Dual Clutch: Juddering and Clutch Wear The S tronic dual-clutch gearbox shows premature clutch wear in stop-and-go traffic and when towing. Juddering when pulling away and harsh gearshifts, often fixable by software update. Symptoms: Juddering from standstill, harsh downshift shunts, vibration in low-load range from 80,000 km | High |
Top Reported Issues
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Known Problems and Issues
A total of 128 weaknesses have been documented for the Audi A5 8T (2007–2016) — 119 engine-related and 9 vehicle-related. 8 problem engines: CAEB (2.0L TFSI), CDNC (2.0L TFSI), CAHA (2.0L TDI), CGLC (2.0L TDI), CCWA (3.0L TDI V6), CFSA (4.2L FSI V8), CGKD (4.2L FSI V8), CDHB-106 (1.8L TFSI). Typical issues affect Gearbox, Suspension, Body, Rust. Considered reliable: CJSA-130 (1.8L TFSI).
A5 (CAGA, 2007–2016) — Be Careful: Injector failure caused by HP pump damage, EGR valve carbon build-up after update, Dual-mass flywheel wear. Power: 136–150 PS.
A5 (CCWA, 2007–2012) — Stay Away!: Chain tensioner cold-start rattle, Piston Slap — Alusil Block, EGR valve soot deposits. Power: 239–245 PS.
A5 (CANA, 2007–2012) — Be Careful: Timing Chain Stretches Prematurely, EGR System Clogged and Leaking, Piezo Injectors Wear Out at High Mileage. Power: 190 PS.
A5 (CAHA, 2008–2016) — Stay Away!: Oil pump hex-shaft drive wears out, Mandatory software update — VW emissions scandal (EA189), EGR cooler failure and carbon build-up. Power: 163–177 PS.
A5 (CGLC, 2011–2015) — Stay Away!: Injector failures after EA189 software update, Oil Pressure Drop at Hot Idle — Bearing Damage, EGR valve coked and blocked. Power: 163–170 PS.
A5 (CGKD, 2006–2012) — Stay Away!: Timing Chain: Guide Rail Breaks — Most Expensive V8 Repair, Camshaft Adjusters — Fault Codes and Limp Mode, Timing Chain Guide Rails Fracture. Power: 354 PS.
A5 (CAEB, 2007–2016) — Stay Away!: Increased oil consumption from coking oil control rings, Timing chain and tensioner — premature wear, Overly narrow oil control rings — mass-production problem. Power: 211 PS.
A5 (CDHB, 2007–2012) — Be Careful: Extreme Oil Consumption (Piston Rings EA888), Timing Chain Broken / Jumped, Coolant Pump Leaking. Power: 160 PS.
A5 (CALA, 2007–2012) — Be Careful: Rear timing chain — extremely expensive to replace, Four-chain timing drive — 3.0 TDI, Engine damage from bearing failure at 95,000 km. Power: 265 PS.
A5 (CDHB-106, 2007–2016) — Stay Away!: Extreme Oil Consumption (Piston Rings EA888), Timing Chain Rattle, Oil Separator Membrane Defective. Power: 144 PS.
A5 (CDNC, 2008–2016) — Stay Away!: Elevated Oil Consumption Due to Undersized Oil Scraper Rings, Timing Chain Stretch and Tensioner Defect, Water Pump Failure. Power: 179 PS.
A5 (CDMD, 2010–2017) — Be Careful: Internal Intercooler Leaking, Chain Tensioner Rattle on Cold Start, Coolant Pump Failure. Power: 272 PS.
A5 (CFSA, 2010–2017) — Stay Away!: Timing Chain on Gearbox Side — Most Expensive RS4/RS5 Problem, Con Rod Bearings at High RPM — RS4/RS5 Revs to 8,250 rpm, Camshaft Adjusters — Heavily Stressed at High RPM. Power: 450 PS.
A5 (CJEB, 2011–2016) — Be Careful: Timing chain stretched / tensioner failed, Plastic water pump housing cracks, Elevated oil consumption from piston rings. Power: 170–177 PS.
A5 (CNCD, 2012–2016) — Be Careful: Oil Pump Delivers Insufficient Pressure at Idle, Chain Stretch and Tensioner Failure, Hydraulic Chain Tensioners Lose Oil Pressure. Power: 224 PS.
A5 (CNCD, 2012–2017) — Be Careful: Oil Pump Delivers Insufficient Pressure at Idle, Chain Stretch and Tensioner Failure, Hydraulic Chain Tensioners Lose Oil Pressure. Power: 224–230 PS.
A5 (CAKA, 2012–2016) — Be Careful: Internal intercooler in supercharger leaking, High-pressure pump failure with swarf distribution, Timing chain rattles on cold start. Power: 333 PS.
What to watch out for with the Audi A5? See the detailed listing of all engine and vehicle weaknesses in the sections above.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Last updated: February 2026 · All information without guarantee