Audi A5
EA888 Gen3B with improved piston design and strengthened timing chain over predecessors. Oil pump remains a structural weak point across the entire EA888 family. Significantly more reliable than Gen1/2 with correct oil change intervals and quality oil. Direct injection promotes intake valve carbon build-up at medium mileages.
Elegant coupé with a powerful heart
In the A5 Coupé with 252 hp and quattro, the CYRB develops its potential most impressively: agile handling thanks to the lower body. A beautiful car that can also drive.
Engine Weaknesses 8
The Gen3B variable oil pump delivers insufficient oil pressure at low rpm. Camshaft phaser rattling and premature chain wear result. Particularly problematic in short-trip urban driving.
Symptoms: Rattling/knocking after cold start, oil pressure warning at idle, camshaft phaser fault codes
Recalls 27H2/27H8 (2020): moisture ingress into the belt starter-generator (48V MHEV system) causes short circuits and overheating with fire risk. ~530,000 vehicles worldwide (A4, A5, A6, A7, Q5, production years 2017–2020). Audi advised against garage parking until repair.
Symptoms: Sequential electrical fault messages, vehicle shuts down, in worst case smoke / fire
Early A4 B9 (2016–2017) with CYRB show cold-start rattling from chain tensioner oil pressure loss overnight. Oil pressure takes 2–3 seconds to build; tensioner does not tension the chain fast enough. Chain inspection recommended from ~100,000 km.
Symptoms: Brief rattling on cold start (2–5 sec), P0016/P0017 after extended standing, metallic clattering
On the CYRB (Gen3B) the water pump and thermostat are integrated in a combined plastic housing. The housing cracks from thermal cycling and causes coolant loss. Typically from 60,000–100,000 km.
Symptoms: Coolant loss without visible external leaks, overtemperature warning, coolant smell after engine shutdown
The turbocharger's electronic wastegate actuator absorbs moisture (cracks in the inverter plastic housing) and short-circuits. Leads to boost pressure control failure. Affects Gen3B turbos (also within recall-related context).
Symptoms: MIL with boost pressure fault, turbo noises, P0299, power loss
Gen3B CYRB uses only direct injection without port injection. The Miller cycle changes the gas exchange dynamics; EGR gases and PCV oil mist coke intake valves from ~50,000–80,000 km. Walnut blasting every 50,000 km recommended.
Symptoms: Power loss especially in the lower rpm range, rough cold start, P2015
The crankcase ventilation membrane valve tears. Gen3B has a revised PCV system but essentially the same design as Gen3. Under boost pressure an intake leak causes misfires.
Symptoms: Whistling noise, P2279, rough idle, power loss
The CYRB's piezo injectors can develop leaks or carbon deposits after high mileage (>150,000 km). Leads to misfires and uneven running. High-quality fuel and avoiding frequent short trips reduces the risk.
Symptoms: Misfires, rough running, increased fuel consumption, single-cylinder misfire fault codes
Vehicle Weaknesses 10
Around 1.16 million vehicles with 2.0 TFSI (model years 2012–2017) were recalled. The electric auxiliary water pump can overheat, cause a short circuit and in extreme cases start a fire.
The S tronic dual-clutch gearbox tends to shudder and judder at low speeds. Clutch disc wear in city traffic is severe. A full rebuild is often necessary.
The glass rear window separates, typically starting at the lower left corner. Re-gluing does not hold permanently due to the fabric tension. New hood from €5,000.
Hydraulic lines in the spare wheel area can kink and leak. Frequently misdiagnosed as a pump fault.
Hall sensors in the roof switch F202 suffer insulation damage and cause short circuits. Fault code B11A0 stored in the control unit.
Early starter battery weakness and associated infotainment faults. MMI shows frozen screens or crashes when the on-board voltage drops.
Some A5 F5 models show steering wheel vibrations between 80 and 120 km/h. Audi addresses this as a goodwill gesture by replacing the control arms with hydraulic mounts.
Starter battery fails on early F5 models, particularly with short-trip use. Cold-start problems in winter are frequent.
Well-known fault code with the automatic headlight level adjustment. The issue occurs across all build years and has never been fully resolved by software update.
The rear window rubs the fabric when folding. Audi classes this as within the state of the art and partially rejects warranty claims.