Audi A5
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
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.
Early starter battery weakness and associated infotainment faults. MMI shows frozen screens or crashes when the on-board voltage drops.
On some A5 F5 Sportback and Coupe models water enters the boot. The cause is an inadequate seal in the area of the tailgate aperture.
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.
Reports & Tests
102 owner complaints filed with NHTSA (2016–2023). Most reported: Electrical (48), Other (29), Backup Camera/Sensors (17).