Audi Engine Problems

Engine issues make up roughly 40% of all Audi owner complaints. The majority of the issues have been reported by A4 owners.

The complaint we hear about most often is oil consumption excessive in the 2012 Q5.

Common Audi Engine Problems

  1. Busted Timing Chains

    Audi's EA888 2.0-liter engine has a history of tensioner problems in its timing chain. The loose chain is to blame for multiple occurances of catastrophic engine failure. Audi was forced to offer settlement offers, including an extended war…

    Continue reading article "Busted Timing Chains" View of engine timing chain

  2. Start-Stop Defects

    There are multiple problems with Audi's start-stop technology that outweigh the modest fuel efficiency gains. Owners complain that the system will shut off the power steering and brake systems at dangerous times and cause the accelerat The …

    Continue reading article "Start-Stop Defects" A tachometer with the red arrow pointing at the 'ready' position

  3. Turbocharged Oil Sludge

    From 1997-2005, Audi 1.8-liter turbocharged engines came with a tiny 3.7 quart oil capacity. That’s simply not a lot of oil to cool down this hot engine. In 2004, following numerous sludge complaints, Audi extended the warranty on some of…

    Continue reading article "Turbocharged Oil Sludge" Oil pan covered in a thick sludge

  4. Excessive Oil Consumption

    It's normal for cars with six-figure odometer readings to burn a little oil. But recently a few automakers have been building specific engines that require a topping off of the oil reservoir in between changes. Audi tries to tell you this i…

    Continue reading article "Excessive Oil Consumption" Overhead view of engine timing chain, valves, and pistons

  5. Oil Starved Turbochargers

    The twin-turbochargers in Audi's 4.0L V8 engine can become starved of oil because of a clogged filter. This can cause strange acceleration noises, difficulty starting the engine, or sudden stalls.

    Continue reading article "Oil Starved Turbochargers" Gray RS 7 Sportback on a concrete dock near the water

Where Engine Complaints Happen

Sometimes it helps just to tally up the complaints and see where the biggest stacks are. Use this information to learn about troublespots or to run for the hills.

Worst Issues

Worst Models

  • A4

    119 complaints

  • Q5

    52 complaints

  • A6

    17 complaints

  • A5

    17 complaints

  • A3

    12 complaints

  • S4

    7 complaints

What Audi Owners Say About Their Engine

Oil Starved Turbochargers Cause Sudden Engine Stalls

Vehicle was in motion when it started shaking roughly. The car stalled and wouldn't turn back on. I had it towed home and was able to diagnose seized turbo compressors. Replaced the turbos which fixed the problem but at an enormous cost.

2013 S6 Owner in WA

Oil Starved Turbochargers Cause Sudden Engine Stalls

The turbos on the car both broke at the intermediate shaft before 75,000 miles. The car was cruising on the freeway, and the moment I slowed down to take the exit, the car lost power and shut down. I had to make an emergency stop on the side of the exit with little to no room to pull over.

2013 S6 Owner in MO

Recent Engine News

There's a lot of news out there, but not all of it matters. We try to boil down it to the most important bits about things that actually help you with your car problem. Interested in getting these stories in an email? Signup for free email alerts over at CarComplaints.com.

  2. Another Audi start-stop lawsuit has been dismissed

    after the judge ruled that the owner's manual clearly states the Start-Stop system may turn off the engine before the car comes to a complete stop. Is that all it takes to win in court? Be prepared for your next owner's manual to say "cars might catch on fire due to thermodynamics" just to cover all the bases.…

    keep reading article "A Judge Just Ruled That Audi's Start-System Operates As Intended"

  3. The A4's 4th generation runs from 2008 to 2015. Owners really love the blend of luxury, sport, and practicality, but there are a few issues that make the cars tough to recommend.

    76% of all the owner complaints about this generation are about the engine and they happen, on average, around 65,756 miles.[1] Three of these engine complaints really stand out, particularly in the 2009 to 2011 model years.…

    keep reading article "3 Engine Problems That Make it Hard to Recommend the 4th Generation Audi A4"

  6. A Virginia based lawsuit says Audi's start-stop system suffers from defects that cause delayed acceleration or lurching that can put occupants in danger.

    The plaintiffs say that Audi HQ and dealerships will just tell owners to deactivate the start-stop system if they don't like it, but the system starts up automatically each time the ignition is pressed and must be manually deactivated by pressing a separate burden. Something the case refers to as a inconvenience and mandatory burden that is not disclosed to the Class Members ar the time of the sale.…

    keep reading article "Another Audi Start-Stop Lawsuit Says the Technology Causes Dangerous Acceleration Delays"

  7. Loose seals in the A8 and S8 engine bad can come lose and start a fire, propmting a recall.


    The automaker says it only happens in "rare cases" but is that true? The problem happens when a wire helix inside the seal deforms from normal engine tempterature changes. Once that happens, the whole seal can fall off due to normal engine vibrations. Doesn't sound as rare as they say it is.…

    keep reading article "A8 and S8 Recalled to Stop Loose Seals From Starting Engine Fires"

  9. There’s an important deadline coming up for Audi owners who previously paid for repairs to their timing chain system or damaged engine from a timing chain failure, and want the automaker to pick up the tab.

    A recently approved settlement benefits thousands of owners by providing them with an extended “new vehicle limited warranty” for any future repairs, plus conditional reimbursements for any previous repairs.…

    keep reading article "Upcoming Deadline for Timing Chain Reimbursements"

  10. Audi coolant pumps have been recalled (twice!) but their replacements aren’t ready yet.

    So what’s an owner who can’t drive their car supposed to do? Wait, apparently.

    A new lawsuit wants Audi to at least pony up for free loaner vehicles. Heck, I’m guessing some owners would even take an actual pony. Anything to get to work without starting a fire!…

    keep reading article "Audi Owners Are Tired of Waiting for their Replacement Coolant Pumps"

  13. The lead plaintiff in Anzhelya Makaryan, et. al., v. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. says a design defect in Audi's start-stop system allows vehicles to rollaway.

    The rollaways happen because the start-stop system won't deactivate if the driver takes off their seat belt for any reason while the vehicle is stopped.

    To make matters worse if that the system won't work even if the driver re-buckled their seat belts.

    keep reading article "Does Audi's Start-Stop Technology Allow Vehicles to Accidentally Roll Away?"

  14. Finally! Some news about Audi that doesn't involve diesel emissions or Takata airbags.

    I mean this does involve your engine potentially catching on fire, but we have to start somewhere. From CarComplaints.com:

    "In 2015 and 2016, Audi learned of incidents involving overheating in the engine compartments, so an investigation was opened in 2016 to track down the problem. Engineers determined foreign materials and debris could block the coolant pumps, leading to overheating, smoldering and a severe risk of fire."…

    keep reading article "Audi Wants to Stop Your Engine From Catching Fire"

  15. A judge has given VW's diesel settlement preliminary approval

    , which means owners of 2-liter diesel Volkswagen and Audi vehicles are one step closer to the end of this mess.

    "Judge Charles Breyer already gave preliminary approval to the $15 billion settlement that will see about $10 billion go to U.S. car owners and about $5 billion to cover environmental damages. Now the judge says he is inclined to finalize the settlement terms by October 25, 2016, at least for the most part."…

    keep reading article "Audi 2-liter Diesel Owners One Step Closer to Settlement"

  20. A German newspaper says Volkswagen has been cheating again.

    This time using unapproved software on its 3-liter diesels. Oh, wünderbar.

    "The programs are allegedly used to shut off nitrogen oxide emissions controls after 22 minutes, about two minutes longer than the 20 minutes it takes to perform a typical emissions test. If true, emissions regulators would see normal emissions levels on test machines, then after about 22 minutes the emissions levels will shoot up."…

    keep reading article "VW Caught Cheating Again?"