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Audi A4 1.4 TFSI Lease Edition common faults.

2015–2019, estate, petrol, 150 HP.

The fault list covers: CVNA engine, DL382 transmission.

What you save stays on this device only. My saves

5 fault write-ups. 3 important. 16 recalls.

If you know the year, pick it. Faults for other years drop out of the list.

Before you buy

Known faults

3 important faults

critical1

After standing for a longer period, on a cold start you hear a rattling, knocking noise from the timing chain for a few seconds. The cause is oil pressure draining away overnight: the chain tensioner can only tension properly once the oil pressure has built up. A slack chain causes misfires and loss of power, and if it jumps a tooth the engine is badly damaged.

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It shows up on early (2016 to 2017) A4 B9 cars and on the A5 F5 2.0 TFSI alike: the same engine, the same platform.

The test drive does not show this, because a warmed up engine is quiet. The only reliable check is starting the cold, standing car: that is why you have to insist that the seller does not warm it up beforehand.

What to check

  • Insist on a cold start: the car should stand at least one night, and the seller must not start it before you arrive
  • At the moment of starting, stand next to the engine bay and watch the first 2 to 3 seconds
  • Rattling or metallic clatter from the timing side calls for immediate expert inspection
2 more steps in the write-up

expensive2

The most common source of faults on the longitudinal 7 speed S tronic that replaced the DL501 (0CJ / 0CK / 0CL) is the mechatronics unit as well. Typical faults are the input or turbine speed sensor (which makes the shifting unpredictable), clutch slip under load, and abnormal operation of the park lock.

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Servicing is a separate trap: because of the way the gearbox is built, this type uses up to three separate oil chambers and three filters. An incomplete oil change looks done at a glance, but the effect is missing.

between 60,000 and 100,000 km

What to check

  • Standing still, shift between D and R and watch the engagement: binding, a jolt or a delay is suspect
  • A jolt on the 1 to 2 shift is the most common early sign; try it cold and warm
  • Under load (a slope, an overtake) watch for the revs flaring, looking for clutch slip
2 more steps in the write-up

In the EA211 the water pump and the thermostat are one plastic module, and the pump is driven not by the timing belt but by a separate toothed belt behind the exhaust camshaft. There are usually two problems with it: the plastic housing warps or cracks (slow coolant loss, a sweet smell, rising temperature), or the drive belt ages (a chirping noise, then an engine left with no cooling). The housing is particularly sensitive if oil reaches it: for example from a leaking crankcase ventilation. The module has to be replaced whole: dismantling it warps it in itself.

What to check

  • Check the level in the expansion tank, and ask whether it needs topping up
  • After a cold start smell the engine bay: a sweet smell means coolant
  • Look for dried, whitish pink deposits on the exhaust side of the cylinder head
2 more steps in the write-up

comfort1

On the infotainment of the B9 platform (A4 B9, A5 F5, Q5 FY) the most common complaint is a black screen, a unit that restarts on its own, and a boot that stops partway. A significant part of these are software in origin, not a hardware fault: an update installed at a franchised dealer resolves it.

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The buttons of the control interface form a separate branch: a control panel damaged by water ingress or a spilled drink does not respond, and that is a parts replacement. On early cars small electrical faults are common too: intermittent dropouts of the central locking, the parking sensors and the phone connection.

What to check

  • After switching the ignition on, wait for the full boot: a screen that stops or stays black is a clear sign
  • Press every button on the central control panel and turn the rotary knob: all of them must respond
  • Try the reversing camera, the audio system and phone pairing too
2 more steps in the write-up

cheap repair1

The per cylinder ignition coil of these direct injection, turbocharged petrol engines fails. According to the Haynes service material this and similar simple electrical faults account for roughly eighty per cent of workshop visits.

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In cold, damp weather, on startup, the engine runs unevenly, misfires under acceleration, and the engine warning light flashes or stays on. Do not keep driving with the light flashing: the unburnt fuel destroys the catalytic converter.

What to check

  • Start with a cold engine and watch the first half minute: a rough idle or shaking is suspect
  • On the test drive load the engine at low revs with a lot of throttle: the misfire shows then
  • A flashing engine warning light calls for stopping immediately
2 more steps in the write-up

Checklist

Audi A4 1.4 TFSI Lease Edition

First what you would check on any car. Then the faults of this model.

Before you buy

Checklist

The printed sheet starts with what you would check on any car. What you tick stays on this device only.

On every car

Ask the owner

vinkodex.com · Before you buy it, see what can go wrong.

Official recall16 recallsShow

The manufacturer fixes these for free at a franchised dealer. Ask with the VIN whether it was done.

Most recent: 23 April 2021

A12/01220/21Safety recallEnvironment23 April 2021 · EU Safety Gate

The vehicles are equipped with control software regarded as unauthorised by the competent authorities. The product does not comply with the requirements laid down in the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Importer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: 23/04/2021

We could not check this: model year. The authority's notice

A12/00504/22Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

Alteration of the rear axle’s toe and/or camber values lead to increased and uneven wear on the rear tyres, and if worn down to its carcass may suffer a sudden loss of pressure. This can lead to loss of traction and may affect vehicle handling, increasing the risk of an accident. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

We could not check this: model year. The authority's notice

A12/00689/20Safety recallFireno date · EU Safety Gate

Moisture can penetrate into the belt starter generator. This can result in a short circuit, leading to local overheating and increased risk of fire. Due to the permanent power supply of the starter generator, this can occur when the vehicle has already been parked for a while.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

We could not check this: model year. The authority's notice

A12/00752/21Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

The vehicles may be fitted with a towbar with a swivel mechanism that may have a defective locking pin. As a result, the pin could break while driving, increasing the risk of an accident.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

We could not check this: model year. The authority's notice

A12/01401/20Safety recallFireno date · EU Safety Gate

Moisture can ingress into the belt starter generator, generating short-circuits. This can lead to local overheating of the component, increasing risk of fire.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

We could not check this: model year. The authority's notice

A12/0226/19Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

The screw fitting the passenger airbag module to the instrument panel may not have been correctly tightened. This could have an impact on the inflation of the airbag and thus the protection of the occupant.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

We could not check this: model year. The authority's notice

A12/0333/17Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

Differences in the mixture ratio for the initiating devices for the airbags or seat-belt pre-tensioners could lead to the airbags or seat-belt pre-tensioners not activating in the event of an accident.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

We could not check this: model year. The authority's notice

A12/0382/19Safety recallFireno date · EU Safety Gate

In certain vehicles, fuel can leak onto the engine fuel rail. Fuel leakage close to a source of ignition may increase the risk of the vehicle catching fire.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

We could not check this: model year. The authority's notice

A12/0650/18Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

The adhesive attaching the windscreen is not sufficiently secure. In the event of an accident, the protective effect of the passenger airbag could be compromised.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

We could not check this: model year. The authority's notice

A12/0713/17Safety recallFireno date · EU Safety Gate

The additional coolant pump can block due to foreign particles in the cooling system. This can result in the pump overheating which could lead to a fire.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

We could not check this: model year. The authority's notice

A12/0718/18Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

Decorative aluminium strips on the lower part of the front or rear door trims may become partly detached. The sharp ends of the strips could cause injuries.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

We could not check this: model year. The authority's notice

A12/0862/19Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

The locking mechanism in the articulated trailer hitch may be defective. Consequently, the trailer hitch might not be correctly locked and could swing out, causing the trailer to drop while the vehicle is in motion.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

We could not check this: model year. The authority's notice

A12/0942/18Safety recallFireno date · EU Safety Gate

The auxiliary coolant pump may seize up. This could lead to the pump overheating after the engine has been switched off with the risk that the vehicle could catch fire.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

We could not check this: model year. The authority's notice

A12/0973/19Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

A component of the wheel suspension may not be sufficiently strong and could break. As a result, the tyre could be pressed against the wheel arch, potentially causing an accident.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

We could not check this: model year. The authority's notice

A12/1516/19Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

A damaged transistor may have been installed in the airbag control unit. Consequently, it may not properly make contact leading to the passenger airbag not to be triggered in the event of an accident, increasing the risk of injuries.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

We could not check this: model year. The authority's notice

INFO/00138/21Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

The nuts on the eccentric bolt of the rear-axle spring-link control arm may break due to stress corrosion. As a result, the rear axle could move in the wrong direction, in an uncontrollable manner at high speeds.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

We could not check this: model year. The authority's notice

Engine and transmission

CVNA · 1.4 TFSI

110 kW (150 HP) · petrol

DL382 · 7-speed S tronic, longitudinal

DSG · 7 speed

Clutcholajfürdős
Torque limit400 Nm
MakerAudi

We built the code from the model and the gear count. The factory sheet does not state it.

Variant data

What is in this version

Factory data

Trim
Lease Edition
Body
estate
Fuel
petrol
Transmission
automatic
Engine size
1395 cc
Power
110 kW (150 HP)
Drive
FWD
Production
2015–2019

Factory service interval

The manufacturer specifies this for this version. Of the mileage and the time, the one that comes first is the one that counts.

  • Air filter

    • 60,000 km or 4 years
  • Cabin (pollen) filter

    • 30,000 km or 2 years
  • Engine oil and oil filter

    • LongLife30,000 km or 2 years(valid only with LongLife-approved oil)
    • 15,000 km or 1 year
  • Brake fluid change

    • first: 3 years, then 2 years(first change at 3 years, then every two years)
  • DSG oil change, WET clutch gearbox

    • 60,000 km or 4 years
  • Coolant (antifreeze) change

    • first: 193,000 km or 10 years, then 97,000 km or 5 years(G13 / G12++: first change at 120,000 miles or 10 years, then every 60,000 miles or 5 years)
  • Spark plugs, petrol

    • 60,000 km or 6 years

Information, not an expert opinion

We write the descriptions, and we put the source next to them. A person reviews them before they go out. They are still information, not a technical expert opinion.

  • A fault on the list does not mean the car you are looking at has it.
  • A fault missing from the list does not mean the model is fault-free. Write-ups are made model by model. Not all of them are done.
  • You decide whether to buy. This is no substitute for an inspection. That needs a workshop and a history check.
Details in the terms