Audi A6 2.0 TFSI common faults.

2008–2011, estate, petrol, 170 HP.

The fault list covers: BPJ engine, 01J, AL420, AL600, ZF6HP transmission.

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5 fault write-ups. All are important. 6 recalls.

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

Before you buy

Known faults

5 important faults

critical1

Multitronic (continuously variable CVT): jerking, control unit, chain

critical

The continuously variable gearbox of the longitudinal engine Audis (Multitronic) is vulnerable from both the control unit and the drive chain side. Symptoms are jerking and slipping under acceleration, delayed engagement, limp mode, and in extreme cases a total loss of drive.

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The cost of a rebuild can account for a significant part of the value of the car, and a faulty car often goes up for sale in a "it still runs, it just jerks now and then" condition. On the same model the manual or tiptronic sibling is a significantly lower risk.

What to check

Standing still on the brake, shift between D and R: an engagement taking longer than 1 to 2 seconds is suspect
Pull away gently, then on half throttle: there must be no jerking, slipping or flaring of the revs
A longer, warm test drive is mandatory: the fault typically appears once warmed up

2 more steps in the write-up

expensive4

Four link aluminium front suspension: bushes and ball joints

expensive

The front suspension of the longitudinal engine Audis (and the Seat Exeo derived from them) works with four control arms per side: two above, two below. That gives excellent steering when new, but it also means four ball joints and eight bushes per side: sixteen wear points at the front in total.

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The first complaints appear at around 100,000 to 120,000 km: knocking over bumps, squeaking, vague steering, vibration through the wheel at higher speed, and uneven tyre wear from the disturbed suspension geometry.

Replacing a single arm is not expensive, but it rarely stops at one, and the work also needs a wheel alignment afterwards. Workshops therefore offer a full arm kit, which is a serious item, and an excellent bargaining point, because you can hear it on the test drive and see it on the tyres.

between 100,000 and 120,000 km

What to check

On an uneven road at 30 to 50 km/h listen for dull knocking and squeaking from the front
Standing still with the engine running, turn the wheel back and forth: there should be no clicking or rattling
Look at the inner and outer edges of all four tyres: uneven wear is the surest sign

2 more steps in the write-up

Air suspension: compressor, air spring, ride height sensor

expensive

The four groups of parts in the air suspension (compressor, valve block, ride height sensors, air springs) work together, and any weak link causes a fault message, an uneven ride height or a car that settles. The characteristic symptom: the car sits down on one corner overnight, levels itself for minutes in the morning, and the compressor runs long and loud. According to the reports the compressor lasts 80,000 to 100,000 km; and a leaking air spring takes the compressor with it, because it keeps trying to make up the loss.

What to check

Look at the car cold, after standing a long time: has it settled on any corner
After startup time how long it takes to level, and listen to the compressor
Cycle through the ride height settings in the onboard menu and check that all of them work

3 more steps in the write-up

EA888 (1.8 / 2.0 TSI): water pump and thermostat housing leak

expensive

The combined housing of the water pump and the thermostat is plastic, and it is bolted directly to the hot engine block. The many heat and cool cycles warp it, it becomes brittle, and then it develops a hairline crack: the fault is almost always the housing, not the pump itself. The signs are slowly disappearing coolant with no visible puddle, the coolant level light, a sweet smell from the engine bay, and later a pink stain under the car. The repair means replacing the pump and the housing together, and the intake manifold has to come off for it: 4 to 6 hours of work. It shows up on model years 2015 to 2025.

What to check

Check the level in the expansion tank, and ask whether it needs topping up
With a cold engine, smell the engine bay: a sweet smell means a coolant leak
Shine a light under the intake manifold, on the right side of the engine: dried or pinkish deposits

2 more steps in the write-up

FSI direct injection: intake valve coking

expensive

With direct injection the fuel does not wash the intake valves: the petrol goes into the cylinder, not behind the valve. The oil mist and soot arriving through the EGR and the crankcase ventilation therefore build up on the valve stem and head, and from 80,000 to 100,000 km they restrict the flow. Symptoms are hesitation, loss of power, a rough cold start and misfire. It is not a part failure: it is a consequence of the design, and therefore it comes back. Cleaning (walnut or dry ice blasting) helps for a few tens of thousands of kilometres.

What to check

After a cold start watch the idle: rough running and shaking point to coked valves
Under load at low revs watch for hesitation
With a code reader look for per cylinder misfire (P0300 to P0304)

1 more steps in the write-up

Official recall6 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

A12/00788/23Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

The airbag may deteriorate over time and if deployed, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator body to burst and metal fragments could pass through the cushion material causing injury to occupants. 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.