vinkodex.

Audi A7 3.0 TDI ultra 218hp Pro Line + common faults.

2014–2018, hatchback, diesel, 218 HP.

The fault list covers: CZVB, CRTE, CTCC engine, DL501 transmission.

What you save stays on this device only. My saves

5 fault write-ups. 4 important. 10 recalls.

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

Before you buy

Known faults

4 important faults

critical1

The timing chain of the longitudinal V6 diesel runs at the back of the engine, on the gearbox side, so replacing it means taking out the engine or the gearbox. That alone makes it expensive, but the mechanism is the point: the chains stretch and the hydraulic tensioners lose their pressure. The first and only early sign is a 2 to 3 second metallic rattle audible on a cold start. If that is ignored, the chain jumps or breaks, and the engine is badly damaged inside. The same chain kit also drives the oil pump: if that seizes, the engine is left without lubrication.

What to check

  • Start it cold, in a quiet place, with the bonnet open: the rattle is audible in the first 2 to 3 seconds
  • Stand at the gearbox side of the engine: the noise comes from there, not from the front
  • Ask whether the chain and the tensioner were replaced, and ask for the invoice (it involves removing the engine)
3 more steps in the write-up

expensive3

The 7 speed wet clutch S tronic used in the longitudinal engine Audis (0B5 / DL501) is more durable than the early DSG units, but the mechatronics unit is the most common source of faults here too. As the solenoids wear, the regulation of the hydraulic pressure deteriorates: harsh or missed shifts, delayed D/R engagement, and finally limp mode.

Show the rest

Alongside that, wear of the clutch pack gives shuddering and slipping when pulling away, and the dual mass flywheel rattles at idle. All three symptoms can appear together, and the fault code alone does not tell you which one is the trigger.

What to check

  • Pull away with a cold gearbox: there should be no shuddering and no clutch slip when setting off
  • Standing still, shift between D and R and watch the engagement delay: a 1 to 2 second hesitation is suspect
  • On the test drive go slowly through every gear, then under load too: the 2 to 3 shift should be smooth
2 more steps in the write-up

The internal springs of the flywheel tire, and the two discs knock against each other. The signs are a rattling or knocking from the bellhousing at idle and when releasing the clutch pedal, and vibration through the floor. If the clutch slips without a burnt smell, that also points to the flywheel. It is worth replacing in time: a disintegrated flywheel can destroy the bellhousing too. At a clutch replacement the two go together anyway.

What to check

  • At idle, without touching the clutch pedal, listen for the rattle from the bellhousing, then press the pedal: if it stops, that is suspect
  • Watch for the characteristic clatter on starting and switching off
  • Put your foot on the floor at idle: a noticeable vibration indicates tired springs
2 more steps in the write-up

The vanes of the variable geometry turbo are glued together by soot and oil arriving through the EGR. First you get overboost or a lack of boost, then loss of power above 2,000 rpm, and finally limp mode. Caught in time it is enough to remove the turbo, clean it and fit a new actuator rod. Short urban trips and gentle, low rev driving speed up the deposits.

What to check

  • On the motorway, load it above 2,000 rpm: does it pull evenly, or does the power break up
  • Watch whether the warning light flashes up under acceleration (overboost protection)
  • Ask what kind of journeys it did: a daily short urban run is the worst
1 more steps in the write-up

comfort1

The G62 sensor tells the engine control unit how hot the coolant is. If it is faulty, the control unit thinks a warm engine is cold, and runs it rich: hard warm or cold starting, a rough idle, markedly increased fuel consumption, and a dash temperature gauge that jumps around or never reaches its usual reading. The part is cheap and can be replaced in half an hour: the trouble is that many people do not recognise it and replace an injector or a lambda sensor instead. If the fault persists, the rich mixture can destroy the catalytic converter too.

What to check

  • Warm it up and watch the dash temperature gauge: the needle should sit steadily at the middle reading, not jump around
  • Watch a cold start, then a warm start after twenty minutes standing
  • With a code reader look for the 17664 / P1256 code in the engine control unit
2 more steps in the write-up

Checklist

Audi A7 3.0 TDI ultra 218hp Pro Line +

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 recall10 recallsShow

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

A12/00615/21Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

Due manufacturing defect in the instrument panel, the deployment of the airbag could be impeded. This could impair its protective potential and could lead to plastic parts become detached when the airbag is activated, increasing the risk of injury 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

A12/00689/20Safety 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

A12/0217/19Safety recallFireno date · EU Safety Gate

The electrical connector for the auxiliary heating element may not have been fully secured during the assembly process. This could lead to increased contact resistances in the connector area. In such cases, thermal overload could arise, which can 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

A12/0333/17Safety 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

A12/0713/17Safety 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

A12/0862/19Safety 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

Engine and transmission

3 engines · 1 transmissions

CZVB · 3.0 TDI

160 kW (218 HP) · diesel

DL501 · 7-speed S tronic, longitudinal

DSG · 7 speed

Clutcholajfürdős
Torque limit550 Nm
MakerAudi

We built the code from the model and the gear count. The factory sheet does not state it. More than one engine code is possible. The fault list shows the faults of each.

Variant data

What is in this version

Factory data

Trim
ultra 218hp Pro Line +
Body
hatchback
Fuel
diesel
Transmission
automatic
Engine size
2967 cc
Power
160 kW (218 HP)
Drive
FWD
Production
2014–2018

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)
  • Fuel filter, diesel

    • 60,000 km or 2 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