KNOWN FAULTS · Audi

Audi Q5 (8R) 2.0 TFSI (2008–2012, EA888 gen 2) common problems.

2008–2017 · Petrol

Sources are not verified in real time and no entry confirms that your car is affected.

5 known faults with sources

Excessive oil consumption (piston rings)Engine

Engine / equipment: 1.8 / 2.0 TSI-TFSI EA888, 2nd generation
Period mentioned: Approx. 2009–2015
Symptoms: Very high oil consumption (over 1 litre per 1,000 km), low oil warning, bluish smoke, oil-fouled spark plugs.
Possible cause described: Piston rings that are too thin carbon up and lose tension, letting oil into the combustion chamber. The crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve can also contribute.
Check for the garage: Controlled oil consumption test over 1,000 km, compression or leak-down test and a PCV valve check.
Cost cited in the source: €3,000–5,000 (new pistons and rings)A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Timing chain tensionerValve timing

Engine / equipment: 1.8 / 2.0 TSI-TFSI EA888, 1st and 2nd generation
Period mentioned: Approx. 2008–2015
Symptoms: Metallic rattle for a few seconds on a cold start, engine light for camshaft/crankshaft correlation; in the worst case the engine won't start after a loud noise.
Possible cause described: The hydraulic chain tensioner (old design) loses pressure on cold starts, the chain goes slack and can jump teeth, causing valves to hit pistons.
Check for the garage: An inspection plug on the lower timing cover shows the tensioner position. Listen to a cold start.
Cost cited in the source: €1,500–4,000 (chain, guides and tensioner)A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Applies if: Only if fitted with the air conditioning system described.

A/C not cooling: N280 valveClimate control

Engine / equipment: Air conditioning with clutchless compressor and N280 regulating valve (combustion VW, Audi, Seat, Cupra and Skoda from 2006)
Period mentioned: 2006–2026
Symptoms: The air does not cool or cools intermittently (for example only at motorway speed), and sometimes the compressor rattles with the A/C on. Codes 01232 (N280 valve), P2612 or 00898.
Possible cause described: The compressor regulates its output with the N280 solenoid valve, its most common failure point. Audi issued technical bulletins over a manufacturing fault in this valve on Sanden compressors. Its connector can also become brittle and corrode (especially without the engine undertray), or the wiring fails.
Check for the garage: Read the codes and N280 control current with VCDS or ODIS, measure its resistance (about 10 ohms) and check the connector and wiring before replacing parts. If the valve or compressor is replaced, the whole circuit must be flushed.
Cost cited in the source: N280 valve: a cheap part (about 30 dollars) where sold separately; new compressor with circuit flush: considerably moreA rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Applies if: Model years 2012–2014 (US bulletin).

Coolant loss from valves N82, N509 or N488, with coolant entering the wiring harnessCooling

Engine / equipment: 2.0 TFSI in the Audi A4 (B8), A5 (8T), Q5 (8R) and A6 (C7)
Period mentioned: 2012–2014
Symptoms: Engine warning light, coolant level warning, a heater that barely warms, a higher than normal temperature and limp mode; sometimes also automatic gearbox faults.
Possible cause described: One of the coolant control valves (N82, N509 or N488) leaks, and the coolant enters the wiring harness through its connector and reaches several control units; codes P275300 or P275500 may appear in the gearbox. Audi describes it in bulletin 01 15 31 (July 2015).
Check for the garage: With a high temperature, stop and do not drive on; do not open the reservoir when hot. At the garage, have them check the coolant valves and their connectors, and whether fluid has entered the harness, before replacing control units.
Cost cited in the source: No verified estimate; ask the garage for a quote.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Applies if: Only with 75 mm hydraulic bushings.

Front knocking over bumps in hot weather caused by the guide link hydraulic bushingsSuspension and steering

Engine / equipment: A4 (B8), A5 (8T) and Q5 (8R) with 75 mm hydraulic bushings
Period mentioned: 2008–2014
Symptoms: Front knocking or rattling over bumps with the car warm and hot outside, especially when braking at the same time; in the cold it is not heard.
Possible cause described: Heat makes the front guide links' hydraulic bushings noisy (only the 75 mm ones). Audi describes it in bulletin 40 14 39 (February 2014) as a comfort issue that does not affect the car's handling.
Check for the garage: Note whether it only happens in hot weather and when braking over bumps. At the garage, have them check the front guide links' hydraulic bushings before replacing shock absorbers or ball joints.
Cost cited in the source: No verified estimate; ask the garage for a quote.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.