KNOWN FAULTS · Audi

Audi Q5 (8R) SQ5 (3.0 TFSI V6) common problems.

2008–2017 · Petrol

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

2 known faults with sources

3.0 TFSI thermostat, water pump and PCVCooling / engine

Engine / equipment: 3.0 TFSI supercharged V6 (EA837): S4 B8, S5 8T from 2011, A6/A7 C7 3.0 TFSI, Q5 3.0 TFSI and SQ5 TFSI
Period mentioned: 2009–2018
Symptoms: Coolant loss, sweet smell, unstable temperature; misfires; some oil consumption; on some S5s, chain noise from 60,000–80,000 km.
Possible cause described: Thermostat and water pump with plastic housings that crack with age, and a crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve that Audi revised to reduce oil consumption. Chain wear is reported on 2010–2014 S5s.
Check for the garage: Look for leaks at the thermostat and water pump, read misfire codes, run an oil consumption test and listen for the chain on a cold start.
Cost cited in the source: Thermostat or water pump: a few hundred euros (estimate); chain with tensioner and guides: €2,500–4,000A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Mileage cited in the database: from 60,000 km. This is not a maintenance interval and does not predict a failure.

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.