Infotainment / sensor glitches (software)
usually 0–150,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Reboots, camera or sensor faults
Fix: Software update at the dealer
€0–200
Common faults, service intervals and costs
Audi A4 (B9)
2015–2024
5
engines covered
20
known faults
102,235
roadworthiness tests in the statistics
17
official recalls
Enter your VIN and mileage and get a plan built for your exact engine and gearbox.
The Audi A4 (B9) was built from 2015 to 2024.
For this generation we cover 5 engines and 20 known faults, each with the mileage range where it usually appears.
The most expensive known risk is Timing chain wear: it usually appears at 150,000–250,000 km and costs €3,000–5,000 to fix.
In UK roadworthiness tests in 2024, at 50–100 thousand km this model most often failed on: tyres and wheels (7.1 %), suspension (4.5 %), lights, wipers and visibility (2.9 %). It fails more often than an average car of the same age and mileage on: suspension. It fails less often than average on: brakes, lights, wipers and visibility, exhaust, emissions and leaks.
Engines
| Engine | Fuel | Timing drive | Oil |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.4 / 1.6 / 2.0 TDI (EA288) | Diesel | Belt · 210,000 km / every 120 mo | 0W-30 / 5W-30 · VW 507.00 · ~4.3–4.6 L · every 15,000 km |
| 1.0 / 1.2 / 1.4 / 1.5 TSI (EA211) | Petrol | Belt · 210,000 km / every 120 mo | 5W-30 / 0W-20 · VW 504.00 / 508.00 · ~4.0 L · every 15,000 km |
| 1.8 / 2.0 TSI / TFSI (EA888) | Petrol | Chain | 5W-30 / 5W-40 · VW 504.00 / 502.00 · ~4.6–5.7 L · every 15,000 km |
| 2.7 / 3.0 TDI V6 | Diesel | Chain | 5W-30 · VW 507.00 · ~6.0–8.0 L · every 15,000 km |
| 3.0 TFSI V6 supercharged (Audi EA837) | Petrol | Chain | 5W-30 · VW 504.00 · ~6.8 L · every 15,000 km |
Faults typical of this model
Front strut top mounts
usually 80,000–160,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Creak or knock when steering
Fix: Replace top mounts
€100–250
Faults by engine
1.4 / 1.6 / 2.0 TDI (EA288)
EGR cooler leak or clogging
usually 120,000–200,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Coolant loss without visible leak, EGR codes
Fix: Replace EGR cooler
€600–1,200
DPF clogging
usually 120,000–200,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: DPF light, regeneration every few days
Fix: Longer motorway drives, cleaning or replacement
€150–1,500
Water pump leak
usually 140,000–200,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Coolant smell, pink crust near the pump
Fix: Replace, ideally with the timing belt
€250–450
1.0 / 1.2 / 1.4 / 1.5 TSI (EA211)
Thermostat / water pump housing leak
usually 60,000–140,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Coolant level dropping, sweet smell
Fix: Replace plastic housing assembly
€250–500
Turbo wastegate actuator rattle
usually 80,000–160,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Rattle on light throttle, underboost code
Fix: Adjust or replace actuator
€200–600
1.5 TSI cold-start hesitation
usually 10,000–80,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Jerks when cold (2017–2019 builds)
Fix: Dealer software update
€0–150
1.8 / 2.0 TSI / TFSI (EA888)
Water pump / thermostat housing leak
usually 70,000–140,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Coolant loss, overheating warning
Fix: Replace the pump + thermostat module
€400–800
PCV valve failure
usually 60,000–120,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Whistle at idle, lean codes, oil leaks
Fix: Replace PCV / oil separator
€100–250
Carbon build-up on intake valves
usually 100,000–180,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Rough idle, misfires (direct injection)
Fix: Walnut blasting
€300–600
Timing chain tensioner (pre-2013)
usually 80,000–160,000 km · High risk
Signs: Rattle on start; early engines only
Fix: Upgraded tensioner and chain
€1,000–2,000
2.7 / 3.0 TDI V6
Timing chain wear
usually 150,000–250,000 km · High risk
Signs: Rattle at rear of engine
Fix: Replace chains (gearbox off)
€3,000–5,000
EGR / DPF
usually 120,000–200,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Limp mode
Fix: Clean or replace
€400–1,800
3.0 TFSI V6 supercharged (Audi EA837)
Water pump and thermostat leak (3.0 TFSI)
usually 60,000–140,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Coolant loss, overheating warning, coolant pooling in the engine valley
Fix: Replace the water pump and thermostat (they sit under the supercharger)
€600–1,400
Oil separator (PCV) failure
usually 80,000–160,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Whistling, rough idle, rising oil consumption
Fix: Replace the oil separator
€300–800
Carbon build-up on intake valves
usually 100,000–180,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Rough idle, misfires (direct injection)
Fix: Walnut blasting
€300–600
Gearboxes
Manual
Clutch wear
usually 120,000–200,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Slipping, high bite point
Fix: Replace clutch kit
€500–900
Dual-mass flywheel
usually 150,000–220,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Rattle at idle, vibration pulling away
Fix: Replace with clutch
€700–1,400
DSG / S tronic (wet clutch: DQ250 / DQ381 / DL501)
DCT mechatronic / solenoids
usually 120,000–220,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Harsh shifts
Fix: Repair; keep oil changes at 60,000 km
€800–2,000
Automatic (Aisin / ZF Tiptronic)
Torque converter / valve body
usually 150,000–250,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Delayed or harsh shifts
Fix: Fluid service, repair
€300–2,500
Scheduled service
Intervals and typical prices for the 1.4 / 1.6 / 2.0 TDI (EA288) engine. Other engines differ in oil, timing drive and some filters; the app gives the exact plan.
| Item | Interval | Typical price |
|---|---|---|
| DPF health check (soot / ash load)Emissions | every 20,000 km | €0–60 |
| Engine oil + oil filterEngine | every 15,000 km or every 12 months | €70–150 |
| Cabin (pollen) filterClimate | every 15,000 km or every 12 months | €15–40 |
| Brake fluidBrakes | every 24 months | €50–95 |
| A/C service (regas + desiccant)Climate | every 24 months | €70–150 |
| Air filterEngine | every 30,000 km or every 24 months | €15–45 |
| Fuel filterFuel | every 30,000 km or every 24 months | €40–110 |
| Glow plugsEngine | every 100,000 km | €120–300 |
| Timing belt kit + water pumpEngine | every 210,000 km or every 120 months | €450–900 |
| Auxiliary (serpentine) beltEngine | every 120,000 km | €70–180 |
| Coolant replacementCooling | every 150,000 km or every 96 months | €70–150 |
| Manual gearbox oilTransmission | every 150,000 km | €60–130 |
| Front brake padsBrakes | usually at 30,000–60,000 km | €60–150 |
| Front brake discs + padsBrakes | usually at 60,000–120,000 km | €150–320 |
| Rear brake padsBrakes | usually at 50,000–90,000 km | €50–130 |
| Tyres (set of 4)Wheels | usually at 40,000–60,000 km | €320–700 |
| Wiper bladesBody | checked at service | €20–50 |
| 12V batteryElectrical | checked at service | €100–220 |
Roadworthiness tests by mileage
Share of tests in the United Kingdom (DVSA MOT, 2024) that this model failed because of each system. Bold red means more often and green less often than an average car of the same age and mileage. Sample: 102,235 tests.
| thousand km | 0–50 | 50–100 | 100–150 | 150–200 | 200–250 | 250+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 0.6 % | 1.8 % | 2.6 % | 3.2 % | 3.3 % | 4.6 % |
| Suspension | 1.6 % | 4.5 % | 7.0 % | 7.9 % | 8.5 % | 8.2 % |
| Steering | 0.0 % | 0.0 % | 0.1 % | 0.1 % | 0.2 % | 0.4 % |
| Tyres and wheels | 6.1 % | 7.1 % | 7.9 % | 8.9 % | 9.1 % | 9.3 % |
| Lights, wipers and visibility | 2.0 % | 2.9 % | 4.9 % | 6.7 % | 7.4 % | 8.9 % |
| Body and corrosion | 0.1 % | 0.4 % | 1.5 % | 2.5 % | 3.0 % | 4.0 % |
| Exhaust, emissions and leaks | 0.4 % | 0.7 % | 2.0 % | 3.1 % | 4.6 % | 5.4 % |
Owner complaints in the US
Which systems owners reported to the US agency NHTSA and at what mileage. Complaints are not confirmed faults and some relate to recalls. Sample: 100 complaints.
Official recalls
Recalls the manufacturer published in the United Kingdom for this model (17). The same recalls usually apply across Europe. Ask an authorised dealer to check by VIN whether your car is affected and whether the work has been done.
- Suspension / axles Following a previous campaign the toe and/or camber values on the rear axle may in certain circumstances incorrectly be changed without this being noticed14/02/2022 · R/2022/036
- Suspension / axles Rear axle suspension links nuts do not meet specifications25/06/2021 · R/2021/236
- Steering Vehicles may have been fitted with a hinged towing bracket on which the locking mechanism in the hinge module could be faulty07/06/2021 · R/2021/204
- Seats Seat frame may not be bolted correctly to the rail on the driver and passenger sides26/10/2020 · R/2020/302
- Electronics / software Moisture may enter the belt driven starter-alternator02/10/2020 · R/2020/265
- Electronics / software Moisture may enter the belt-driven starter-alternator30/06/2020 · R/2020/138
- Steering The locking mechanism in the hinged towing bracket could be faulty03/06/2019 · R/2019/175
- Suspension / axles An error in the casting process may affect the rigidity of the shock absorber fork09/05/2019 · R/2019/149
The other recalls (9) are listed in the app.
Other generations
Audi A1 (8X) 2010–2018Audi A1 (GB) 2018–Audi A3 (8L) 1996–2003Audi A3 (8P) 2003–2012Audi A3 (8V) 2012–2020Audi A3 (8Y) 2020–Audi A4 (B6) 2000–2004Audi A4 (B7) 2004–2008Audi A4 (B8) 2007–2015Audi A5 (8T) 2007–2016Audi A5 (F5) 2016–2024Audi A6 (C5) 1997–2004Audi A6 (C6) 2004–2011Audi A6 (C7) 2011–2018Audi A6 (C8) 2018–Audi A7 (4G) 2010–2018
Sources and notes
Faults, intervals and prices are indicative and collected from public sources and owner experience; always rely on the service book and a qualified workshop. Test statistics: DVSA – Anonymised MOT tests and results, Open Government Licence v3.0. Owner complaints: NHTSA ODI (public domain). Recalls: DVSA Vehicle Safety Branch Recalls Database, OGL v3.0. Brand and model names are trademarks of their owners and are used only to describe the vehicles.
Updated 07/10/2026