This app is in testing and development. The information is indicative and may be inaccurate, so check it with a workshop.
VIN Service Planner
Faults and service for this model with this engine

Audi A5 (8T) 1.8 / 2.0 TSI / TFSI (EA888)

Petrol · 2007–2016

8
known faults
2
Faults typical of this model
25.9 %
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Enter your VIN and mileage and get a plan built for your exact engine and gearbox.

All about the Audi A5 (8T)All about the 1.8 / 2.0 TSI / TFSI (EA888) engine

The 1.8 / 2.0 TSI / TFSI (EA888) engine was fitted to the Audi A5 (8T) (2007–2016). In the EU that is 25.9 % of all new cars of this generation.

Versions: 2.0, 1.8 170 hp.

The most expensive known risk is turbo wastegate actuator wear (boost faults, limp mode): it usually appears at 80,000–200,000 km and costs €300–1,800 to fix.

Engine faults ✓ Checked against sources (10/2026)

✓ The faults of this engine were checked against sources (10/2026). Each item has at least two independent sources or an official recall or parts-maker technical note.

High oil consumption: piston rings (Gen 2, 2008–2013)

usually 40,000–150,000 km · High risk
model years 2008–2013 onlyengine codes: CDAA, CDAB, CDHA, CDHB, CCZA, CCZB

Signs: 1 L or more per 1,000 km, blue smoke, oily spark plugs; running low on oil can damage the chain and bearings

Fix: Rule out PCV and turbo first, then a measured consumption test; fit revised pistons and rings and renew the timing chain and tensioner at the same time

€2,000–5,000

Timing chain tensioner (old type) lets the chain jump (Gen 1/2)

usually 60,000–200,000 km · High risk
model years 2007–2015 onlyengine codes: BYT, BZB, CABA, CABB, CABD, CAWA

Signs: Rattle for a few seconds after a cold start, codes P0016 / P0017; a chain that jumps bends the valves

Fix: Check chain stretch in live data; fit the revised tensioner 06K109467K and, if the chain is stretched, the chain, guides and gears as a set

€600–1,500

Oil pressure loss: balance shaft / oil pump drive (Gen 1/2)

usually 100,000–250,000 km · High risk
model years 2007–2015 onlyengine codes: BYT, BZB, CABA, CABB, CABD, CAWA

Signs: Oil pressure warning at various revs, rattle from the lower front of the engine

Fix: Stop the engine; measure oil pressure, check the oil pickup screen, the lower chain with its tensioner and guide, and the balance shafts; replace as a set

€800–2,500

Coolant pump / thermostat housing leak (plastic)

usually 60,000–160,000 km · Medium risk

Signs: Coolant loss, coolant smell, fluctuating temperature gauge, slow warm-up or overheating warning

Fix: Find the leak with UV dye or a pressure test; replace the pump and thermostat module as one unit

€350–900

Carbon build-up on intake valves (Gen 1/2, direct injection only)

usually 80,000–180,000 km · Medium risk
model years 2007–2015 onlyengine codes: BYT, BZB, CABA, CABB, CABD, CAWA

Signs: Rough idle, misfires when cold, power loss, higher fuel use

Fix: Inspect the valves with an endoscope; clean the intake ports (walnut blasting or by hand)

€300–700

Intake manifold flap actuator or linkage (P2015, Gen 1/2)

usually 80,000–180,000 km · Medium risk
model years 2007–2015 onlyengine codes: BYT, BZB, CABA, CABB, CABD, CAWA

Signs: Engine light with P2015, rough idle, whistling (vacuum leak) if the linkage pops off

Fix: Check the linkage and stops and clean off carbon; replace the intake manifold (latest version) and adapt the flaps

€200–900

Crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve: torn membrane

usually 60,000–150,000 km · Wear part

Signs: Whistle or hiss at idle, rough idle, lean codes (P0171), higher oil use, oil leaks at seals

Fix: Check fuel trims in live data; replace the PCV valve / oil separator

€100–350

Turbo wastegate actuator wear (boost faults, limp mode)

usually 80,000–200,000 km · Medium risk

Signs: Power loss, boost pressure codes (e.g. P0299), limp mode

Fix: Compare set and actual boost in live data to rule out leaks; repair or replace the actuator, or the turbo if the wastegate itself is worn

€300–1,800

Faults typical of this model

Front multi-link control arms

usually 80,000–160,000 km · Medium risk

Signs: Knocking, vague steering, uneven tyre wear

Fix: Replace the arm kit (8 arms)

€300–700

Instrument cluster / display pixels

usually 120,000–250,000 km · Wear part

Signs: Missing pixels in the display

Fix: Repair the cluster

€150–350

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

Multitronic CVT (01J / 0AW)

Multitronic chain / clutch pack / control unit

usually 100,000–200,000 km · High risk

Signs: Judder pulling away, jerks, 'gearbox fault' limp mode

Fix: Fluid every 60,000 km; repair or exchange

€1,500–4,000

DSG / S tronic (wet clutch: DQ250 / DQ381 / DL501)

Wet DSG mechatronic / control unit failure

usually 80,000–220,000 km · High risk

Signs: Gearbox warning, odd or even gears (1-3-5 or 2-4-R) drop out, delayed or wrong shifts, limp mode or no drive

Fix: Diagnose with a dealer-level tester; repair the control unit / solenoids or fit a reconditioned mechatronic unit, change the oil and filter and run the adaptations

€800–2,500

DQ381 jerky low-speed downshifts and delayed take-off

usually 20,000–240,000 km · Wear part
model years 2016–2027 only

Signs: Knock or jerk when shifting down into 3rd or 2nd in traffic, a pause of 1-3 seconds before the car pulls away

Fix: Ask the dealer for the latest gearbox software, change the oil and filter and reset the adaptations; if it persists, have the mechatronic checked

€0–400

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

Service plan for this engine

Typical routine maintenance cost for 100,000 km: €2,200–4,950. Sum of the services and wear parts in the plan above (about 15,000 km a year, independent workshop), without faults.

Intervals and typical prices for the Audi A5 (8T) with the 1.8 / 2.0 TSI / TFSI (EA888) engine. The app gives the exact plan for your mileage.

ItemIntervalTypical price
Engine oil + oil filterEngineevery 15,000 km or every 12 months€70–150
Cabin (pollen) filterClimateevery 15,000 km or every 12 months€15–40
Brake fluidBrakesevery 24 months€50–95
A/C service (regas + desiccant)Climateevery 24 months€70–150
Air filterEngineevery 30,000 km or every 24 months€15–45
Spark plugsIgnitionevery 60,000 km or every 48 months€50–160
Auxiliary (serpentine) beltEngineevery 120,000 km€70–180
Coolant replacementCoolingevery 150,000 km or every 96 months€70–150
Timing chain inspection (listen on cold start)Engineevery 150,000 km€0–120
Manual gearbox oilTransmissionevery 150,000 km€60–130
Front brake padsBrakesusually at 30,000–60,000 km€60–150
Front brake discs + padsBrakesusually at 60,000–120,000 km€150–320
Rear brake padsBrakesusually at 50,000–90,000 km€50–130
Tyres (set of 4)Wheelsusually at 40,000–60,000 km€320–700
Wiper bladesBodychecked at service€20–50
12V batteryElectricalchecked at service€100–220

Versions of this engine in the Audi A5 (8T)

VersionShareYearsCO₂Fuel use
2.0 Petrol1,984 cm³8.0 %2010–2015——
1.8 Petrol1,798 cm³ · 125 kW (170 hp)6.9 %2011–2015——

Source: European Environment Agency (EEA), monitoring of CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars, CC BY 4.0. CO₂ and fuel use are official type-approval values (WLTP from 2021), not real-world consumption.

Official recalls

Recalls the manufacturer published in the United Kingdom for this model (13). 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.

  • Airbag Stop-drive TAKATA PSAN08/08/2025 · R/2025/387
  • Airbag Replacing TAKATA passenger airbag gas generator06/02/2023 · R/2023/052
  • 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
  • Steering The locking mechanism in the hinged towing bracket could be faulty03/06/2019 · R/2019/175
  • Fuel system Fuel may escape from one or both fuel rails18/03/2019 · R/2019/099
  • Fire risk Risk of overheating and failure of additional coolant pump11/06/2018 · R/2018/152
  • Doors / locks / lids Aluminium trim may partly detach from loudspeaker trim in doors and cause injury to occupants30/04/2018 · R/2018/086
  • Fire risk Auxilliary heater element in air conditioning may fail and/or overheat19/02/2018 · R/2018/051

Common questions

What are the biggest risks of the Audi A5 (8T) with the 1.8 / 2.0 TSI / TFSI (EA888) engine?

The faults with the highest risk: turbo wastegate actuator wear (boost faults, limp mode) (80,000–200,000 km, €300–1,800); coolant pump / thermostat housing leak (plastic) (60,000–160,000 km, €350–900); front multi-link control arms (80,000–160,000 km, €300–700).

Does the Audi A5 (8T) 1.8 / 2.0 TSI / TFSI (EA888) have a timing belt or a chain?

Chain.

Which oil does the Audi A5 (8T) 1.8 / 2.0 TSI / TFSI (EA888) need?

5W-30 / 5W-40 · VW 504.00 / 502.00 · ~4.6–5.7 L · every 15,000 km.

The same model with other engines

2.0 TDI CR (EA189)3.0 TDI V63.0 TFSI V6 supercharged (Audi EA837)

Other models with the 1.8 / 2.0 TSI / TFSI (EA888) engine

Audi A4 (B8) 2007–2015Audi A4 (B9) 2015–2024Škoda Superb III 2015–2023SEAT León III 2012–2020Volkswagen Golf VIII 2019–Škoda Kodiaq I 2016–2024Audi Q3 (8U) 2011–2018Audi TT (8J / FV) 2006–2023Audi Q5 (FY) 2017–Audi A6 (C8) 2018–Audi A5 (F5) 2016–2024Audi Q3 (F3) 2018–

Sources and notes

Main sources for the faults of this engine:

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. Dutch tests: RDW Open Data (CC0). Engine versions: EEA, monitoring of CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars (CC BY 4.0, DG CLIMA). 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. How we check the data →

Updated 29/10/2026