2016 Audi A1 problems

• DSG7 DQ200 0CW (since 2013)

  · 0CW

  It improves on the reliability of the 0AM, but does not eliminate its design weak points: it is still the same dry-clutch and mechatronic family, so you should carry out the same checks (history, stored fault codes, test drive) before buying.^[1][4][5]

  With caution

Faults that affect 2016 cars

• High severityFrequency: Very frequentElectronicsMechatronic unit failure: pressure accumulator, pump and cracked housingYes: the mechatronic unit is the DQ200's most cited weak point. Its pressure accumulator and hydraulic pump can fail because of a housing design defect, with fault warnings, limp mode or loss of drive; Volkswagen has acknowledged the problem with service actions and software updates.Repair (garage): €600–€2,200
• Medium severityFrequency: CommonClutchPremature dry clutch wear and judder when drivingYes: the DQ200's dry clutch wears out sooner than a wet one, especially in stop-start urban traffic. It warns of its condition with judder or jerking when pulling away, slipping when accelerating and, in advanced cases, a burning smell; specialists put its service life at between 120,000 and 180,000 km depending on use.Repair (garage): €500–€1,100Appears at around 120,000 km

• 1.4 TDI common rail EA288 (2014-2019)

  75–90 hp · CUSB, CUTB

  The sources consulted place the emissions scandal in EA189 engines; we have found no sign that this EA288 generation of the 1.4 TDI is singled out in the same way. The main things to watch are the timing belt, the turbo, the EGR and the particulate filter.^[7][8]

  Buy

Faults that affect 2016 cars

• High severityFrequency: OccasionalTimingTiming belt and water pumpThe 1.4 TDI drives its timing with a toothed belt; on the unit-injector generation, that belt and its camshaft also drive the unit injector pumps. It is advisable to change the water pump along with the kit: if it seizes first, it can drag the belt with it, risking breakage and serious damage.Repair (garage): €400–€700
• High severityFrequency: OccasionalTurboFailing turbo: loss of power, whistling or smokeThe 1.4 TDI turbo can seize through carbon build-up or wear on the shaft over time. The engine loses power, whistles or gives off bluish smoke, and replacing it costs around €1,000 if there is no added damage to other parts.Repair (garage): €1,000
• Medium severityFrequency: CommonEmissions controlClogged particulate filter (DPF)On versions with a particulate filter - the last BlueMotion/Ecomotive models of the unit-injector generation and the whole EA288 generation - short urban trips stop the filter regenerating and it clogs with soot. The DPF warning light comes on and, if ignored, the car can lose power.Repair (garage): €500–€2,000
• Medium severityFrequency: CommonEmissions controlEGR valve clogged with carbonThe EGR valve builds up carbon, especially on short urban trips, until it seizes and stops sealing or opening precisely. The engine loses power and jerks; cleaning it costs considerably less than replacing it.Repair (garage): €100–€1,000

• 1.6 TDI EA288 (from 2012)

  80–120 hp · DGTC, CLHB, CXXA, DDYB, CLHA, CXXB, DBKA, CRKB, DDYA, DGTE, DCXA, DCZA

  The sources we consulted on dieselgate focus on the EA189 engines; we have found no indication that the EA288 is singled out in the same way. The main thing to watch is that the timing belt and the water pump have been changed on time.^[7][11]

  Buy

Faults that affect 2016 cars

• High severityFrequency: OccasionalTimingTiming belt and water pumpThe 1.6 TDI drives its timing with a toothed belt. It is common for the water pump to be changed together with the kit: if the pump seizes first, it can drag the belt with it, with a risk of breakage and serious cylinder head damage.Repair (garage): €400–€1,500
• Medium severityFrequency: CommonEmissions controlEGR valve clogged with carbon depositsThe EGR valve accumulates carbon deposits, especially on short urban trips, until it seizes and no longer seals or opens precisely. The engine loses power and jerks; cleaning the valve costs considerably less than replacing it.Repair (garage): €100–€1,000
• Medium severityFrequency: CommonEmissions controlClogged particulate filter (DPF)In urban use and on short trips, the particulate filter does not complete regeneration and becomes saturated with soot. The DPF warning light comes on and, if ignored, the car may enter limp mode with a loss of power.Repair (garage): €200–€3,000

• 1.4 TSI twincharger revised 160-185 hp (EA111, CTHD/CTHE/CTHG, from 2012)

  160–185 hp · CTHD, CTHE, CTHG

  It fixes the previous version's piston weak point, but retains the EA111 chain-driven timing and the complexity of the supercharger: check for cold-start noise and oil consumption.^[13][14]

  With caution

• 1.4 TSI 122/125 hp (EA111, CAXA/CAXC, from 2007)

  122–125 hp · CAXA, CAXC

  It is simpler than the twincharger, but shares the EA111's chain-driven timing: listen to the cold start and check the history before buying.^[14][15]

  With caution

• 1.4 TSI 122-150 hp (EA211, incl. ACT/COD; CMBA, CXSA, CZCA, CHPA, CPTA, CZDA, CZEA…, from 2012)

  122–150 hp · CMBA, CXSA, CZCA, CPVA, CHPA, CPTA, CZDA, CZEA

  Without the EA111's problematic chain and pistons. Its most repeated fault is a leaking water pump, which is repaired without consequences if caught in time.^[16][17]

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Faults that affect 2016 cars

• Medium severityFrequency: CommonCoolingWater pump and thermostat housing leak (EA211)On the 1.2 and 1.4 TSI EA211 the water pump is integrated into the plastic thermostat housing; over the years it can crack or lose its seal and the engine slowly loses coolant. Caught in time, it does not damage the engine.Appears at around 80,000 km
• Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalTurboTurbo wastegate actuator failureThe electric actuator that regulates turbo pressure (wastegate) can seize or fail on the 1.2 TSI and the EA211 engines: the car lights up the EPC warning light and goes into limp mode. Sometimes the actuator alone is enough; if the valve is damaged, the turbo is replaced.

• 1.0 TSI EA211 (CHZ, DKL, DKR; 2014 onwards)

  82–115 hp · CHZA, CHZB, CHZC, CHZD, CHZE, CHZJ, CHZK, DKLA, DKLB, DKLC, DKLD, DKRA, DKRB, DKRC, DKRD, DKRE, DKRF

  It has no documented systematic serious faults, and distances of 200,000 km without problems are cited. On 2018–2020 units, you only need to check that the injector recall was carried out.^[16][19][20]

  Buy

Faults that affect 2016 cars

• Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalCoolingCoolant leaks from the water pump and thermostat moduleOn the EA211 the water pump and thermostat housing form a plastic module that, over the years, can crack or lose its seal and cause a slow loss of coolant. Keep an eye on the level: if it is ignored, it can end in overheating.
• Low severityFrequency: OccasionalIntakeCarbon build-up on the intake valvesLike any direct-injection engine, the 1.0 and 1.5 TSI can accumulate carbon on the intake valves and ports, especially with urban use. It is usually noticed between 80,000 and 120,000 km as a loss of power, rough running and higher consumption.Appears at around 80,000 km

• Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalAirbags and safetyAirbags and pretensioners with out-of-specification ignition mix (campaign for July to December 2016)Safety Gate/RAPEX published a recall in March 2017 (alert 12/2017) for Audi A1s (and other models in the group) built between July and December 2016: a difference in the mix ratio of the igniters could prevent airbags or pretensioners from firing.
• Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalSuspensionSuspension noises and wear: bushes, control arms, ball joints and springsfiches-auto.fr lists 11 cases of suspension noise on the A1: bushes, shock absorbers, ball joints and even a broken front spring at 89,000 km; one case needed a control arm kit at around 93,000 km.
• Medium severityFrequency: RareClimate controlFaults with the compressor, condenser and air conditioning circuitfiches-auto.fr lists 5 cases of air conditioning problems on the A1: compressor replacement at 60,000 km, a condenser failure and persistent whistling that was not fixed after several dealer visits.
• Low severityFrequency: OccasionalElectronics and infotainmentElectronic faults: instrument cluster, sensors, driver aids and MMI systemfiches-auto.fr lists 13 cases of electronic faults on the A1: a central electronics failure at 30,000 km, an MMI system lock-up and a windscreen demisting servomotor repaired for 870 euros in one testimonial.
• Low severityFrequency: OccasionalElectrical systemElectric windows that jam or do not respondThe A1 has 9 cases of window regulators or door mechanisms with problems on fiches-auto.fr: windows that stick to the seals, switches that do not respond, worn motors or damaged wiring looms.
• Low severityFrequency: OccasionalBodywork and interiorFuel filler flap that sticks shutfiches-auto.fr cites 7 cases of the A1's fuel filler flap being stuck (even on delivery at 5,000 km) or needing several presses to open, and describes it as a recurring defect on these models.