2012 Audi A5 problems

• Multitronic 0AW (2007-2014)

  · 0AW

  It notably improves on the 01J's reliability, above all in the control unit, but none of the sources consulted says it completely eliminates chain wear or jerking when pulling away; apply the same checks as for the 01J before buying.^[2]

  With caution

Faults that affect 2012 cars

• Critical severityFrequency: CommonTransmissionWear of the variator chain and conesYes: the variator uses a chain of more than 1,000 links between two pairs of cones that wears with mileage, especially if the oil is not changed regularly. Gebrauchtwagenberater ties the gearbox's reputation to "numerous total failures"; Schaeffler/LuK sells a kit to repair the chain.
• High severityFrequency: CommonElectronicsControl unit (TCU) failure and limp modeYes: the multitronic control unit, especially in the 01J code (up to 2007), is one of its best-documented weak points. Overheating with oil seeping into the control unit causes fault warnings and limp mode and, if ignored, can end up damaging the gearbox itself.
• Medium severityFrequency: CommonClutchJerking and vibration when pulling away from cold (multi-plate clutch)Yes: with no torque converter, the multitronic pulls away using an electronic multi-plate clutch that can jerk or vibrate, especially when cold, if its plates are worn or the oil no longer has the right properties. It is one of the most cited fault symptoms of this gearbox.

• 2.0 TSI/TFSI Gen 1, without Valvelift (2008-2012, 170-220 hp)

  170–207 hp · CAWA, CCZC, CCZD, CCTA, CBFA, CAWB, CGMA, CPSA, CCZB

  It is the batch with the most oil consumption complaints recorded by owners themselves and somewhat more chain and tensioner wear than the later ones. Worth buying if there is a service history and, ideally, a recent oil consumption test.^[4][6][7][8]

  With caution

• 2.0 TSI/TFSI Gen 2/3, with Valvelift and direct injection only (2012-2016, 180-230 hp)

  180–224 hp · CAEA, CDNB, CAEB, CDNC, CESA, CHHB, CULC, CNCD

  Oil consumption improves compared with the previous generation according to the owner data collected, but carbon on the valves and coolant leaks from the thermostat housing are points to check.^[4][6][8]

  With caution

Faults that affect 2012 cars

• High severityFrequency: CommonLubricationHigh oil consumptionIt is the most repeated complaint on first-batch EA888s (2008-2012) and still appears, to a lesser extent, in later generations. The engine needs topping up between services with no visible leak or obvious smoke at first.Repair (garage): €1,500–€4,000
• Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalTimingTiming chain and tensioner wearOver the years, the chain can stretch and the hydraulic tensioner can stop keeping it taut, especially on first-batch units (2008-2012). If the chain jumps a tooth, it can slam the valves into the pistons.
• Medium severityFrequency: Very frequentIntakeCarbon build-up on the intake valvesBecause the fuel is injected directly into the cylinder, no petrol washes over the intake valves, so oil residue and soot build up and, over the years, restrict airflow and affect engine response.
• Medium severityFrequency: CommonCoolingThermostat housing leak and water pump failureSince Volkswagen integrated the water pump impeller into the thermostat housing, this plastic part leaks coolant over time; on the oldest units, with a separate belt-driven pump, failures of the pump itself are also documented.
• Low severityFrequency: OccasionalLubricationPCV valve (crankcase ventilation) failureThe PCV valve returns to the intake manifold the oil and combustion vapours that build up in the crankcase. If it sticks closed or open, it causes a rough idle, misfires or oil leaks from the seals.Repair (garage): €60–€250

• 3.0 TDI EA896 generation 2, Euro 5 (CLAA, CLAB, CJMA, CDUC, CRCA, CKVC, CDUD; 2010-2015)

  204–300 hp · CLAA, CLAB, CJMA, CDUC, CRCA, CKVC, CDUD

  The EGR is much improved over generation 1 according to Audi, but the warnings about the chain, water pump and the KBA emissions software remain; check by VIN that the campaign has been done.^{[10][11][12][13]}

  With caution

Faults that affect 2012 cars

• High severityFrequency: CommonCoolingFailing water pump and cooling system leaksOn the 3.0 TDI the water pump can fail and, from 2010, overheat to the point of damaging the engine (the A6 C6 guide cites a service action). Owners also cite coolant leaks from hoses, the regulating valve and the cooler.
• High severityFrequency: OccasionalTimingTiming chain stretch and tensioner wearOn the 3.0 TDI V6 the timing chain is at the gearbox end and its tensioner can lose tension: it rattles on a cold start and, if the chain stretches, the timing goes out and the engine is at risk. Replacing it means opening the engine and costs several thousand euros.
• High severityFrequency: OccasionalInjectionInjector wear (needle seat) and injection faultsGerman guides point to wear of the needle seat of the 3.0 TDI injectors: they stop closing properly, diesel drips into the cylinder and dilutes the oil. Smoke from the exhaust can be the warning, and reports on the 313 hp twin-turbo repeat injection faults.
• Medium severityFrequency: CommonEmissions controlControl unit software with a prohibited emissions strategy (NOx and AdBlue)Germany's KBA ordered a software update for the Euro 5 and 6 3.0 TDI V6 engines from Audi, VW and Porsche: a warm-up strategy that reduced NOx only on the test bench and, on the 200 kW A6 and A7, limited AdBlue dosing. The update is free.Repair: €0

• 3.0 TFSI 333 hp supercharged, direct injection (CAKA, CJTB, CTWA, CTUB; 2008-2015)

  333 hp · CAKA, CJTB, CTWA, CTUB

  Direct injection only, so carbon build-up is to be expected, and several of these units fall under the fuel rail campaigns; ask for invoices for the campaigns and for intake cleaning.^[14][17][18]

  With caution

• 3.0 TFSI 272 hp supercharged (CTUC, CTVA, CMUA, CJTC; 2010-2017)

  272 hp · CTUC, CTVA, CMUA, CJTC

  A German guide sees this V6 as more reliable than the 2.0 TFSI, but advises against buying one without a complete maintenance history and mentions a service action that replaced the thermostat.^[17]

  With caution

Faults that affect 2012 cars

• High severityFrequency: OccasionalFuelFuel leak at the injection rails (2015 and 2019 campaigns)Audi recalled cars with the 3.0 TFSI over possible leaks from the fuel rails: one campaign in 2015 (built between April 2011 and April 2012) and another in 2019 (low-pressure rails, built between 2014 and 2016). You notice it by a smell of petrol; the fix is to replace the rails.
• Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalCoolingLeak at the thermostat housing and water pumpTechnical guides cite coolant leaks from the plastic thermostat housing and from the water pump of the supercharged 3.0 TFSI, and Audi also replaced the thermostat in a 2015 campaign. You notice it by falling coolant and, if ignored, by overheating.
• Low severityFrequency: CommonIntakeCarbon build-up on the intake valves (direct injection)Like any direct-injection engine, the 3.0 TFSI accumulates carbon on the intake valves, because the fuel does not wash them; guides put it at around 95,000 km and it causes rough idle and loss of power. The 333 hp versions from 2014 add indirect injection.
• Low severityFrequency: OccasionalLubricationPCV valve failure (crankcase ventilation)The PCV valve in the 3.0 TFSI's crankcase ventilation can fail with age and mileage: parts supplier and workshop guides cite rough idle, vacuum leaks and higher oil consumption. It is a minor fault, with no campaign or published statistics.

• Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalGearbox and clutchDual-mass flywheel and clutch wear on manual gearboxesAccording to testimonies collected by fiches-auto.fr, the dual-mass flywheel (15 cases) and the clutch (12) fail on the A5 8T from around 80,000-160,000 km, with jerking or vibration. Multitronic and S tronic gearboxes are not included here.
• Medium severityFrequency: RareSuspensionWheel bearing wearAccording to testimonies collected by fiches-auto.fr, 9 A5 8T owners replaced wheel bearings, typically between 80,000 and 170,000 km. It shows as a growing hum.
• Low severityFrequency: OccasionalElectrical systemElectric window and door lock faultsAccording to testimonies collected by fiches-auto.fr, electric windows are the most cited non-mechanical fault on the A5 8T (17 cases), with door locks, the fuel flap and the Keyless key also fragile. It does not affect driving.
• Low severityFrequency: OccasionalElectronics and infotainmentMMI screen, radio and on-board electronics faultsAccording to testimonies collected by fiches-auto.fr, some 17-18 A5 8T owners report radio/CD, MMI screen or electronics faults, sometimes with the camera not displaying or with ABS/ESP warning lights.