2018 Audi A6 problems

• 3.0 TDI EA896 twin-turbo (CGQB, CVUA, CVUB; 2011-2018)

  313–326 hp · CGQB, CVUA, CVUB

  Owner reports repeat injection faults on the 313 hp (3 of 13 on the Q5 and 4 of 14 on the A6 C7), although there are few cases and no official statistics.^[2][3]

  With caution

• 3.0 TDI EA897 evo, Euro 6 (CRTC, CRTD, CRTE, CRTF, CZVA, CSWB, DDXB and others; 2014-2020)

  163–272 hp · CRTC, CRTD, CRTE, CRTF, CZVA, CZVB, CZVC, CZVE, CZVF, CSWB, CVZA, CVVB, DDXA, DDXB, DDXC, DDXE

  The CRT and CZV series from 2014 to early 2017 have an Audi bulletin for possible camshaft breakage: check the engine number and whether they were replaced. The 200 kW A6 and A7 also went through the KBA recall.^[4][5][6][7]

  With caution

Faults that affect 2018 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

• 1st generation (2008-2013)

  · 8HP45, 8HP55, 8HP65, 8HP70, 8HP90

  Cars with this first generation are now around 13-18 years old in 2026; on the BMW 5 Series (F10) there are documented cases of failed mechatronics and of being unable to engage reverse after 120,000-130,000 km, so it is worth checking the gearbox's service history before buying.^[9]

  With caution

• 2nd generation (2014-2017)

  · 8HP50, 8HP70, 8HP75, 845RE

  It is the most widespread version and the one with the most known mileage: in the analyses of several models (BMW X3, BMW X5, Audi A6) gearbox faults are a minority of the total accounts, although occasional jerking is still documented and, less often, mechatronic faults or leaks. It is worth checking the history, but there is no systemic defect that argues against buying.^[8][10][11]

  Buy

Faults that affect 2018 cars

• High severityFrequency: OccasionalElectronicsMechatronic failure as the gearbox ages (sometimes with reverse)Yes, although in a minority of cases: there are documented ZF 8HP mechatronic failures on BMW after 120,000-130,000 km, costing €1,400 to €3,500, and also control unit or electronic selector faults on Audi and Land Rover.Repair: €1,400–€3,500
• Medium severityFrequency: CommonTransmissionJerking and hesitation when changing gear, sometimes needing reprogrammingYes: on BMW, Audi, Jaguar and Alfa Romeo there are accounts of jerking, hesitation or harsh shifts with the ZF 8HP. It is usually due to ageing oil or the calibration of the mechatronics, and the dealer often fixes it -not always first time- by reprogramming the gearbox control unit.
• Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalLubricationOil leaks from the gearbox gaskets or sumpYes: on the BMW 1 Series and the Jaguar F-Pace there are accounts of oil leaks from the ZF 8HP gearbox gaskets, in one case already at 40,000 km. If it is not repaired soon, the loss of pressure can speed up internal wear and lead to the jerking or mechatronic failure of the related faults.Repair (garage): €1,000–€2,000

• 2.0 TDI EA288 (from 2012)

  110–240 hp · CRBC, CUNA, CUPA, CRLB, CRMB, DFEA, DFEB, DFFA, DFGA, DDAA, DFCA, CUAA

  Caradisiac picks it as the best diesel in the third-generation Audi A3. Its most cited fault is coolant loss from water pump leaks, easy to keep an eye on before buying.^[13]

  Buy

Faults that affect 2018 cars

• Medium severityFrequency: CommonCoolingCoolant loss from the water pump or the coolersMany 2.0 TDI engines lose coolant. On the 150 hp EA288 the water pump is usually the culprit and, more rarely, the cylinder head; on the 140 hp EA189 the typical causes are the oil cooler or the EGR cooler.
• Low severityFrequency: RareTurboHissing when accelerating from damaged hoses or intercooler on the Transporter T6 2.0 TDIOn the Transporter T6 2.0 TDI (2015-2019) a hissing sound can be heard when accelerating, caused by loose or damaged hoses or a crack in the intercooler. Often there is no loss of power and no warning light; oil stains reveal the crack.

• Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalSuspensionPremature wheel bearing wearAccording to testimonies collected by fiches-auto.fr, there are cases of wheel bearings replaced between 85,000 and 193,000 km on the A6 C7. You notice it as a hum that grows with speed.
• Medium severityFrequency: RareSuspensionRear air suspension leaks and compressor failureAccording to testimonies collected by fiches-auto.fr, some A6 C7 cars with air suspension lose air in the rear bellows or need a new compressor, with cases from around 80,000 km. It is a fault cited by few owners.
• Medium severityFrequency: RareSuspensionBall joints, steering track rod ends and brake lines flagged in TÜV inspectionsGebrauchtwagenberater.de notes that, although the A6 C7 scores well in the TÜV report, inspectors sometimes flag the brake lines and, on high-mileage cars, the suspension ball joints and the steering track rod ends.
• Low severityFrequency: OccasionalElectrical systemFaults with electric windows, door locks and electric mirrorsAccording to testimonies collected by fiches-auto.fr, window regulator and door lock motors are a recurring fault on the A6 C7, along with mirrors that do not fold or demist. It does not affect driving.
• Low severityFrequency: RareClimate controlAir conditioning compressor and condenser failureAccording to testimonies collected by fiches-auto.fr, there are A6 C7 cars with a failed air conditioning compressor or condenser problems, and the air stops cooling. There are few cases.