Problems with the automatic gearbox on Audi: affected models and engines

In 14 models from Audi there are 16 documented faults with the automatic gearbox. The most important: wear of the variator chain and cones, control unit (TCU) failure and limp mode and valve body and mechatronic failure: erratic shifts or a locked-up gearbox.

Reviewed on 29 October 2026How we work

Documented faults, from most to least important

Severity × frequency. Below each one, the Audi models it appears in.

- Critical severityFrequency: CommonMultitronicWear 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.
In A4 B6, A4 B7, A4 B8, A5 I, A6 C5 and A6 C6 and 1 more model
- High severityFrequency: CommonMultitronicControl 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.
In A4 B6, A4 B7, A4 B8, A5 I, A6 C5 and A6 C6 and 1 more model
- High severityFrequency: CommonZF 6HPValve body and mechatronic failure: erratic shifts or a locked-up gearboxYes, and it can be serious: there are documented failures of the ZF 6HP valve body or mechatronic unit on BMW, Audi and Land Rover models from around 90,000-100,000 km, with cases that go as far as preventing a gear from engaging (including reverse) and dealer quotes of €6,000 to €10,000.Repair: €6,000–€10,000Appears at around 90,000 km
In A6 C6 and A8 D3
- High severityFrequency: CommonAudi A6 C6Wear and failures of the Multitronic automatic gearbox on front-wheel-drive versionsYes: on front-wheel-drive versions with the Multitronic (CVT) gearbox, gebrauchtwagenberater.de documents jerking when pulling away that can progress to complete failure, especially on older cars; fiches-auto.fr adds selector lock-ups and torque converter breakages. The quattro versions, with the Tiptronic gearbox, do not share this problem.Repair (garage): €1,000Appears at around 120,000 km
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalZF 8HPMechatronic 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
In A4 B9, A6 C7 and Q5 II
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalAudi A6 C5Jerks and slipping in the Tiptronic automatic gearboxAccording to owner reports on fiches-auto.fr, there are 19 cases of gearbox problems in the A6 C5, with jerks and slipping in the Tiptronic at around 200,000 km and repairs of more than 6,000 euros at Audi.Appears at around 200,000 km
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalAudi Q7 4MAutomatic gearbox oil line with a defective weld that may leak oilAudi recalled Q7 and Q8 vehicles built from September to December 2019 because an oil line of the automatic gearbox had a manufacturing defect and could leak oil. The DVSA points to the weld of the line and its replacement if necessary.
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalAudi Q8Automatic gearbox oil line with a defective weld that may leak oilAudi recalled Q8s built from September to December 2019 because an oil line of the automatic gearbox had a manufacturing defect and could leak oil onto the road. The DVSA attributes it to a defective weld.
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonMultitronicJerking 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.
In A4 B6, A4 B7, A4 B8, A5 I, A6 C5 and A6 C6 and 1 more model
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonZF 8HPJerking 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.
In A4 B9, A6 C7 and Q5 II
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonZF 6HPJerking and harsh shifts from converter wear and ageing oilYes: on BMW, Audi and Land Rover models with the ZF 6HP there are reports of jerking, hesitation and harsh shifts from 80,000-150,000 km, especially if the gearbox oil has never been changed. The converter locks up in all six gears to save fuel, which speeds up its wear over the years.Repair (garage): €150–€400Appears at around 80,000 km
In A6 C6 and A8 D3
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalZF 8HPOil 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
In A4 B9, A6 C7 and Q5 II
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalZF 6HPOil leaks from the sump or the gearbox sealsYes, although in a minority of cases: there are reports of ZF 6HP gearbox oil leaks on the BMW X5 (at 180,000 km) and the Audi A6 (between 204,000 and 208,000 km). If not repaired, the loss of pressure can speed up internal wear and lead to valve body or mechatronic failure.Repair (garage): €300–€600Appears at around 180,000 km
In A6 C6 and A8 D3
- High severityFrequency: Rare09G (Aisin)Total gearbox failure at low mileage, documented in an isolated caseA testimony from an Audi A3 8P 2.0 FSI with a Tiptronic gearbox says it became unusable at 100,000 km, with an expensive repair. It is the only total failure documented in this entry: there is no sign that it is a widespread problem, but it is worth checking carefully that it works properly before buying.
In A3 II
- Medium severityFrequency: Rare09G (Aisin)Gearbox overheating under demanding use, documented in an isolated caseThere is one documented testimony of a Golf V 2.0 FSI whose automatic gearbox overheated at 49,500 km. It is an isolated case - we have found no similar testimonies for this gearbox in the other cars in this entry - but it is worth bearing in mind if you do a lot of driving in heat, heavy traffic or towing.
In A3 II
- Medium severityFrequency: RareAudi A8 D5Automatic gearbox oil pipe with a manufacturing defectAudi recalled A8s built between September and December 2019 because an automatic gearbox oil pipe could be defective and spill oil onto the road, posing a risk to traffic following behind.

By Audi model

Open yours to see only the faults that affect it, by engine and by year.

Engines and gearboxes involved

Frequently asked questions

What faults with the automatic gearbox do Audi cars have?

Which Audi models have the most problems with the automatic gearbox?

Audi A6 C6 (7 faults), Audi A6 C7 (6 faults), Audi A6 C5 (4 faults) and Audi A4 B6 (3 faults).

Which Audi engines have faults with the automatic gearbox?

Multitronic (3 faults), ZF 6HP (3 faults), ZF 8HP (3 faults) and 09G (Aisin) (2 faults).