Clutch Audi: problems by model and engine

Documented faults, from most to least important

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

- High severityFrequency: OccasionalAudi A3 IIDual-mass flywheel breakage and clutch wear on manual gearbox versionsOn 2003 to 2005 vehicles, Germany's KBA attributed a risk of damage to the dual-mass flywheel to an incorrectly sized pressure reducer, according to gebrauchtwagenberater.de. Apart from that specific batch, numerous owners quoted by fiches-auto.fr document dual-mass flywheel and clutch breakages over a much wider range, between 35,000 and 165,000 km.Repair (garage): €4,000Appears at around 35,000 km
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalAudi Q5 IIJerks and harsh shifts from the 7-speed S tronic dual-clutch gearboxOn versions with the 7-speed S tronic dual-clutch gearbox, owners and a website specialising in leased cars document jerks when pulling away and harsh or delayed gear changes, with clutch pack wear and mechatronic faults named as the causes.
- 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: CommonDSG7 DQ200Premature 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
In A1 I, A1 II, A3 II, A3 III, A3 IV and Q2
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonDSG6 DQ250Wet clutch pack wear: slipping and vibrationsYes: although the oil bath makes it last longer than the dry clutch of the DQ200, the DQ250's wet clutch pack also wears with use, especially on cars driven hard. It warns you with vibrations or jerks when pulling away and in traffic jams, and with slipping when accelerating hard.Repair (garage): €450–€850
In A3 II, A3 III, TT I, TT II and TT III
- Medium severityFrequency: Common1.9 TDIPremature wear of the dual-mass flywheel and clutchThe dual-mass flywheel and the clutch are, according to the garages we consulted, the fault most cited by 1.9 TDI owners across several generations: vibrations, idle noises and slipping that end up requiring both parts to be replaced together.Repair (garage): €900–€1,500Appears at around 80,000 km
In A3 I and A6 C5
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonAudi A4 B6Early wear of the clutch and dual-mass flywheel (diesel)Several owners of 1.9 TDI versions document clutch and dual-mass flywheel failures on fiches-auto.fr between 75,000 and 160,000 km, with combined repairs of up to around €2,000 when both have to be replaced at once.Repair (garage): €1,000–€2,500Appears at around 75,000 km
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonAudi A4 B7Early wear of the clutch and dual-mass flywheel (diesel)Several owners of 1.9 TDI versions document clutch and dual-mass flywheel faults on fiches-auto.fr between 75,000 and 160,000 km, with combined repairs of up to around €2,000 when both have to be replaced at the same time.Repair (garage): €1,000–€2,500Appears at around 75,000 km
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalAudi A5 IDual-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.

By Audi model

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

Engines and gearboxes involved

Parts for your Audi for faults with the clutch

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Clutch kit
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Frequently asked questions

What faults with the clutch do Audi cars have?

In 18 models from Audi there are 9 documented faults with the clutch. The most important: dual-mass flywheel breakage and clutch wear on manual gearbox versions, jerks and harsh shifts from the 7-speed S tronic dual-clutch gearbox and jerking and vibration when pulling away from cold (multi-plate clutch). Each fault has its own page with the affected years and versions, the symptoms and the repair cost.

Which Audi models have the most problems with the clutch?

Audi A3 II (3 faults), Audi A6 C5 (2 faults), Audi A4 B6 (2 faults) and Audi A4 B7 (2 faults).

Which Audi engines have faults with the clutch?

1.9 TDI (1 fault), DSG6 DQ250 (1 fault), DSG7 DQ200 (1 fault) and Multitronic (1 fault).