Timing chain Audi: problems by model and engine

Documented faults, from most to least important

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

- Critical severityFrequency: Very frequent1.2 and 1.4 TSITiming chain stretch and tensioner failure (EA111)On the 1.2 and 1.4 TSI EA111 (2006-2015) the chain can stretch and the tensioner fall short; if the chain jumps a tooth, the valves hit the pistons. Volkswagen admitted the defect in 2012 and revised the chain and tensioner between 2010 and 2011.Repair (garage): €700–€1,400Appears at around 30,000 km
In A1 I and A3 II
- Critical severityFrequency: Occasional2.0 TSI / TFSITiming 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.
In A3 II, A4 B8, A5 I, Q3 I, Q5 I and TT II
- High severityFrequency: Occasional3.0 TDI V6Timing 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.
In A4 B7, A4 B8, A4 B9, A5 I, A5 II and A6 C6 and 12 more models
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalAudi 3.0 TFSI V6Timing chain stretch and tensioner wearA German workshop describes chain stretch and marginal tensioners in the first supercharged 3.0 TFSI engines (2011-2014), with noise on cold starts and codes P0016-P0018; other guides consider it rare in this V6. There are no reliable statistics.
In A6 C7, A7 C7, A8 D4 and Q7 4M
- Medium severityFrequency: Occasional1.8 T 20vTiming chain tensioner noise and wearAt least one owner documents the timing chain tensioner of this engine left unreplaced, with the resulting chain noise, on a Passat with 184,000 km; another report from a 180 hp Audi TT points to a timing problem at 90,000 km.
In A3 I, A4 B5, A4 B6 and TT I

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 timing chain

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Timing chain kit
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Frequently asked questions

What faults with the timing chain do Audi cars have?

In 26 models from Audi there are 5 documented faults with the timing chain. The most important: timing chain stretch and tensioner failure (EA111), timing chain and tensioner wear and timing chain stretch and tensioner wear. 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 timing chain?

Audi A3 II (2 faults), Audi A4 B8 (2 faults), Audi A5 I (2 faults) and Audi Q5 I (2 faults).

Which Audi engines have faults with the timing chain?

1.2 and 1.4 TSI (1 fault), 1.8 T 20v (1 fault), 2.0 TSI / TFSI (1 fault), 3.0 TDI V6 (1 fault) and Audi 3.0 TFSI V6 (1 fault).