2016 Audi TT problems
The 2016 Audi TT was sold with 1 engine and 1 gearbox that we have documented: the 2.0 TSI / TFSI and the DSG6 DQ250 gearbox. All of them have serious faults that affect the cars of that year. The safest option is the 2.0 TSI / TFSI (verdict “Buy”). Outside the engine, 2 documented faults affect 2016 cars, such as warped front brake discs on the TT RS.
2016 Audi TT score: acceptable reliability
Calculated using only 9 documented faults and their sources: the most serious and frequent faults weigh more. How it is calculated
- Engine4.84 faults
- Gearbox8.2Manual: no faults · DSG6 DQ250: 6.4
- Suspension9.0Technical inspection (ITV) only: 0.4 times the defects normal for its age
- Brakes8.71 fault and ITV (technical inspection)
- Tyres and wheels10.0No documented faults
- Steering9.0Technical inspection (ITV) only: 0.4 times the defects normal for its age
- Electrical system10.0No documented faults
- Headlights and lights8.6Technical inspection (ITV) only: 0.6 times the defects normal for its age
- Electronics and infotainment10.0No documented faults
- Climate control10.0No documented faults
- Bodywork and interior8.61 fault and ITV (technical inspection)
- Airbags and safety10.0No documented faults
What changes compared with the 2015 Audi TT
The same engines and the same documented faults as in 2015.
2.0 TSI / TFSI engine in the 2016 Audi TT
Names: 2.0 TFSI · TTS
- 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.[3][4][5]
- Buy
2.0 TSI/TFSI Gen 3B / evo, with added indirect injection (2016 onwards, 190-320 hp)
190–320 hp · CHHA, DKFA, DLBA, CJXE, CJXA, CJXB
The added indirect injection reduces the carbon build-up problem and the documented oil consumption is lower. It is still worth checking the thermostat housing/water pump and the PCV valve, which are common to the whole family.[1][5][6]
Faults that affect 2016 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
- 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
DSG6 DQ250 gearbox in the 2016 Audi TT
Names: 2.0 TFSI S tronic
- With caution
DSG6 DQ250 (02E, 2003-2023)
· 02E
It is a gearbox with a good general reputation for reliability, but it is worth checking the service history (in particular, whether the gearbox oil change has been carried out), making sure there are no fault codes stored in the mechatronic unit and taking a test drive from cold and when warm before buying.[7][8][9]
Faults that affect 2016 cars
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalElectronicsMechatronic unit failure: solenoid valves and temperature sensorYes, although less than on the dry-clutch DQ200: the DQ250 mechatronic unit can fail because of defective solenoid valves or an incorrect reading of the clutch temperature, with limp mode, harsh shifts or fault warnings on the dashboard. Volkswagen recalled vehicles in the US and Australia in 2009 for this reason.Repair (garage): €850–€3,100
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonClutchWet 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
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalTransmissionDual-mass flywheel wear on the engines paired with the DQ250It is common wear on the turbo engines paired with the DQ250 (Golf GTI/R, Cupra, RS, S3, TT), not a defect exclusive to the gearbox: the dual-mass flywheel damps engine vibrations and, over the years, its springs and bearings wear, with a metallic noise at idle and vibrations as the first warnings.Repair (garage): €700–€1,300
Faults outside the engine in the 2016 Audi TT
- Medium severityFrequency: RareBrakesWarped front brake discs on the TT RSAccording to testimonies collected by fiches-auto.fr (only 25 for this model), two owners of the 400 hp TT RS 2.5 TSI report warped front discs, one at 38,000 km and the other three times since purchase.
- Low severityFrequency: RareBodywork and interiorBroken side trim on the sports seatsAccording to testimonies collected by fiches-auto.fr (only 25 for this model), two testimonies mention seat side trim pieces breaking, described as a common defect of the sports seats.
Buying a 2016 Audi TT?
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Frequently asked questions
Is the 2016 Audi TT reliable?
The 2016 Audi TT was sold with 1 engine and 1 gearbox that we have documented: the 2.0 TSI / TFSI and the DSG6 DQ250 gearbox. All of them have serious faults that affect the cars of that year. The safest option is the 2.0 TSI / TFSI (verdict “Buy”). Outside the engine, 2 documented faults affect 2016 cars, such as warped front brake discs on the TT RS.
Is the 2016 Audi TT better than the 2015?
Going by the documented faults, they are the same: the same engines and the same faults affect the 2015 and 2016 cars. Choose on condition, mileage and maintenance history.
What is the best year for the Audi TT?
According to our score, the best are 2023, 2022, 2021 and 2 other years with the same score (8.2/10). The year with the worst score is 2014 (6.3/10). Each year's score counts only the engines sold that year and the faults that affect those cars.
What faults does the 2016 Audi TT have?
The most important ones documented for 2016 cars are: high oil consumption (2.0 TSI / TFSI, high severity), mechatronic unit failure: solenoid valves and temperature sensor (DSG6 DQ250 gearbox, high severity), carbon build-up on the intake valves (2.0 TSI / TFSI, medium severity), thermostat housing leak and water pump failure (2.0 TSI / TFSI, medium severity) and wet clutch pack wear: slipping and vibrations (DSG6 DQ250 gearbox, medium severity).
Own a 2016 Audi TT? Tell us what faults you have had and at how many kilometres. Report your fault.
Sources
Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.
- Volkswagen EA888 engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
- Audi TTWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
- Fiabilité Volkswagen (datos de propietarios por modelo)fiches-auto.fr · Reliability study · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
- Fiabilité Audi (datos de propietarios por modelo)fiches-auto.fr · Reliability study · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
- Témoignages fiabilité Audifiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
- Motor 2.0 TFSI 190 CV (ficha técnica)km77 · Technical documentation · published 13 May 2015 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
- VW, Skoda & Seat DSG Probleme: alle 6 und 7-Gang DQ GetriebeCarwiki · Technical documentation · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
- DSG Gearboxes: Complete Guide to DQ200, DQ250, DQ381, DQ400e, DQ500, DL501 & DSG 6, 7 and 8 SpeedsSTR Performance · Technical documentation · consulted 27 September 2026
- Reparar DSG en España: Precios RealesTCA - Tu Cambio Automático · Technical documentation · published 2025 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish