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EAT6/EAT8 vs ZF 8HP: which gearbox is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the ZF 8HP gearbox carries less risk than the EAT6/EAT8 gearbox: 36/100 versus 38/100 (both moderate risk). The EAT6/EAT8 gearbox has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Valve body failure leading to immobilisation or gearbox replacement»; the ZF 8HP gearbox has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Mechatronic failure as the gearbox ages (sometimes with reverse)».

Risk index

EAT6/EAT8

38

Moderate risk · 1 serious fault

Risk index

ZF 8HP

36

Moderate risk · 1 serious fault

Lower risk

The index (0–100) weights the severity and frequency of the three most serious documented faults. How it is calculated

18 sourcesHow we work

Is the EAT6/EAT8 gearbox reliable?

The EAT6 and EAT8 gearboxes, made by Aisin for PSA/Stellantis, are torque-converter automatics fitted to Peugeot, Citroën, DS and Opel models since 2014. Their most-cited weak point is the valve body: pressure or calibration faults cause jerking and hesitation, sometimes fixable with software, and in isolated cases failures that force a gearbox replacement. The manufacturer advertises the fluid as "lifetime", but several specialists recommend changing the oil every 60,000-80,000 km.[1][2][3][4]

See the 3 of the EAT6/EAT8 gearbox faults

Is the ZF 8HP gearbox reliable?

The ZF 8HP is an 8-speed torque-converter automatic gearbox, launched in 2008 in the BMW 7 Series and later adopted by BMW, Audi ('tiptronic'), Jaguar, Land Rover, Alfa Romeo and Jeep. It has a reputation for being reliable, although it accumulates jerking that sometimes calls for reprogramming the control unit, occasional mechatronic failures and leaks from the sump gaskets; the oil is sold as 'lifetime', but several garages advise changing it earlier.[5][6][7][8][9]

See the 3 of the ZF 8HP gearbox faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of EAT6/EAT8 and ZF 8HP
EAT6/EAT8ZF 8HP
Technical data
TypeGearboxGearbox
Gearbox typeTorque-converter automatic with epicyclic gear sets, 6 or 8 speeds depending on version (EAT6/EAT8)Torque-converter automatic with planetary gearsets, 8-speed, longitudinal mounting
Productionsince 2014[1][10][11]since 2008[5]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)38Moderate risk36Moderate risk
Documented faults33
Of high or critical severity11
Worst severityHigh severityHigh severity
Main faults
  1. High severity: Valve body failure leading to immobilisation or gearbox replacement
  2. Medium severity: Jerking and hesitation when changing gear, especially when cold
  3. Medium severity: Gearbox oil advertised as "lifetime" that is best changed preventively
  1. High severity: Mechatronic failure as the gearbox ages (sometimes with reverse)
  2. Medium severity: Jerking and hesitation when changing gear, sometimes needing reprogramming
  3. Medium severity: Oil leaks from the gearbox gaskets or sump
Most expensive documented repairup to €9,000Valve body failure leading to immobilisation or gearbox replacementPublished figure[2][12][13]up to €3,500Mechatronic failure as the gearbox ages (sometimes with reverse)Published figure[6]
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versionsNone
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 1st generation (2008-2013)[6]
  • 3rd generation, with electrification (from 2018)[18]
AvoidVersions to avoidNoneNone

Severity of each fault: green, low; amber, medium; red, high; dark red, critical. How we rate them

Cars that each one is fitted to

EAT6/EAT8

See the 11 models with the EAT6/EAT8 gearbox

ZF 8HP

See the 19 models with the ZF 8HP gearbox

Other comparisons

With the EAT6/EAT8 gearbox

With the ZF 8HP gearbox

Compare other engines

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Sources

Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.

  1. Boîte auto EAT8 Peugeot / CitroënFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  2. Fiabilité Peugeot 508 2 (2018), pannes et témoignagesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  3. Fiabilité Opel Grandland X (2017-2024), pannes et témoignagesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  4. Fiabilité Peugeot 2008 2 (2020), pannes et témoignagesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  5. ZF 8HP transmissionWikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  6. Fiabilité BMW Série 5 (2010-2016), pannes et témoignagesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  7. Fiabilité BMW X5 (2013-2018), pannes et témoignagesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  8. Fiabilité Jaguar F-Pace, pannes et témoignagesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  9. Fiabilité BMW Série 1 (2011-2019), pannes et témoignagesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  10. Peugeot 308 IIWikipédia (fr) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  11. Peugeot 3008 IIWikipédia (fr) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  12. El cambio de aceite de la caja de cambios que evita una avería de 2.000 eurosMotor16 · Motoring press · published 24 September 2026 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  13. El mantenimiento de la caja de cambios que evita una avería de más de 2.000 eurosMotor16 · Motoring press · published 21 September 2026 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  14. Fiabilité BMW X3 (2010-2017), pannes et témoignagesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  15. Fiabilité Audi A6 (2011-2018), pannes et témoignagesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  16. Fiabilité Peugeot 308 (2013-2021), pannes et témoignagesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  17. Fiabilité Peugeot 5008 2 (2017-2024), pannes et témoignagesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  18. Fiabilité Land Rover Range Rover Sport (2013-2022), pannes et témoignagesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French