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MotorFiable

ZF 6HP vs ZF 8HP: which gearbox is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the ZF 8HP gearbox carries less risk than the ZF 6HP gearbox: 36/100 versus 46/100 (both moderate risk). The ZF 6HP gearbox has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Valve body and mechatronic failure: erratic shifts or a locked-up gearbox»; the ZF 8HP gearbox has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Mechatronic failure as the gearbox ages (sometimes with reverse)».

Risk index

ZF 6HP

46

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

15 sourcesHow we work

Is the ZF 6HP gearbox reliable?

The ZF 6HP is the six-speed torque-converter automatic gearbox that ZF built between 2000 and 2014, fitted by BMW (Steptronic), Audi (tiptronic, in the A6 and A8 quattro), Jaguar and Land Rover, before handing over to the ZF 8HP. It has a reputation for lasting a lot of kilometres, but with age it accumulates jerking, valve body and mechatronic faults, leaks and a controversy over the "lifetime" oil, which several workshops advise changing earlier.[1][2][3][4][5]

See the 3 of the ZF 6HP 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.[6][7][8][9][10]

See the 3 of the ZF 8HP gearbox faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of ZF 6HP and ZF 8HP
ZF 6HPZF 8HP
Technical data
TypeGearboxGearbox
Gearbox typeTorque-converter automatic with Lepelletier planetary gear sets, 6-speed, longitudinal mountingTorque-converter automatic with planetary gearsets, 8-speed, longitudinal mounting
Production2000–2014[1]since 2008[6]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)46Moderate risk36Moderate risk
Documented faults33
Of high or critical severity11
Worst severityHigh severityHigh severity
Main faults
  1. High severity: Valve body and mechatronic failure: erratic shifts or a locked-up gearbox
  2. Medium severity: Jerking and harsh shifts from converter wear and ageing oil
  3. Medium severity: Oil leaks from the sump or the gearbox seals
  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 €10,000Valve body and mechatronic failure: erratic shifts or a locked-up gearboxPublished figure[3][4]up to €3,500Mechatronic failure as the gearbox ages (sometimes with reverse)Published figure[7]
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versionsNone
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 1st generation (2008-2013)[7]
  • 3rd generation, with electrification (from 2018)[15]
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

ZF 6HP

See the 10 models with the ZF 6HP gearbox

ZF 8HP

See the 21 models with the ZF 8HP gearbox

Other comparisons

With the ZF 6HP 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. ZF 6HP transmissionWikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  2. Fiabilité BMW Série 5 (2003-2010), pannes et témoignagesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  3. Fiabilité Audi A6 (2004-2010), pannes et témoignagesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  4. Fiabilité Audi A8 (2002-2010), pannes et témoignagesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  5. Fiabilité Land Rover Range Rover Sport (2005-2013), pannes et témoignagesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  6. ZF 8HP transmissionWikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  7. Fiabilité BMW Série 5 (2010-2016), pannes et témoignagesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  8. Fiabilité BMW X5 (2013-2018), pannes et témoignagesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  9. Fiabilité Jaguar F-Pace, pannes et témoignagesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  10. Fiabilité BMW Série 1 (2011-2019), pannes et témoignagesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  11. Fiabilité BMW X3 (2010-2017), pannes et témoignagesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  12. Fiabilité Audi A6 (2011-2018), pannes et témoignagesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  13. Jaguar XFWikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  14. Fiabilité BMW X3 (2004-2010), pannes et témoignagesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  15. Fiabilité Land Rover Range Rover Sport (2013-2022), pannes et témoignagesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French