Audi 3.0 TFSI V6 engine: faults and reliability

• 3.0 TFSI 290 hp supercharged (CAJA, CGWA; 2008-2013)

  2008–2013 · 290 hp · CAJA, CGWA

  With caution

  The guides do not report serious faults specific to this version, but at 12-18 years old it is worth checking the thermostat and water pump history and listening to the chain on a cold start, which are the points cited for this V6.^[1][5][11]

• 3.0 TFSI 300/310 hp supercharged (CGWB, CGWD, CGXB, CTUA; 2010-2014)

  2010–2014 · 300–310 hp · CGWB, CGWD, CGXB, CTUA

  With caution

  This is the production window covered by the 2015 fuel rail campaign (built between April 2011 and April 2012) and the one a workshop singles out for chain and tensioner wear (2011-2014); check that the campaign has been carried out.^[3][5][12]

• 3.0 TFSI 333 hp supercharged, direct injection (CAKA, CJTB, CTWA, CTUB; 2008-2015)

  2008–2015 · 333 hp · CAKA, CJTB, CTWA, CTUB

  With caution

  Direct injection only, so carbon build-up is to be expected, and several of these units fall under the fuel rail campaigns; ask for invoices for the campaigns and for intake cleaning.^[2][3][11]

• 3.0 TFSI 333 hp evo supercharged with combined injection (CREC; 2014-2018)

  2014–2018 · 333 hp · CREC

  With caution

  The supporting indirect injection should ease carbon build-up (no source measures this) and a workshop says the chain gives fewer problems from 2014, but these units fall under the 2019 low-pressure rail campaign: confirm by VIN that it has been done.^{[4][5][12][13]}

• 3.0 TFSI 272 hp supercharged (CTUC, CTVA, CMUA, CJTC; 2010-2017)

  2010–2017 · 272 hp · CTUC, CTVA, CMUA, CJTC

  With caution

  A German guide sees this V6 as more reliable than the 2.0 TFSI, but advises against buying one without a complete maintenance history and mentions a service action that replaced the thermostat.^[2]

• SQ5 3.0 TFSI 354 hp supercharged (2013-2017)

  2013–2017 · 354 hp

  With caution

  For the 2013-2014 SQ5, Gebrauchtwagenberater cites undersized injector seals that can burn through and cause rough running; it is a single source, but it is worth asking whether they have been checked.^[2]

• 3.0 TFSI turbo (EA839: CZSE, DR, CWGD; 2016 onwards)

  since 2016 · 330–354 hp · CZSE, DR, CWGD

  Buy

  We have not found any documented faults of its own in open sources; the German A6 C8 guide says this V6 has not given problems so far, although with few years of use and no high-mileage data.^[6]

• 2.9 TFSI twin-turbo (EA839: DECA, DKMB; 2016 onwards)

  since 2016 · 330–450 hp · DECA, DKMB

  Buy

  No documented faults of its own in open sources (the A6 C8 guide only says the EA839 has not attracted attention), but these are very recent versions with sporty use; check the maintenance history.^[6][7]

Buy: No known serious faults, or they have already been corrected, in this version. With caution: Worth buying if something specific is verified: history, a replaced part or a completed campaign. Avoid: High risk of a serious fault that is hard to check for or prevent.

1. 1High severityFrequency: OccasionalTimingTiming 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.
2. 2High severityFrequency: OccasionalFuelFuel leak at the injection rails (2015 and 2019 campaigns)Audi recalled cars with the 3.0 TFSI over possible leaks from the fuel rails: one campaign in 2015 (built between April 2011 and April 2012) and another in 2019 (low-pressure rails, built between 2014 and 2016). You notice it by a smell of petrol; the fix is to replace the rails.
3. 3Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalCoolingLeak at the thermostat housing and water pumpTechnical guides cite coolant leaks from the plastic thermostat housing and from the water pump of the supercharged 3.0 TFSI, and Audi also replaced the thermostat in a 2015 campaign. You notice it by falling coolant and, if ignored, by overheating.
4. 4Low severityFrequency: CommonIntakeCarbon build-up on the intake valves (direct injection)Like any direct-injection engine, the 3.0 TFSI accumulates carbon on the intake valves, because the fuel does not wash them; guides put it at around 95,000 km and it causes rough idle and loss of power. The 333 hp versions from 2014 add indirect injection.
5. 5Low severityFrequency: OccasionalLubricationPCV valve failure (crankcase ventilation)The PCV valve in the 3.0 TFSI's crankcase ventilation can fail with age and mileage: parts supplier and workshop guides cite rough idle, vacuum leaks and higher oil consumption. It is a minor fault, with no campaign or published statistics.

Severity colours: low, medium, high, critical. How we rate them

Manufacturer

Audi (Grupo Volkswagen)

Family

EA837 / EA839

Fuel

Petrol

Displacement

2,995 cm³

Cylinders

6

Fuel system

Turbo

Injection

Direct injection

Timing

Chain

Power

272–450 hp

Peak torque

600 Nm

Production

since 2008

Makes

Audi, Porsche and Volkswagen

Technical data^{[7][8][9][10]}

1. 2008–2013

   3.0 TFSI 290 hp supercharged (CAJA, CGWA; 2008-2013)

   First version: 90° V6 of 2,995 cm³ derived from the naturally aspirated 3.2 FSI (stroke reduced from 92.8 to 89 mm), with a Roots supercharger behind the throttle and direct injection at 150 bar; 290 hp and 420 Nm constant between 2,500 and 4,850 rpm. It debuted in the facelifted A6 of autumn 2008. The codes come from an engine database (CAJA for the A6 C6, CGWA for the A8).^[8][9][18]

2. 2008–2015

   3.0 TFSI 333 hp supercharged, direct injection (CAKA, CJTB, CTWA, CTUB; 2008-2015)

   333 hp and 440 Nm version for the S4 and S5 (B8, CAKA), the Q7 4L and the A8 D4. The S4 B8 was produced from November 2008. The code database does not specify in which years each code moved to combined injection; only the 333 hp A6 from 2014 (CREC) is documented with both direct and indirect injection.^{[17][18][24][25]}

3. 2010–2014

   3.0 TFSI 300/310 hp supercharged (CGWB, CGWD, CGXB, CTUA; 2010-2014)

   Version for the A6 C7 and A7 with 299-300 hp (2011-2012) and 310 hp (2012-2014) and 440 Nm; compression ratio 10.3:1 and direct injection, according to km77. The codes come from an engine database, which does not give the years for each one.^{[14][15][18][23]}

4. 2010–2017

   3.0 TFSI 272 hp supercharged (CTUC, CTVA, CMUA, CJTC; 2010-2017)

   272 hp and 400 Nm version for the Q5 8R (CTUC/CTVA according to Wikipedia), the Q7 4L and, according to an engine database, the first-generation A4 and A5 (CMUA).^[16][18][25]

5. 2013–2017

   SQ5 3.0 TFSI 354 hp supercharged (2013-2017)

   354 hp and 470 Nm version for the SQ5 8R, the most powerful supercharged V6. We have not verified its engine code.^[16]

6. 2014–2018

   3.0 TFSI 333 hp evo supercharged with combined injection (CREC; 2014-2018)

   333 hp and 440 Nm evolution between 2,900 and 5,300 rpm with a compression ratio of 10.8:1 and combined direct/indirect injection (A6 C7 from 2014 to 2017 according to km77). The engine database also associates it with the Q7 4M, the A7 and the A8 D4.^[13][18][25]

7. since 2016

   3.0 TFSI turbo (EA839: CZSE, DR, CWGD; 2016 onwards)

   Replaces the supercharger with a single twin-scroll turbo in a new 2,995 cm³ V6 with common-rail direct injection and Audi valvelift; 340 hp and 500 Nm (CZSE from 2017, DR from 2019) and 354 hp in the S4/S5 (CWGD). It is also fitted to the Cayenne III, Touareg III and Panamera.^[7][20][21]

8. since 2016

   2.9 TFSI twin-turbo (EA839: DECA, DKMB; 2016 onwards)

   2,894 cm³ version with two turbos in the V: 440 hp in the Cayenne S (until 2023), the Panamera 4S and the Macan Turbo/GTS, 380 hp in the 2020-2021 Macan S and GTS and 450 hp in the RS4 and RS5 (DECA); the Panamera 4 E-Hybrid uses a 330 hp variant.^{[7][19][20][21]}

• Timing chain kit

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• Oil filter

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• Air filter

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• Spark plugs

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