Recalls: Audi 8J TTS Roadster
Overview
Manufacturers, or importers, issue recalls for defects or faults which have the potential to cause injury. Generally, manufacturers will inform the original buyers if their vehicle is subject to a recall and of the steps required to remedy the defect or fault. Please note that the recalls below (if any) are for Australian-delivered vehicles only. Furthermore, the number of recalls should not be taken as an indication of a model’s reliability or its safety more generally.
Recalls: Audi 8J TTS Roadster
- In October 2009, a recall was issued for 2009 model year Audi 8J TTS Roadster vehicles fitted with the six-speed Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG). For these vehicles, the control unit in the DSG could cause a false temperature signal which indicated that the clutch was overloaded. If this occurred, the control unit would open the clutch in order to protect the gearbox. As a consequence, the clutch protection function was activated, resulting in a flashing gear-change indicator, uneven transmission of power, reduced engine torque and release of clutch (PRA 2009/11172).
Problems and faults: Audi 8J TTS Roadster
Overview
This section identifies potential problems, causes and fixes based on the experiences of owners and repairers, online sources and technical service bulletins. This information is provided solely for reference purposes and AustralianCar.Reviews recommends that only properly qualified persons carry out repairs or modifications. Furthermore, the number of items below should not be taken as an indicator of a model’s reliability or the frequency with which they may occur.
To report a problem or fault to the AustralianCar.Reviews team, please use the Contact Us form. Note that AustralianCar.Reviews does not offer advice on automotive problems or disputes; such enquiries will not receive a reply. For vehicles purchased from dealers after 1 January 2011, please see our Australian Consumer Law fact sheet.
Audi USA: DQ250 DSG fault and extended warranty
In December 2009, Volkswagen and Audi USA initiated a ‘Customer Satisfaction Campaign‘ for 2007-09 ‘model year’ Volkswagen vehicles that had six-speed DSG transmissions.
Faulty component and jerky gearshifts
According to Volkswagen/Audi, the six-speed DQ250 DSG transmissions of a limited number of 2007-09 ‘model year’ vehicles had a faulty component inside the transmission’s Mechatronic unit. Specifically, the bushings of two solenoid valves inside the mechatronic unit could wear prematurely, causing the clutches inside the transmission to ‘operate less smoothly than before’ and provide jerky gearshifts. According to Volkswagen, the vehicle remained safe to drive since it did not affect forward or rearward motion of the vehicle. As part of the ‘Customer Satisfaction Campaign’, Volkswagen/Audi would replace mechatronic units that were identified as faulty by Volkswagen’s diagnostic tool.
Extended DSG warranty
As part of the Customer Satisfaction Campaign, Volkswagen and Audi extended the warranty on the DQ250 DSG transmission to ten years or 100,000 miles (160,900 kilometres) – whichever occurred first – from the vehicle’s original ‘in-service’ date. The ‘in-service’ date was defined as the date that the vehicle was delivered to the original purchaser/lessee or, if the vehicle was a demonstrator, the date that the vehicle commenced service.
Under the extended warranty, the Volkswagen/Audi dealer was responsible for diagnosing and repairing the DSG transmission at no cost to the owner provided that the vehicle was maintained in accordance with the requirements in the owner’s manual.
2009 model year Audi 8J TTS: weak exhaust valve springs, engine judder and misfires
In November 2009, Audi issuedTechnical Product Information (TPI) 2018868/4 for 2009 model year Audi 8J TTS vehicles that had CDLA engines and manual transmissions (code: KNZ). However, AustralianCar.Reviews understands that this TPI bulletin also applied to the de-tuned CDLB and CDLC engines that were offered in Australia. According to the TPI bulletin, these vehicles may exhibit the following symptoms –
- Engine judder or misfires at engine speeds above 5500 rpm;
- The following diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) logged in the engine control unit (ECU):
- P300 misfiring recognised;
- P301 cylinder 1 misfiring recognised;
- P302 cylinder 2 misfiring recognised;
- P303 cylinder 3 misfiring recognised (note that 80 per cent of misfiring is logged on this cylinder); or
- P304 cylinder 4 misfiring recognised.
These symptoms were attributed to the exhaust valve springs; due to a production error, the valve springs that were fitted were too soft.
To verify if the soft valve springs were fitted, they were to be inspected – the colour marks on the incorrect springs were white/yellow. The weak springs were to be replaced with valve springs that had the part number 06F 109 623 – these springs had yellow/blue colour marks.
Problems and faults: Audi 8J TTS Roadster
- The brakes may make a moaning or murmuring noise at low speeds or when turning at low speeds due to a faulty caliper piston seal that does not retract the brakes sufficiently.
- The ‘check engine’ light may illuminate due to problems in the wiring for the throttle valve – this requires that the original wires be replaced; to identify whether the wires were replaced, the replacement wires were yellow.
- The ‘bulb out’ warning light may illuminate due to a problem with the socket for the daytime running lights – if so, the socket needs to be replaced.
- If one of the low beam HID headlights flickers, it may be burning out. If, however, the light goes out and installing a replacement does not work, the control module may be faulty.
- The Bluetooth telephone volume may become too low and cannot be turned up if the volume control is turned down when ending a call.
