Recalls: Audi 8X1 A1
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 8X1 A1
2010-11 Audi 8X1 A1 DSG/S-Tronic: transmission failure
In June 2013, a recall was issued for Audi 8X1 A1 vehicles that were fitted with seven-speed DQ200 Direct Shift Gearboxes (DSGs) and available for sale prior to 31 July 2011. In these vehicles, sulphur in the gear oil and an inorganic heat stabiliser in the plastic parts (iodine) of the mechatronic unit could cause metallic surfaces to suffer from electrolytic corrosion, particularly in conditions with high temperatures and humidity. Conducting particles could then settle between the circuit paths of the control unit and cause the gearbox fuse to blow. In most cases, the fuse would blow when the engine was started and the vehicle was stationary. If the fuse were to blow when the vehicle was in motion, however, the clutch would open and freewheel, resulting in a sudden and total loss of power to the wheels. Although other vehicle systems such as steering and braking would continue to function, the loss of power may pose a hazard to occupants and other road users (PRA 2013/13634).
2012-13 Audi 8X1 A1 S Tronic: transmission failure
In November 2013, a recall was issued for Audi 8X1 A1 vehicles with seven-speed DQ200 DSG/S-Tronic transmissions that were manufactured between October 2012 and April 2013. In these vehicles, electrolysis of sulphur constituents in the synthetic oil could cause them to separate and accumulate between electrical conductor paths. In turn, this could create a short circuit and blow the gearbox fuse, causing the clutch to fully open. While the majority of failures occurred on start-up when the vehicle was stationary, a failure when the vehicle was in motion would result in a sudden loss of power at the wheels. All other functions of the vehicle, however, would remain active. As part of the recall, the synthetic transmission oil was to be replaced with mineral oil (PRA 2013/13858).
2010-13 Audi 8X1 A11.6 TDI: NOx emissions defeat device
In October 2015, Audi Australia issued a recall for Audi 8X1 A1 vehicles with 1.6-litre EA189 diesel engines that were available for sale from 2010 to 2013. According to the recall notice, the exhaust emissions for these vehicles ‘may not meet regulatory requirements when the affected vehicle is driven under normal conditions’ (see ‘Diesel engines: NOx emissions “defeat device”‘, below). For the 1.6-litre EA189 engine, a ‘flow transformer’ will be fitted directly in front of the air mass sensor and a software update will be introduced. The flow transformer is a mesh screen that reduces the swirl of the air flow upstream of the air mass sensor so that the sensor can more accurately measure intake air volume. Owners could determine whether their vehicle was included in the recall by using a VIN checking tool at audi.com.au (PRA 2015/14956).
2011-14 model year Audi 8X1 A1 S-Tronic: pressure accumulator crack and loss of power
In October 2019, recall campaign 35D9 was issued for 2011-14 model year Audi 8X1 A1 vehicles that had seven-speed S-Tronic (or double clutch) transmissions. Due to a production fault, a crack in the transmission’s pressure accumulator (within the mechatronics housing) could occur. If the pressure accumulator cracked, oil and pressure would be lost in the hydraulic system of the gearbox. If this occurred, the transmission of engine power would be interrupted, similar to depressing the clutch in a vehicle with a manual transmission – this increased the risk of a collision and injury to vehicle occupants. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see PRA 2019/17883.
2011-14 model year Audi 8X1 A1 S-Tronic: pressure accumulator crack and loss of power #2
In May 2020, recall campaign 35E7 was issued for 2011-14 model year Audi 8X1 A1 vehicles that had seven-speed dual clutch (‘S-Tronic’) gearboxes and had previously been the subject of recall campaign 35D (PRA 2019/17883). All of these vehicles that had previously been inspected without repair now needed to be inspected again and repaired if necessary. Due to a production fault, a crack in the transmission’s pressure accumulator (within the mechatronics housing) could occur. If the pressure accumulator cracked, oil and pressure would be lost in the hydraulic system of the gearbox. If this occurred, the transmission of engine power would be interrupted, similar to depressing the clutch in a vehicle with a manual transmission – this increased the risk of a collision and injury to vehicle occupants. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see PRA 2020/18296.
2011-12 Audi 8X1 A1 with 7sp S tronic: loss of power
In November 2020, recall campaign 35E4 was issued for Audi 8X1 A1 vehicles that had seven-speed DQ200 dual-clutch transmissions (Audi’s ‘S tronic’) and were manufactured between 7 February 2011 and 9 September 2012. Due to a production fault, a crack could develop in the transmission’s pressure accumulator. If this occurred, oil and pressure could be lost in the hydraulic system of the gearbox. This, in turn, would cause the transmission of engine power to the gearbox to be interrupted, similar to depressing the clutch in a vehicle fitted with a manual transmission. This loss of power could increase the risk of a collision and injury to vehicle occupants and other road users. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see PRA 2020/18561.
Problems and faults: Audi 8X1 A1
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 A1 Sport and 1.4 Twincharger (TSI) engine: stretched timing chain
In an autobild.de article published in April 2012, a Volkswagen employee admitted that its 1.4 ‘Twincharger’ TSI engine was susceptible to stretched timing chains. According to Volkswagen, worn stamping tools caused:
- The holes in the chain links to miss the targeted manufacturing tolerances; and,
- Small burrs on the chain links that would cause abrasive wear to the timing chain.
If the timing chain stretched, the change in the engine’s camshaft timing could cause the valves and pistons to collide such that the engine would have to be re-built or replaced. A common symptom of a stretched timing chain is a rattling noise from the engine bay (see video below).
It is understood that the manufacturing defect was rectified for post-2012 1.4 TSI ‘Twincharger’ engines, though Volkswagen has not identified the production dates or engine codes of affected engines. As such, the Audi 8X1 A1 Sport’s CAVG and CTHG engines may be susceptible to this problem. According to the employee, the number of poorly manufactured chains was in the ‘low hundreds’.
Diesel engines: NOx emissions “defeat device”
Australian-delivered Audi 8X1 A1 vehicles powered by 1.6-litre diesel engines that were available for sale from 2010 to 2013 had software in the electronic control module (ECM) that could sense – via sensors measuring the position of the steering wheel, vehicle speed, the duration of the engine’s operation and barometric pressure – when the vehicle was undergoing emissions testing. The ECM would then run a ‘dyno calibration’ to produce lower nitrous oxide emissions during testing. At all other times, the ECM would run a separate ‘road calibration’ which reduced the effectiveness of the emission control system, specifically the selective catalytic reduction (SCR) or the lean NOx trap.
Based on testing conducted by the EPA and the California Air Resources Board (CARB), NOx emissions for the ‘road calibration’ were 10 to 40 times higher than US standards – this led the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to issue a notice of violation under the Clean Air Act.As a result, these vehicles did not meet the environmental standards claimed by Audi.
