2016-2024 Audi A4 40 TFSI Engine (2.0 TFSI): Problems, Longevity, and Specs

When it comes to Audi engines, you need to have some degree in car engineering to understand which exact model of numerous similar engines is installed in a certain car. They take one type of engine and modify it for different vehicles adjusting power, torque, and other specs.

So, the Audi A4 in the US is offered now with basically two engines - both are 2-liter powerplants with very similar types of turbochargers. Basically, the engines are the same, they differ in power and some settings. But still, I could find some differences.

Key features and my opinion about the engine

• Production years:2008-now
• Average lifespan of 40 TFSI:150,000-180,000 miles
• Fuel supply type:direct injection
• Power range:190-300 hp
• Fuel efficiency:good
• Engine block material:aluminum
• Engine reliability score:medium
• The most common problems:heavy oil burning, turbocharger problems, issues with the oil and water pumps, timing chain problems.

Key features of the 40 TFSI engine in the Audi

So, why 40 TFSI? I don't know why they call their trims in such a weird way making the impression that the A4 has a 4-liter engine under the hood. Of course, it's not true, the engine is just the simple 2.0 TFSI turbocharged unit in one of its basic incarnations. With the restyling version, this engine got a little more power and became more attractive to clients.

Well, the only other option is a more powerful 45 TFSI trim with basically the same 2-liter powerplant but with some changes, and I'm going to tell about this powerplant in one of my next articles. Now, let's focus on the base engine because, if I wanted to buy an A4, I would choose exactly this version.

Here's what you should know about the engine:

• it's a 2-liter TFSI turbocharged powerplant with 4 cylinders and optimal power output of 201 hp and also 236 lb-ft of torque;
• this engine has the combined fuel injection (direct plus port), so it should suffer from carbon buildup;
• the engine was first introduced in 2016 and was also installed in the A5 in almost all markets where Audi sells;
• the engine features the AVS (Audi Valveshift System) for intake valves and also phasers for both camshafts;
• the timing system in these engines is driven by the chain, the cylinder block is cast iron and the head is aluminum;
• the only available transmission type is the 7-speed dual-clutch transmission called S-Tronic;
• this engine and transmission can achieve 24 MPG in the city and about 33 MPG on highways depending on your driving style, of course.

The transmission may cause a lot of questions and I feel I have to tell you more about it. This is not the old crappy 7-DSG by Volkswagen. Although S-Tronic takes the same construction, the wet-clutch system and some improvements in the shifting automatics make this transmission pretty reliable if serviced regularly. I'll cover the service requirements later on in the article.

The gas mileage doesn't seem bad but you shouldn't expect you will see these EPA-estimated measurements at the dash of your Audi A4 at all times. This engine is pretty aggressive and will want you to press that gas pedal sometimes to let the beast show off a little. But overall fuel economy in the 40 TFSI version is great and won't disappoint you.

How long will the 40 TFSI engine last in the Audi A4?

Although the overall expectation from 2-liter turbo engines made by Volkswagen AG is not really great, the 40 TFSI engine version that is installed in the Audi A4 is pretty good. It can last more than 170,000 miles if maintained well and does not require any bad repairs or expensive procedures. Well almost not require.

Surprisingly, the 7-speed S-Tronic transmission can go as much as the engine but it will need more maintenance than you expect. The worst part of this transmission is the clutch assembly which may fail at around 150,000 miles or later and require very expensive replacement.

I don't see why you may be disappointed with the durability of the 2.0 TFSI base engine in the new Audi A4. It's pretty good in terms of reliability, it can fail predictably and you can prevent those failures just by maintaining this engine with high-quality parts and doing this regularly.

What are the common problems with the 2.0 TFSI base engine in the A4?

When it comes to problems, Audi is one of the leaders among all luxury car brands. I mean, you will have to encounter so sophisticated and weird problems with these engines that even professionals sometimes struggle to locate them and deal with them properly. It means that you will need to invest in professional maintenance and repairs if you want to keep this engine running longer than average.

Here are some problems you should keep in mind:

1. Oil consumption from the very beginning

Quite a lot of owners report oil consumption in these 2.0 TFSI engines but Audi says it's OK and you shouldn't worry. Some oil will be burnt inevitably in any turbo engine, but unless it's more than 1 liter per 1000 miles, you shouldn't care much.

The only problem I see with the oil consumption is that owners of new vehicles don't tend to look at the dipstick to check the oil levels every other week. And this can be a fatal thing if you own the Audi A4. VAG oil pressure sensors as always react too late to fatal oil pressure changes and you will see the warning light on the dash when the poor lubrication has already affected some parts.

2. Timing chain is not eternal

Although Audi says that the timing chain should live as long as the engine, it's not true. At about 100,000 miles, the chain will be ready for replacement. The lifespan of the timing chain and tensioner depends much on the driving style. Abusing this engine will lead to engine rattle at 50,000 miles or earlier.

It's OK that you need to replace the chain at about 100K miles - pretty much all chain-driven engines require the same. It's just not OK that this chain costs too much and the entire OEM chain kit costs so much that it should be made of gold.

3. Water pump and oil pump issues

The water pump may require replacement even earlier than the chain kit. It's made of plastic in these engines and isn't going to live longer than 100K miles. Problems with the water pump will lead to bad overheating which, in turn, will kill this engine pretty quickly.

Also, the adjustable oil pump doesn't seem like a very decent part of this engine. I suppose you will have to inspect it exactly when the chain is changed and maybe you will want to replace the oil pump, too.

4. Gas mileage problems

If you expect that your new Audi A4 is good enough to give you 30 MPG economy on average, you should learn more about the car. Yes, it's quite economical if you drive it like an 80-year-old lady would do. In other cases, the 20 MPG rating in the city will be your average. These engines are only economical if you rotate them up to 3000 RPM and never accelerate too fast.

The 2.0 TFSI may lack some power after you try the 45 TFSI version. This one seems to be perfect for the A4 but the thing is that it costs much more and is more problematic. And you will want to press the gas pedal harder in your more reasonable 40 TFSI version to get it to accelerate faster and go better. Of course, this will affect the gas mileage.

How can you prolong the life of the 2.0 TFSI Audi A4 base engine?

Here are some important tips you will want to follow if you wish to drive your new A4 at least 170,000 miles or even more than that:

• oil changes and filter changes should be done a little more often than the manufacturer recommends;
• avoid using non-OEM fluids and filters and also always choose expensive OEM parts even if you need to wait for them to be delivered;
• replace the timing chain kit (plus the water pump) at 100,000 miles or once the engine starts rattling;
• inspect the oil pump and consider replacing it at 100K miles, too;
• never ignore smoke from the tailpipe or changed the performance of your vehicle;
• check the oil level regularly to avoid low levels and consequences;
• change the oil and filter in the 7-speed S-Tronic transmission every 30,000 miles to avoid issues.

Final thoughts

The price difference between identical trims with 40 TFSI and 45 TFSI engines is just about $2,000. It's not a lot and you may be tempted to buy a more powerful version. But the 40 TFSI 2.0L engine is actually great. It's reasonably powerful and pretty economical, it's quite reliable and doesn't need a lot of attention. So, I would choose this engine if I wanted to buy the new A4. Or maybe I would wait for the next generation of the vehicle hoping Audi will still sell it in the US.