Affected Vehicles
| Model | Years Affected | Engine Code |
|---|---|---|
| Audi A4 (B8) | 2009–2012 | CAEB, CDNC |
| Audi Q5 (First Gen) | 2009–2012 | CAEB, CDNC |
| Audi A3 (8P) | 2008–2012 | CBFA |
| VW CC, Golf, Tiguan | 2009–2012 | CBFA, CCTA |
The 2013+ updates (EA888 Gen 2) include revised piston ring design. Cars from 2013 onward are not affected by this specific issue, though they can still develop oil consumption for other reasons at higher mileage.
What Causes It
The EA888 Gen 1 piston rings were designed with tolerances that allow them to pass oil upward into the combustion chamber, where it burns off with the air-fuel mixture. The failure mode is not catastrophic — the engine doesn't suddenly fail. Instead, oil level drops gradually without the owner noticing because there's no smoke, no warning light until it's critically low, and no fault codes.
The mechanism: the oil control rings (the lowest of the three piston rings) have a design that doesn't fully scrape oil from the cylinder walls on the downstroke. That oil gets drawn into the combustion chamber and burned. On a severe case, a quart of oil can disappear every 1,000 miles. On a moderate case, it might be a quart every 2,000–3,000 miles — still far outside acceptable limits but easy to miss if you're not checking.
The danger: An owner who doesn't check oil between changes on a 5,000-mile interval can run 2–3 quarts low before the next service. Running a turbocharged engine 2 quarts low for thousands of miles causes bearing wear, turbocharger wear, and sludge formation — damage that accumulates invisibly and surfaces as expensive repairs later.
How to Test: The Oil Consumption Test
Audi's official oil consumption test: add a known quantity of oil to bring the level to exactly full, drive 1,000 miles under normal conditions (not all highway, not all city — mixed), measure what's left. More than 1 quart consumed per 1,000 miles is the threshold Audi used to qualify cars for warranty repair under the extended coverage program.
To do this yourself before purchasing a used car: ask the seller to do an oil change with a fresh filter before you meet, photograph or witness the full oil level mark, drive 500–1,000 miles, and measure. Any visible drop on the dipstick at 500 miles warrants serious consideration. A quart or more down at 1,000 miles is a failed car by any reasonable standard.
The Fix
There is one proper fix: piston ring replacement using Audi's updated pistons and rings. Audi revised the piston ring design multiple times; the current updated parts are Part Number 06H 107 065 DD (or current supersession). The job requires engine disassembly to access the pistons — it's a 20–25 labor-hour job at any shop.
| Repair Component | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Updated piston ring set (4 cylinders) | $400–$800 parts |
| Labor (20–25 hours) | $2,000–$3,000 |
| Gaskets, seals, consumables | $200–$400 |
| Total typical range | $2,600–$4,200 |
The repair makes sense on a car under 100,000 miles in otherwise excellent condition. Above 120,000 miles with deferred maintenance or other issues, the cost-benefit analysis gets complicated — that conversation is worth having with an honest shop before committing.
What Doesn't Fix It
Crankcase breather modifications are commonly marketed as a solution. They work by reducing crankcase pressure, which can reduce the rate of oil being pushed past the rings. They do not fix the rings. A modified crankcase on a car with worn rings is still burning oil — just potentially burning it at a slightly reduced rate while the engine continues to wear. We don't recommend it as a primary solution.
High-viscosity oil as a band-aid: switching to a 10W-40 or 15W-50 can reduce consumption temporarily by reducing oil's ability to pass the worn rings. It also accelerates valve train wear and carbon buildup in an engine designed for 5W-40. Not a fix.
If You Own an Affected Car
Check your oil level every 1,000–1,500 miles. Not every oil change — every 1,000 miles. Set a phone reminder. If you're consistently adding oil between changes, quantify it precisely over a 2,000-mile period and have an honest conversation with your shop about whether the piston ring repair is the right move. The alternative is continuing to add oil indefinitely while bearing wear accumulates in the background.
Extended Warranty — Audi's Response
Audi extended the emissions warranty coverage on affected EA888 Gen 1 vehicles to cover oil consumption repairs under certain conditions. Most of these warranty claims have expired by now given the age of affected cars. If you have a 2009–2012 car still under an extended warranty or CPO coverage, it's worth checking whether oil consumption is covered before paying out of pocket.