RS5 Transmission malfunction

[Dfw007]

Help...

I was driving my RS5 on the freeway today and a warning light came on stating the transmission malfunctioned, continue driving. Nothing is wrong with car, it drives fine, no codes, but very weird. Anyone have this happen? I just have the tranny serviced by Audi...

[ICU2]

Help...

I was driving my RS5 on the freeway today and a warning light came on stating the transmission malfunctioned, continue driving. Nothing is wrong with car, it drives fine, no codes, but very weird. Anyone have this happen? I just have the tranny serviced by Audi...

Mileage?

[Ape Factory]

I'd bring it back there right away since it was just serviced for documentation purposes. They can double check their work and make sure nothing's leaking and the fluid levels are correct. Which service was it? 15K, 35K?

Not to alarm you but usually when this sort of thing happens, it's the start of mechatronic issues like the circuit board or the gear selector sensor. Can be a result of not changing the fluids at the recommended intervals or just premature parts failure.

[Ape Factory]

Any updates?

[Dfw007]

Sorry, forgot to come back on this one... I did take it back, they said the tranny was cold and I tried to accelerate too hard. Everything checked out fine and I have not gotten a new code since. I agree that I think there could be a long term brewing. This was the 35k service although I’m at 33k, it was due time of last service.

I’m now thinking of trading it in for an M4 or 911.


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[Ape Factory]

Were you actually accelerating hard at the time or just cruising? I always have my oil temp gauge displayed in the center of the gauge console and live by it religiously. It's a good litmus for the tranny fluid temp too as the coolant tends to get up to temp quickly whereas oil takes longer. The S-tronic definitely likes to be warmed up and performs more smoothly when it is. I'd personally pass on an M4 but the right 911 would be tempting.

Thanks for checking back in. Appreciate it and hope everything works out.

[mcbuck]

I always have my oil temp gauge displayed in the center of the gauge console and live by it religiously. It's a good litmus for the tranny fluid temp too as the coolant tends to get up to temp quickly whereas oil takes longer.

^^^^This. I always try to stay below 3000-3500 rpm until I hit 190 or so. Also interested in your mileage. I'm at 106K plus with no issues, but I'm ever vigilant.

[Dfw007]

I was cruising on the freeway, no acceleration. Considering I live 5-8 mins from the freeway it was warmed up on a non cold day.

I have 32,000 miles on my 2014.


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[Ape Factory]

I'm the same, takes me about nine minutes to get on the highway and I've done logs. Unless I keep it in manual and the revs around 2500-3K rpm, the car is barely at 160 degrees by the time I get on the highway. There are times, with the outside temp, that I'm at 140. I basically have two stoplights, some twisty bits, and a hard right onto an access road, then the highway. I always thought I was up to temp by the access road in my previous car (no oil temp gauge) but datalogging proved me wrong.

But yeah, strange that it threw a code. I'd just continue to monitor it and your issue was logged by Audi. Wouldn't worry bout it too much at this point. They're complicated beasts and sometimes throw a code when there really isn't an issue. Did they check that the tranny software was up to date?

[Dfw007]

I'm the same, takes me about nine minutes to get on the highway and I've done logs. Unless I keep it in manual and the revs around 2500-3K rpm, the car is barely at 160 degrees by the time I get on the highway. There are times, with the outside temp, that I'm at 140. I basically have two stoplights, some twisty bits, and a hard right onto an access road, then the highway. I always thought I was up to temp by the access road in my previous car (no oil temp gauge) but datalogging proved me wrong.

But yeah, strange that it threw a code. I'd just continue to monitor it and your issue was logged by Audi. Wouldn't worry bout it too much at this point. They're complicated beasts and sometimes throw a code when there really isn't an issue. Did they check that the tranny software was up to date?

They did full diagnostics as well as several drives to see if they could get the code to come back on. Agreed it’s compicated and sometimes finicky... I have not had an issue since.

On another note I wish the new b9 RS5 looked better than it does. I just hate the new crumpled front end, car seems to have lost all character. I would never buy a new RS5 and love the look of mine. I am considering replacing both of my cars right now but it’s tough (read: first world problems) to find something I really like. Not to turn this into a different thread but you guys are around cars more than most so what the heck!

I am thinking of the M4 to replace the RS5. I think bmw has done a decent job with their new designs, although I have not sat in one. This would be my DD and 4-5 track days per year. Other cars to consider?

My Aston v8 vantage is getting long in the tooth and due for an upgrade. I had a look at the new to be released 2019 vantage and it did nothing for me. I took a Porsche GT3 for a ride, loved it but not sure about that huge rear wing. I also took a 2017 vantage v12s manual for a ride. Beast of a car but the dogleg 7 it has is very tough to drive. I looked at the R8, since this is an audi forum, and it seemed boring to me with no character. Might as well go Porsche if I’m going that route. This new car would be a weekender with the occasional track day thrown in.

Thoughts?

[Ape Factory]

I just had a brief run-in with an M4 and it's definitely faster than the RS5. I'm not a fan of the engine note or the interior. It looks physically larger than the RS5. It has a nice, aggressive exterior too. Just not sure if I could live with being in the BMW camp for a whole host of reasons I don't want to get into.

I think the B9 will grow on me. I have more of an issue with the rear of the car and the fact it's a V6. I would have loved it if they'd shoehorned the 4.0T in there.

I'd take a look at some of the other 911 models. You can order the new GT3 with a touring pack which has no wing. But they offer so many different variations there's probably something there that'd you'd like and they're all fast/great handling cars that'll do well daily driven.

I really like the new Vantage, especially the rear end treatment. Not a fan of the DB11 although I'd rock a Vanquish proudly. Maybe take a look at a Cayman GT4 too, heard the new one will have a flat 6 instead of the I-4T.

[GotRS?]

@Dfwoo7, I too dismissed the new RS5 as a replacement. Having driven an M4 for a week I'd recommend a look. In the end I'm now in a 911 GTS and am not looking back.
Thank you to my 2013 RS5 for five years of smiles.

[350mdk]

Hi there bud
The m4 is a really nice machine
My only gripe with it is that are way to common
U c about 5 every day
The rs5 is a lot more rare

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[Ape Factory]

The more I think about it, AMG GT-S or GT-R would be a contender. The GT-R is wickedly fast not only in a straight line but in the curves as well.

[Dfw007]

Update on this issue and my RS5. Turns out this is a huge problem. I continued to get the warning every few weeks and had the dealer look at it a few months ago. They said it was nothing. Roll the tape forward and the warning would occur if I even started the car in the morning before moving it. Eventually a check engine light came on. Meanwhile the car drives as normal. I took to the dealer and they told me I needed to replace the mechatronic on the tranny. Get ready for this, $7,000 to repair.

No way am I dropping that kind of $ on a car worth 40k. I sold the RS5 last night as a trade in for a brand new C63 S Mercedes. I’m so disappointed with audi. I loved my RS5 but I hate their current designs and feel I may not be back to the brand.

Good luck, great group on this board.

On another note I did trade my Aston Martin in for a 2017 V12S manual transmission. A true dream car for me.

[Ape Factory]

That mechatronic could have been fixed for far, far less. The part runs about $1200 or thereabouts depending on where you find it and that's the full valve body. ECS now sells a kit that has what usually goes bad, the electronics which become corroded. That kit is under $400 and can be found here; https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...it/0b5398009e/
It's also relatively easy to remove and can be done with everything in the car. I think your Audi dealer was trying to really bend you over. I know this is all a bit too late.

But...glad you found TWO new rides and big congrats on the V12S. Love those. I'm sure you're completely smitten with both. Enjoy!

[ICU2]

That mechatronic could have been fixed for far, far less. The part runs about $1200 or thereabouts depending on where you find it and that's the full valve body. ECS now sells a kit that has what usually goes bad, the electronics which become corroded. That kit is under $400 and can be found here; https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...it/0b5398009e/
It's also relatively easy to remove and can be done with everything in the car. I think your Audi dealer was trying to really bend you over. I know this is all a bit too late.

But...glad you found TWO new rides and big congrats on the V12S. Love those. I'm sure you're completely smitten with both. Enjoy!

This is Y I love this forum, spectacular info for those of us who intend to keep the RS5 long term & offering a solution should any of us encounter this problem. Thanks Ape Factory.

[Dfw007]

That mechatronic could have been fixed for far, far less. The part runs about $1200 or thereabouts depending on where you find it and that's the full valve body. ECS now sells a kit that has what usually goes bad, the electronics which become corroded. That kit is under $400 and can be found here; https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...it/0b5398009e/
It's also relatively easy to remove and can be done with everything in the car. I think your Audi dealer was trying to really bend you over. I know this is all a bit too late.

But...glad you found TWO new rides and big congrats on the V12S. Love those. I'm sure you're completely smitten with both. Enjoy!

Guess I should have posted earlier. Thanks for the info... I decided I did not want to live with it anymore... but, good to know there is options. Agreed this is a great forum. Doubt I will find anything as good for the Merc.

[ICU2]

Update on this issue and my RS5. Turns out this is a huge problem. I continued to get the warning every few weeks and had the dealer look at it a few months ago. They said it was nothing. Roll the tape forward and the warning would occur if I even started the car in the morning before moving it. Eventually a check engine light came on. Meanwhile the car drives as normal. I took to the dealer and they told me I needed to replace the mechatronic on the tranny. Get ready for this, $7,000 to repair.

No way am I dropping that kind of $ on a car worth 40k. I sold the RS5 last night as a trade in for a brand new C63 S Mercedes. I’m so disappointed with audi. I loved my RS5 but I hate their current designs and feel I may not be back to the brand.

Good luck, great group on this board.

On another note I did trade my Aston Martin in for a 2017 V12S manual transmission. A true dream car for me.

I kept watching & waiting, hoping U wouldn’t develop a more complicated/expensive issue but sadly it occurred anyway. Totally understand getting out of the car & into the Merc, & a bucket list item for me is to drive a performance oriented V12 @ some point in my life. Always loved the looks/style of the Aston Martin. Congratulations!

[Ape Factory]

Hey I know this thread has "resolved" but I wanted to post this link here for others. I actually came across it some time ago and forgot about it. But it's a a guy basically replacing the electronics in his S-tronic at home but in an S4. Most of it pertains to our cars as well though and it will, at the very least give you some idea of what's involved and with photos.
https://forums.quattroworld.com/s4b8/msgs/55791.phtml

[ATRS5]

Thanks for sharing this. My 2014 RS5 just did the same thing. Trans malfunction followed by TPMS error. First fix was a software upgrade and then it happened again a month later. Now they are replacing the mechatronic system. $4300 is the damage but it’s under warranty. I’m hoping this is a done deal.

[Ape Factory]

What was your mileage at the time? Curious if they're replacing the entire unit or just the electronics?

[ATRS5]

Mileage is 63k on mine. Just bought it used and it happened the day after I got the car so it was covered under their 30 day warranty. They performed a software upgrade initially but it happened again a month later so the next step is to replace the mechatronic unit.

[namvar]

Thank goodness for extended warranties. $35K and counting charged to the extended warranty on our Q7. Just rolled into extended warranty territory on the RS.

[Yoda1]

Is the class action lawsuit for tranny malfunction a real concern for the RS5? Haven’t really seen many complaints on this forum.




https://www.classaction.org/audi-tra...oblem-lawsuits

[bscola888]

Submitted my info. Had intermittent limp mode issues, code was overtemp yet temps were fine. Replaced board, no issues since. Common issue or so I'm told.

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[BigAngryBananas]

Is the class action lawsuit for tranny malfunction a real concern for the RS5? Haven’t really seen many complaints on this forum.




https://www.classaction.org/audi-tra...oblem-lawsuits

Huh. I've actually experienced all of the listed but the only one that was mildly alarming to me was the surging when slowing to a stop while downshifting. I just chalked up the judder/shaking/jerkiness as part of living with a DCT and poor throttle control. I'm guessing this is part of the reason they switched to ZF8s in their new cars.

[hahnmgh63]

The usual problem as many know is the Mechatronic electronics which Audi sells as a replacement. The parts are down to about $400 but what some dealers do is charge retail parts prices and high labor charging anywhere from $1200 to $2000 for replacement. What Audi should have done as good will is either comp the replacement, or at least subsidized the cost since they were inferior parts. The Mechatronic went through a few iterations but I think the latest updated happened sometime in late 2013. S-Tronics are not completely out of the Audi lineup, but they are a more expensive option to the ZF 8spd so Audi is keeping them out of the regular cars.

[BigAngryBananas]

[Snip] S-Tronics are not completely out of the Audi lineup, but they are a more expensive option to the ZF 8spd so Audi is keeping them out of the regular cars.

They aren't but as far as I know, the RS3 is the only RS car you can buy right now with a DCT. They've all switched to ZF8s.

[DJMustard]

I had the mechatronic fail on my car last fall, less than a week out of CPO! Basically had it towed to the dealer and said ‘make this right’. They kicked me over to Audi NA, after a looonnnnggg process full of well timed vacations and vehicle histories, they went halfsies on the fix, ended up being about $750 out of pocket for parts and labor, they did a fluid change at the same time too. Would’ve preferred 100% but I’ll take what I can get.


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[S5Pilot]

I just had a brief run-in with an M4 and it's definitely faster than the RS5. I'm not a fan of the engine note or the interior. It looks physically larger than the RS5. It has a nice, aggressive exterior too. Just not sure if I could live with being in the BMW camp for a whole host of reasons I don't want to get into.

I think the B9 will grow on me. I have more of an issue with the rear of the car and the fact it's a V6. I would have loved it if they'd shoehorned the 4.0T in there.

I'd take a look at some of the other 911 models. You can order the new GT3 with a touring pack which has no wing. But they offer so many different variations there's probably something there that'd you'd like and they're all fast/great handling cars that'll do well daily driven.

I really like the new Vantage, especially the rear end treatment. Not a fan of the DB11 although I'd rock a Vanquish proudly. Maybe take a look at a Cayman GT4 too, heard the new one will have a flat 6 instead of the I-4T.

I think you'd fit right in with the BMW Camp. This reason why he's having transmission issues is probably because he didn't buy your unnecessary transmission cooler.

[hahnmgh63]

S5 Pilot, I don't know where you get your information from but as the owner of a '13 RS5 & '13 S5 stg2 I have done a bit of data logging with VCDS and some Audi/Porsche club DE events. You may not be an aggressive driver but when driven aggressively the trans temps do increase quite a bit and it does affect the shifting of the DSG, Normally the DSG temps heat up much slower than the engine temps but when driven aggressively they heat up quicker and get a fair amount hotter than normal. Not for everyone but for the enthusiast who DE's or is a Sport driver and plans to keep and take care of their car I'd say it is necessary, I just can't afford two kits right now. I don't have Apes' cooler, I would like to at least purchase two of his vented bumper reinforcement bars for more airflow until I can get the whole kit.

[Ape Factory]

I think you'd fit right in with the BMW Camp. This reason why he's having transmission issues is probably because he didn't buy your unnecessary transmission cooler.

Why such a dick? Are you a Mario lover? Thought so...or maybe you're just Mario. Complete chore of a human being and a really bad chef to boot.

[BuyTheWarranty]

I think you'd fit right in with the BMW Camp. This reason why he's having transmission issues is probably because he didn't buy your unnecessary transmission cooler.

Unnecessary? My logs and performance beg to differ. The RMR cooler compliments the JHM stage 2 quite nicely, I’ve had zero performance pulled from the car in hot temps since installing this setup.

Nice try.

[JamesRS5]

I think you'd fit right in with the BMW Camp. This reason why he's having transmission issues is probably because he didn't buy your unnecessary transmission cooler.

You should spend more time doing your homework and less being a keyboard warrior. The cooler has made a huge difference in my climate where summer temps reach 53C (127F) the car drives like it's a cold day every day.

[pickle.rs]

I think you'd fit right in with the BMW Camp. This reason why he's having transmission issues is probably because he didn't buy your unnecessary transmission cooler.

Just to echo what the last two guys said, I've experienced consistency in performance running this kit for months now. The data proves this works.

[spense5]

Why such a dick? Are you a Mario lover? Thought so...or maybe you're just Mario. Complete chore of a human being and a really bad chef to boot.

Mich, youre quoting the owner of the TT RS5, Trever Rossini. Maybe you figured that out by now tho

[Ape Factory]

Didn't know that and honestly don't care, all of Mario's past deeds and actions have most of us questioning the legitimacy of everything he touches. And rightfully so.

I actually have zero issues with anyone other than Mario and hope the car lives up to the owner's expectations long term. I just can't accept someone like Mario who constantly lies has multiple accounts to prop himself up, badmouths other Audi shops/enthusiasts and has a pseudo-criminal background. Even Mario's boss wants him to stop. I can pull that thread up and post it here. It's in the RS4 section right here on Audizine. Even admits Mario lied and doesn't understand why he chooses to do that over and over again.

If someone chooses to spend money with that guy, and not do their research on his past, well, that's something they'll have to live with. If they do the research and still decide to spend money with Mario, that says a lot of bad things about their character.

And to those who posted in my defense, I do appreciate it. I don't get on here as often as I used to but most of you know I've done nothing but try to move the RS5 community forward in a positive direction. There's always @udirevolution.net (replace the @ with an "a". We're 100% Mario-free over there. :)

Another little tidbit of information, I spoke with a guy down in Florida who was trying to purchase the RS5 engine from Mario to swap into an SQ5. He posted on here about it and we conversed offline a few times. Good guy with a really interesting project. Not sure what ever happened to him or the project.

[S5Pilot]

Didn't know that and honestly don't care, all of Mario's past deeds and actions have most of us questioning the legitimacy of everything he touches. And rightfully so.

I actually have zero issues with anyone other than Mario and hope the car lives up to the owner's expectations long term. I just can't accept someone like Mario who constantly lies has multiple accounts to prop himself up, badmouths other Audi shops/enthusiasts and has a pseudo-criminal background. Even Mario's boss wants him to stop. I can pull that thread up and post it here. It's in the RS4 section right here on Audizine. Even admits Mario lied and doesn't understand why he chooses to do that over and over again.

If someone chooses to spend money with that guy, and not do their research on his past, well, that's something they'll have to live with. If they do the research and still decide to spend money with Mario, that says a lot of bad things about their character.

And to those who posted in my defense, I do appreciate it. I don't get on here as often as I used to but most of you know I've done nothing but try to move the RS5 community forward in a positive direction. There's always @udirevolution.net (replace the @ with an "a". We're 100% Mario-free over there. :)

Another little tidbit of information, I spoke with a guy down in Florida who was trying to purchase the RS5 engine from Mario to swap into an SQ5. He posted on here about it and we conversed offline a few times. Good guy with a really interesting project. Not sure what ever happened to him or the project.

Your ignorance is hilarious. The best part about online forums is when people think they know something that they really don't. Just reading your thread and knowing what I know vs what you've stated you've got several things factually wrong.

[hahnmgh63]

S5Pilot, then tell us what you know since you seem eager? You obviously have never data logged the transmission, do you even know how to data log? Show us your facts?