Help - 2018 SQ5 Engine Failure

[944thomas]

Hello,

I'll keep this short. My mother has a 2018 SQ5 that has about 140,000km on it. She started getting a ticking sound (louder than the injectors) which I assumed was going to be the dreaded rocker arm starting to wear. She took it to Audi KW in here Ontario. It was too late as there was was a good amount of metal in the oil filter. Tech suspected a "spun bearing" but no definitive failure point. Either way, the repair bill for new long block and turbo comes to $59,000 CAD. I am absolutely gutted for her especially since I have had several Audis myself and have preached their reliability. She still owes around $22k on it as well and its now basically worthless. This vehicle was purchased 3 years ago from a reputable used lot and has been serviced often and competently through our local shop. It's currently parked while we try to find answers.

A couple questions.

1) Anybody out of warranty gone through this? I'm shocked there isn't a class action lawsuit for this since it seems to occur often enough to steer people away from the brand or cripple people financially at no fault of their own.
2) Did Audi help out in any way? I've read posts here saying the work was either covered or partially covered by Audi. The dealership really hasn't been any help. Told her she can call the customer relations line to complain.
3) What the hell are we supposed to do with this thing now? I've heard of people selling to no look buyers like carvana or clutch but I don't feel great about that.

Any insight is greatly appreciated. She's in her 60's now and I'm just trying to gather any information or recruit any help I possibly can. We are extremely disappointed in the brand at the moment.

Thanks all.

[chrisdazzo]

$59,000 is insane. F the dealer, go to an independent Euro shop and see what they will charge. Why bother with Audi themselves since you're out of warranty anyway? I'd call customer relations just in case, though.

[njspeedfreak]

Hello,

I'll keep this short. My mother has a 2018 SQ5 that has about 140,000km on it. She started getting a ticking sound (louder than the injectors) which I assumed was going to be the dreaded rocker arm starting to wear. She took it to Audi KW in here Ontario. It was too late as there was was a good amount of metal in the oil filter. Tech suspected a "spun bearing" but no definitive failure point. Either way, the repair bill for new long block and turbo comes to $59,000 CAD. I am absolutely gutted for her especially since I have had several Audis myself and have preached their reliability. She still owes around $22k on it as well and its now basically worthless. This vehicle was purchased 3 years ago from a reputable used lot and has been serviced often and competently through our local shop. It's currently parked while we try to find answers.

A couple questions.

1) Anybody out of warranty gone through this? I'm shocked there isn't a class action lawsuit for this since it seems to occur often enough to steer people away from the brand or cripple people financially at no fault of their own.
2) Did Audi help out in any way? I've read posts here saying the work was either covered or partially covered by Audi. The dealership really hasn't been any help. Told her she can call the customer relations line to complain.
3) What the hell are we supposed to do with this thing now? I've heard of people selling to no look buyers like carvana or clutch but I don't feel great about that.

Any insight is greatly appreciated. She's in her 60's now and I'm just trying to gather any information or recruit any help I possibly can. We are extremely disappointed in the brand at the moment.

Thanks all.

1) Yes. 2018 S5 which had 86k miles. Car went into limp mode and was basically undriveable.

2) My estimated repair cost was going to be roughly $32K of which Audi of America was willing to pay half. My dealer handled all the negotiations on this which took about 6 weeks. I did the math on laying out $16K to fix the car and then trading it in vs just trading it in as for parting out and the clear winner in my case was to just decline the shitty offer from AoA, take my losses and trade the car in as is.

3) Honestly I think your options are very limited. First thing you need to do is just accept that you are taking a big financial loss no matter what, then try to salvage the situation from that reference point. You could sell the car for scrap and get around $10K USD in scrap value. You could try to find an independent shop that is willing to transplant a used engine or attempt to do a teardown and fix on the current engine. Both of those jobs will be quite expensive, but far less than what the dealer wants to charge.

The one option that seems like the absolute worst one would be to pay $59K CAD to fix a 7 year old car. You would be infinitely better off just applying that cash to a brand new car with a full warranty and zero miles on the odometer.

I've been posting on Audi forums for the last 2 years now warning people away from buying the 2018 model years on the used market, and if they already own one to sell it before it turns into a pile of non running parts. Even if the percentage of engines that end up dying from rocker arm failure is low, the cost if you are one of the unlucky ones is just too damn high to risk it.

[GoCougs1234]

Yes, it sucks, but this situation - a major repair that cost as much or more than the vehicle's value - has always been the risk of owning out-of-warranty and it gets much more sucky with a loan. This happens all the time actually (for some real carnage peruse the diesel truck forums - it's so so so much worse they actually brag about it!). Here's how I see the options presuming the end state is a fixed 2018 SQ5 or equivalent drivable vehicle (some of the numbers are guesses but I think should prove my POV):

1: Sell the vehicle as is to a salvage yard or repair shop and then apply those funds toward the existing loan and then pay off the remainder of the loan out of pocket, and then buy another vehicle. The financial loss will be -$22,000 pay off existing loan +$5,000(?) salvage value -$25,000 buying equivalent vehicle = $42,000 out of pocket. There is no risk of any sort of drama or kickback and things happen relatively quick.

2: Have an independent shop swap in a used motor. eBay shows (USA at least) quite a few used 3.0T motors in the $5,000 - $10,000 range (let's say $7,500). I'm guessing install would be in the $7,500 range. The financial loss will be -$15,000 fix -$3,000 long term rental car = $18,000 loss + keeping this vehicle with a $22,000 loan = $40,000 out of pocket. There is the risk that the used motor is bad and/or that there is another expensive repair in the near future, plus you'll it will take time to get done (my guess is 2-3 months).

Some of the numbers are guesses but you get my point. The options are probably in the ballpark of each other with option 1 being essentially zero drama and option 2 the opposite. If it were me, I'd look at option 2 and call around to some independent shops and get estimates on cost and duration. If the numbers are even remotely close, I'd totally go with option 1. As I see it, all other options - new motor at independent shop or new motor at the dealer, trying to do it yourself with a used motor, etc. - and things are vastly more expensive and/or risky (and not really worth detailing).

[slowpokeB8]

She started getting a ticking sound (louder than the injectors)

...Can anyone describe what an "appropriate" ticking sound for these engines is? I recently purchased at 2018 SQ5 and have noticed a faint ticking sound. Faint enough that if you were having a normal conversation inside the vehicle it would be un-noticable. A few folks had mentioned it's either the HPFP or injectors and I shouldn't be concerned. I've had 2 other Audi's in the past and 2 VW's as well and they've all had quirks and some weird noises but have been bulletproof reliable. Like OP I was concerned it may be the rocker arm issue but my build date is Nov and Dec 2017 so I think that's probably a non-issue.

I performed my first oil change about 500 miles afte rbuying the car and idd not notice any metal particles in the oil or in the filter...although I did not disassemble and unroll the filter media itself.

[njspeedfreak]

...Can anyone describe what an "appropriate" ticking sound for these engines is?

Faint fast ticking is most likely injectors and HPFP and is normal. When a rocker arm bearing goes bad you will start to hear a louder, sharper and more metallic ticking noise that is slower than the normal injector ticking. It will eventually get loud enough that it makes the engine start to sound like it's a diesel. Once you hear it it's easy to identify, but of course you need to know what you are listening for first.

[Txlifter]

Just replaced my fuel pump as well as the internals, and it's very quiet now. No audible idle sound from inside, and only notice the clicking with the hood up now.

[spijun]

Hello,

I'll keep this short. My mother has a 2018 SQ5 that has about 140,000km on it. She started getting a ticking sound (louder than the injectors) which I assumed was going to be the dreaded rocker arm starting to wear. She took it to Audi KW in here Ontario. It was too late as there was was a good amount of metal in the oil filter. Tech suspected a "spun bearing" but no definitive failure point. Either way, the repair bill for new long block and turbo comes to $59,000 CAD. I am absolutely gutted for her especially since I have had several Audis myself and have preached their reliability. She still owes around $22k on it as well and its now basically worthless. This vehicle was purchased 3 years ago from a reputable used lot and has been serviced often and competently through our local shop. It's currently parked while we try to find answers.

A couple questions.

1) Anybody out of warranty gone through this? I'm shocked there isn't a class action lawsuit for this since it seems to occur often enough to steer people away from the brand or cripple people financially at no fault of their own.
2) Did Audi help out in any way? I've read posts here saying the work was either covered or partially covered by Audi. The dealership really hasn't been any help. Told her she can call the customer relations line to complain.
3) What the hell are we supposed to do with this thing now? I've heard of people selling to no look buyers like carvana or clutch but I don't feel great about that.

Any insight is greatly appreciated. She's in her 60's now and I'm just trying to gather any information or recruit any help I possibly can. We are extremely disappointed in the brand at the moment.

Thanks all.

59.000 CAD

You can buy a four-year newer MY2022 model for 45-53k CAD

https://www.autotrader.ca/cars/audi/sq5/2022/

https://www.audihamilton.com/certifi...d4320a5997.htm

https://www.cargurus.ca/Cars/l-Used-...ortback-c31424

[TheContrarian]

Is the car driveable? You said it was ticking and brought it in, but what diagnosis work did they do? Finding metal in the oil filter by itself doesn't mean that much, I've had some flakes every time I replace the filter from the cam gears wearing. You might want a second opinion, Audi dealers will tell you a new engine is required almost by default. You might just need a rocker arm job and new cam.

[Hostile]

As others have said. You need to find a reputable, indie German shop. No one should be taking their cars to the dealer once the warranty is gone.

$59,000 is insane.

Almost as insane as still owing $22k on a 8-year old car.

[944thomas]

Thanks for your input guys, both those helpful and not (gotta love the forum experience). Decided to go the route of doing the rocker arm job since there wasn't a failure. After driving the vehicle home from the dealer, there were no signs of metal particles in the filter media. A local shop is completing the work for about $6100CAD. The V3 0P2 arms will be used. As there is no guarantee we will see no problems in the future, this is the least financially impactful route to take at this point. Hoping to get another 2 years out of it while its paid off and leave the brand. I feel for those who have been through or will go through the same thing.

Keeping all the receipts from dealer and shop in hopes that one day this becomes a class action and we can see some reimbursement.

[GoCougs1234]

Thanks for your input guys, both those helpful and not (gotta love the forum experience). Decided to go the route of doing the rocker arm job since there wasn't a failure. After driving the vehicle home from the dealer, there were no signs of metal particles in the filter media. A local shop is completing the work for about $6100CAD. The V3 0P2 arms will be used. As there is no guarantee we will see no problems in the future, this is the least financially impactful route to take at this point. Hoping to get another 2 years out of it while its paid off and leave the brand. I feel for those who have been through or will go through the same thing.

Keeping all the receipts from dealer and shop in hopes that one day this becomes a class action and we can see some reimbursement.

Haha! Those hostile in this thread surely owe plenty of $$$ on their vehicles - such forum antics are usually self-fulfilling!

But good to hear it wasn't an out-n-out engine failure and $6,100 is a way easier pill to swallow.

[mauromj]

Haha! Those hostile in this thread surely owe plenty of $$$ on their vehicles - such forum antics are usually self-fulfilling!

But good to hear it wasn't an out-n-out engine failure and $6,100 is a way easier pill to swallow.

Hey, nice username. :)

[mauromj]

I don't have much useful information to contribute here. I just picked up a 2018 SQ5 with 75K miles and hearing this scares me. I'm thinking a rocker arm replacement will be in by near future..

[GoCougs1234]

Hey, nice username. :)

Spent way too much time in Sloan - and The Coug! Somehow got a degree out of it all!

[raymond12257]

Hi I am currently undergoing the same issue with my C8 audi A7. The dealership said they mainly seeing this type of failures in s5s and this is the first A7 they seen fail. Currently i have extended warranty am waiting for them to reply on what their plan is. I got a quote of $60.5k to replace the engine

[Whitigir]

Holy cow...these engines are expensive as hell

[Txlifter]

I think it's the 25hrs of dealer-priced labor that makes it expensive...

[GoCougs1234]

I think it's the 25hrs of dealer-priced labor that makes it expensive...

The MSRP for the long block is $17,000. Even at $250/hr, that's only $6,250. Where's the other ~$37,000?

[TheContrarian]

Hi I am currently undergoing the same issue with my C8 audi A7. The dealership said they mainly seeing this type of failures in s5s and this is the first A7 they seen fail. Currently i have extended warranty am waiting for them to reply on what their plan is. I got a quote of $60.5k to replace the engine

If is indeed a rocker arm issue, the rockers and possibly cam can be replaced, you certainly don't need to replace the entire engine, that's absurd.

Some non-magnetic aluminum sparkles in the EA839 oil filter is more or less normal. It is not alone indicative of a major malfunction.

[DavidZ]

Dealer always replace the parts, instead of repairing them, which is not so profitable.
My 2018 SQ5 had the same issue, ticking, metal chips found in the oil filter and oil pan. The car was still drivable except the annoying noise. Fortunately, my SQ5 was still in the extended warranty, which I bought when I got the car. Audi dealer replaced the long block for free, which costed more than $40k cad.
Considering that your car is out of warranty, the best option is to sell it. Or as the others suggested to find a German car shop to fix the engine, whatever the rock arm or spoke.

[Whitigir]

Dealer always replace the parts, instead of repairing them, which is not so profitable.
My 2018 SQ5 had the same issue, ticking, metal chips found in the oil filter and oil pan. The car was still drivable except the annoying noise. Fortunately, my SQ5 was still in the extended warranty, which I bought when I got the car. Audi dealer replaced the long block for free, which costed more than $40k cad.
Considering that your car is out of warranty, the best option is to sell it. Or as the others suggested to find a German car shop to fix the engine, whatever the rock arm or spoke.

This is worrisomes....I dont know if 25 MY can be reliable. The B9.5 has newer engine right ?