Home Reliability Audi TT Years To Avoid – Which Model Years Are Bad?

Audi TT Years To Avoid – Which Model Years Are Bad?

by Kelvin Yates

Are you planning on purchasing a used Audi TT and you are looking for the Audi TT years to avoid? Well, if that is the case, then you are at the right place because there will be quite a lot to cover on this specific model.

Doing your own research before you decide to purchase a car should be one of your top priorities as an owner. In the real world, there are a ton of cars that carry potential issues on them that can be rather costly to fix. And we are not talking about hundreds of dollars in repairs but thousands of dollars.

And you definitely want to avoid ending up with a lemon full of problems. This is why you need to choose wisely. Especially when we are talking about sports cars like the TT that are rather expensive to purchase and also to maintain. So, beware of this when you want to get a sports car. Since these usually go at the higher end of the spectrum in terms of maintenance costs. And this is why we are going to help you out.

First, we are going to learn what is the Audi TT and then we will go through each generation. We will cover some of the specs, common problems, reliability, the best year, and also the Audi TT years to avoid. So, if you want to learn more, follow along.

Audi TT

Now before we start diving into the generations of the Audi TT and the Audi TT years to avoid, let’s introduce ourselves to the topic and learn more about the Audi TT in general. This will be a very good introduction for people that are not familiar with the model.

So, what is the Audi TT? Well, the TT is a sports car offered by Audi since 1998. Remember that this model is quite older than the R8 which came out much later in 2008. So, we can say that the TT is one of the early ancestors of the R8.

This is the case because the R8 greatly bases on this vehicle but it takes things further and becomes a proper supercar.

Audi TT Years To Avoid

Nevertheless, the TT is more or less an entry-level sports car like the BMW Z4, Porsche Cayman, Toyota GT86, and Mazda MX-5. It implements a front engine rear wheel drive layout and is really fun to drive.

As of 2022, there are three generations released of this model with the most recent one released back in 2014. A very long time ago. But still, Audi is updating the model with the newest features on a regular basis.

The important thing is that these vehicles are really low miles usually, so you shouldn’t be scared. Still, there are some Audi TT years to avoid. And more on that, we are going to elaborate on more later in the article.

Audi TT Generations

As we mentioned previously, there are three generations of this model released on the market. The latest generation was released in 2014.

What is interesting about these three generations is that they were all released at different times and each one of them is unique on its own. In the following chapters, we are going to cover all these generations. We will learn more about their specs, common problems, reliability, best years, and the Audi TT years to avoid. So, if you want to learn more about this model, follow along.

First Generation Audi TT MK1 (1998 – 2006)

The first generation of the Audi TT debuted in 1998, firstly launched as a coupe and the roadster followed in 1999. This model was in production up until 2006 when it was replaced with the second generation of the TT.

What is interesting about this model is that implements a clever and rather unique design that was pretty much unseen at the time. It is like a combo of the shape of the VW Beetle and the contemporary Audi design at the time and they created this unique vehicle.

This model as you probably guessed, is based on the VW A4 platform shared with the Audi A3, Golf 4, VW Beetle, and many other VW models. Still, of all of the models, the TT is the most compact.

It implements a wheelbase of only 95.4 inches and an overall length of 159.1 inches. Which is rather good considering that this is a sports coupe. The model got a lot of awards from car magazines and pundits alike. And the model was a massive hit in the early 2000s. But what about the Audi TT years to avoid? More on that we are going to cover in a bit.

Engines & Transmissions

In terms of engines, there were two of them in this model. One was the 1.8L inline-4 turbo that at the beginning developed 148hp and 155lb-ft of torque but with the upgrades, throughout the years it managed to reach 237hp and 236lb-ft of torque.

The second engine was the 3.2L VR6, this engine was the most powerful option and produced 247hp and 236lb-ft of torque.

In terms of transmissions, there were a few. The low-powered 1.8L got the 5-speed manual, while the ones above 222hp got the 6-speed manual.

There was also a 6-speed Tiptronic automatic and a 6-speed dual-clutch transmission with the 3.2L engine. But what about the Audi TT years to avoid? More on that in a bit.

Fuel Economy

The 1.8L engine gets 18 mpg in the city, 26 mpg on the highway, and 21 mpg combined. Which is a good number for a vehicle of this era.

Safety

In terms of safety, the TT got 4-stars on the Euro NCAP testing. And this is rather understandable because of the size of the vehicle. Small cars usually perform worse than bigger vehicles. But what about the Audi TT years to avoid? More on that in a bit.

Audi TT Problems

The first generation of the Audi TT was rather problematic when compared to the following generations. In the first model year cars, there were some safety concerns connected to the stability of the vehicle.

There were high-speed accidents above 112 mph that ended up fatally when the driver abruptly tried to shift lanes. So, they were recalled in late 1999 to improve the predictability of car handling. And a new rear-end spoiler was added to the car to improve its stability.

There were also problems with the cluster. The cluster often tends to fail on these early-generation models and the only way to sort out the problem is by replacing it.

Other problems include problems with the airbags, fuel leaks from the fuel tank, and water pump failure that can cause the timing belt to fail on the 1.8T engine. But what about the Audi TT years to avoid? More on that in a bit.

Audi TT Reliability

When it comes to the Audi TT reliability, we can say that the reliability of this model is pretty average. It is not the best and is not the worst either.

The model has some issues here and there, namely with the electrical components like the cluster and also problems with the water pump.

Best Audi TT Year

When it comes to the best Audi TT year, we would recommend going for a 2005 or 2006. These are the models with the least problems and also the models with the best performance overall. So, choosing a later model year is a no-brainer unless you are a collector and want to get the first model year. But what about the Audi TT years to avoid? More on that next.

Audi TT Years To Avoid

When it comes to the Audi TT years to avoid, we would definitely recommend avoiding the 1999 and 2000. These are the model years with the most problems of all other production years. So, try to avoid them.

Second Generation Audi TT MK2 (2007 – 2014)

The second generation of the Audi TT was introduced in 2006 and 2007 was the first production year of this new generation. And this generation would be produced until 2014 when it was replaced with the third generation.

This model in a similar fashion to the previous generation was based on a VW platform. Namely, the A5 platform that was shared with the Audi A3, VW Golf 5, and VW Jetta, as well as with other VW Group vehicles.

What is interesting to note is that this new generation implemented a sleeker look that was more contemporary. And honestly, this model is looking really modern, even by today’s standards.

The new generation grew a bit in size to be safer. The wheelbase of this new model was 97.2 inches and the overall length was 164.5 inches. The curb weight varied from 2,778lbs to 3,285lbs depending on the model. It is still light though, even after all the upgrades to the chassis. But what about the Audi TT years to avoid? More on that we will cover in a bit.

Engines & Transmissions

In terms of engines, it is worth mentioning that there were quite a bit of different engines in this generation. Namely, the smallest engine was a 1.8 inline-4 turbo that made 158hp and 184lb-ft of torque. There were also 2.0L inline-4 turbocharged engines that made up to 208hp and 258lb-ft of torque. There was also the 3.2L VR6 engine that produced 247hp and 236lb-ft of torque.

And the most powerful engine was the 2.5L inline-5 turbo engine that produced 355hp and 343lb-ft of torque. Serious power for this lightweight chassis.

In terms of transmissions, there was a 6-speed manual, and two automatics. Namely, 6-speed and 7-speed automatics. But what about the Audi TT years to avoid? More on that in a bit.

Fuel Economy

The new 2.0L engine was rather good when it comes to fuel economy. It got 22 mpg in the city, 31 mpg on the highway, and 26 mpg combined. So, if you are looking for a fuel-efficient car, this might be the car that you are looking for.

Safety

For the second generation of the TT, we couldn’t retrieve any data when it comes to safety. But considering its size and lightweight chassis, our guess would be somewhere around 4-stars as the previous generation. Even though the chassis is probably quite improved in comparison to the first generation of the TT. So, this model can be considered somewhat safe. But what about the Audi TT years to avoid? More on that we are going to cover next.

Audi TT Problems

When it comes to the problems with this model, it is worth noting that there are no major issues except one. This model is far more reliable than the first generation of TT. But let’s cover the most common issues.

The first issue and the biggest one is probably the problem with the cam follower. The cam follower is simply a component that follower the movement of the camshaft. This is a special kind of roller that is designed to follow the camshaft lobe movement. And what can happen is that on a lot of these 2.0L engines on the Audi TT, these components can wear out prematurely.

And when the camshaft follower wears out, the camshaft will wear as well. So, eventually, you will have to replace the whole camshaft to sort out the problem, and this can be expensive. So, replacing the camshaft followers is recommended every 20,000 miles.

The next common problem is the spark plugs and coils. These components also tend to wear quite often on these engines compared to other engine manufacturers. As they wear off, the engine will start to create misfires and will behave rather badly. So, beware of them as well.

The taillights also have a bad ground on them. So, you could get a warning message about the possible burnt bulb is something similar.

And the last on our list of problems with this MK2 TT is the driver’s seat sagging, these seats simply love to sag and the leather to get stretched out. But what about the Audi TT years to avoid? More on that in a bit.

Audi TT Reliability

When it comes to overall reliability, this model is rather reliable. Although in a similar fashion it has issues like other TFSI engines do from the VW Group. So, beware of these possible problems. The good thing is that these cars are not driven a lot, so finding one with low miles is not a big challenge.

Best Audi TT Year

When it comes to the best year for this model, we would recommend going for the 2013 or 2015 models. If you can afford one that would be great. The newer the car is the better and less chance of problems that will occur. But what about the Audi TT years to avoid? More on that next.

Audi TT Years To Avoid

When it comes to the Audi TT years to avoid, we would recommend avoiding the 2008 and 2009 models. 2008 was the first model year that was sold in the US from this generation and these often have more problems than later year models of this generation.

Third Generation Audi TT MK3 (2014 – Present)

The third generation of the Audi TT MK3 debuted in 2014 and is still in production as of 2022. But this model didn’t come to the US until 2016. So, 2016 is the first model year in the US for this generation.

This third generation was built on the VW MQB platform that was shared with the Audi A3, Seat Leon, VW Golf, and Skoda Octavia. Basically with the whole VAG Group. But this new platform allowed the implementation of a lot of new technologies and also improved the safety in the process.

Audi TT Years To Avoid

The wheelbase of the new TT increased by an inch for this generation, precisely at 98.6 inches and the overall length of the model is 165 inches. This model just like the first generation comes in coupe and roadster variants. But what about the Audi TT years to avoid? More about that we are going to cover in a bit.

Engines & Transmissions

In terms of engines, this model came only with the 2.0L inline-4 turbocharged engine. This TFSI engine produces about 228hp and 258lb-ft of torque.

The RS model also comes with a different engine. Namely, the 2.5L inline-5 turbocharged engine. This 2.5L engine is a true powerhouse, producing 394hp and 354lb-ft of torque.

In terms of transmissions, there are three transmissions available. A 6-speed manual, 6-speed S Tronic, and 7-speed S Tronic dual-clutch automatics. But what about the Audi TT years to avoid? More on that in a bit.

Fuel Economy

The fuel economy of the 2.0L model is rather good. The TT gets 23 mpg in the city, 30 mpg on the highway, and 26 mpg combined. We recommend going for the 7-speed if you do a lot of highway driving because you will save quite a lot on gas.

Safety

When it comes to the safety aspect, we couldn’t retrieve much data. The only model tested was the 2015 model. And this testing was done by the Euro NCAP where the model got a 4-star rating.

Audi TT Problems

Now let’s discuss a bit about the problems that this MK3 generation of the TT has. So, what are the most common issues with this model?

The biggest problem similar to its predecessor is the spark plug and ignition coil pack failure. This problem is really common on direct injection engines and the chances are highly likely that you will have to replace the whole coil pack once or twice in the lifetime of the car.

Other problems include water pump failure (also quite a common problem), problems with the injectors, bad head shield bracket on the fuel tank, control arm and sway bar failures, as well as squeaky brakes. But what about the Audi TT years to avoid? More on that in a bit.

Audi TT Reliability

When it comes to reliability, we can say that this model is rather reliable. Not the best but still if purchased with relatively low miles, you can make sure that you will drive without too many significant issues for a really long time.

Best Audi TT Year

When it comes to the best year of the TT of this generation, we would say to get a 2020 or a later model year. These models are most refined when it comes to tech and you will not feel like driving something outdated.

Audi TT Years To Avoid

When it comes to the Audi TT years to avoid, it is best to avoid the 2016 model year. This model is the first of this generation and understandably more problematic than other years of production.

Conclusion

In this article, we have covered quite a bit when it comes to the Audi TT. First, we learned what this model is all about and how many generations it has. We learned that there are three of them.

Then we covered the basic spec for each generation, as well as the common problems, reliability, best years, and also the Audi TT years to avoid.

F.A.Qs

Now let’s answer some frequently asked questions.

How Long Do Audi’s Last

Audi cars last for a really long time. In Europe where they sell predominantly diesel engines, their vehicles last for 500,000 miles or even more sometimes. Unfortunately, gas-powered engines do not last quite as much. So, if you are in the US you can expect a lifespan of about 200,000 miles or so for your gasoline engine.

Do Audi Have A Lot Of Problems

Yes, modern engines made by VAG, especially gas-powered ones have problems more than the ones built previously. They have issues with the ignition coils and spark plugs, on some engines timing chains and tensioners are a problem. It really depends on the engine.

Are Used Audis Reliable

This is really difficult to answer because we cannot generalize. Used cars have more problems than new ones, that’s for sure. So, if you are looking for one, I would advise getting a warranty and also getting a sample with relatively low miles.

Are Audi TT Reliable

Overall, they are reliable vehicles. But they still can have some problems with the spark plugs, ignition coils, problems with carbon buildup in the inlet ports. But overall, they are reliable if they are relatively low miles. I personally wouldn’t trust a high-mileage engine.

Which Audi Is The Most Reliable

The most reliable probably are the diesel ones. If you can get a diesel that would be great. Otherwise, from the gas-powered ones, it would be best to go for the 2.0L TFSI engine. Still, the timing chain on this engine can be a problem. Overall, all modern VAG gas-powered engines share similar issues.

What’s The Fastest Audi

The fastest Audi is the R8 V10 Performance. This model accelerates from 0 to 60 in 2.8 seconds and it gets the quarter mile in 10.6 seconds. The top speed of this model is 203 mph.

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2 comments

Walter J Otstott November 9, 2023 - 2:31 am

Can a crate 2.5 RS engine be fitted into a Mk1 TT?

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Rae Castillon November 9, 2023 - 5:20 am

Hi Walter,

Fitting a Subaru EJ25 engine (commonly referred to as a “crate 2.5 RS engine”) into a first-generation Audi TT (Mk1) would be a complex and challenging modification. While engine swaps can be done, there are several significant factors to consider:

1. Compatibility: The Subaru EJ25 engine and the original Audi TT engine are from different manufacturers and have different configurations. This means that the engine mounts, transmission, wiring harness, and ECU are not designed to work together. Adapting these components to make the Subaru engine fit and work properly in the Audi TT would require custom fabrication and modification.

2. Space and Fitment: The engine bay of the Audi TT Mk1 was designed to accommodate a specific engine, and there may be limited space to fit a different engine. Custom modifications to the engine bay, including modifications to the subframe, may be necessary to make the Subaru engine fit.

3. Transmission Compatibility: The Subaru EJ25 engine typically comes with an all-wheel-drive (AWD) transmission, while the Audi TT Mk1 originally had front-wheel-drive (FWD) or Quattro (AWD) options. Integrating the Subaru transmission with the Audi’s drivetrain would require significant modifications.

4. Wiring and Electronics: Wiring and electronic systems in modern engines are complex and vehicle-specific. Integrating the Subaru EJ25 engine with the Audi’s electrical system would be a substantial challenge and may require custom wiring harnesses and ECU tuning.

5. Cooling and Exhaust: Modifying the cooling system and exhaust to work with the new engine is another consideration. Custom radiator placement, plumbing, and exhaust routing may be needed.

6. Legal and Emissions Compliance: Engine swaps often involve legal and emissions compliance issues. It’s important to check your local regulations and ensure that the modified vehicle will meet emissions requirements.

7. Cost and Expertise: Engine swaps are costly and require a high level of automotive expertise. Custom fabrication and modifications can add significantly to the overall cost of the project.

In summary, while it may be technically possible to fit a Subaru EJ25 engine into a Mk1 Audi TT, it would be a complex and challenging project that requires extensive customization, fabrication, and expertise. Before attempting such a swap, it’s essential to carefully consider the feasibility, cost, and legal aspects of the project and consult with experienced professionals in automotive customization and modification.

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