2001 Audi TT Quattro Roadster from North America - Comments

Timing belt failed at 77,000 miles causing engine damage.

Mass Airflow Sensor Failed.

Combination Valve Failed.

Turbo cooling oil return lines leaked.

Instrument Cluster seriously malfunctioned and required replacement.

Headlight Assembly failed and replaced.

Turn signal relay replaced.

Heated mirror switch replaced.

Fuel Sender pumps failed and required replacement.

Ball joints worn prematurely and required replacement.

Engine mount disintegrated and required replacement.

Axel seal leaked and replaced.

Window seals leak when it rains.

Leather seats were permanently damaged by exposure to one brief rain shower.

This vehicle handles well - when it runs. Two failures have left me stranded on the side of the road in less than 8 months. Many other failures have required lengthy and expensive repairs. I would never buy another Audi or Volkswagen. I purchased this vehicle with about 55,000 miles on it and it now has around 77,000. All of these problems have occurred since my purchase.

Car is very sluggish off the line and remains so until approximately 3,000 RPM. Car is far heavier than I expected and absolutely must be equipped with very good all season tires or dedicated snow tires if it will be driven in the winter. Fuel economy is good (27-30 MPG) between 55 and 65 MPH, but drops into the low 20s or lower when driven around town or at higher highway speeds.

Its sluggish off the line because its only a 1.8 liter engine and the turbo doesn't spool up until 3000 rpms like most other turbos. Also when you do use that turbo a lot, the gas mileage drops significantly.

I agree, sluggish off the line and does leak in the rain.

A chip and diverter valve really solve that though. Sounds like the person you bought it from screwed it up before you got it. I have driven mine from 40-55K so far with no service issues, and love driving it!

I bought a 2001 TT 225hp a year ago with 50k miles on it. It came as a Certified Pre-Owned for 2 years or up to 100k miles.

Within the first week of owning it, my car's brake fluid was real low, the dealer just gave me a bottle of brake fluid and told me to fill it up.

Then the engine blew up on me in the beginning of January 2006. Took two weeks for them to replace the engine. While it was in there, the dealer (not the one I bought it from) found bolts missing off of the manifold, I called the dealer I bought this from and they would not answer my calls.

At the end of July this year, my clutch stopped working, found out because it was the clutch fluid was low and air got into the lines (same fluid res. as the brakes).

I'm now on my 5th week of speaking with Audi USA trying to get the CPO checklist from the dealer, since the dealer refuses to call me back and speak with me about all of the issues with this car. I'm in the process of talking with a lawyer about mis-representation of the CPO checklist (which I was never provided when I bought the car, which AUDI USA says I should have gotten).

I love my car.. but it's giving me a lot of headaches.. I have a 2001 Audi TT.. and it's been trouble from the start.

To be fair readers should understand that The timing belt failure at 77k was the owners own fault for not doing scheduled maintenance! A simple visual check could have avoided this failure and the belt usually gets noisy before it fails signaling its impending demise.

It is a shame to see these fine automobiles ruined by people that don't understand that there is more to owning a car than filling it with gas and just driving it.

Scheduled maintenance is required and is not cheap on these cars, but if done will provide a long and happy ownership experience. I own three Audi's the oldest of which is approaching 360k miles. Treat them well and they will treat you well.

The confusion came about because Audi suggested timing belt replacement at 105k miles. The customer is not a mechanic, he can only go by what Audi suggests. I have the TT quattro 2001. My timing belt snapped at 65k leading to head replacement, etc. Luckily I had bought a warranty so it only ran me around $1700 counting all expenses (hotel room, etc.)

I'm looking at picking up a 2001 Audi TT. From what I am reading, I'm not sure I want to. It's 2001 with 82k on it. Not bad. I love the way they look and with the all wheel drive, it should handle well here in Alaska.

Any suggestions?

Yes, ours has been great. '01 TT 225hp and 97000kms. like the other comments, it's more than just fill up with gas and drive. you must pay attention to the vehicle much like your love ones.

Dude, You HAVE to replace timing belts before they break. This is a German car - not American.

Break a belt - and you can ruin the engine.

While you are there, replace ALL tensioners AND the water pump.

My Porsche 944 and my Audi 4000 require this as does the TT.

My mechanic recommends every 40k miles.

Owning a Audi TT, COSTLY MISTAKE ehh??? I can see why!! You have been AudiTTed by the IRS----I mean the Audi dealer! hehe eh! (LOL)

I agree with the reviewer. That is a huge list of problems on a low mileage vehicle. I would not blame the previous owner of the vehicle. I have never trusted the reliability of Audi cars.

For those of us who don't really know, could someone please explain how to recognize if the timing belt needs replacement? Also I understand that there are newer after market belts available which are much better quality than the originals. How does one know if you're getting an original or an after market? Thanks, I appreciate the help!

The comment on the Audi TT timing belt reference to a visual inspection is wrong. You can look at the serpentine belt but the timing belt is internal. A lot of parts have to be removed/replaced to inspect this item. That is why a 275+ kit is needed.

The August 2008 court settlement in reference to the timing belt is all in favor of Audi unless the belt has failed. (Audi has better lawyers than engineers, it seems.) Audi will pay for belt failure damage. But all others must have this belt inspected, supposedly, free of charge IF THE BELT IS GOOD. Should the belt need to be replaced the consumer has to fork over 1,600 bucks for an improperly engineered/built belt that is supposed to last 100K. This is needed for the approved extended guarantee.

My car is getting inspected in two weeks. I am keeping my fingers crossed. As I would not be able to tell a good belt from a bad one, the potential for a rip off is quite high.