2021-2026 Audi Increased Engine Oil Consumption TSB

Owners of certain 2021-2026 Audi vehicles may experience Audi increased engine oil consumption, prompting the release of Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 2074640/2. This TSB, issued by Audi, provides guidance for dealerships on how to diagnose and address customer complaints regarding high engine oil usage. While the NHTSA document links this TSB to a wide range of Audi models, including the e-tron, the TSB itself specifies that the condition of increased engine oil consumption applies to non-BEV (non-Battery Electric Vehicle) models, as it pertains to internal combustion engines.

Symptoms

The primary symptom reported by customers is Audi increased engine oil consumption, meaning the engine oil level drops more rapidly than expected. Dealership workshops have noted that, in many cases, there is no visible oil loss, residue, or obvious technical cause upon initial inspection.

Diagnosis & Measurement

To objectively determine the actual engine oil consumption, Audi dealerships utilize specific diagnostic procedures. For many models, an electronic measurement process is performed using the ODIS tester under "Guided Functions" – "01/0001 – Oil Consumption measurement (electronic measurement, idle)". If the electronic measurement is not available for a particular model, the test program automatically selects the oil consumption measurement using the weighing method. New engine oil must be used when performing a test with the weighing method.

Repairs related to Audi increased engine oil consumption are only performed if the measured value exceeds the limit specified in the vehicle's Owner's Manual.

Owner Responsibilities & Costs

Before any work is initiated to measure oil consumption, customers must be informed that they will incur costs for the measurement if the complaint is deemed unjustified. An unjustified complaint means the measured oil consumption falls within the manufacturer's specified limits, typically up to 0.5 liters per 1000 kilometers (or 0.5 quarts per 600 miles) for non-RS models, and up to 0.8 liters per 1000 kilometers (or 1 quart per 600 miles) for RS models. Owners should always consult their vehicle's Owner's Manual for specific consumption guidelines. It is also noted that oil consumption may be higher during the first 5,000 kilometers (3,000 miles) of operation.

Warranty Considerations

An oil consumption measurement can generally only be invoiced under warranty within six months after the vehicle's delivery. However, an exception applies: if the measured oil consumption exceeds the limit value specified in the Owner's Manual, warranty costs may still be covered even for vehicles older than six months. For justified complaints, the part causing the issue must be correctly coded for warranty claims. Diagnostic logs containing the oil consumption measurement data must be submitted online for warranty processing.

Source: NHTSA ID 11027356 (TSB 2074640/2)