Luxury Cars Guide

Turbo Failure - Reliability Guide & Repair Costs

Understanding Turbo Failure

Turbocharger wastegates wear out causing rattles and boost leaks, or oil seals fail causing internal oil burning. 'Hot-Vee' setups stress turbos significantly more than traditional layouts.

Symptoms

  • Siren/Whining noise
  • Rattle on deceleration (Wastegate)
  • Loss of power / Limp Mode
  • Blue smoke

At A Glance

Repair Cost:
$4,000 - $7,000 (Pair)
Prevention:
Allow engine to idle for 1 minute before shutdown. Change oil frequently.

Affected Vehicles & Guides

The following detailed guides cover Turbo Failure specifically for the listed models.

Audi 4.0T V8 Reliability: The Definitive Guide (EA824 Hot-V Twin-Turbo)

The definitive guide to Audi 4.0T V8 reliability. Turbo oil screen recall, PCV failures, and carbon buildup in RS6, RS7, S6, S7, and S8.

Reliability: 64 /100 Read Guide →

Audi RS6 C7 Reliability: The 560hp Wagon Gamble

Is the Audi RS6 C7 Avant reliable? A brutally honest guide to owning the 4.0T V8 wagon. Turbo oil screen recall, PCV failures, air suspension.

Reliability: 62 /100 Read Guide →

Audi RS7 Common Problems: The 560hp Sportback Reliability Guide

The breakdown of Audi RS7 C7 reliability. Common failures with 4.0T V8: turbo oil screen recall, PCV failures, ZF 8-speed transmission.

Reliability: 63 /100 Read Guide →

Audi S6/S7 4.0T Problems: The 420hp Sedan/Sportback Reliability Guide

The breakdown of Audi S6/S7 C7 reliability. Common failures with 4.0T V8: turbo oil screen recall, PCV failures, DSG transmission issues.

Reliability: 65 /100 Read Guide →

Audi S8 D4 Engine Issues: The 520hp Flagship Reliability Guide

The breakdown of Audi S8 D4 reliability. Common failures with 4.0T V8: turbo oil screen recall, PCV failures, air suspension issues.

Reliability: 61 /100 Read Guide →

BMW 550i Reliability Guide: N63 V8 Nightmare or Bargain?

Is the BMW 550i (F10/G30) reliable? A brutally honest guide to owning the N63 V8 5-Series. Including coolant leaks, oil consumption, and maintenance costs.

Reliability: 45 /100 Read Guide →

BMW X5 50i Reliability: Why the V8 SUV is a Risk

The BMW X5 50i (E70/F15) combines the N63 V8 with a heavy SUV chassis. Learn why this specific combination leads to rapid timing chain and turbo failures.

Reliability: 40 /100 Read Guide →
Disclaimer: Repair costs are estimates based on independent specialist rates. Dealer prices will significantly exceed these figures.