CriticalCommonEngine

Audi A3: 2.0 TFSI (8P) HPFP Cam Follower Failure

2.0 TFSI (8P) HPFP Cam Follower Failure is a common engine fault on the Audi A3 on the 2003–2013 cars, and we rate it critical. Putting it right costs $2,500 to $8,000 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. Below is what goes wrong, the symptoms to notice on a test drive, where to look, and what to ask the seller before you hand over any money. It is one of 43 documented faults on the Audi A3.

Vehicle: Audi A3
Engine: 2.0L
Years: 2003–2013
Fuel: petrol
System: Engine

This page covers the Audi A3 as a model. Some faults only affect particular engines or build years — enter a plate below to narrow the list to one car.

All Audi A3 faults43 documented faults on this model

What you are looking at

No photograph available

We do not hold a verified photograph of the High-pressure fuel pump yet. We would rather show none than show a picture of a different part.

What goes wrong

The 2.0 TFSI petrol engine (AXX/BWA engine codes) in the 8P A3 petrol shares the same cam-driven high-pressure fuel pump follower failure as the S3 and TT. The follower sits between the camshaft lobe and the base of the HPFP pump piston. Insufficient lubrication causes the contact face to wear rapidly, generating metal swarf that contaminates the entire high-pressure fuel system. Replacement of the pump alone is insufficient — the fuel rail, injectors, and all high-pressure lines must be inspected and typically replaced. VW/Audi extended the warranty on this specific failure in many markets.

What you would notice

Extended cranking required when starting hot from brief stops
Rough running and misfires at higher rpm under load
P0087 — fuel system pressure too low — stored in engine ECU
Gradual progression from hard hot-start to failure to start at all

How to check it

Where to look. Top rear of cylinder head — HPFP pump body and cam follower beneath it on the exhaust camshaft

Scan for P0087 fuel pressure fault codes.
Request documented evidence of HPFP cam follower inspection.
When the pump is accessible, measure follower wear depth — specification is typically less than 0.2mm of concave wear before replacement is triggered.
Confirm whether updated-spec cam followers (with nitride hardening) have been fitted.
Check live fuel rail pressure data with VCDS during cranking.

Parts involved: High-pressure fuel pump.

What it costs to put right

$2,500 to $8,000 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That is for this job on its own, not for the car.

An estimate, in NZD, for the repair as normally carried out. What a specific car costs depends on which part has failed and what it damaged on the way — treat this as the floor for a negotiation, not a quote.

Ask the seller

“Has the high-pressure fuel pump cam follower been inspected or replaced?”
“Has the car ever been hard to start when hot?”
“Have any injectors or the fuel pump been replaced?”

Now check the Audi A3 you are actually looking at

Everything above is true of the model, and it is free. What it does not tell you is whether THIS car has been looked after: its odometer history and whether the reading has ever gone backwards, whether there is still money owing on it, whether it has been reported stolen, how many owners it has had and what it is really worth today. That comes from the official records for that plate. Enter the plate for the free details, or get the full history and a market valuation from $13.49.

Not sure what you would be paying for? See what a full KickTyres check includes.

Where this comes from

The failure described above is documented in published sources — owner forums, technical service bulletins, recall notices and workshop write-ups — held in our fault database. The inspection instructions and the cost estimate are KickTyres’ own interpretation of them, and it is a starting point for an inspection rather than a manufacturer statement.

Audi A3 buyer questions

Is 2.0 tfsi (8p) hpfp cam follower failure serious on a Audi A3?

We rate it critical and common on the Audi A3. The 2.0 TFSI petrol engine (AXX/BWA engine codes) in the 8P A3 petrol shares the same cam-driven high-pressure fuel pump follower failure as the S3 and TT. The follower sits between the camshaft lobe and the base of the HPFP pump piston. Insufficient lubrication causes the contact face to wear rapidly, generating metal swarf that contaminates the entire high-pressure fuel system. Replacement of the pump alone is insufficient — the fuel rail, injectors, and all high-pressure lines must be inspected and typically replaced. VW/Audi extended the warranty on this specific failure in many markets.

How much does it cost to fix on a Audi A3?

$2,500 to $8,000 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That figure is for this job on its own. A car showing the symptoms on this page is usually worth either walking away from or negotiating down by at least the repair figure.

Which Audi A3 years are affected?

Our research records this fault on the 2003–2013 Audi A3. Build dates move around, especially on imported cars, so treat the range as the years to look hardest at rather than a guarantee either way. The official records tell you the exact build and first registration date for the car in front of you.

How do I check for it before I buy?

Scan for P0087 fuel pressure fault codes. Request documented evidence of HPFP cam follower inspection. When the pump is accessible, measure follower wear depth — specification is typically less than 0.2mm of concave wear before replacement is triggered. Confirm whether updated-spec cam followers (with nitride hardening) have been fitted. Check live fuel rail pressure data with VCDS during cranking. Look here: Top rear of cylinder head — HPFP pump body and cam follower beneath it on the exhaust camshaft