CriticalCommonEngine

Audi S3: 2.0 TSI High-Pressure Fuel Pump (HPFP) Cam Follower Failure

2.0 TSI High-Pressure Fuel Pump (HPFP) Cam Follower Failure is a common engine fault on the Audi S3 on the 2006–2013 cars, and we rate it critical. Putting it right costs $3,000 to $9,000 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 18 documented faults on the Audi S3.

Vehicle: Audi S3
Engine: 2.0L
Years: 2006–2013
Fuel: petrol
System: Engine

This page covers the Audi S3 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 S3 faults18 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 engine fitted to the 8P S3 (BHZ engine code) uses a cam-driven high-pressure fuel pump. The mechanical cam follower that drives the pump wears at an accelerated rate due to insufficient lubrication at the contact surface. Metal debris from the follower contaminates the entire high-pressure fuel circuit — high-pressure pump, fuel rail, and all four injectors. The contamination cannot be flushed and requires replacement of all affected components. This is a catastrophic and expensive failure. VW/Audi extended the warranty period specifically for this fault in multiple markets.

What you would notice

Hard starting particularly when hot, requiring extended cranking
Rough running with random misfires under acceleration
Fuel pressure-related fault codes (P0087 — fuel system pressure too low)
In severe cases, complete failure to start

How to check it

Where to look. Top of engine — HPFP mounted on the rear of the cylinder head, cam follower underneath

Request VCDS fuel pressure live data — cranking fuel pressure should reach 5-6 MPa rapidly.
Ask whether the cam follower has been inspected or replaced.
Check for P0087 or P0088 fuel pressure fault codes.
If a workshop inspection is possible: A cam follower inspection requires removing the high-pressure pump and examining the follower body for concave wear on the contact face — any dishing beyond 0.2mm indicates replacement is needed.

Parts involved: High-pressure fuel pump.

What it costs to put right

$3,000 to $9,000 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 HPFP cam follower been inspected or replaced?”
“Has the car ever had difficulty starting when hot?”
“Has any fuel system work been done — injectors, fuel pump, or rail?”

Now check the Audi S3 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 S3 buyer questions

Is 2.0 tsi high-pressure fuel pump (hpfp) cam follower failure serious on a Audi S3?

We rate it critical and common on the Audi S3. The 2.0 TFSI engine fitted to the 8P S3 (BHZ engine code) uses a cam-driven high-pressure fuel pump. The mechanical cam follower that drives the pump wears at an accelerated rate due to insufficient lubrication at the contact surface. Metal debris from the follower contaminates the entire high-pressure fuel circuit — high-pressure pump, fuel rail, and all four injectors. The contamination cannot be flushed and requires replacement of all affected components. This is a catastrophic and expensive failure. VW/Audi extended the warranty period specifically for this fault in multiple markets.

How much does it cost to fix on a Audi S3?

$3,000 to $9,000 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 S3 years are affected?

Our research records this fault on the 2006–2013 Audi S3. 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?

Request VCDS fuel pressure live data — cranking fuel pressure should reach 5-6 MPa rapidly. Ask whether the cam follower has been inspected or replaced. Check for P0087 or P0088 fuel pressure fault codes. If a workshop inspection is possible: A cam follower inspection requires removing the high-pressure pump and examining the follower body for concave wear on the contact face — any dishing beyond 0.2mm indicates replacement is needed. Look here: Top of engine — HPFP mounted on the rear of the cylinder head, cam follower underneath