The Audi TT offers a high-style interior and seamless integration of high-tech while delivering true sports car performance. We review the best and worst years of the iconic Audi.
Key Points
- Original Audi TT was front-wheel drive while its rivals Porsche Boxster and the BMW Z3 were rear-wheel drive.
- The first-generation Audi TTs can be expensive to maintain.
- The 2000 to 2006 TTs faced 13 recalls between those years, including at least one that can cause engine failure.
- The second-generation Audi TT got a major styling change, transitioning to a more aggressive look.
- Second-generation Audi TTs are longer and wider than the previous generation.
- In late 2011, the high-performance 386-horsepower TT RS was released.
- The 2006-2010 TT model years were issued a recall for a fuel tank ventilation valve problem.
- Third-generation TTs got a major redesign and the addition of state-of-the-art technology.
- The third-gen. TT RS has 400 horsepower, making it the fastest and most powerful Audi TT.
- Some of the recalls and issues affecting newer models can be more serious than those that affect older models.
- The 2016 Audi TT Roadster and Coupe faced more than one serious NHTSA recall that could result in fire.
- The 2012 TT has zero recalls and is also rated highly by owners on its Vehicle History page.
First-gen. Audi TT Got Raves for Luxury but Lacked Driving Performance
It was the new millennium and Audi was looking to score points with North American buyers. Enter the new TT, a small and stylish sports car that featured a 180 horsepower turbocharged engine. Since its launch in 2000, the TT has been well-received by critics and consumers alike, and it has seen three generations and many model years. Some years received high praise, and others, not so much.
Despite its positive feedback, the first-generation (2000-2006) Audi TT was an underdog in the world of German two-seater sports cars. While rivals Porsche and BMW’s Boxster and Z3 were rear-wheel drive (RWD), the first few TTs were front-wheel drive (FWD). This meant that the TT lost out noticeably in the performance category compared to its rivals. But this little sports car has a lot more to offer than just performance.
With the exception of hardcore enthusiasts, not everyone wants or needs the very best performance experience possible. A lot of buyers just want something comfortable and luxurious but still fun enough to satisfy their itch when they want to put their foot down on a backroad. That is what the Audi TT nails excellently.
First-gen. TT Design Impressed DeMuro, Added AWD in 2005
The Mk1 Audi TT offered a desirable luxury experience. It was available as a coupe and convertible. In fact, it was even offered with baseball-glove stitched seats. It was bold, unique, and fun. And with its turbocharged four-cylinder engine and short wheelbase, this car is quick and agile.
As time went on, they get even faster and added more horsepower. Eventually, in 2005, the first-generation TT came out with all-wheel-drive (AWD).
Elsewhere, in the styling department, this generation TT is arguably the most stylish of them all. Its styling is minimalistic, radically simple, and elegant. In his review of a 2001 TT convertible, automotive influencer Doug DeMuro shares praise of the first-generation TT’s styling.
First-gen Audi TTs look great and are fun to drive, but unfortunately, they can be stressful to maintain. So, if you’re looking for a reliable luxury sports car, or just a reliable car in general, perhaps a twenty-year-old Audi is not the way to go.
The 2000 to 2006 Audi TTs faced 13 recalls, including over an after-market water pump replacement issue, which can cause the timing belt to fail, successively causing the motor to stop operating.
Additionally, the 2000 Audi TT has 89 problems and complaints reported by owners on Car Complaints, with the bulk (30) being related to electrical problems.
If you are lucky enough to find a first-generation TT on the used market that’s in good condition or you’re brave enough to spend the money to get one into good shape, we wish you the best of luck.
Engine Upgrade, RS Edition Added Power to Second-gen. Audi TT
The next generation of Audi TT (2007-2015) got a whole new look. Its styling is substantially more aggressive than the first-generation TT. Audi’s little sports car was not so little anymore as it was now wider and longer. With that, the base engine was upgraded to the VW group’s 2.0-liter TFSI turbocharged four-cylinder unit.
Another upgrade that arrived with the second-generation TT was the fully independent multi-link rear suspension. This gave the TT significantly better handling, enough to make rivals nervous.
Adding to the already improved second-generation TT, Audi also offered optional magnetic ride dampers. The result was that the TT could be a comfortable daily driver but also a firmed-up sports car to tear apart backroads with a simple push of a button.
High-performance Audi TT RS Arrived in 2011 with 386 HP
Good news kept arriving with the second generation Audi TT. By late 2011, the high-performance TT RS arrived in the North American market. This was the fastest and meanest Audi TT out there with a 386-horsepower turbocharged five-cylinder engine and a plethora of other high-performance components. With the TT RS, the Audi TT range was more diverse than ever with the base coupe, roadster, TTS, and the TT RS respectively.
Though the Mk2 Audi TT is a better vehicle on paper than the previous generation, it is not without fault. To elaborate, a recall for a fuel tank ventilation valve problem was issued for certain 2006-2010 Audi TTs by the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA).
In their summary of the recall, they added, “in the presence of an ignition source, a vehicle fire could occur.” This is an issue that shouldn’t be taken lightly, nor should it be a deal-breaker.
The second-generation Audi TT is a good-looking, fun, and luxurious sports car with plenty of options to fit your needs and tastes. It is a great choice if you’re looking for a more affordable Audi TT package.
Redesigned Third-gen. Audi TT Adds High-tech, Lands on ‘Best Interiors’ List
If you want an Audi TT with more contemporary creature comforts and modern performance, the third-generation (2016-2021) TT is the way to go. Audi’s third-generation TT saw another major redesign. The styling was more aggressive looking than ever., resembling the German manufacturer’s flagship supercar, the R8. With the major redesign, Audi also added more state-of-the-art technology and design, making the third-generation TT the most luxurious of them all.
With the third generation, the TT’s four-cylinder engine now had over 200 horsepower while the top-of-the-line TT RS cranked out 400 horsepower thanks to an updated version of the famous turbocharged five-cylinder engine.
As for the transmission, the only choice for the entire TT range is Audi’s dual-clutch unit, which allows you to cruise around town with ease while also providing crisp responsiveness when on a twisty canyon road.
Third-generation TT’s significant improvement in luxury and performance impressed auto critics, and with the 2016 model, Audi returned to Wards Auto’s 10 Best Interiors list with the then-all-new TTS.
Overall, the third-generation Audi TT is the best buy if you want the most modern technology, luxury, and performance. With that, as we discuss below, comes at a price.
Audi TT’s Best Years: 2014 & 2015 Models Received Zero Recalls, Plenty of Raves
We love the styling of the first-generation TTs, but we can’t label any of them as a “best year” just because they look good. The truth is, 2000-2006 TTs were problematic and expensive to repair, and unless you can find one that’s been meticulously cared for with documented maintenance, shy away.
Regardless, if this is the generation you’re stuck on, Kelley Blue Book (KBB) puts private party pricing between about $1,100-$7,200 depending on year, mileage, and condition.
The second-generation (2007-2015) is where you’ll start finding some of the best TT years. You have modern styling, new powertrain options like the tried-and-true 2.0-liter turbo, and ample luxury, all with a significantly lower recall count of the previous-generation TT.
In fact, there were only three total recalls across the entire generation, with the most significant involving a faulty gearbox that only affected 16,000 units total.
We suggest the 2014 and 2015 models, which KBB shows base models are selling in “very good” condition for between $18,000 to $23,400. These two years also had zero recalls combined, so you’ll be able to focus purely on enjoying your new purchase rather than sitting in a service department.
The third generation (2016-present) is clearly the most luxurious and the most powerful, but it’s also the costliest.
As an example, the 2016 TT arrived with Audi’s impressive Virtual Cockpit as standard equipment, where on other models in the automaker’s lineup it was roughly a $2,600 extra. This combined with other upgrades makes the 2016 TT cost significantly more than the previous year, at $25,600 to $28,500 in “excellent” shape. (Plus, as defined in our “Worst Year” section, the 2016 Audi TT faced a couple of serious recalls.) With Audi having a four-year/50,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty, we suggest any TT from 2018 to 2020 as the best years in the third generation.
Audi TT’s Worst Years: 2016 & 2017 Models Faced Potentially Exploding Airbags & Fuel Tank Failure
Like all Audis, the TT is built with quality in mind. However, most vehicles eventually end up with a recall, some more than others. Common recalls for the Audi TT involve issues with faulty airbags, potential fuel tank leaks, and water pumps that can cause the timing belt to fail.
The Audi TT’s various model years have faced recalls that range from inconvenient, like the 2000 to 2006 Audi TTs’ issue with microfractures in the water pump pulley that may cause timing belt failure, to potentially life-threatening. It is the latter concern that puts the 2016 and 2017 Audi TT Roadster and Coupe model years on our “worst years” list.
2016-2017 Audi TTs and Potentially Exploding Airbags
In Jan. 2019, the NHTSA posted a recall for the 2016-2017 Audi TT Roadster Quattro and TT Coupe Quattro, among other vehicles, over a driver’s front airbag that could explode in the event of a crash, with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants, potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Volkswagen reportedly notified owners, and dealers began adding an alternative inflator, free of charge. However, the issue should be checked before considering purchasing a used 2016-2017 Audi TT.
The 2016 Audi TT Roadster Quattro and TT Coupe Quattro vehicles are especially concerning since they are also part of another serious NHTSA recall concerning a problem with the affected vehicle’s heat shield that can lead to fuel tank failure during a collision and increase the risk of a fire.
The recall was launched in Feb. 2020 and also concerns 2017 to 2019 Audi TT Roadster Quattro and TT Coupe Quattro vehicles. Dealerships have reportedly begun to install a protective cap over the fuel tank heat shield bracket to resolve the recall.
Photos: Audi; Deposit Photos
