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Multitronic vs ZF 6HP: which gearbox is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the ZF 6HP gearbox carries less risk than the Multitronic gearbox: 46/100 (moderate risk) versus 64/100 (high risk). The Multitronic gearbox has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Wear of the variator chain and cones»; the ZF 6HP gearbox has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Valve body and mechatronic failure: erratic shifts or a locked-up gearbox».

Risk index

Multitronic

64

High risk · 2 serious faults

Risk index

ZF 6HP

46

Moderate risk · 1 serious fault

Lower risk

The index (0–100) weights the severity and frequency of the three most serious documented faults. How it is calculated

10 sourcesHow we work

Is the Multitronic gearbox reliable?

The multitronic is the continuously variable (CVT) automatic gearbox that Audi fitted, with front-wheel drive only, between 1999 and 2014: first the 01J code and, from 2007, the 0AW. It was fitted to the A4 from the B6, the A6 and the A5. Its reliability is limited - Gebrauchtwagenberater calls it Audi's "black sheep": the 01J concentrates control unit failures, jerking when pulling away and chain wear; the 0AW is notably more reliable, although it does not eliminate them entirely.[1][2][3]

See the 3 of the Multitronic gearbox faults

Is the ZF 6HP gearbox reliable?

The ZF 6HP is the six-speed torque-converter automatic gearbox that ZF built between 2000 and 2014, fitted by BMW (Steptronic), Audi (tiptronic, in the A6 and A8 quattro), Jaguar and Land Rover, before handing over to the ZF 8HP. It has a reputation for lasting a lot of kilometres, but with age it accumulates jerking, valve body and mechatronic faults, leaks and a controversy over the "lifetime" oil, which several workshops advise changing earlier.[4][5][6][7][8]

See the 3 of the ZF 6HP gearbox faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of Multitronic and ZF 6HP
MultitronicZF 6HP
Technical data
TypeGearboxGearbox
Gearbox typeContinuously variable transmission (CVT) with a link chain running between cones, with an electronically controlled multi-plate start-off clutch instead of a torque converterTorque-converter automatic with Lepelletier planetary gear sets, 6-speed, longitudinal mounting
Production1999–2014[1][2][3]2000–2014[4]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)64High risk46Moderate risk
Documented faults33
Of high or critical severity21
Worst severityCritical severityHigh severity
Main faults
  1. Critical severity: Wear of the variator chain and cones
  2. High severity: Control unit (TCU) failure and limp mode
  3. Medium severity: Jerking and vibration when pulling away from cold (multi-plate clutch)
  1. High severity: Valve body and mechatronic failure: erratic shifts or a locked-up gearbox
  2. Medium severity: Jerking and harsh shifts from converter wear and ageing oil
  3. Medium severity: Oil leaks from the sump or the gearbox seals
Most expensive documented repairNo reliable dataup to €10,000Valve body and mechatronic failure: erratic shifts or a locked-up gearboxPublished figure[6][7]
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versionsNoneNone
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • Multitronic 01J (1999-2007)[1][3]
  • Multitronic 0AW (2007-2014)[3]
  • 1st generation (6HP19/26/32, 2000-2006)[5][6][8]
  • 2nd generation (6HP21/28/32, 2007-2014)[7][9][10]
AvoidVersions to avoidNoneNone

Severity of each fault: green, low; amber, medium; red, high; dark red, critical. How we rate them

Cars that each one is fitted to

Multitronic

See the 8 models with the Multitronic gearbox

ZF 6HP

See the 10 models with the ZF 6HP gearbox

Other comparisons

With the Multitronic gearbox

With the ZF 6HP gearbox

Compare other engines

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Sources

Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.

  1. MultitronicWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  2. MultitronicWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  3. Typische Probleme & Haltbarkeit der MultitronicGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  4. ZF 6HP transmissionWikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  5. Fiabilité BMW Série 5 (2003-2010), pannes et témoignagesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  6. Fiabilité Audi A6 (2004-2010), pannes et témoignagesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  7. Fiabilité Audi A8 (2002-2010), pannes et témoignagesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  8. Fiabilité Land Rover Range Rover Sport (2005-2013), pannes et témoignagesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  9. Jaguar XFWikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  10. Fiabilité BMW X3 (2004-2010), pannes et témoignagesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French