TransmissionGeneric OBD-II codeUrgency: Monitor

P0711 on Audi: causes and affected models

P0711 means: transmission fluid temperature sensor "A": circuit out of range or performance problem.^[1][2] Audi has 6 documented faults that can trigger it, across 5 gearboxes and 1 model, including DSG7 DQ200 gearbox, Audi Q5 I, Multitronic gearbox and ZF 6HP gearbox. Only a diagnosis can confirm the cause on your car.

Documented faults

that can trigger it

Gearboxes

used by Audi, with at least one of them

Audi models

with at least one of these faults

Urgency

Monitor

Reviewed on 29 October 20263 sources How we work

Documented Audi faults that can trigger P0711

Grouped by engine or model, from most to least important. These are faults with the mechatronic unit: not all of them will necessarily set the code, and only a diagnosis confirms the cause on your car.

DSG7 DQ200 gearbox

In A1 I, A1 II, A3 II, A3 III, A3 IV and Q2

- High severityFrequency: Very frequentElectronicsMechatronic unit failure: pressure accumulator, pump and cracked housingYes: the mechatronic unit is the DQ200's most cited weak point. Its pressure accumulator and hydraulic pump can fail because of a housing design defect, with fault warnings, limp mode or loss of drive; Volkswagen has acknowledged the problem with service actions and software updates.Repair (garage): €600–€2,200

Audi Q5 I

- High severityFrequency: CommonGearbox and clutchAudi Q5 S tronic gearbox faults: jerking, vibrations and mechatronicsThe S tronic gearbox and the transmission account for 65 and 48 testimonies out of 322 on fiches-auto.fr, with jerking, vibrations and gear selection faults; there are cases of mechatronic unit replacement at 105,000 km. No official campaign found.Appears at around 48,000 km

Multitronic gearbox

In A4 B6, A4 B7, A4 B8, A5 I, A6 C5, A6 C6 and A6 C7

- High severityFrequency: CommonElectronicsControl unit (TCU) failure and limp modeYes: the multitronic control unit, especially in the 01J code (up to 2007), is one of its best-documented weak points. Overheating with oil seeping into the control unit causes fault warnings and limp mode and, if ignored, can end up damaging the gearbox itself.

ZF 6HP gearbox

In A6 C6 and A8 D3

- High severityFrequency: CommonElectronicsValve body and mechatronic failure: erratic shifts or a locked-up gearboxYes, and it can be serious: there are documented failures of the ZF 6HP valve body or mechatronic unit on BMW, Audi and Land Rover models from around 90,000-100,000 km, with cases that go as far as preventing a gear from engaging (including reverse) and dealer quotes of €6,000 to €10,000.Repair: €6,000–€10,000Appears at around 90,000 km

DSG6 DQ250 gearbox

In A3 II, A3 III, TT I, TT II and TT III

- High severityFrequency: OccasionalElectronicsMechatronic unit failure: solenoid valves and temperature sensorYes, although less than on the dry-clutch DQ200: the DQ250 mechatronic unit can fail because of defective solenoid valves or an incorrect reading of the clutch temperature, with limp mode, harsh shifts or fault warnings on the dashboard. Volkswagen recalled vehicles in the US and Australia in 2009 for this reason.Repair (garage): €850–€3,100

ZF 8HP gearbox

In A4 B9, A6 C7 and Q5 II

- High severityFrequency: OccasionalElectronicsMechatronic failure as the gearbox ages (sometimes with reverse)Yes, although in a minority of cases: there are documented ZF 8HP mechatronic failures on BMW after 120,000-130,000 km, costing €1,400 to €3,500, and also control unit or electronic selector faults on Audi and Land Rover.Repair: €1,400–€3,500

Common causes of P0711 on any make

From most to least likely, according to the sources.

1Faulty gearbox temperature sensor.^[2][3]
2Damaged, corroded or shorted internal gearbox wiring or connector.^[2][3]
3Low, degraded or contaminated fluid.^[2][3]
4Gearbox ECU fault, uncommon.^[2][3]

What to check first

The first diagnostic steps, from the most likely and cheapest to check to the most expensive.

1Check the gearbox oil level and condition.^[2][3]
2Read the temperature in live data and compare it with the gearbox's actual temperature.^[2]
3Measure the sensor's resistance at different temperatures.^[2]

Full guide to P0711: symptoms, diagnosis and whether you can drive

Frequently asked questions

Which Audi models have faults that can trigger P0711?

DSG7 DQ200 gearbox (1 fault), Audi Q5 I (1 fault), Multitronic gearbox (1 fault), ZF 6HP gearbox (1 fault), DSG6 DQ250 gearbox (1 fault) and ZF 8HP gearbox (1 fault). Each fault has its own page with the affected years and versions, the symptoms and the repair cost.

What does code P0711 mean on a Audi?

Transmission fluid temperature sensor "A": circuit out of range or performance problem. The transmission fluid temperature sensor (a thermistor) tells the gearbox ECU the oil temperature, so it can schedule gear changes and torque converter lock-up and protect the fluid. The code indicates a reading that is inconsistent with conditions, for example one that does not rise after a long drive. It is a generic OBD-II code: it means the same on a Audi as on any other make.^[1][2][3]

Can I keep driving with P0711?

Monitor. AutoDTCs rates it low to moderate: you can drive, but the gearbox may behave oddly and, if there is real overheating, its service life is shortened. Get it checked without delay.^[2]

Sources

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

P0711 DTCDTCSearch · Technical documentation · consulted 29 October 2026
P0711 diagnostic trouble codeAutoDTCs · Technical documentation · consulted 29 October 2026
OBD Fehlercode P0711CarWiki · Technical documentation · consulted 29 October 2026 · in German