Audi A4 is a high-quality car that has been manufactured by Audi since 1994. The first model came out in 1996 and the second generation was released in 1999. It is one of the best selling cars in Germany and it has won many awards, including “European Car of the Year” for ten years running from 1997 to 2006.
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But even though a new car might not have any immediate problems, the A4s—like all cars out there—have known issues that prospective buyers should be aware of when they start getting old. Here is a list of the top 5 Audi A4 Problems you should know about.
Audi A4 Problems You Should Know About
Ignition Wire Failure
The Check Engine light illuminates because the ignition coil or spark plug misfires, and this causes a misfire in your Audi A4. This can only be fixed by replacing either the spark plugs or the ignition coils.
The check engine light turns on when you have an issue with one of two parts: The Ignition Coil, which is used to create sparks for combustion; Or Spark Plugs that ignite the fuel as it passes through them within cylinders.
Oil Leaks in Audi A4
Audi A4s built before 2010 are prone to engine oil leaks in the valve cover, which cause it to both spark plug tubes and illuminate the Check Engine light. The problem does not affect any models made after 2010 with an average mileage of 124,000 miles.
Piston Problems
Audi A4 engines are prone to piston failure, costing owners $8500 in repair costs for a fix. Of the 10 worst problems with Audi vehicles as rated by consumers, it was ranked best at number 3 but is still severe nonetheless and should not be ignored.
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Audi A4 Engine Problems
The Audi A4 is a car that has an engine failure problem. This seems to be the most common issue with this vehicle, and it’s not even ranked as one of the top Audi A4 problems reported by owners on Carcomplaints.com so far!
However, there are some other issues like excessive oil consumption which might cause more expensive repairs later down the line if they aren’t fixed quickly enough.
Too Much Oil Consumption
The Audi A4 is an excellent car, but there are a few problems that owners need to be aware of. For your engine to run smoothly and last as long as possible you should have the oil changed more often than what’s typically recommended by manufacturers – every 10,000 miles instead of 7500 miles!
One problem many people experience with their Audi A4s is excessive oil consumption where they’re losing up to one quart per thousand miles which can result in expensive repair bills averaging at about $6000.
Audi A4 Model Years To Avoid
The CarComplaints research says that the 2009 Audi A4 has more complaints than any other model year, with 33 total, and is often touted as a “worst-case” scenario for potential buyers.
The 2011 Audi A4 impressively ranked lowest on this list of worst models at 22 complaints while still managing to be one of CarComplaints top-rated cars because it showed no signs of troublesome problems until around 40 thousand miles.
Audi A4 Recalls
NHTSA has issued a recall for about 1,500 Audi A4 sedans from model years 2002-2003 due to an issue with the front passenger airbag.
If the airbag inflates incorrectly in a crash, it could injure occupants of the vehicle and result in death or serious injuries. Owners should contact their nearest dealer as soon as possible to schedule an appointment for repairs.
Is Audi A4 Reliable?
The Audi A4 is a reliable car, but it will need proper care and maintenance. The most common Audi A4 problems are things that have been addressed by the manufacturer.
However, if you own an early model year from 2008 to 2022 the water pump may be included in your warranty plan which expires much sooner than other parts on the vehicle like tires do.
Even though there are some small issues with this iconic German luxury sedan we would still give it average reliability overall because these cars tend to last for many years despite their age as long as they’re taken care of properly.
Max Anthony
Max is a gizmo-savvy guy, who has a tendency to get pulled into the nitty gritty details of technology and cars. He attended UT Austin, where he studied Information Science. He’s married and has three kids, one dog and a GMC truck and a Porsche 911. With a large family, he still finds time to share tips and tricks on cars, trucks and more.
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