RoadVitals

2009 Audi A4

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
120
Latest Dec 23, 2024
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest Jan 11, 2017
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
9
3 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 120 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2009 Audi A4, most frequently naming the engine, airbags and steering categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 775 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
17V032000

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Jan 11, 2017
33,421 units potentially affected
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2009 Audi A4 Cabriolet, S4 Cabriolet, A6 Avant, A6 Sedan and S6 Sedan vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Additionally, unless included in "Zone B" above, Volkswagen is recalling certain 2005-2008 Audi A4 Avant, A4 Sedan, A6 Sedan, S4 Avant and S4 Sedan vehicles, 2007-2008 A4 Cabriolet, RS4 Sedan, S4 Cabriolet and S6 Sedan vehicles, and 2006-2008 A6 Avant and 2008 RS4 Cabriolet vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
The risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 30, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Note: This recall has been superseded by recall number 18V427.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.View on NHTSA.gov
16V376000

AIR BAGS; AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE

May 27, 2016
8,381 units potentially affected
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (VW) is recalling certain model year 2008-2009 Audi A4, A5, and Q5 vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the air bag control units may corrode and fail.
The risk: If the air bag control unit fails, the air bags may not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of occupant injury.
The remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag control unit, free of charge. The recall began October 2016. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69O1.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.Manufacturer number 69O1View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 120
Driver assistanceElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Dec 23, 2024
Fire reported

I own a 2009 audi a4. On the Month of october 2024 my transmission failed. I towed my car to a mechanic who then replaced my transmission i picked up my car on December 11 2024 at 7 am from audi of fresno. I have had no prior issues and like always i expect a dealership to inspect a new vehicle that comes in ,as i have never been able to get work done with out them always doing their own diagnostic. Any ways . On the morning of [XXX] at [XXX] i went to pic up breakfast from carls jr with my boyfriend . As i placed my order and drove up to the window without a single warning my car engulfed in flames from the front driver side . I turned my car off jumped out called. The fire department and watched as my car continued to build flames until the fire department finally showed up. Had i taken the freeway that day instead of the streets i wouldnt have noticed the fire until it was to late. . Im in shock and also just [XXX] that something like thus happened. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID
11632061
Incident
Dec 20, 2024
Airbags
Filed Aug 5, 2024
Crash reported2 injuries reported

The negligent driver yielded to the flow of traffic without stopping. When he collided with us, the airbags (exploded) deployed so strongly that they damaged the windshield and our bodies: face, neck, etc. Our beloved Audi A4 2009 was totaled and after that we had several operations: 2 eye operations (need 2 more), dental surgeries, 3 neck surgeries ... multiple unpaid medical expenses.

NHTSA ID
11606543
Incident
Nov 8, 2019
AirbagsEngineFuel system
Filed Mar 24, 2024

The turbo sounds like it's not going in/out of gear, oil going into spark plugs, radiator fluid leaking system getting real hot. Low engine poer picking up speed an issue. Air bag rear brake light malfunction, oil pressure not correct

NHTSA ID
11579192
Incident
Mar 20, 2024
Electrical
Filed Dec 28, 2021

On Sunday December 19, 2021, while driving home the warning light for the battery/alternator flashed on with an associated beep warning. An estimated 30 miles later all electrical and motor functions died while I was in heavy traffic. I was able to pull off onto a narrow shoulder up a steep hill and park. All functions quit, I could not come out of "Park", the emergency brake switch would not release, the emergency flashers did not function. Nothing responded. I called AAA Towing service to be taken to an Audi service repair shop. The towing service had to use a jumper to provide electrical power to release the emergency brake and take the transmission out of "park." The repair service was the "Sport Hous Reno" where the alternator and the battery were replaced. Invoice # 4791, 12-21-2021, total $1,709.12. I do not expect the battery to be covered since it is expendable. However, the alternator malfunction and this model of Audi completely dying placed me in a dangerous situation where I or my family could have been seriously injured. This is not my first Audi, I did have a similar occurrence with another model and when the battery caused a malfunction the Audi computer went in "Limp Mode" and I was able to drive slowly to the dealership. This was not the case, when the electrical system failed it did not go into "Limp Mode," it completely "Died" placing me and my car in a dangerous position.

NHTSA ID
11445328
Incident
Dec 19, 2021
Steering
Filed Jul 23, 2021

I bought the car recently and drove it on the freeway, on the way back home I noticed a shaking/Vibration coming from the right side of the vehicle. It made the car very hard to control and staying in one lane was almost impossible. It swerves left to right uncontrollably at random times. I haven't taken it in to any dealership or manufacturer to check it out for me, also there's no warning lights on the dashboard at all. And I believe the owner I bought it from knew of this issue but didn't let me know so I'm really just as in the Blind as well. I don't know what else to do because I can't keep driving the car with uncontrollable force and putting kids in danger or anybody else's.

NHTSA ID
11426196
Incident
Jun 11, 2021
Engine
Filed Jan 7, 2020

PURCHASED VEHICLE 8/15/19 AT SELECT MOTORS INC, SMYRNA TN. CLEAN CAR FAX REPORT. ONGOING OIL CONSUMPTION ISSUES. INTAKE CAMSHAFT LOCKED UP FOLLOWING OIL CONSUMPTION TEST AT AUDI OF NASHVILLE. NOT DRIVEABLE NOW. AUDI OF NASHVILLE QUOTED CYLINDER HEAD AND ASSOCIATED PARTS, TIMING CHAIN, TENSIONER, CAM ADJUSTER AND PISTONS. TSB-2027731-8 BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION. ENGINEERING DEFECT WITH PISTONS A KNOWN ISSUE. CONTACTED AUDI OF NORTH AMERICA. UNWILLING TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. CAR BEYOND THE 8YEAR/80,000 MILE EXTENDED WARRANTY THEY OFFERED FOLLOWING A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT. PAID CASH AT PURCHASE, PUT ROUGHLY 2,000 MILES ON THE CAR AND AND BEING TOLD WILL NEED TO SPEND AN ADDITIONAL $10,000-$13,000 TO GET THE CAR RUNNING AGAIN FOR A KNOWN ENGINEERING DEFECT WITH THE PISTONS AUDI IS UNWILLING TO CLASSIFY AS A RECALL.

NHTSA ID
11297581
Incident
Dec 26, 2019
Mileage
93,420 mi
EngineFuel system
Filed Sep 3, 2019

ENGINE COOLANT AND ENGINE LIGHT ETC CAME ON. THE VEHICLE WAS ON THE HIGHWAY. I HAVE A SMALL CHILD. BASED ON THE AUDI MESSAGE MY VEHICLE COULD CATCH ON FIRE.PLEASE SEND ME INFO TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM CORRECTED.

NHTSA ID
11253045
Incident
Aug 23, 2019
Engine
Filed May 13, 2019

DRIVING VEHICLE AND IT STARTED SHAKING. GOT THE CAR HOME AND WHEN I SHUT IT OFF AND TURNED IT BACK ON IT RATTLED AND SOUNDED LIKE METAL. I WAS ABLE TO GET IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. I HAD IT CHECKED BY MECHANIC AND HE TOLD ME THAT THE TIMING CHAIN AND TENSIONER WERE THE PROBLEM AND I WAS JUST TWO MONTHS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE NEXT DAY THE DEALERSHIP CALLED TO TELL ME I NEEDED NEW CYLINDERS BECAUSE THE CAR WOULD NOT START. QUOTED ME $7,500 TO REPAIR. I DO NOT QUALIFY FOR THE CLASS ACTION SUIT BECAUSE MY CAR DID NOT BREAK UNTIL AFTER THE WINDOW CLOSED. AUDI KNEW ABOUT THE FAILURE AND DID NOTHING TO WARN OWNERS.

NHTSA ID
11207343
Incident
Apr 30, 2019
Mileage
97,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

SM 01-2026

ENGINE

This special notice is to inform dealers to return the parts listed if it meets the criteria provided.

TSB_2070568_6

This bulletin provides information about professional noise analysis with the VAS 611 015 PICO-NVH tool

TSB_2070568_5

This bulletin provides information about professional noise analysis with the VAS 611 015 PICO-NVH tool

TSB_2070568_4

This bulletin provides information about professional noise analysis with the VAS 611 015 PICO-NVH tool

TSB_2075530_2

ENGINE

This bulletin provides informatin when the engine does not run smoothly at idling speeds.

A2724842074729_2

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This bulletin provides information in circumstances where there are noises/vibration from front of vehicle in dynamic mode.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Audi A4 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026000—
2025000—
2024200—
2023100043.4
2022630—
2021114065.1
20201273048.0
2019101059.4
2018441049.2
2017541040.6
2016110035.5
2015190046.4
2014310032.2
2013240044.8
2012190039.7
2011110027.6
2010640031.8
2009Viewing1202047.1
20081754050.8
20071963046.5
20062953047.0
20052194049.4
20041893150.9
20032104049.2
20021812050.4
20011313157.3
2000965358.5
19991907559.8
19982586559.0
1997988462.0
1996896356.1
1995120—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.