RoadVitals

2009 Audi A4 Steering Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the steering system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Steering reportsComplaints 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.
15
Latest Jul 23, 2021
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
13%
of 120 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
1
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2009 Audi A4 submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 15 reports on file name it.

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

Owner reports naming steering

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

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
Driver assistanceEngineSteering
Filed Feb 2, 2018

DRIVING HOME FROM WORK, ALL OF A SUDDEN MY VEHICLE WAS REVVING WHILE IT WAS IDLE AND AT LOW SPEED, MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT AND DANGEROUS TO STEER THE CAR AND KEEP IT UNDER CONTROL. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER HAD FAILED AND HAD CAUSED SERIOUS ENGINE DAMAGE, CAUSING THE PISTONS TO FIRE PREMATURELY. PREVIOUSLY THE TENSIONER WAS REPLACED IN 2014 BY AUDI WHEN THE CAR HAD ~50K MILES AND WAS REPORTED AS A "WEAK TENSIONER". MY CAR CURRENTLY HAS 92K MILES. I BELIEVE THAT NO REPLACEMENT TENSIONER SHOULD ONLY LAST 40K MILES AND CAUSE CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE AND PUT CONSUMERS AT RISK OF NOT BEING ABLE TO CONTROL THEIR CARS.

NHTSA ID
11066633
Incident
Dec 20, 2017
Mileage
92,000 mi
Fuel systemSteeringSuspension
Filed Jul 26, 2016
Fire reported

MY CAR HAS A LEAKING HIGH PRESSURE FUEL LEAK FROM THE HIGH PRESSURE HOSE RIGHT AT THE TOP OF THE ENGINE BLOCK AT THE REAR OF THE ENGINE. THE STEEL LINE CONNECTS DIRECTLY TO THE FILTER AND IS LEAKING FROM THE STAINLESS STEAL LINE. THE POWER STEERING METAL HOSE LINES ARE INCORRECT FROM THE FACTORY AND DO NOT SUPPLY ENOUGH PRESSURE IN THE LINE TO KEEP THE STEERING WHEEL FROM A VERY HARSH LOW SPEED SHUDDER WHEN TURNING. THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS FAIL AT VERY LOW MILEAGE. NONE OF THESE ISSUES HAVE BEEN ACKNOWLEDGED ON THIS YEAR CAR. THIS MODEL AUDI IS AN ABSOLUTE LEMON HAVING MULTIPLE ISSUES AND EXTREME REPAIRS AND HUGE COSTS WHEN TRYING TO FIX THEM. I HAVE THE PAPER WORK FOR THESE FIXES AND WHAT IT TAKES TO REPAIR THEM CORRECTLY. I HAVE ALREADY HAD THIS CAR REPAIRED FROM AUDI FOR THE PISTON RING OIL FAILURE WHICH THEY HAD TO REPLACE PER THE LAWSUIT THEY WERE HIT WITH AND STILL DENIED ANY WRONG DOING. PLEASE FORCE THIS COMPANY TO RIGHT THESE ISSUES THEY IGNORED IN THE FACE OF PROFITS INSTEAD OF DOING RIGHT BY THE CONSUMER.

NHTSA ID
10888525
Incident
Jul 23, 2016
Mileage
96,546 mi
Steering
Filed May 4, 2016

WHEN I AM BACKING UP, WHEN I TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE REST OF THE COLUMN SHUDDER, VIBRATE AND MAKES A RUMBLING NOISE.

NHTSA ID
10862969
Incident
Oct 3, 2013
Mileage
27,000 mi
Steering
Filed Apr 29, 2016

EVERY TIME I PULL OUT OF A PARKING SPOT, WHEN I TURN THE STEERING WHEEL (NOT GIVING ANY GAS), THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE REST OF THE COLUMN SHUDDER, VIBRATE AND MAKE A RUMBLING NOISE

NHTSA ID
10862198
Incident
Apr 4, 2016
Mileage
65,000 mi
Steering
Filed Jun 30, 2015

WHEN DRIVING CAR IT BECOMES REALLY DIFFICULT AT TIMES TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. OFF AND ON. I MYSELF ALMOST HIT SOMEONE WHEN MAKING A TURN AT AROUND 20 MPH, I HAD TO BRAKE AND TURN WITH BOTH HANDS USING ALOT OF FORCE. HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES WITH MY DAUGHTER AS WELL. STARTED HAPPENING THE END OF LAST YEAR. CALLED DEALERS AND THEY SAID THERE ARE NO RECALLS ON VEHICLE

NHTSA ID
10731284
Incident
Jun 18, 2015
Steering
Filed Mar 20, 2015

THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO ROTATE BECAUSE OF A STRONG RESISTANCE TO ROTATION. THIS BEHAVIOR WAS DANGEROUS BECAUSE I COULD NOT TURN THE WHEEL IN NORMAL TRAFFIC WITHOUT EXTREME FORCE. THE AUDI DEALERSHIP TESTED THE CAR AND REPLACED THE "INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT" BUT WOULD NOT PAY FOR THE REPLACEMENT. A CARS STEERING SHOULD WORK FOR THE LIFE OF THE CAR. I QUOTE THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN'S REPORT: 'CONFIRMED CUSTOMER COMPLAINT AND FOUND THE STEERING WAS JERKY AND WOULD NOT RETURN TO CENTER. INSPECTED STEERING COMPONENTS AND FOUND THAT INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT WAS BINDING CAUSING THE STEERING TO JERK. REMOVED AND REPLACED SHAFT AND TESTED AND FOUND CAR TO BE OPERATING AS DESIGNED." I REQUESTED THE REPLACED PART WHICH I HAVE. (PART NUMBER 8K1 419 753 F). THE PART INCLUDES TWO UNIVERSAL JOINTS , ONE ON EACH END. EACH UNIVERSAL JOINT INCLUDES TWO FLEXIBLE BEARINGS WHICH ALLOW THE SHAFT TO BE FREE TO ROTATE FOR CHANGE IN ANGULAR POSITION. ONE OF THE ROTATING PINS WAS FROZEN AND WOULD NOT ROTATE. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND MAY BE OCCURRING ON MANY OF THIS TYPE OF SHAFT. THE NUMBER OF REPLACEMENTS BY AUDI SHOULD BE IDENTIFIED TO DETERMINE IF A RECALL INSPECTION IS NEEDED. I TOLD AUDI US HEADQUARTERS THAT I WOULD BE FILLING A CLAIM IN SMALL CLAIMS COURT. AS A RESULT THEY OFFERED TO PAY 50% OF THE $714.70 BILL WHICH I ACCEPTED INSTEAD OF WAITING FIVE MONTHS FOR A HEARING IN MASSACHUSETTS SMALL CLAIMS COURT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10700681
Incident
Oct 18, 2013
Mileage
40,502 mi
Steering
Filed Nov 18, 2013

I HAVE RECENTLY PURCHASED THIS CARD AND IT HAS A WEIRD GRINDING TYPE NOISE WHEN TURNING AT SLOW SPEEDS OR WHILE PARKED. STEERING SHAKES AND FEELS LIKE SOMETHING IS ABOUT BREAK OR IS LOOSE AT THE STEERING COMPONENT POSSIBLE LINKAGE ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10552826
Incident
Nov 21, 2012
Mileage
31,800 mi
Steering
Filed Sep 6, 2010

I HAVE TWO 2009 A4 HAVE A SHUDDER SOUND AT LOW SPEEDS WHILE TURNING WHEEL 5 OR 10 MPH ALSO WHEN PARKING A KNOCKING SOUND WHEN TURNING WHEEL. PLEASE HELP! DEALER SAID THATS NORMAL. *TR

NHTSA ID
10354037
Incident
Jan 1, 2010
Steering
Filed Jul 13, 2010

AT LOW SPEEDS, STEERING SHAKES AND MAKES A RUMBLING NOISE WHEN TURNED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10342887
Incident
Nov 11, 2009
Mileage
3,000 mi
Steering
Filed Jun 16, 2010

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 AUDI A4. WHILE TURNING AT AN UNKNOWN LOW SPEED, THE CONTACT FELT UNUSUAL VIBRATIONS IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THE VIBRATIONS WERE A NORMAL OCCURRENCE WITH THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO RECUR AND BECAME EXCESSIVELY WORSE. THE VEHICLE WAS AGAIN TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE FAILURE PERSISTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER A THIRD TIME WHERE THEY REDESIGNED AND INSTALLED THE POWER STEERING HOSE. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO FUNCTION AS NORMAL BUT THE FAILURE BEGAN TO RECUR APPROXIMATELY 3,000 MILES AFTER THE NEW POWER STEERING HOSE WAS INSTALLED. THE DEALER ADVISED THE STEERING VIBRATIONS WERE A NORMAL ATTRIBUTE TO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SERVICED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 19,800.

NHTSA ID
10336574
Incident
Jan 1, 2010
Mileage
3,000 mi
Steering
Filed May 7, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 AUDI A4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A LOUD, GROANING NOISE FROM THE POWER STEERING. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO DIFFICULT TO TURN AT SLOW SPEEDS, ESPECIALLY WHEN TRYING TO PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE POWER STEERING. THE DEALER REPLACED THE CALIBERS BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 300. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 2,700.

NHTSA ID
10329290
Incident
Oct 10, 2009
Mileage
300 mi
Steering
Filed Mar 12, 2010

2009 AUDI A4 AVANT WITH 28000 MILES ON IT WHEN THE STEERING BECAME HARD TO STEER AT LOW SPEED. I DROVE IT TO THE AUDI DEALER 315 MILES FROM MY HOME. TOLD THAT THE STEERING SHAFT HAD "SEIZED" AND THE PART WAS ON BACK ORDER. MIGHT TAKE TWO WEEKS OR MORE TO REPAIR. I WAS GIVEN A FREE RENTAL AND TOLD THAT THEY WOULD BE IN TOUCH WHEN REPAIRED.

NHTSA ID
10319243
Incident
Mar 8, 2010
Mileage
28,000 mi
Steering
Filed Feb 3, 2010

I EXPERIENCE SEVER SHAKING OF THE STEERING WHEEL AND WHEELS WHEN TURNING WHILE PARKED OR MOVING AT A SPEED BELOW 5MPH. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN PRESENT SINCE PURCHASING THE CAR. *TR

NHTSA ID
10304445
Incident
Jan 30, 2010
Mileage
10 mi
SteeringVisibility
Filed May 26, 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 AUDI A4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES WHEN MAKING TURNS AND WHILE THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED. IN ADDITION, THE EXTERIOR SIDE MIRRORS ARE DESIGNED WITH ALUMINUM INTERIOR, WHICH PROJECTS A GLARE. THE ONLY OBJECT THAT IS VISIBLE IS THE DASHBOARD. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THREE DEALERS AND THEY CONCLUDED THAT THE STEERING FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE CONTROL ARM CLIP AND THE STEERING LOWER ARM CONTROL. REPLACING THE PARTS WOULD NOT GUARANTEE THAT THE FAILURE WOULD BE CORRECTED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLE, BUT OFFERED TO PAY THE CONTACT $748 PER MONTH UNTIL THE FAILURE WAS CORRECTED. THE MANUFACTURER REFUSES TO PUT THE AGREEMENT IN WRITING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,200 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 2,400.

NHTSA ID
10269976
Incident
Mar 1, 2009
Mileage
1,200 mi

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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .