RoadVitals

2010 Audi A4 Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

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.
64
Latest Aug 16, 2023
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
12
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.
0

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2010 Audi A4, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

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

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Engine4660.5%
  • Powertrain (other)67.9%
  • Fuel system67.9%
  • Driver assistance45.3%
  • Steering33.9%
  • Transmission33.9%
  • Electrical22.6%
  • Exterior lighting22.6%
  • Visibility11.3%
  • Brakes11.3%
  • Suspension11.3%
  • Airbags11.3%

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

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

46
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

This audi doesn’t have a dip stick that comes with the car. It burns 1-2 quarts of oil a month and doesn’t indicate when your car is low on oil. It’s a guessing game when the engine says put a quart of oil in and I needed 2 and a half quarts to be full. It’s such a saftey hazard I’m surprised audi hasn’t recalled this engine. I spent over $1000 to have everything resealed and fixed because it just ceased one day due to not having enough oil

NHTSA ID 11538896 · filed Aug 16, 2023

No oil dip stick. The engine sucks a qt of oil every 2 weeks without leaks and due to the lack oem dip stick not in if you overfill your oil you’ll get bad spark plugs.

NHTSA ID 11531119 · filed Jul 8, 2023
All 46 reports naming engine

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

6
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

CAR SUFFERED FROM CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO KNOWN TIMING CHAIN ISSUES WITH THESE VEHICLES. THERE IS CURRENTLY A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT REGARDING THIS ISSUE. HTTPS://TIMINGCHAINLITIGATION.COM/

NHTSA ID 11242384 · filed Aug 7, 2019

CAR RANDOMLY SHUT OFF AFTER MAKING A QUICK TURN CAUSING IT TO LOSE POWER AND STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY INTERSECTION. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD BEFORE THE CAR COMPLETELY TURNED OFF. WAITED FOR A FEW MOMENTS TO TRY AND START TO CAR, AFTER THE 3 TIME TRYING, THE CAR STARTE.

NHTSA ID 11139101 · filed Oct 8, 2018

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

6
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION ENGINE PROBLEM

NHTSA ID 11003991 · filed Jul 10, 2017

THIS CAR CONSUMES OIL AND NEEDS A REFILL EVERY 200 MILES OR LESS. *TR

NHTSA ID 10640735 · filed Oct 2, 2014

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

My parking brake keeps setting itself and then locking in place and it will not unlock now my gear shift will not shift I have no idea what's going on and it keeps happening and then it'll stop and it'll happen again it's going to cause an accident and it burns up oil like crazy I'm going through so much oil it's not even funny

NHTSA ID 11512713 · filed Mar 20, 2023

PROBLEM ONE THE CAR WAS BURNING THROUGH A QUART OF EXPENSIVE OIL EVERY 300 MILES. TOOK IT IN,DROPPED THE ENGINE,CHANGED ALL PISTONS,REMOVED CRANKSHAFT OIL SEAL,FAULTY HIGH MOUNT BRAKE LIGHT,PRESSURE REGULATING VALVE ALL REPLACED. CAR WAS ACCELERATING WITH AND WITHOUT HESITATION,BUT DEALER DUPLICATED THE OCCURRENCE AND SAID THEY FIXED. ONE MONTH LATER,CAR SMELLED LIKE GAS AND WAS TAKING OFF ON IT'S OWN BROUGHT BACK DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE. VERY BAD SMELL OF GAS AND RAPID ACCELERATION -DEALER REMOVED ENGINE AGAIN REPLACED ALL VALVES,DIAGNOSIS PURGE VALVE STUCK. SUSPECTED INJECTOR SEAL.REPLACED 4 INJECTOR SEALS, SMELL PERSISTED.REPLACED INTAKE VALVE,REMOVE AND REPLACE PURGE VALVE ASSEMBLY. PISTONS HAVE ALL BEEN REPLACED,ENGINE HAS BEEN COMPLETELY REMOVED TWICE, AND THE TRANSMISSION IS STILL JUMPING AND THE CAR ACCELERATES BY ITSELF.AUDI REFUSES TO RECOGNIZE THE PROBLEM , I HAVE ONLY 1200 MILES LEFT ON WARRANTY. I HAVE ONLY HAD THIS CAR 7 MONTHS AND AM AFRAID TO DRIVE BUT AUDI OFFERS NO OPTIONS-I ASKED FOR EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THE ENGINE AND THEY SAID NO. I HAVE THE CAR IN MY POSSESSION WITH THE ACCELERATION ISSUE AND PERIODICALLY SMELLS OF GAS. I DRIVE 3 CHILDREN TO AND FROM . *TR

NHTSA ID 10510569 · filed May 3, 2013

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I have current issue with my Audi A4 steering rack where im driving it randomly it pull up one side or the other i have looked up that issues with the Audi A4 and alot of people are having steering rack failed where there’s space in the steering where it causes play and possible clicking noise and uneven drive Alot of people have that issues with the electrical steering and for some reason audi never recalled it even tho it’s happening rn to alot of people including me

NHTSA ID 11431904 · filed Sep 7, 2021

A BENT STEERING SHAFT WAS NOT KNOWN UNDER NORMAL OPERATING CONDITIONS. THIS BENT SHAFT PUT EXCESSIVE STRAIN ON THE POWER STEERING PUMP, WHICH CAUSES FAILURE AT SPEED WITHOUT ANY SIGNS OF IT FAILING. THIS PREVENTED THE VEHICLE FROM BEING ABLE TO EASILY BE TURNED WHILE IN PROCESS OF TURNING THE WHEEL ALLOWING THE VEHICLE TO CONTINUE IN A STRAIGHT LINE TOWARDS ONCOMING TRAFFIC OR OTHER STATIONARY OBJECTS. THIS OCCURRED AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND SOMETIMES UNDER BRAKING. THESE ISSUES WOULD BE INTERMITTENT AND NOT ABLE TO BE PREDICTED TO PREPARE AND TAKE ADDITIONAL MEASURES. THIS IS KNOWN BY AUDI UNDER TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN 2036032/2.

NHTSA ID 10898996 · filed Aug 26, 2016

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Transmission

Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

DRIVING TO WORK ON A COUNTRY ROADWAY, PASSED A VEHICLE AND BEGAN TO PULL BACK INTO MY LANE, RELEASING THE GAS PEDAL, BUT THE AUDI 2010 A4 CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE EVEN AFTER BRAKING, SPEEDS IN EXCESS OF 85-90 MPH. BRAKES FUNCTIONED, PULLED OVER, STOPPED CAR. LOOKED DOWN, NOTHING INTERFERING WITH THE GAS PEDAL. RESTARTED CAR, SPEEDOMETER NEEDLE JUMPED TO 7000-8000 RPM, CAR REVVED. NEEDED TO GET THE CAR TO A SAFE LOCATION, PROCEEDED TO DRIVE DOWN THE ROAD WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED, BRAKES BEGAN SMOKING BUT MADE IT TO A MINI MART, PARKED AND STOPPED CAR. CAR TOWED TO DEALERSHIP, DEALERSHIP SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. CONTACTED AUDI OF AMERICA, THEY REVIEWED THE RECORDS AND SAID THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO HIGH RATE OF SPEED DESPITE DRIVER'S ATTEMPTS TO REDUCE SPEED. HAVE NOT DRIVEN VEHICLE SINCE THIS INCIDENT ON 7/7/11. NO PRIOR PROBLEMS, BUT SINCE I STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND LOOKED DOWN AT THE GAS PEDAL, THERE WAS NOTHING IN THE WAY WHICH WOULD HAVE CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE. DEALERSHIP STATES NO CODES WERE THROWN AND NOTHING SHOWS UP. *KB

NHTSA ID 10413792 · filed Jul 20, 2011

I HAVE A 2010 AUDI A4 WITH THE "MULTITRONIC" CVT TRANSMISSION. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS ON AN INCLINE, THE CAR ROLLS-BACK (OR FORWARD) WHEN IN DRIVE, MUCH LIKE A CAR WITH A MANUAL TRANSMISSION. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS BEHAVIOR IS "NORMAL" AND FUNCTIONING "AS DESIGNED." WHILE THIS HAS NOT CAUSED AN ACCIDENT, THIS SORT OF BEHAVIOR HAS THE POTENTIAL TO CAUSE COLLISIONS WITH THE CAR BEHIND (OR IN FRONT) WHEN ON AN INCLINE, GRADE, HILL, PARKING GARAGE, PARKING LOT, ETC. THIS BEHAVIOR HAS CAUSE FRIGHTENING SITUATIONS IN WHICH I'VE HAD TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES FOR FEAR OF HITTING THE CAR BEHIND (OR IN FRONT) OF ME. THIS HAS ALSO CAUSED THE DRIVER OF THE OTHER VEHICLE TO HONK IN FEAR OF GETTING HIT. I HAVE NOT OBSERVED SIMILAR BEHAVIOR IN VEHICLES WITH TRADITIONAL MANUAL OR AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. THIS BEHAVIOR SEEMS TO BE LIMITED TO AUDIS WITH CVT TRANSMISSIONS. I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO REPRODUCE THE SAME BEHAVIOR ON A FRIEND'S 2009 AUDI A4 WITH THE SAME TRANSMISSION. *TR

NHTSA ID 10334698 · filed Jun 5, 2010

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

My parking brake keeps setting itself and then locking in place and it will not unlock now my gear shift will not shift I have no idea what's going on and it keeps happening and then it'll stop and it'll happen again it's going to cause an accident and it burns up oil like crazy I'm going through so much oil it's not even funny

NHTSA ID 11512713 · filed Mar 20, 2023

PASSENGER HEADLIGHT STAYS ON FOR 30 SECONDS WHILE DRIVING. I TURN THE KNOB OFF THEN BACK ON. IT STAYS ON FOR 30 SECONDS AGAIN AND GOES BACK OUT. I JUST HAD THE HEADLIGHTS REPLACED BECAUSE I THOUGHT THEY WERE GOING BAD. I PASSED ANOTHER CAR WITH THE SAME PASSENGER HEADLIGHT OUT THEN I NOTICED THE LIGHT IS NOT BLOWN ITS AN INTERNAL PROBLEM. IVE CHECKED THE WIRING CONNECTOR TO HEADLIGHT AND ITS FINE. I DID MORE RESEARCH ONLINE AND FOUND OUT ALOT OF PEOPLE EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS ISSUE. I WORK AT NIGHT AND I NEED MY HEADLIGHT. IT DOES THE SAME WHILE PARKED

NHTSA ID 11165752 · filed Jan 4, 2019

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Exterior lighting

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

PASSENGER HEADLIGHT STAYS ON FOR 30 SECONDS WHILE DRIVING. I TURN THE KNOB OFF THEN BACK ON. IT STAYS ON FOR 30 SECONDS AGAIN AND GOES BACK OUT. I JUST HAD THE HEADLIGHTS REPLACED BECAUSE I THOUGHT THEY WERE GOING BAD. I PASSED ANOTHER CAR WITH THE SAME PASSENGER HEADLIGHT OUT THEN I NOTICED THE LIGHT IS NOT BLOWN ITS AN INTERNAL PROBLEM. IVE CHECKED THE WIRING CONNECTOR TO HEADLIGHT AND ITS FINE. I DID MORE RESEARCH ONLINE AND FOUND OUT ALOT OF PEOPLE EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS ISSUE. I WORK AT NIGHT AND I NEED MY HEADLIGHT. IT DOES THE SAME WHILE PARKED

NHTSA ID 11165752 · filed Jan 4, 2019

TAIL LIGHT (DRIVER'S SIDE) HAS A WATER LEAK PROBLEM. MANY REPORTS OF THIS ON VARIOUS AUDI FORUMS. MAY CAUSE FAILURE OF TAIL, BRAKE, REVERSE LIGHTS OVER TIME. VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 50,000 MILES. WE ARE THE ORIGINAL OWNERS. NO APPARENT DAMAGE TO LIGHT HOUSING.

NHTSA ID 10910162 · filed Sep 28, 2016

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 AUDI A4 QUATTRO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUAL WINDSHIELD WIPERS SHUT OFF WHEN THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP WHICH WAS ALSO LISTED IN THE OWNERS MANUAL. THE DEALER SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS HOW THE VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED AND THERE WAS NO OVERRIDE OR UPGRADE AT THIS TIME. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 15,000. UPDATED 3/21/11 *CN UPDATED 08/04/11

NHTSA ID 10382793 · filed Feb 15, 2011

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

My parking brake keeps setting itself and then locking in place and it will not unlock now my gear shift will not shift I have no idea what's going on and it keeps happening and then it'll stop and it'll happen again it's going to cause an accident and it burns up oil like crazy I'm going through so much oil it's not even funny

NHTSA ID 11512713 · filed Mar 20, 2023

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Suspension

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

THE COIL SPRINGS BROKE ON THIS VEHICLE ON 2 SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE LEFT FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE WHILE IT WAS BEING DRIVEN BY MY HUSBAND ON 7/24/19. THE LEFT REAR COIL SPRING BROKE WHILE I WAS TURNING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY ON 4/21/20. THE VEHICLE HAS OVER 81,000 MILES, BUT IS IN VERY GOOD CONDITION. I AM CAREFUL TO AVOID POT HOLES WHILE DRIVING, SO I DON'T BELIEVE THE CAUSE IS DUE TO MY DRIVING HABITS. THE PHOTO I HAVE PROVIDED SHOWS THE BREAK IS NOT DUE TO RUST. THIS HAS NEVER HAPPENED WITH ANY VEHICLE THAT I HAVE DRIVEN IN THE 50+ YEARS I HAVE BEEN DRIVING . MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT A BROKEN COIL SPRING IS VERY DANGEROUS AND CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT PARTICULARLY IF IT PUNCTURES A TIRE WHILE DRIVING. MY SUSPICION IS THAT THE COIL SPRINGS ARE DEFECTIVE GIVEN THAT THE BREAKS OCCURRED WITH 2 DIFFERENT COIL SPRINGS. SINCE THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE, I CHOSE TO REPLACE ALL THE COIL SPRINGS IN THE CAR BECAUSE I FEAR FOR MY SAFETY. I UNDERSTAND THAT VOLKSWAGON, OF WHICH AUDI IS A PART OF, RECALLED OVER 56,000 VEHICLES LAST YEAR DUE TO DEFECTIVE COIL SPRINGS. HOWEVER, I CANNOT FIND ANY INFORMATION REGARDING A RECALL FOR AUDI COIL SPRINGS.

NHTSA ID 11322887 · filed Apr 30, 2020

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

"TAKATA RECALL" THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG KEEPS BEEPING AND THINKING WE HAVE A PASSENGER IN THE CAR WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE TO BUCKLE THE EMPTY SEAT BELT TO MAKE THE AIRBAG WARNING BEEPS AND LIGHT STOP.

NHTSA ID 11240816 · filed Jul 31, 2019

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

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.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .