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Audi A4 Reliability

148 messages,  Last post on Feb 21, 2013 at 1:49 AM

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What is this discussion about? Audi A4, Auto Repair, Sedan

Messages Page 10 of 15

#88 of 148 My experience with Audi A4 2009 by lagirl2

Jul 12, 2009 (10:35 pm)

I recently bought a brand new Audi A4. I know absolutely nothing about cars, but it was cute and Edmunds appeared to have rated it highly in reviews.
 
The day after I bought it, I had to take it back to the dealer for a check engine light. They said it was the fuel sensor and replaced it. 2 weeks later, I got another check engine light. They cleared the fault and sent me on my way. 2 weeks after that, I took it in for another check engine light. When I pulled into the dealership, they said they knew it was the fuel pump that needed replacing. According to the dealership, the Audi manufacturer had "compared it to another new car and decided it was the fuel pump." They replaced it and sent me on my way. It's been about a week and everything's running fine so far, but I hope that this isn't going to be a reoccuring problem. I'm thinking I may have just had bad luck with that one part. Sometimes new cars are like that I guess.
 
Otherwise, my experience with Audi is pleasant. The dealership puts up with my histrionics when something goes wrong. They fix it under warranty for free and offer me a free rental car (usually a Mercedes) when they fix my car so at least I get to try other cars out. Overall, my Audi is beautiful and has every amenity offered. I hope it doesn't have more problems, though, because I think it looks really cute and it's fun to drive.

#89 of 148 Re: My experience with Audi A4 2009 [lagirl2] by fkuciapa

Jul 13, 2009 (10:49 am)

Replying to: lagirl2 (Jul 12, 2009 10:35 pm)
I really don't want to spoil you joy with the new car but unfortunately the infamous check engine light, particularly right after you drive a brand new car from the lot is not a good indicator of what's ahead of you ....
 
I had very similar experience to yours. Yes, the dealer fixes the check engine light free when car is under warranty...the warranty will eventually run out unless you purchased extended one from the get go...when it does, you will be out luck. They will give you a loaner while they fix the issue but the issues will keep coming back....ok when car is under warranty but still you will worry and waste time visiting the dealer. True, most of these issues will be classified as "leaking hose", "loose gas cap" etc but each one will result in dreadfull check engine light and will require a trip to the dealer. Unless you have tons of time and enjoy spending it at the dealership ....
 
I had so many of these little but requiring a day off from work in order to visit the dealer to drop off the car issues that I finally gave up selling the car for a lousy trade in value .... and started sharing the issues with the general public on this forum.
 
Audi is a very sexy agile car. It is notorious for tons of small issues all cuasing check engine light...
 
It is not good for a brand new car to have a gas pump issue....and regardless, all dealer repairs are good for 12 months. I had my air pump repaired once by dealer for $600 and going bad 14 months later....naturally 2 months after the dealer service warranty had expired
 
Good luck with it....enjoy but be prepared for lots of ridiculous stories about what was wrong with your car next time the check engine light comes on and you're forced to pay the dealer another visit.
 
I now drive an Acura...had not had a SINGLE issue for 2 years.

#90 of 148 Thanks for the warning fkuciapa by lagirl2

Jul 13, 2009 (6:07 pm)

Thanks for the warning. So far, minus the little problems, I love it. However, what does comfort me is a- the extended warranty I bought, b- my bf is a mechanic and literally called the dealership for me to check on the work actually being done this last time, etc... and c- the law. So far I've been in 3 times in a month and a half. Under CA's lemon laws, I'd have cause to return it and get my money back if I so desired. If it keeps happening, then I'm going to definitely take advantage of that law, something I keep reminding the dealership each visit in. They do bend over backwards now to help me, so I'm hoping that they are as concerned about their workmanship and the cars they sell as I am about owning one.
 
I used to drive a Japanese car. It was so easy to maintain and I had zero problems. Absolutely nothing happened on that car. I changed tires, brakes, and got oil changes and that was enough to make it last. I traded it in at 75k to get the Audi, though, because 4.5 years seemed a long time to own a car. However, I am confident that my old car would've kept going and going and going. That thing drove like a dream. It's just not as sexy as the Audi and it's not the powerhouse that the Audi is.

#91 of 148 Re: My experience with Audi A4 2009 [fkuciapa] by ingvar

Jul 14, 2009 (5:35 am)

Replying to: fkuciapa (Jul 13, 2009 10:49 am)
I now drive an Acura...had not had a SINGLE issue for 2 years.
Good for you. I had horrible experience with Accord and TL with 0 issues when cars had warranty and LOTS of issues when warranty expired. I wouldn't touch Honda any more, only German cars. 0 issues with my BMW, girlfriend's parents have 0 issues with VW.

#92 of 148 Re: My experience with Audi A4 2009 [ingvar] by rascal99

Jul 15, 2009 (10:17 am)

Replying to: ingvar (Jul 14, 2009 5:35 am)
Nope, no issues here on my 3 year old A4. Absolutely nothing. I am not going to assume all Audis are perfect based on my experience, just as someone shouldn't assume they are crap based on their ONE single ownership experience, or that Uncle Bob and one and...blah blah.

#93 of 148 Re: My experience with Audi A4 2009 [rascal99] by fkuciapa

Jul 16, 2009 (12:01 am)

Replying to: rascal99 (Jul 15, 2009 10:17 am)
Rascall99 - assume what want, your car, your choice. Not sure why you're getting all worked up about the facts - notice plural.
 
I recommend this interesting site to you, pehaps this will help you expand your horizons juust a bit further beyond the windshield of your own car ... blah blah
 

 
http://www.consumeraffairs.com/automotive/audi.htm
 
Most recently (last 2 weeks), my friends drove a brand new VW JETTA from Germany to France - the manual transmission broke down in southern France on their way back forcing them to return by train. Now this is what I call PERFECT turn of events.

#94 of 148 Re: My experience with Audi A4 2009 [fkuciapa] by rascal99

Jul 16, 2009 (9:51 am)

Replying to: fkuciapa (Jul 16, 2009 12:01 am)
Not getting worked up. My point being, if you read my post, is I AM looking beyond my own windshield. All car makes have problems and basing a conclusion that a car is junk because of one or two personal experiences is not statistically valid. "My aunt Mildred broke down in her brand new Toyota on the way home from the dealership". So what. That sucks for Mildred but that certainly doesn't mean all Toyotas are junk.

#95 of 148 Re: My experience with Audi A4 2009 [fkuciapa] by ingvar

Jul 17, 2009 (6:20 am)

Replying to: fkuciapa (Jul 16, 2009 12:01 am)
Thank you for recommendation. Lot of interesting stories about uber quality Honda cars http://www.consumeraffairs.com/automotive/honda.html
BTW, on my brand new Accord, transmission broke down on 8K miles first time.

#97 of 148 grounded again by ntheyardagain

Sep 20, 2009 (6:18 am)

i too am an audi owner or rather still am paying on the car that is sitting in my driveway as it sits there most of the time. I have had to replace the engine and to the person with the check engine light i do feel sorry for you, because that is what kept coming on in my audi but the dealer assured me everything was fine and he got the light off but then the engine blew and another engine was put in and now the car sits again, problem after problem, audi a4 quattro no more

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