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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 11 of 15

#98 of 148 Audi A4 Reliability Post 2007-Current? by smarty666

Nov 13, 2009 (10:15 am)

Hi, listen I was just curious what current Audi A4 owners/lessors of A4's post 2007 feel about the reliability of the A4 is and what the future holds for not just the A4 but for Audi in general?
 
Reason I ask is, having been a Japanese luxury owner.lessor for a few years and not really caring for German styling, I have taken notice and really like the styling, LED DRLs, of the new Audi lineup and might consider leasing one in a year and half when my current lease is up?
 
Consumer reports and JD Power have listed poor reliability of the A4 pre 2006 and do not recommend it as a used vehicle but both sites have shown great improvement in reliability starting in 2007 to the current one; I wanted to know if this is true based on current Audi A4 owners/lessors and do you recommend leasing this vehicle or at the very least give it consideration?
 
I really like the direction Audi has taken in the styling and interior department over the last few years but they aren't exactly known for impeccable reliability but I don't hold problems of the past against improvements in the companies current models, a good example of this is Nissan, so I would love some insightful criticism and opinions!!! both good or bad!!

#99 of 148 Re: Audi A4 Reliability Post 2007-Current? [smarty666] by eddie650

Nov 13, 2009 (8:04 pm)

Replying to: smarty666 (Nov 13, 2009 10:15 am)
When I purchased my 2005+ A4 (4 cylinder convertible model) I did so after reading that Consumer Reports had given the car decent ratings - including probable repair record. I'm satisfied with the car even though it needed two repairs. Those were covered under a good warranty issued back then.
I find the car reliable and I think many people on this site do report on their car problems, but people satisfied with the car don't bother to report that fact. It's my opinion that Audi has more problem cars, but that doesn't mean the average car buyer will have more problems with their cars than buyers of American cars.

#100 of 148 Re: Audi A4 Reliability Post 2007-Current? [smarty666] by bjacobs

Dec 04, 2009 (1:44 pm)

Replying to: smarty666 (Nov 13, 2009 10:15 am)
I currently own an audi a4 2000, and my father owned an a4 2001, which he was happy to get rid of. We both liked the cars, but frankly, the reliability of audi and vw is scary. The cars will not leave you stranded, but they will empty your checkbook very fast. There is a reason you don't see older audi's on the road.
 
My experience with the audi a4 is:
1) engine seals replaced 2 x
2) diff seals replaced 2 x
3) dash display replaced
4) entire throttle body replaced (sensors, valves, etc)
5) fuel injectors replaced 2 x
6) driver's airbag replaced
7) abs module replaced
8) driver's and passenger window lifters replaced
9) drive shaft boots replaced
10) various sensors (temp sensors, oxygen sensors, etc)
11) hoses, pipes, etc.
 
This is a 10 year car which started breaking after 2.5 years. Thank god I had a full coverage warranty. The warranty paid out $12k in repairs, and from speaking with the audi/vw shop, this is typical of audi's.
 
Have they gotten better? I hope so, but I can guarantee you that their reliability is still poor. By the way, consumer reports gave the a4 a good reliability rating in 2000 and 2001. We'll see what happens in a couple of years to the 07's.
 
In comparison:
1) 2002 subaru- no problems with anything
2) 2003 camry- 1 engine mount went bad
3) 1995 maxima- 2 starters
 
In my mind, audi's are great driving cars, but horrible transportation cars. They are not reliable, expensive to fix, and expensive to own.
 
There is simply no justification for getting one. Do yourself a favor and get something else. If you want performance and have to get a german car, get a bmw. They seem to be the most reliable of the german makes, although they are not close to the japanese cars.

#102 of 148 Can you really break an Audi A4 in 6 miles? by anitasan

Jan 07, 2010 (11:34 pm)

I drove my 2008 A4 about 6 miles in the cold the other night not ever getting over 35 miles per hour. At a stop light the clutch developed an issue out of nowhere and would not allow me to go into 1st gear. I finally had to drive it home in 3rd gear but after getting it into my garage, could not get it into gear again.
 
Upon driving it to the dealer, my clutch was burned out completely. This surprised me because I saw no smoke or heard no grinding noises whatesoever when I was driving it.
 
Has anybody ever had this issue? I cannot believe that I "broke" my Audi A4 in a matter of 35 miles per hour for 6 miles.
 
*confused......

#103 of 148 2006 A4 3.2 by r34

Jan 15, 2010 (10:16 pm)

My wife is driving a 2006 A4 3.2 auto - no issue. We were surprised it's more reliable than our Saabs (although we still missed them).

#104 of 148 Re: 2000 A4 1.8T breaks down a lot [fkuciapa] by durank

Feb 13, 2010 (3:54 pm)

Replying to: fkuciapa (Jan 14, 2007 2:41 pm)
Unfortunately, I have had very similar problems with my now former 2005 A4 3.0 Quatrro. After the warranty expired the costs piled up. Within a year of the warranty expiring the car was towed twice and I spent over $2000 on new tires and brake pads. The first time the car was towed the car needed a very costly new fuel pump. The second time the car was towed the dealer informed me it needed a new $13,000 engine, worth almost as much as the car if not more!!! At 4 years old and 62,000 miles a car should not need a new engine. No one in the dealership could tell me exactly what went wrong except that I had an excellent service record and all my fluids were fine. The dealership tried to offer me $2,000 for the car, which I just shelled out for the tires to the dealership. They would also not make any deal towards a trade in for a new Audi, which I was willing to try again with Audi. Audi obviously does not stand behind their vehicles or their customers.

#105 of 148 buying advice by rrrx

May 01, 2010 (7:28 pm)

I'm hearing all these bad reviews for the A4 1.8T. I am about to buy a 2002 A4 1.8T that has 84,000 miles on it, it was owned by a female bank worker, the seems to be in great shape. It's a local dealer who has it for sale, they are not an Audi dealership. Should I stay away from this car? they have it priced 10,900.
Any help would be greatly welcomed!!!

#106 of 148 Re: buying advice [rrrx] by kirstie_h HOST

May 03, 2010 (12:33 pm)

Replying to: rrrx (May 01, 2010 7:28 pm)
This is a really difficult question for anyone else to answer. The plus side is that it's really fun to drive. The minus side is that there will be times when you can't drive it at all, and it will require more than the average amount in repair bills to make it drive again.
 
You should do a forums search here on the terms A4 problems. Then, assume that you will experience at least some of the problems mentioned by others. Can your budget handle that? If so, can you also handle your car being out-of-commission for those periods of time/frequency?
 
I have owned two vehicles in my life with poor reliability histories. The first one, I was spending $800/month in repairs for about the last 5 months of ownership. The second one, I beat the odds and experienced almost no problems at all. It's up to you to decide whether you can afford the risks. Personally, if I were spending $11K on a used vehicle, I'd be looking at something less exciting, but with a better likelihood of lower impact on my future & ongoing budget.

Messages Page 11 of 15

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