AI DamageAudi A4 Avant: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Audi A4 Avant across 3 model years: 60 owner complaints and 0 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Engine 55% of all complaints
- 2 Fuel/propulsion system 10% of all complaints
- 3 Powertrain 10% of all complaints
- 4 Steering 10% of all complaints
- 5 Electrical system 8% of all complaints
- 6 Air bags 7% of all complaints
- 7 Engine and cooling 3% of all complaints
- 8 Exterior lighting 3% of all complaints
- Engine: 33 complaints (55% of all).
- Fuel/propulsion system: 6 complaints (10% of all).
- Powertrain: 6 complaints (10% of all).
- Steering: 6 complaints (10% of all).
- Electrical system: 5 complaints (8% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 60 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 33 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Electronic stability control | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was diagnosed by an independent mechanic. The contact was informed that the master cylinder reservoir cap was cracked and had deteriorated and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure.
The contact stated that the oil warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer and had the oil consumption test completed twice but was not able to diagnose the failure. The contact stated she continued to add 1 quart of oil frequently, but the failure started to progress.
The contact stated that while purchasing the vehicle the air bag warning light illuminated. The contact contacted the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 136,000.
After a failed alternator and battery were replaced my entire electrical system has freaked out. 60,000mi on the dash, and my car is a brick. After a month on the lift the most well certified mechanics in my area, including some of audi's own, are at a complete loss.
At 11am a fire broke out in the rear driver side seat. Fire department arrived put out the fire, said it was not arson but rather electrical issue. The car front dash was partially melted, rear seat big char black seating material and showed exposed wires.
This timing chain failure has been determined to cause substantial damage to the vehicle's engine, in many cases requiring a complete engine replacement. Regrettably, this is what recently happened with my 2011 audi a4. In fact, there was a fairly high-profile class action filed against volkswagen (civil action no.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Fuel/propulsion system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
Other models of this make
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.