How many problems does the 2001 AUDI A4 have?

The 2001 AUDI A4 currently has 135 owner-reported complaints according to NHTSA database. These complaints are organized by component to help identify common issues.

What are the most common problems with 2001 AUDI A4?

The most common problems reported for the 2001 AUDI A4 are organized by component above. Each component section shows owner-reported issues, crash reports, and fire incidents to help identify patterns and problem areas.

Where does this 2001 AUDI A4 problem data come from?

All problem and complaint data for the 2001 AUDI A4 comes directly from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) database. These are real complaints submitted by actual vehicle owners.

2001 AUDI A4 Problems

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

33 complaints

THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER 99% CANNOT BE READ DUE TO THE LCD DISPLAY FADING. HAVE DONE MULTIPLE SEARCHES AND 9 OUT OF 10 PEOPLE HAVE THIS SAME EXACT ISSUE. AUDI NEEDS TO STEP UP AND TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS ISSUE. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE AND NEEDS TO BE FIXED. THIS HAS BEEN A HUGE PAIN FOR ME BECAUSE SOMETIMES MY CAR WILL BEEP AND DISPLAY SOMETHING ON THE LCD SCREEN BUT BECAUSE IT'S FADING I HAVE NO CLUE WHAT IT'S TELLING ME. I DON'T WANT TO BE DRIVING AND SOMETHING LIFE THREATENING HAPPEN BECAUSE OF A MISSED MESSAGE BECAUSE THE LCD SCREEN IS BROKEN. FIX THIS BEFORE PEOPLE GET HURT AND START FILING LAWSUITS. *TR

Mar 02, 2012

THE DIGITAL INSTRUMENT CLUSTER IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY ON MY 2001 AUDI A4 1.8T. YOU CAN ONLY SEE HALF THE SCREEN ON THE CENTER DISPLAY THAT NOTIFIES YOU WHEN THE CAR NEEDS TO BE SERVICED AND IF ANY MAJOR PROBLEMS ARE OCCURRING I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND AUDI SHOULD RECALL AND REPAIR ANY CARS WITH THIS MALFUNCTION BECAUSE I HAVE READ SEVERAL REVIEWS OF THE SAME PROBLEM SO OBVIOUSLY IT IS SOMETHING THEY SHOULD LOOK INTO. *TR

May 12, 2010

MY 2001 AUDI A4 HAS CENTRAL LCD DISPLAY TO DISPLAY ALL SORT OF INFORMATION, BUT THIS DISPLAY FAILS IN MOST OF A4S JUST AFTER A FEW YEARS. THIS IS CRITICAL FOR VEHICLE SAFETY, BECAUSE THIS CAR DOES NOT HAVE ANY OTHER INDICATORS TO SIGNAL ABNORMAL CONDITIONS OF THE CAR SUCH AS LOW COOLANT, CHECK ENGINE, ETC. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN KNOWN MORE THAN FIVE YEARS, BUT THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN RESPONSIBLE. PLEASE LOOK AT HTTP://AUDIFORUMS.COM/FORUM/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=46512 FOR OTHER PEOPLE'S COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. *TR

Feb 12, 2010

THE LCD INSTRUMENT DISPLAY IS "PIXILATED" -- UNABLE TO CLEARLY DISPLAY INFORMATION REGARDING THE STATUS OF THE VEHICLE, INCLUDING SAFETY-RELATED INFORMATION SUCH AS FAILURE OF SAFETY-RELATED COMPONENTS (ANTI-LOCK BRAKES ETC.). THIS COULD LEAD TO A CRASH OR PREVENT THE TIMELY RESPONSE TO A SAFETY-RELATED PROBLEM. ON-LINE FORUMS INDICATE THAT THIS IS A FREQUENT PROBLEM WITH AUDI A4S. *TR

Oct 21, 2009

THERE HAVE BEEN NO ACCIDENTS SO FAR HOWEVER MY WARNING DISPLAY ON MY INSTRUMENT CLUSTER ON MY 2001 AUDI A4 1.8T HAS BE CONTINUALLY FADING IN WARM WEATHER LEAVING ME UNABLE TO SEE IF THERE ARE ANY PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR. THIS CAN BECOME VERY SERIOUS IF I CAN'T SEE IF SOMETHING MAJOR COMES UP THAT NEEDS IMMEDIATE ATTENTION. *TR

Apr 29, 2009

+ 28 more complaints for this component

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

28 complaints

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 AUDI A4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT WAS FLASHING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTICS WHERE THE MECHANIC ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE ECU MODULE WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000.

Mar 15, 2012

ABS MODULE FAILURE. *TR

Oct 04, 2011

2001 AUDI A4 WITH ABOUT 105K MILES ON. ABS SENSOR IS FAULTY AND THIS PROBLEM IS VERY WIDESPREAD AMONGST AUDI A4S BUILT AROUND THIS TIME. IT IS A $1500 - $2000 REPAIR FOR A PART THAT REALLY DOESN'T SEEM TO GO BAD WITH THIS FREQUENCY IN OTHER CARS. FOR AN EXAMPLE OF THE SCORE, SEE THIS SITE. THIS IS JUST ONE OF MANY SITES WITH SIMILAR COMPLAINTS AROUND THIS ISSUE: HTTP://AUDI-VW-ABS-RECALL.BLOGSPOT.COM/2005/07/AUDI-AND-VW-PLEASE-RECALL-CARS-BETWEEN.HTML. *TR

Aug 26, 2010

2001 AUDI A4 2.8 ABS BRAKE SYSTEM CONTROLLER FAILURE. *TR

May 04, 2010

ABS CONTROL MODULE FAILED. MODULES ARE DEFECTIVE AND AUDI SHOULD RECALL THEM. ONLINE RESEARCH SHOWS THOUSANDS OF AUDI/VW CAR OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS SAME PROBLEM. COST TO REPLACE MODULE IS $1500-2000 DOLLARS. VW HAS ISSUED RECALL OF THIS ABS MODULE, BUT AUDI HAS NOT (EVEN THOUGH SAME EXACT PART). NHTSA NEEDS TO PUT PRESSURE ON AUDI TO RECALL THIS COMPONENT, THEY ARE DEFECTIVE, UNSAFE, AND COULD LEAD TO ACCIDENTS. *TR

Mar 07, 2010

+ 23 more complaints for this component

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

25 complaints

2001 AUDI A4 WITH TIMING BELT FAILURE AND REPAIR. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE TIMING BELT REPAIR DID NOT LAST AND HIS VEHICLE COMPLETELY FAILED ON THE HIGHWAY. CONSUMER WAS THEN INFORMED OF AN OIL SLUDGE ISSUE. *KB UPDATED 10/19/11.

Aug 17, 2011

THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT ON MY 2001 AUDI A4 QUATTRO CAME ON AND WAS RUNNING SOMEWHAT ROUGHLY. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIPS SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND THEY TOLD ME TO BRING IT IN. ON THE 8-MILE FREEWAY DRIVE THE ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE AND DESTROYED THE ENGINE. *TR

Jul 12, 2009

Fire: 1

I HAVE HAD TO REPLACED ALL FOUR COILS TWO (2) TIMES ON MY AUDI A.4 1.8T AND AUDI USA SAYS THIS IS NORMAL. *TR

May 18, 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 AUDI A4. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH UPHILL, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE TIMING BELT NEEDED REPLACING AND THE ENGINE WAS DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 84,429.

Jul 22, 2008

1. BOTH TIMES, CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN NORMALLY AT AROUND 30-40 MPH WHEN, WITHOUT ANY WARNING AT ALL, THE CAR COMPLETELY STOPPED FROM IT'S SPEED TO ZERO MPH IMMEDIATELY, ENGINE DIES AND ALL POWER WAS GONE FROM THE CAR. ALL ATTEMPTS TO RESTART THE CAR WERE UNSUCCESSFUL. IT IS NOT A BATTERY ISSUE. THIS CAR IS VERY WELL MAINTAINED TO ALL MANUFACTURER'S RECOMMENDATIONS WITH OEM PARTS USED FOR ALL SERVICES WHICH ARE ALL DONE BY CERTIFIED TECHNICIANS AT THE DEALER OR REPUTABLE INDEPENDENT SHOP. 2. OCCURRED FIRST ON SUNDAY 4/27/08 AND AGAIN ON 5/1/08. WE ARE VERY LUCKY THAT IT HAPPENED WHEN WE WERE ON QUIET SUBARBAN STREETS AND NOT THE HIGHWAY OTHERWISE WITH THE CAR COMING TO A SUDDEN AND COMPLETE STOP THERE COULD HAVE BEEN A VERY MESSY ACCIDENT. IMAGINE GOING FROM 65MPH TO 0MPH WITHOUT ANY WARNING ON A RUSH HOUR FREEWAY. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS VERY THOROUGHLY. 3. AFTER FIRST INCIDENT, CAR WAS TAKEN TO REPUTABLE AUDI AUTO REPAIR SHOP THAT REPLACED AN ELECTRIC WIRE, ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR AND IGNITION SWITCH. MECHANICS' CLAIM TO HAVE FOUND POWER SUPPLY CABLE TO THE ECU WITH EXCESSIVE RESISTANCE, TRACED THE WIRE AND FOUND A BAD CONNECTION IN THE HARNESS CONNECTOR. BY-PASSED CONNECTOR AND NOW THE COMPUTER IS COMMUNICATING OK (COPIED FROM MECHANICS' OPERATIONS AND PARTS REPORT). THIS TOOK THE MECHANICS' 3 DAYS AS THEY SAID IT WAS A VERY FREAKY, UNUSUAL AND HARD TO FIND AND SOLVE ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. CLEARLY THIS DID NOT WORK SINCE THE CAR AGAIN SUDDENLY STOPPED 5 HOURS AFTER THE ALLEGED FIX. NOW HAVE TOWED THE CAR TO AUDI DEALERSHIP. 4. AFTER FIRST INCIDENT, CALLED AUDI CLIENT RELATIONS U.S.A. TO INFORM THEM OF WHAT WE THOUGHT WAS A MAJOR SAFETY RISK TO HELP MAKE SURE IT DID NOT HAPPEN TO OTHERS IN THE FUTURE SINCE IT COULD LEAD TO A VERY MESSY/FATAL ACCIDENT(S) BUT THEY WERE NOT AT ALL INTERESTED SINCE IT IS OUTSIDE WARRANTY. *TR

May 02, 2008

+ 20 more complaints for this component

AIR BAGS

8 complaints

The contact owns a 2001 Audi A4. The contact stated that upon closing the driver's side door, her husband heard a loud gun-like sound and he noticed that the passenger-side curtain air bags had deployed. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact's husband cut the curtain air bags and drove the vehicle to his residence. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000. The VIN was not available.

Mar 04, 2022

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON A HIGHWAY GOING STRAIGHT AT ~65MPH THE PASSENGER SIDE CURTAIN AND SEAT AIRBAGS DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON. VEHICLE MANUFACTURER CITED A "CRASH" SIGNAL FROM SIDE IMPACT SENSOR WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FALSE DEPLOYMENT. NO PHYSICAL CAUSE COULD BE FOUND, NO DAMAGE WAS FOUND ON VEHICLE AND ALL AIRBAG SYSTEM WIRING WAS FOUND TO BE INTACT AND ORIGINAL. MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT OWN FAILURE AND CITED THE VEHICLE BEING LOWERED AS THE CAUSE. MANUFACTURER WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE ANY EVIDENCE FOR THIS CONCLUSION AND VEHICLE IS WELL WITHIN LOCAL LAWS/REGULATIONS FOR LOWERED VEHICLES.

Aug 18, 2016

ALL AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY IN A DRIVER'S SIDE "T-BONE" COLLISION. A-4 IS EQUIPPED WITH SIDE AIRBAGS. A-4 WAS STATIONARY AND OCCUPIED, MINIVAN CRASHED INTO DRIVER'S DOOR AND PART OF FRONT QUARTER PANEL. VAN'S RATE OF TRAVEL WAS 20 TO 30 MPH IN REVERSE! MY WIFE SUFFERED NECK AND SHOULDER INJURIES. LOCAL AUDI DEALER REPLACED THE SIDE AIRBAG # 8D0 880 241 AA AND THE AIRBAG CONTROLLER MODULE # 8D0 959 655 G. ONLY AT MY INSISTENCE, WAS THIS WORK PERFORMED WHEN I CONTINUED TO QUESTION WHY NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. MY DIRECT QUESTIONS WERE MET WITH, "YOU KNOW, MORE INJURIES OCCUR WHEN AN AIRBAG GOES OFF, SO, YOUR WIFE IS PROBABLY LUCKIER THAT THEY DIDN'T WORK". WTF?! HEY BUDDY, LET'S PUT YOU IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT AND RAM MINIVAN INTO IT WITH THE SAME SPEED AND MASS! ALSO, REST YOUR ARM ON THE OPEN WINDOW AND SEE IF YOU DON'T LOSE AN ARM LIKE MY WIFE ALMOST DID. WHAT ARE THESE GUY'S TRYING TO COVER UP FOR AUDI?! HAS THERE BEEN A CORPORATE DECREE OF TOTAL LIABILITY AVOIDANCE WITH DECEIT BEING PUSHED DOWN TO THE DEALER LEVEL, OR ARE THEY JUST IDIOTS? I'M ALSO IN THE CLASS ACTION REGARDING THE OIL SLUDGE LAWSUIT. NOW THEY ARE DENYING 1/2 OF MY CLAIM BECAUSE THEY SAY I'M MISSING PROOF OF A SINGLE OIL CHANGE THAT SHOULD BE IN THE RECORDS OF THE DEALERSHIP THAT PERFORMED THE WORK, WHICH FOR SOME REASON ALL THE RECORDS PERTAINING TO THAT CRITICAL TIMELINE HAVE BEEN WIPED OFF AUDI'S CORPORATE COMUPTER SYSTEM. WHEN WILL IT ALL END? I'M ABOUT TO DRIVE THIS [XXX] CAROVER A CLIFF! ANY AUDI EXECS WANT TO GO FOR A RIDE? I FEEL I HAVE BEEN TAKEN FOR A LONG ENOUGH RIDE AFTER SOME $15,000 TO $20,000 IN REPAIRS OVER THE LAST 6 YEARS. LET'S HOPE OUR AIRBAGS WILL BE FREE FROM FAILURE IN THE EVENT OF A FUTURE ACCIDENT. SOMEONE ELSE'S EXPERIENCE HAS BEEN THAT SWITCHING OUT THE MODULE WITH THE SAME MODEL MODULE HAS NOT ELIMINATED THE PROBLEM COMPLETELY AND IT HAS RE-OCCURRED, I.E., RED LIGHT IN DASH COMING ON AGAIN AND FAILURE TO DEPLOY AIRBAGS IN CRASH. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *KB

Jul 21, 2011

Crash: 1

Injuries: 1

2001 AUDI A4 AIR BAG LIGHT ON DASH. DEALER CHECKED AND STATED AIR BAG MODULE BAD. ORDER ONE AND WAS INSTALLED APRIL 27, 2010. PART # 8D0-959-655-G MODULE. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ITEM. CAN CAUSE AIR BAGS TO NOT DEPLOY. SHOULD LAST LONGER THAN IT DID. *TR

May 17, 2010

AIRBAG CONTROLLER FAILS WITH NO APPARENT REASON. UNIT GENERATES AN UNCLEAR FAULT CODE (65535) WHEN TEMPERATURE DROPS BELOW 32 DEGREES. THIS WILL NOT ALLOW THE AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. MODULE HAS BEEN REPLACED, AND THE SAME FAILURE OCCURRED AGAIN LESS THAN A YEAR LATER. *TR

Nov 12, 2009

+ 3 more complaints for this component

POWER TRAIN

4 complaints

1. WE WERE STUCK IN TRAFFIC ON AN INCLINE FOR A PERIOD OF APPROXIMATELY 5 TO 10 MINUTES SLOWLY APPROACHING THE CALDECOTT TUNNEL (CAL. HIGHWAY 24-EAST BOUND) WHICH WAS BACKED UP. I WAS REQUIRED TO PUSH OUR MANUAL CLUTCH IN AN OUT REPEATEDLY DURING THE BACKUP, BUT WAS VERY CAREFUL NOT TO "RIDE" THE CLUTCH. 2. TWICE IN A PERIOD OF 12 MONTHS, THE SPECIAL "DUAL CLUTCH" FLYWHEEL AND CLUTCH ASSEMBLY BEGAN TO CATCH FIRE. IN THE FIRST INSTANCE, THE CAR BECAME INOPERATIVE AND HAD TO BE TOWED. IN THE SECOND INSTANCE I WAS ABLE TO GET OFF THE FREEWAY TO PREVENT FURTHER DAMAGE AND DANGER, BUT THE CAR WAS AGAIN INOPERATIVE. IT IS UNDOUBTEDLY THE DEFECTIVE FLYWHEEL DESIGN WHICH IS CATCHING FIRE SINCE THE CLUTCH IN THE FIRST INSTANCE HAD JUST BEEN REPLACED. 3. IN BOTH INSTANCES WITHIN THE 12-MONTH PERIOD, THE ENTIRE FLYWHEEL AND CLUTCH SYSTEM HAD TO BE REPLACED EVEN THOUGH THE CLUTCH WAS STILL OPERATIVE. THE EXPENSE WAS APPROXIMATELY $3000 FOR EACH REPAIR SINCE AUDI CLAIMED THIS WAS "DRIVER ERROR." (THE REPAIR PARTS ARE AVAILABLE.) THIS IS A PREPOSTEROUS CLAIM SINCE I HAVE BEEN DRIVING MANUAL TRANSMISSION VEHICLES SUCCESSFULLY FOR 40+ YEARS WITHOUT HAVING SIMILAR PROBLEMS AS EXPERIENCED WITH THE FIRE-PRONE AUDI FLYWHEEL. SIMILAR COMPLAINTS AND EXPERIENCES ARE REPORTED ON THE INTERNET ALL OVER THE COUNTRY ON VARIOUS FORUMS. ALL SUCH REPORTS DETAIL A SIMILAR DENIAL OF RESPONSIBILITY BY AUDI. *TR

Dec 12, 2008

Fire: 1

WAS MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN GOING 5 MPH OR LESS WHEN THE LEFT FRONT AXEL ON MY 2001 A4 BROKE OFF. IT HAS BEEN DETERMINED BY THE DEALER TO BE A MANUFACTURER DEFECT, BUT AUDI USA WILL NOT DO ANYTHING TO ASSIST IN THE REPAIR OF THE DEFECTIVE PRODUCT AS I AM NOT THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THE VEHICLE. IF I WERE, THEY WOULD ASSIST/COVER THE REPAIR COSTS. *NM

Nov 15, 2005

WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC VEHICLE WOULD JERK AND LOSE POWER, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL. DRIVER CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP. *AK

Sep 11, 2003

WHILE DRIVING TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFTED AND JERKED FORWARD. DEALER IS INSPECTING VEHICLE.*AK

May 14, 2001

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

3 complaints

IN 2007 XENON HEADLIGHTS DROPPED/DIPPED HEADLIGHT LEVEL SENSOR REPLACED AND LIGHTS APPEARED TO WORK CORRECTLY. IN 2011 THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN. HEADLIGHT LEVELING SENSOR AND WIRING HARNESS REPLACED. APPEARS TO BE WORKING OK. DRIVING WITH THE HEADLIGHTS AIMED INCORRECTLY IS A DANGEROUS DRIVING CONDITION. IT APPEARS THAT THERE IS A COMMON DESIGN FLAW WITH THE XENON HEADLIGHTS. *TR

Jan 05, 2012

WE HAVE EXPERIENCED AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH THE HID HEAD LIGHTS FLICKERING AND SHUTTING OFF DURING OPERATION AT NIGHT. THE LEFT LOW BEAM BEGAN TO FLICKER AND THEN SHUT OFF. THE HEAD LIGHT WARNING INDICATOR LIGHT COMES ON. AFTER INSPECTION THE NEXT DAY, LIGHTS CAME BACK ON AND WERE WORKING NORMALLY NO WARNING LIGHTS WERE ON. THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS TYPE OF CAR AND IN MY OPINION A VERY DANGEROUS ONE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY AUDI IN A RECALL FOR THE OBVIOUS BALLAST, BULB, WIRING, PROBLEM THAT EXISTS ON THIS CAR. *TR

Nov 03, 2011

THE NEW BLUE-WHITE LIGHT HEADLIGHTS ON THE AUDI AND OTHER LUXURY AND IMPORTED CARS IS BLINDING WHEN APPROACHING FROM THE OTHER DIRECTION, SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCING THE ABILITY TO SEE AND POSING A SAFETY HAZARD. THE EFFECT SEEMS EVEN WORSE THAN A CAR APPROACHING WITH ITS HIGH BEAMS ON. THE EFFECT IS SO BAD THAT IT PREVENTS YOU FROM SEEING THE ROAD AND OTHER THINGS AROUND. THEY SHOULD BE BANNED.

Jun 13, 2001

STEERING

3 complaints

DURING 90,000 MILE SERVICE, THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT BOTH SIDE SPINDLES (STEERING KNUCKLES) WERE CRACKED. ACCORDING TO THE MECHANIC, THE CAR WAS IN A POSITION TO LOOSE STEERING CAPABILITY WITH THOSE ITEMS CRACKED. THEY SAID IT'S RARE TO SEE BOTH SIDES CRACKED. TIE ROD ENDS WERE ALSO REPLACED DUE TO WEAR. I STILL HAVE BOTH SPINDLES IF NEEDED. MECHANIC REPLACED BOTH SPINDLES AND TIE ROD ENDS. THE VEHICLE IS CERTIFIED AND STILL UNDER WARRANTY FROM AUDI UNTIL THE END OF DECEMBER. THE VEHICLE HAD AN 80,000 MILE SERVICE DONE IN APRIL 2006. *NM

Oct 16, 2006

THE TIE RODS ON MY CAR WORE OUT AFTER ONLY 45K MILES. I DISCOVERED THIS WHEN I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR REQUIRED SAFETY INSPECTION. THE REPAIR SHOP SAID THAT THIS IS VERY COMMON ON AUDI VEHICLES, AND THEY REPLACE 4-5 SETS PER WEEK. I FEEL THAT THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A DESIGN FLAW WITH AUDI AND THAT A RECALL SHOULD BE REISSUED. THERE WAS A RECALL ON 98 AND 99 AUDI TIE RODS, BUT IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THERE IS STILL A PROBLEM. THE REPAIR WAS $250. I FEEL THAT THIS IS QUITE DANGEROUS AS I WASNT EXPECTING A MALFUNTION SO SOON, ESPECIALLY ONE THAT INVOLVES SUCH A VITAL COMPONENT OF VEHICULAR SAFETY.

Feb 21, 2005

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK

Nov 10, 2001

TIRES

3 complaints

PROBLEMS WITH PIRELLI TIRE EQUIPMENT.*MR (NAR) 3 OUT 4 OF THE CONSUMER TIRES WERE DEFECTIVE AND HE IS REQUESTING THAT PIRELLI AND AUDI CORRECT THE PROBLEM BY PROVIDING HIM WITH 4 REPLACEMENT TIRES THAT ARE EQUALLY RATED WITH THE ONES THAT WERE ORIGINALLY PUT ON THE VEHICLE. *CB

Nov 20, 2003

CONSUMER STATES THE CAR VIBRATES AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. MECHANIC STATED TIRES WERE NOT BALANCED AND NEEDED TO BE ROTATED. *JG

Mar 18, 2002

CONSUMER STATES THE CAR VIBRATES AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. MECHANIC STATED TIRES WERE NOT BALANCED AND NEEDED TO BE ROTATED. *JG

Mar 18, 2002

ENGINE

2 complaints

2001 AUDI A4 QUATTRO 2.8L. AS DRIVING SMOKE WAS COMING FROM HOOD.. PARK AND REALIZE THE ENGINE WAS ON FIRE. IT LOOK LIKE IT STARTED BY THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT AND SPREAD. I READ THAT AUDI HAD A RECALL ON HEAD LIGHT SWITCH BUT DID NOT REC, A RECALL LETTER. NOT EXACTLY SURE WHERE THE FIRE STARTED MY AUDI CAUGHT ON FIRE. I DONT'T HAVE PICTURES TO UPLOAD BUT I WILL SOON. I AM VERY HURT TO KNOW THAT THE CAR I ENJOYED DRIVING CAUGHT ON FIRE/DISAPPOINTED WITH AUDI

May 29, 2019

Fire: 1

THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT (MIL) HAS HAD SEVERAL RECURRENCES. THE MASS AIR FLOW METER AND SENSOR HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE. ( 65,060 AND 107,894). THE INITIAL FAILURE WAS AT 36,512 MILES. 47,819 MILES, 65,060 MILES, 107,894 MILES,118,628 MILES AND IN JULY, 2014 AT 159,421 MILES, THERE WAS A WARRANTY EXTENSION LETTER IN NOVEMBER, 2003 THAT INCLUDED 2001 AUDI A-4 1.8T VEHICLES AND A VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE ACTION 28F2/J1 IGNITION COIL INSPECTION/REPLACEMENT IN OCTOBER, 2009. SECONDARY ISSUE. UNABLE TO READ DASHBOARD DISPLAY. PIXELED. UNABLE TO READ SAFETY/VEHICLE NOTIFICATIONS. *TR

Aug 05, 2014

SEATS

2 complaints

WHILE USING MY HEATER ON MY SEATS AND A PILLOW FOR ADDITIONAL BACK SUPPORT, I NOTICED SMOKE AND BURNING SMELL WHEN PULLING INTO MY DRIVEWAY. WHEN GETTING OUT OF MY CAR I NOTICED THAT MY PILLOW WAS LEAKING...AND UPON PULLING THE PILLOW OFF THE DRIVERS SEAT, IT WAS DAMAGED/BURNED THROUGH. I ALSO NOTICED THAT A BURNED HOLE THE SIZE OF A QUARTER IS NOW QUITE VISIBLE. WORRIED THAT THIS MAY CAUSE A CAR FIRE. *TR

Dec 30, 2013

FACTORY HEATED SEAT SET ON LOWEST SETTING AND BURNING HOLE THROUGH LEATHER AND CLOTHING! LEFT HOLE SIZE OF DIME IN FRONT DRIVERSIDE SEAT. *TR

Dec 03, 2007

SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC

2 complaints

FAILURE OF ABS BRAKE CONTROL UNIT IN AN AUDI 2001 A4 WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY WITH SNOW. IT OCCURRED IN SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH. ABS BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE ABS BRAKES WEREN'T WORKING DRIVING ON SNOW AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. $710.00 WAS THE COST OF THE REPAIR FOR A FAULTY UNIT AND A VERY COMMON PROBLEM THAT AUDI KNOWS ABOUT IT. GOOD THING THAT I WAS GOING REALLY SLOW AND I WAS EXITING THE SLIPPERY FREEWAY AT THE TIME AND I DIDN'T SLIDE. THANK YOU! *TR

Jan 14, 2010

ABS ELECTRICAL MODULE THAT HAS FAILED AND IS APPARENTLY A HUGE PROBLEM, IT AFFECTS THE BRAKING SYSTEM. *TR

Sep 24, 2009

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

2 complaints

CONSUMER COMPLAINT REGARDING TIRE SPEED RATING APPROPIATE FOR 2001 AUDI A4 AVANT. *TS AUDI OF AMERICA REFUSES TO PROVIDE THE CONSUMER WITH WRITTEN CONFIRMATION OF THE TIRE SPEED RATING APPROPRIATE FOR THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE. *NM

Dec 07, 2005

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND PULLED OVER AT WHICH TIME THE VEHICLE STALLED AGAIN. THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT TRANSMISSION FLUID HAD BEEN ADDED TO THE BRAKE FLUID WHICH CAUSED THE BRAKE SYSTEM TO FAIL. *NM *JB

Jul 06, 2004

EQUIPMENT

2 complaints

SCREEN ON THE RADIO FLASHES INTERMITTENTLY, CAUSING YOU TO LOOK AWAY FROM THE ROAD EXPECIALLY AT NIGHT. IT COULD BE SOME SORT OF SHORT WHICH I BELIVE COULD LEAD TO FIRE.*AK

Jun 26, 2003

I AM PRESENTLY LEASING THE AUDI A4 1.8T. THE CAR HAS DIED ON THREE OCCASSIONS AND AUDI TELLS ME THAT THIS WAS DUE TO THE COIL SPRING PROBLEMS THEY HAVE BEEN HAVING. ON THE FIRST TWO OCCASSIONS THERE WAS NO "WARNING INDICATOR" OR "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT." THEY SEEM TO INDICATE THAT THERE IS SOME SORT OF WARNING BEFORE THIS PROBLEMS HAPPENS, BUT IN MY CASE THERE WAS NOT. THE FIRST TWO TIMES THIS HAPPENED TO ME THE CAR JUST DIED WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND WOULD NOT RESTART. THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO WARNING OR LIGHT TO TELL ME SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH MY CAR. THE THIRD TIME IT HAPPENED I DID HAVE THE LIGHT FLASH AND THE CAR RIDE ROUGH. THIS CAR IS ABSOLUTLY DEADLY. I WAS FORTUNATE ENOUGH THE FIRST TWO TIMES TO BE ABLE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. DO NOT LET AUDI AND VW FOOL YOU INTO THINKING THAT THERE IS ALWAYS A WARNING BEFORE THIS HAPPENS. THE CAR IS DEADLY AND SOMETIMES THERE IS NO WARNING WHEN IT IS GOING TO DIE. FOR INCIDENT DATE I PUT THE FIRST INCIDENT ONLY.

Feb 21, 2003

VISIBILITY

2 complaints

POSSIBLE MANF. DEFEC DRAIN HOSES FOR SUNROOF BREAK/LEAK WATER STAINS HEADLINER AT REAR QUARTERPANEL ON BOTH SIDES OF INTERIOR. (VACINITY OF AIRBAG) POSSIBLE CORROSION DAMAGE TO AIRBAG OVER TIME? DT

Nov 04, 2002

THE SEAT RAIL LOOSENING HAS OCCURRED ON BOTH DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER SEATS. THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT RAILS WERE REPLACED AT 42,759 MILES. AFTER LESS THAN 7,000 MILES OF ADDITIONAL DRIVING, THE DRIVER SIDE RAILS ARE BEGINNING TO LOOSEN AGAIN. THE PASSENGER SIDE RAILS ARE GRADUALLY LOOSENING, BUT MORE SLOWLY, AS THERE ISN'T ALWAYS A PASSENGER IN THAT SEAT. THE WINDSHIELD WASHER PUMP DEVELOPED A CRACK IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE 40,000 MILE SERVICE, WHICH WAS AT 42,759 MILES.

Jul 11, 2002

SERVICE BRAKES

1 complaint

BRAKES WERE WORKING FINE, COMING OFF FREEWAY, WAS COASTING THRU LIGHT, TRAFFIC STOPPED, BRAKES NO LONGER WORKED, BRAKE PEDAL WAS SUDDENLY FLUSH WITH FLOOR. REARENDED A CAR, CAR STARTED JUMPING FORWARD. HAD TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE CAR. CAR WAS TOWED AFTER ACCIDENT, NOT BECAUSE IT WAS NOT DRIVABLE, IT WAS NOT DRIVABLE DUE TO BRAKE PROBLEM. REPAIR SHOP SAID BRAKES FAILED TO VACUUM HOSE BREAKING, NO WARNING PRIOR TO LOSING BRAKES. *TR

Aug 09, 2014

Crash: 1

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

1 complaint

EXCESSIVE GAS FUMES FROM CAR. DEALER AND OTHER SERVICE CENTER LOOKED FOR PROBLEM SEVERAL TIMES. AFTER CAR WAS UNFIT TO DRIVE - SMELLED SO BAD FROM GASOLINE FUMES - A SERVICE GARAGE REMOVED THE FUEL TANK. THE FUEL WAS SEEPING THROUGH MOLDED IN PLASTIC CONNECTION FITTINGS ON TOP OF THE TANK AT THEIR MOLDED INTERFACE TO THE TANK - THE TANK IS A POLY TYPE TANK. THE TANK WAS REPLACED. THIS IS CLEARLY A DESIGN DEFECT. HAD THE FUMES BEEN NEAR AN IGNITION SOURCE A POSSIBLE FIRE OR WORSE COULD HAVE RESULTED. IT IS MY OPINION THAT THE DISSIMILAR MATERIALS USED FOR THE TANK AND FITTINGS LOST THEIR SEAL OVER TIME. AUDI OF AMERICA HAS SHOWN NO INTEREST IN DEALING WITH THIS. SINCE THERE WERE 4 FUEL TANKS AVAILABLE ON A FRIDAY AND ON THE FOLLOWING MONDAY, THERE WERE NONE, SO I HAD TO WAIT UP TO 2 ADDITIONAL WEEKS TO GET A TANK - I SUSPECT THEY ARE KEENLY AWARE OF THIS DEFECT. THIS CAR HAS BEEN GARAGE KEPT, I AM ORIGINAL OWNER, AND IT HAS NO ACCIDENTS. I HAVE THE ORIGINAL FAILED FUEL TANK AT THIS TIME. DATE OF REPAIR 6/29/09 TO 7/21/09. *TR

Mar 19, 2010

SUSPENSION,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

1 complaint

PURCHASED AN 2001 AUDIO (USED) AT D & S AUTO AND WITHIN A WEEK THERE WAS SCREECHING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE, ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. BROUGHT IT BACK TO D & S AUTO. D & S AUTO HAD IT LOOKED AT AND THEY SAID THE LIST OF PROBLEMS WERE NONE FOUND, ONLY THAT THEY FIXED THE ENGINE LIGHT. COUPLE DAYS LATER THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME BACK ON AND ALSO THE REAR BACK TIRE WAS MAKING A STRANGE NOISE. D & S AUTO MADE AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE 2001 AUTO TO GO TO ANOTHER DEALER TO BE LOOKED AT. ALSO, PURCHASED THE BEST FULL WARRANTY ON THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER PRINTED OUT A LIST OF PROBLEMS WHICH ARE LISTED ABOVE HE SAID THAT ARE PROBLEMS AND THE COST WAS GOING TO BE AROUND $3,000.00 AND THAT THE WARRANTY DOES NOT COVER ANY OF THE REPAIRS. *TR

Apr 02, 2008

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1 complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 AUDI A4. HE HEARD A HUMMING SOUND COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CAMSHAFT TENSIONER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. HE ALSO STATED THAT THE POWER CIRCUIT FAILED DUE TO A LEAK ON THE ROOF. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 42,140.

Aug 10, 2007

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

1 complaint

2001 AUDI A4 1.8 TURBO: THE TIMING BELT BROKE WHILE THE CAR WAS TRAVELING IN HEAVY, RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC CAUSING THE CAR TO BE IMMEDIATELY DISABLED AND STOPPED WITH NO OPPORTUNITY TO MOVE THE CAR OFF OF THE HIGHWAY. THE 3-LANE HIGHWAY WAS BACKED UP FOR 6 MILES WHILE POLICE AND EMERGENCY WORKERS WORKED TO TOW THE CAR. THE DISABLED CAR LED TO A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION WITH TRAFFIC BACKED UP FOR OVER 1-HOUR ON A 3-LANE HIGHWAY WITH A 55 MPH SPEED LIMIT AND COULD HAVE EASILY CAUSED ADDITIONAL ACCIDENTS. THE TIMING BELT FAILURE CAUSED EXTENSIVE, ADDITIONAL DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE THAT IS ESTIMATED TO COST ABOUT $5,000-$6,000 TO REPAIR. MY AUDI A4 HAS THE SAME 1.8 T ENGINE AND ITEM (TIMING BELT) AS IN THE 2001 VW 1.8 T AND THAT ITEM HAS BEEN RECALLED. THE TIMING BELT DEFECT IN THE 2001 A4 APPEARS TO BE QUITE WELL KNOWN TO THE TWO AUDI DEALERS THAT I FREQUENT. SINCE I BRING MY AUDI IN FOR SERVICE AT THE REGULAR INTERVALS - AND SINCE THE TIMING BELT ISSUE IS WELL KNOWN TO AUDI - I WOULD HAVE EXPECTED THE AUDI DEALERS TO BRING THIS ISSUE TO MY ATTENTION SO THAT WE COULD HAVE REPLACED THE BELT AS PART OF REGULAR PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE. THE FACT THAT THIS WELL KNOWN PROBLEM WAS NOT HANDLED IN PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE LED TO A VERY DANGEROUS TRAFFIC INCIDENT AND CAUSED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE. *JB

Mar 07, 2007

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER

1 complaint

A4'S HAVE A POORLY DESIGNED CAM TENSIONER THAT EVENTUALLY LEAKS OIL. THE COST TO REPAIR THE ITEM IS APPROXIMATELY $1000. THE DEALER (CAROUSEL AUDI) EVEN ADMITS TO THE FACT THAT IT IS A POOR DESIGN AND THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT IT AT THE DEALER. I'VE ALSO READ NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT IT ON AUDI FORUMS. THE LEAK TYPICALLY FOUND SHORTLY AFTER THE WARRANTY PERIOD HAS EXPIRED. I FEEL STRONGLY THAT THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL ON ALL RESPECTIVE CARS TO HAVE IT REPAIRED! *NM

Aug 03, 2005

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1 complaint

'01 A4 2.8: (1) DIGITAL DISPLAY IS BLURRY AND CANNOT FULLY UNDERSTAND EVERYTHING THE COMPUTER IS DISPLAYING, (2) INTERNAL OIL SEALS HAVE BECOME DEFECTIVE CAUSING A FOUL BURNT-OIL SMELL WITHIN AND OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE, (3) TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFTS VERY HARD AND ROUGH, (4) VERY POOR DESIGN BY THE ENGINEERS TO PLACE A CUPHOLDER DIRECTLY OVER THE STEREO AND HEATER INSTRUMENTATION WHICH HAVE CAUSED MY BUTTONS TO STICK. HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO VARIOUS DEALERSHIPS AND SHOPS AND TECHNICIANS HAVE STATED THAT THE SEALS ARE OBVIOUSLY A DESIGN FLAW AND SO IS THE DISPLAY PANEL WITH HAS SOME SOFTWARE OR LCD PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH IT. *AK

Apr 25, 2005

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR

1 complaint

FAILURE OF ABS CONTROLLER IN 2001 AUDI A4 1.8T. WAS TOLD BY DEALER THAT ENGINE HEAT MELTS SOLDERING IN UNIT. $1,300 ESTIMATED REPAIR ($1,000 FOR PART ALONE). INTERMITTENT FAILURE LIGHT AND BEEP WHEN DRIVING, ABS NOT ACTIVE WHEN LIGHT IS BLINKING. I'VE READ ON AUDI WEBSITES THAT THIS IS A COMMON FAILURE THAT AUDI OF AMERICA REFUSES TO TAKE STEPS TO RECTIFY EITHER MONETARILY OR THROUGH REDESIGN OF THE CONTROLLER TO PREVENT FUTURE FAILURES.*AK

Dec 30, 2004

SUSPENSION

1 complaint

WHILE DRIVING AT 10 MPH OR LESS VEHICLE MADE A CRACKING/POPPING NOISE. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP. MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED.*AK

Oct 22, 2004

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,AIR BAGS

1 complaint

02 V 131 001/FMVSS 201 AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT & 04 V 357 000/CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR/MIL: THE CONSUMER RECEIVED BOTH OF THESE RECALL NOTICES AND WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE A AUTHORIZED SERVICE CENTER WITHIN HER AREA. *JB

Oct 20, 2004

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

1 complaint

I WAS PULLING INTO A CONVENIENCE STORE PARKING LOT. AS I PULLED INTO THE SPACE IN FRONT OF THE STORE AND STEPPED ON THE BRAKE, RATHER THAN SLOWING DOWN THE CAR PICKED UP SPEED. NO MATTER HOW HARD I PRESSED ON THE BRAKE THE CAR DID NOT STOP. IT SUDDENLY SHOT FORWARD. THE CAR HIT A BRICK WALL OF THE COVENIENCE STORE ,- CRACKING THE BRICKS AND DAMAGING THE FRONT OF MY CAR. I WAS IN THE CAR WITH MY TWO DAUGHERS. THE CAR SHOR FORWARD SO QUICKLY, MY DAUGHTER THOUGHT WE WERE HIT FROM BEHIND.*AK

Sep 01, 2004

Crash: 1

VISIBILITY,STRUCTURE

1 complaint

LOCATION OF CUP HOLDER ON THE DASH IS A DEFECT IN DESIGN, SHOULD OF BEEN PLACED LOWER ON THE DASH. OPEN SPRITE CAN SPILLED ONTO THE LEFT SIDE OF THE CLIMATE CONTROLS, AND THE CONTROLS NOW STICK. EITHER YOU CAN PUSH THEM HARD AND GET THEM TO TURN ON, BUT IF YOU DO, THEN THEY WON'T RELEASE. POSSIBLE CAUSE FOR ACCIDENT AS FRONT AND REAR DEFOGGER WILL NOT OPERATE. *LA

Jan 26, 2004

SUSPENSION,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

1 complaint

I LEASED AN A4 2001 AUDI IN DECEMBER 2000. MY LEASE RUNS OUT IN MARCH 2004 AND I'M LOOKING AT WHAT MY RIGHTS ARE AS A CONSUMER. OVER THE LAST 6 MONTHS, I'VE HAD MY CAR TOWED AND REPAIRED TWICE FOR IGNITION COIL FAILURE AS WELL AS MY TIRES REPLACED FROM OUT OF WHACK ALIGNMENT. TODAY, THE ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED AGAIN AND I WILL DROP IT OFF AT THE AUDI SERVICE DEPARTMENT, THIS MONDAY FOR MAINTENANCE REVIEW. FORTUNATELY, THE ONLY COSTS I'VE INCURRED ARE REPLACEMENT OF THE 2 FRONT TIRES. IT CURRENTLY HAS 33,000 MILES ON IT.

Jan 15, 2004

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR,AIR BAGS

1 complaint

ABS IS BROKEN WITHOUT ANY REASON.T'S ONLY 2 YEARS OLD BUT 67000 MILES. AUDI A4 1.8T 2001 MODEL.*AK

Sep 07, 2003

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER

1 complaint

THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER FOUR TIMES TO FIX THE GAS GAUGE. GAUGE WILL READ 1/2 FULL, AND THE TANK IS EMPTY, WHICH WILL CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO CUT OFF. *AK

Jul 30, 2003

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

1 complaint

THE BOLTS HOLDING THE HOOD LATCH TO THE HOOD CAME UNDONE CAUSING THE HOOD TO BREAK AWAY FROM THE LATCH, THE HOOD THEN BENT BACKWARDS SMASHING THE WINDSHIELD AND ROOF OF THE VEHICLE, THE HOOD LATCH REMAINED IN LOCK POSITION AT ALL TIMES, HOOD DETACHED ITSELF FROM LATCH, DRIVERS COULD NOT SEE OUT OF FRONT WINDSHIELD, WINDSHIELD, ROOF, FENDERS WERE DAMAGED AS WELL. *TT

Oct 02, 2001

2001 AUDI A4 Problems & Complaints

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