ProblemsAudi › 2010 A4

2010 Audi A4 Problems & Owner Complaints

64 NHTSA owner complaints
No crash / fire / injury flags

Age-normalised, this year draws ~3.8 complaints per year on the road — ranking 6 of 11 Audi A4 years we track (1 = most complaints per year).

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What owners report

Engine is the most-reported problem area on the 2010 Audi A4, cited in 37 of 64 filed complaints (58%).

Engine And Engine Cooling is next (9 complaints, 14%), followed by Power Train (9), Fuel/Propulsion System (4), Steering (3).

No complaint for this vehicle reports a crash, fire, injury or death.

Complaints by vehicle system

Owner complaints filed with the U.S. NHTSA for the 2010 Audi A4, grouped by the vehicle system each cites. A single complaint can name more than one system, so the group totals can add up to more than 64.

Engine 37

“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 complaint #11538896, 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 complaint #11531119, 2023

“Engine Excessive oil consumption burning oil then suddenly found out there is no oil in the engine that causes for blow the engine while driving if you don't add oil it's common problem for this car ; asking for solve the issue”
NHTSA complaint #11459200, 2022

Engine And Engine Cooling 9

“THIS CAR CONSUMES OIL AND NEEDS A REFILL EVERY 200 MILES OR LESS. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10640735, 2013

“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, DEALERSH…”
NHTSA complaint #10413792, 2011

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 AUDI A4. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 50 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS BUT THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED WITH THE POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD INVOLVED WITH THE VEHICLE STALLING AND POSSIBLY CAUSING A CRASH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,800.”
NHTSA complaint #10407141, 2011

Power Train 9

“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 complaint #11242384, 2018

“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 complaint #11139101, 2018

“DRIVING IN TRAFFIC AND CAR LOST POWER. TRIED TO RESTART BUT NOT SUCCESSFUL. DASHBOARD FLASHED MESSAGE "GEARBOX MALFUNCTION: YOU MAY CONTINUE TO DRIVE". THE CAR WOULD NOT START. AFTER SITTING FOR TWO HOURS, THE CAR STARTED AND I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE HOME.”
NHTSA complaint #11121333, 2018

Fuel/Propulsion System 4

“EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION ENGINE PROBLEM”
NHTSA complaint #11003991, 2017

“THIS CAR CONSUMES OIL AND NEEDS A REFILL EVERY 200 MILES OR LESS. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10640735, 2013

“CAR BROUGHT IN FOR MISFIRE CONDITION THAT RESULTED IN POWER REDUCTION/HESITATION WHILE DRIVING. DEALER DETECTED FAULTY INJECTOR. REPLACED INJECTOR AND ENGINE WAS STILL MALFUNCTIONING. DEALER THEN REMOVED CYLINDER AND OBSERVED PISTON RINGLAND DAMAGE. VEHICLE WAS STARTING TO EXHIBIT EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION PROBLEMS. EITHER FAULTY INJECTOR OR PISTON RING DEFECT IS SUSPECTED TO CAUSE DAMAGE. LOOKING INTO REMEDIES THROUGH ARBITRATION OR OTHER MEANS AS AUDI IS AWARE ABOUT (I.E. UNDERSIZED RINGS / PISTONS). I WILL RETAIN ALL SUSPECT PARTS AS AUDI WILL NOT HONOR UNDER WARRANTY TERMS AND INDEP…”
NHTSA complaint #10496017, 2013

Steering 3

“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 complaint #11431904, 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 U…”
NHTSA complaint #10898996, 2016

“I BOUGHT CAR USED FROM AN AUDI DEALER, AND MONTHS LATER THE CAR RATTLED AND THE WHOLE CAR WAS SHAKING WHEN I TURNED IT ON IN THE MORNING. I TURNED IT OFF AND ON AGAIN, THIS STOPPED THE PROBLEM. I THOUGHT IT WAS PROBABLY THE WEATHER OF AROUND 53 DEGREES F. MONTHS LATER IT DID IT AGAIN TWO MORE TIMES BUT THIS TIME THE WEATHER WAS NOT COLD AND I DROVE AN HOUR EARLIER. IN JANUARY OF THIS YEAR, I DROVE 40 MILES AND WHEN PULLING INTO MY DRIVEWAY THE CAR TURNED OFF ON ITS OWN. I COULD NOT POSSIBLY TURNED IT OFF DUE TO BOTH OF MY HANDS WERE ON THE STEERING WHEEL AS I WAS TURNING INTO MY DRIVEWAY. THAN…”
NHTSA complaint #10588566, 2013

Vehicle Speed Control 3

“DURING AN ATTEMPT TO ACCELERATE THE GAS PEDAL WAS PUSHED TO THE FLOOR (AUDI A4 '10) AND REMAINED STUCK TO THE FLOOR EVEN AFTER THE FOOT WAS REMOVED. THE CAR HAS A MANUAL TRANSMISSION AND WAS SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AT THIS TIME. THE TACHOMETER INDICATED THE ENGINE WAS REDLINING IN NEUTRAL WHILE THE FOOT WAS STILL OFF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THIS ENGINE SPEED LASTED FOR APPROXIMATELY 5 SECONDS THEN THE ACCELERATOR APPEARED TO BECOME UNSTUCK AND CAR OPERATION RETURNED TO NORMAL. AN AFTERMARKET FLOOR MAT WAS IN PLACE AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. HOWEVER, THE MAT WAS "ZIP TIED" BACK TO THE DRIVER…”
NHTSA complaint #10496522, 2013

“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.REPLA…”
NHTSA complaint #10510569, 2012

“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, DEALERSH…”
NHTSA complaint #10413792, 2011

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Electrical System 2

“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 complaint #11512713, 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 complaint #11165752, 2018

Exterior Lighting 2

“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 complaint #11165752, 2018

“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 complaint #10910162, 2016

Fuel System 2

“FUEL INJECTOR FAILS, CAR SPUTTERS, STALLS. SMOKE VISIBLE. ONCE FUEL WAS SEEN EXITING EXHAUST. HAS OCCURRED TWICE.”
NHTSA complaint #10371399, 2010

“2010 AUDI A4 2.0T HAS A SERIOUS LAG PROBLEM WHICH LEADS TO ACCELERATION SURGE ESPECIALLY WHEN MAKING TURNS. IT IS DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10308287, 2010

Air Bags 1

“"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 complaint #11240816, 2019

Forward Collision Avoidance 1

“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 complaint #11512713, 2023

Service Brakes 1

“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 complaint #11512713, 2023

Suspension 1

“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 BROK…”
NHTSA complaint #11322887, 2020

Unknown Or Other 1

“SUSPICIOUS VEHICLE LEFT PARKED [XXX]. SINCE MONDAY 3/4/2013. ALL [XXX] DO NOT KNOW OWNER OF CAR. CALLED POLICE WAS TOLD REGISTERED OWNER HAS A ILLINOIS ADDRESS AND MAY BE A COLLEGE STUDENT AT LMU. TOLD ME TO CALL DOT FOR TICKET/TOW IF OWNER OF AUTO DOES NOT APPEAR 78 HOURS. WELL IT'S BEEN 6 DAYS. PLEASE HELP! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10502276, 2013

Visibility 1

“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 complaint #10382793, 2010

How we read this (methodology)

How to read this: raw complaint totals are not a clean reliability score — a model year with more cars sold, or simply more years on the road, accumulates more complaints regardless of how good it is. So this page leans on two signals that are not distorted by sales volume: the share of complaints falling on each vehicle system (the breakdown above) and NHTSA's own crash / fire / injury / death flags. When we compare model years of the same model, we normalise by years on the road (complaints ÷ vehicle age) rather than comparing raw totals. Age-normalised, the 2010 Audi A4 draws about 3.8 complaints per year on the road, ranking 6 of 11 among the Audi A4 model years we have ingested (1 = most complaints per year on road).

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Data source: U.S. NHTSA (nhtsa.gov). SaveVIN surfaces public recall data and is not affiliated with or endorsed by NHTSA.

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