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2013 Audi A4 Problems & Owner Complaints

110 NHTSA owner complaints
5 crash 3 fire 6 injury

Age-normalised, this year draws ~7.9 complaints per year on the road — ranking 3 of 11 Audi A4 years we track (1 = most complaints per year).

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What owners report

Steering is the most-reported problem area on the 2013 Audi A4, cited in 57 of 110 filed complaints (52%).

Engine is next (20 complaints, 18%), followed by Electrical System (11), Power Train (9), Air Bags (6).

Across all complaints, 5 report a crash, 3 report a fire, 6 report injuries.

The most safety-critical cluster is Air Bags: 5 crash, 5 injury report(s).

Complaints by vehicle system

Owner complaints filed with the U.S. NHTSA for the 2013 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 110.

Steering 57 2 crash 1 injury

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 AUDI A4. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED TO CENTER AND THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND IT SPUN INTO A CIRCLE. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE GUARDRAIL AND SIDESWIPED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A HEAD INJURY THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10722043, 2015 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 AUDI A4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WAS ERRATIC AND NO LONGER CENTERED. THE CONTACT HEARD A CLICKING SOUND COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. WHILE TRAVELING 65 MPH, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL AND CRASHED INTO A GUARD RAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIE ROD FRACTURED; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT DID NOT KNOW WHETHER THE FAILURE OCCURRED BEFORE OR AFTER THE CRASH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS NOT AVA…”
NHTSA complaint #10705548, 2015 · crash

“August of 2021. It was raining out and I drove through a puddle and my electric steering shut down. This has been a known defect for at least 10 years with Audi and NHTSA has done NOTHING about it.”
NHTSA complaint #11442785, 2021

Engine 20 1 fire

“The contact owned a 2013 Audi A4 Allroad. The contact stated that while parked and occupied in the vehicle, after starting the vehicle, her friend heard a puff noise coming from under the vehicle. No warning light illuminated however, after starting the vehicle, the electronic power control illuminated. In addition, the contact's friend lifted the hood of the vehicle, and he noticed smoke and flames coming from the engine. No injuries were sustained. No medical attention was required. The fire was extinguished by the contact and her friend. A fire department arrived at the scene however the fi…”
NHTSA complaint #11680186, 2025 · fire

“Component that failed is a/an electric coolant pump for turbo. Yes, it is available for inspection. Safety was compromised due to increased risk of fire. Yes, the issue has been confirmed by Audi Service Department. Yes the vehicle has been inspected by Manufacturers local service department. Yes, the check engine light and ECU light were illuminated on the dash of vehicle 3 weeks before car was taken in for service.”
NHTSA complaint #11617050, 2024

“I purchased this vehicle on 10/16/2022 and the very next day took it back and informed them that it was leaking oil. It was repaired and from that point on it was telling me to add a quart of oil once every week. Was diagnosed by the Audi dealership of the pistons needing to be replaced and that my car fell under the lawsuit that has yet to be settled. Was told I could spend the 9k to fix the car and be reimbursed. Audi really needs to be fixing all vehicles with these issues. That is just insane to pay 9k to fix a vehicle when I just got it and have barely been able to drive it.”
NHTSA complaint #11497096, 2022

Electrical System 11 1 fire

“After run collant pump caught fire and damaged the engine wiring harness. I reported it to progressive insurance and they came and inspected it at a body shop. They concluded it was due to an open recall on the vehicle so insurance refuses to cover it. Had car towed to Audi dealership and they reported it to Audi USA. They came back and told me that because of the mileage and year of the vehicle that they wouldn't cover it.”
NHTSA complaint #11726906, 2026 · fire

“Coolent migration from the coolant valve through the wire into the connection to ecu. This caused corrosion which in turn caused an unsafe driving condition by shutting the throttle pedal control to the engine off. This has been recalled on many other models and is quite prevalent in the a4 with manual transmission as mine is.”
NHTSA complaint #11423863, 2021

“PURCHASE A AUDI A4 2013 IN FEBRUARY OF 2019. STEERING WHEEL IS AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH AUDI ELECTRIC POWER STEERING RACK AND NEEDING IT TO BE REPLACED. ITS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE BECAUSE TURNING TAKES STRENGTH AND A HANDFUL OF EFFORT. IT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE TO THE POINT WHERE I DONT WANT TO RISK MY LIFE DRIVING THE CAR. AFTER RESEARCHING THE "ELECTRIC POWER STEERING RACK" ISSUE MULTIPLE PEOPLE HAVE IT. SEARCHING YOUTUBE, AND GOOGLE MULTIPLE OWNERS HAVE THE ISSUE AND AS A RESULT SOME DONT DRIVE OR HAVE TO SPEND AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF MONEY TO GET IT FIXED. IT IS AN ISSUE FOR MULTIPLE MODEL…”
NHTSA complaint #11186907, 2019

Power Train 9

“WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, VEHICLE'S RPM WOULD GO UP, BUT VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE WITH THE INCREASED ACCELERATION. STRONG SMELL OF BURNT CLUTCH FLUID. AND SOME SMOKE WAS COMING FROM ENGINE BAY. DRIVING VEHICLE HOME, TRANSMISSION SLIPPED IN EVERY GEAR. VEHICLE STRUGGLED TO GET UP TO SPEED AND RPM WOULD RISE AND FALL WITH THE PRESS/DEPRESS OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. VEHICLE HAS 80K MILES, NEVER ABUSED AND HAS ALL RECALLS COMPLETED.”
NHTSA complaint #11266502, 2019

“WHEN THE VEHICLE AS AT A STOP OR MOVING FORWARD VERY SLOWLY AND THE GAS PEDAL (ACCELERATOR) IS DEPRESSED THE TRANSMISSION (WHICH IS IN DRIVE) DOES NOT ENGAGE - THE ENGINE WILL SIMPLY REV AND THE VEHICLE WILL NOT MOVE FORWARD FOR SEVERAL SECONDS. THE TRANSMISSION WILL ULTIMATELY ENGAGE WITH A RATHER SEVERE JOLT. THIS PRESENTS A SUBSTANTIAL SAFETY ISSUE, AS THE CAR WILL NOT ACCELERATE UPON COMMAND. ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION THIS HAS PUT ME IN A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. IN ONE INSTANCE, A CAR WAS STALLED AHEAD OF ME ON A VERY BUSY FREEWAY. I STOPPED MY CAR ABOUT 15 FEET BEHIND THE STALLED VEHIC…”
NHTSA complaint #11219494, 2019

“EPC LIGHT ILLUMINATED, ROUGH IDLING, LOSS OF POWER, CAR WILL NOT TURN ON. 2017 IT DID THE SAME THING, FOUND ELECTRICAL FAULT NEAR GAS TANK (COULD HAVE BLOWN UP). AUDI FIX AT GOODWILL. COMPRESSION OF ENGINE WAS NEVER CHECKED. 2019 SAME THINGS HAPPENING, ENGINE LOST COMPRESSION IN 2 CYLINDERS. ALL SERVICES DONE AT AUDI. TOLD NEW ENGINE $10K-13K AND THEY WILL NOT HELP COVER COSTS. ONLY 60'000 MILES DONE ON THE CAR AND NO OVERHEATING ISSUES EVER.”
NHTSA complaint #11193795, 2019

Unknown Or Other 7

“The rear carrier frame has rusted through. There are trim pieces that are attached to the frame , they trap and hold moisture and salt like a cup under the frame, not visible during a regular inspection. My car only has 95k has been garage kept and taken through car washes in the winter with undercarriage wash (to no avail). After some investigation it seems that Volkwagon /Audi corp. has known about this issue since 2009 , but has kept it internally and not made owners aware of this. It would have been so simple to just remove these trim pieces and I wouldn’t have this hole in my car frame, w…”
NHTSA complaint #11752972, 2026

“Audi installed plastic covers over sections of the subframe on allroad, Q5 models, and other models. These covers held in water and salt causing severe rusting and corrosion of the rear subframe. Subframes of these models are seriously structurally compromised and also hidden from view due to these plastic covers. It’s seems Audi is repairing some under their 12 year rust/corrosion/penetration warranty, but the response varies based on dealership (some people are being told this warranty only applies to body panels, others are told that they are ineligible due to not regularly servicing th…”
NHTSA complaint #11643895, 2025

“My Audi A4 failed to start on the coldest day of the year when my daughter was out doing errands and left it for an extended time parked outside. When she returned and tried to start the car, she got an error message: "Steering defective! Do not drive vehicle!" She re-tried over a dozen times, leaving the vehicle and returning to try again....to no avail. It was extremely cold so she retreated into the building and searched the internet and found others who had had this same problem. She finally called a friend who came to pick her up and take her home. I called Audi, and they confirmed that…”
NHTSA complaint #11506710, 2022

Air Bags 6 5 crash 5 injury

“TAKATA RECALL - REARENDED A STOPPED TRUCK AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH. CAR IS TOTALED. AIRBAGS DIDN'T GO OFF DESPITE MASSIVE FRONT END DAMAGE.”
NHTSA complaint #11016424, 2017 · crash · 2 injury(ies)

“REAR ENDED A TRUCK AT A SPEED OF APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH ON A HIGHWAY AND AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY.”
NHTSA complaint #11014681, 2017 · crash · 2 injury(ies)

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 AUDI A4. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED TO CENTER AND THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND IT SPUN INTO A CIRCLE. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE GUARDRAIL AND SIDESWIPED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A HEAD INJURY THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10722043, 2015 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

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Fuel/Propulsion System 4

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 AUDI A4. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL WAS PRESENT INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE FOLLOWING DAY, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS LEAKING UNDER THE REAR SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AUDI DOMINION (21105 IH-10 W, SAN ANTONIO, TX 78257) WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS LEAKING AND NEEDED TO BE RESEALED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY, BUT THE REAR SEAT WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED; WHICH WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE…”
NHTSA complaint #11288494, 2019

“MY CAR STARTED TO SMELL LIKE GAS INSIDE, AND IT WAS A VERY STRONG ODOR. I WENT TO AN AUOZONE TO GET A DIAGNOSTIC, IN THE SYSTEM IT HAD SAID IT WAS A VERY SMALL GAS LEAK AND THAT IT WOULD HAVE BEEN OKAY TO DRIVE. I KEPT DRIVING AND IT STILL SMELLED LIKE GASOLINE AND STRONGER EACH TIME. THEREFORE, I TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC THE NEXT DAY DRIVING IT, AND UNDER THE BACK SEATS WAS FILLED WITH GASOLINE. THE MECHANIC STILL CANT FIND THE LEAK. HOWEVER, IF I WOULD HAVE KEPT DRIVING IT, THE CAR COULD HAVE EXPLODED ON ME.”
NHTSA complaint #11283102, 2019

“EPC FUEL PUMP FAILURE, DEALER NOT RESPONDING, NO REMEDY YET, ENGINE MAY EXPLODE UNSAFE TO DRIVE.”
NHTSA complaint #11105053, 2018

Engine And Engine Cooling 3 1 fire

“The contact owned a 2013 Audi A4. The contact stated that his grandson was driving at an undisclosed speed when he heard a loud unidentified sound coming from the engine compartment. Suddenly, white smoke and flames were emerging from the engine compartment. The vehicle was successfully pulled to the side of the road by the contact's grandson. After the grandson managed to exit the vehicle, a short while later the vehicle caught fire. A bystander came over and assisted in extinguishing the fire. No one was injured during the incident. The fire department arrived and extinguished the remaining…”
NHTSA complaint #11596572, 2024 · fire

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 AUDI A4. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, A WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED FOR A COOLANT LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (AUDI OF LYNBROOK, 855 SUNRISE HWY, LYNBROOK, NY 11563) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WATER PUMP FAILED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COST. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V229000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT REFUSED TO REIMBURSE THE CONTACT FOR THE REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MIL…”
NHTSA complaint #11102111, 2018

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 AUDI A4. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, IT VIBRATED ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION COOLANT VALVE FRACTURED, WHICH CAUSED COOLANT TO LEAK INTO THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,500.”
NHTSA complaint #10915572, 2016

Suspension 3

“Excessive abnormal corrosion of rear subframe.”
NHTSA complaint #11651333, 2025

“Audi installed plastic covers over sections of the subframe on allroad, Q5 models, and other models. These covers held in water and salt causing severe rusting and corrosion of the rear subframe. Subframes of these models are seriously structurally compromised and also hidden from view due to these plastic covers. It’s seems Audi is repairing some under their 12 year rust/corrosion/penetration warranty, but the response varies based on dealership (some people are being told this warranty only applies to body panels, others are told that they are ineligible due to not regularly servicing th…”
NHTSA complaint #11643895, 2025

“REAR COIL OF SUSPENSION BROKE ON DRIVERS SIDE, 49800 MILES ON THE CAR. INDEPENDENT SHOP AND DEALER CLAIM IT IS COMMON AND I FIND IT WEIRD FOR A PART TO FAIL (IT SNAPPED) AT SUCH LOW MILEAGE. I WAS NOT AWARE OF ANY HARD HITS OR POT HOLES THAT I HAD HIT OUTSIDE OF NORMAL DRIVING. THE PART WAS A HAZARD AS IT WAS LOOSE BOUNCING INSIDE OF SUSPENSION AND MADE A NOISE. NO SENORS WENT OFF DUE TO THE FAILED PART.”
NHTSA complaint #11102374, 2018

Vehicle Speed Control 3

“WHILE STOPPED AT AN INTERSECTION WAITING TO TURN LEFT ACROSS TRAFFIC, LET OFF BRAKE TO ACCELERATE WHILE TURNING WHEN THE ENGINE HESITATED. PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL AT THIS MOMENT RESULTED IN MINIMAL CAR MOVEMENT PLACING MY CAR IN THE PATH OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I PRESSED THE GAS PEDAL MORE AND THE CAR FINALLY OVER ACCELERATED RESULTING IN SOME LOSS OF CONTROL IN THE TURN. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME I HAVE NOTICED ENGINE HESITATION FROM A STOP. THE SAME HESITATION HAS OCCURRED AT FOUR WAY STOPS AND STOP LIGHTS. THE ENGINE HESITATION OCCURS MORE OFTEN AT LOWER FUEL TANK LEVELS AND COLDER AMBIEN…”
NHTSA complaint #10663235, 2014

“THERE ARE TWO ISSUES WHICH OCCUR WITHOUT WARNING, USUALLY WHEN THE CAR IS COLD OR WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. THE FIRST ISSUE OCCURS WHEN TRAVELING IN A STRAIGHT LINE AND IS A "SLIP" IN THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN CROSSING THE 12 O'CLOCK POSITION WHERE IT FEELS LIKE IT'S HOLDING FINE AND THEN SUDDENLY "SLIPS" AND THEN GRABS AGAIN WHEN YOU TURN THE WHEEL OFF CENTER. THIS HAPPENS WITH NO CHANGE IN ROAD CONDITIONS, ACCELERATION, OR VEHICLE SPEED. WHEN THIS OCCURS IT IS UNSETTLING AND HAS CAUSED DRIVERS TO INADVERTENTLY DRIFT INTO THE ADJACENT LANE. THE SECOND ISSUE IS A "NOTCHY" FEEL WHICH HAPPENS…”
NHTSA complaint #10548120, 2012

“SUDDEN ACCELARATION WAS OBSERVED SEVERAL TIMES WHILE DRIVING AUDI A4. HOWEVER, NO ACCIDENTS OCCURED DUE TO THIS. AUDI SHOULD TAKE A LOOK INTO POSSIBLE ELCTROMECHANICAL PROBLEMS IN 2013 AUDI. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10509028, 2012

Electronic Stability Control (Esc) 2

“WHILE DRIVING, ON OR OFF THE HIGHWAY STEERING STIFFENS MAKING IT HARD OR IMPOSSIBLE TO MAKE TURNS. IT IS A SCARY SITUATION, WHICH FORCED ME TO PULL OVER ON THE HIGHWAY ONCE- I WAS NOT ABLE TO SWITCH LANES DUE TO THE HARDNESS OF THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS OCCURS RANDOMLY, AT ANYTIME OR SPEED, EVEN AT SLOW SPEEDS WHILE DRIVING IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD. IT OCCURS TO EITHER SIDE, SOMETIMES ONE SIDE OF THE WHEEL OR BOTH SIDES.”
NHTSA complaint #11362244, 2020

“SUDDEN ACCELARATION WAS OBSERVED SEVERAL TIMES WHILE DRIVING AUDI A4. HOWEVER, NO ACCIDENTS OCCURED DUE TO THIS. AUDI SHOULD TAKE A LOOK INTO POSSIBLE ELCTROMECHANICAL PROBLEMS IN 2013 AUDI. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10509028, 2012

Visibility/Wiper 2

“ON JAN 22 2017 I WAS DRIVING IN BLIZZARD CONDITIONS FOLLOWING A FEW VEHICLES WHEN MY WIPERS STOPPED WORKING AND STARTED GRINDING. AS A RESULT I LOST COMPLETE VISIBILITY AND NEARLY CAUSE A 3 CAR ACCIDENT AND LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. I CONTACTED AUDI TO BE INFORMED THAT MY WARRANTY EXPIRED 2 MONTHS AGO HOWEVER MY VEHICLE WAS WELL WITHIN THE 50,000 MILES EXPIRATION AS MY CAR HAS 47,500 MILES. I FIRST SPOKE WITH A LADY IN AUDI CUSTOMER SERVICE WHO INFORMED ME THERE WAS NOTHING SHE COULD DO AND LATER I GOT A HOLD OF [XXX] WHO INFORMED ME I HAD TO GO TO AN AUDI DEALER AND PAY FOR A DIAGNOSIS…”
NHTSA complaint #10947224, 2017

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 AUDI A4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A REFLECTION OF THE AIR CONDITIONING VENTS ON THE SIDE VIEW MIRROR AND THE WINDSHIELD, WHICH CREATED A GLARE, COMPROMISING HER VISIBILITY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THEY REFUSED TO PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THAT THEY WOULD CONTACTED HER BACK AT A LATER DATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 500.”
NHTSA complaint #10487569, 2012

Forward Collision Avoidance 1

“2013 Audi A4 with a 2.0 turbo engine approximately 62.5K miles and up to date with all services. I was driving on the highway at highway speeds when the engine suddenly started to misfire with a partial loss of power making the car difficult to steer. At that time the check engine light was not illuminated. I was able to get off the highway and drive home about 2 miles away from when the misfires first occurred. The police did not get involved as I was able to return home. The following week the car was towed to my mechanic where it was diagnosed that cylinder 3 had a problem. At that ti…”
NHTSA complaint #11436916, 2021

Latches/Locks/Linkages 1

“I WAS LOADING MY DOGS INTO THE CAR. THE KEYS WERE SITTING ON DASH BECAUSE MY HANDS WERE FULL. I HAD AN 8 MONTH OLD IN THE CAR IN HER CAR SEAT. AS I CLOSED THE LAST DOOR, THE CAR LOCKED WITH THE KEYS AND THE BABY INSIDE IT. I WAS IN A FAIRLY REMOTE PLACE BUT WAS ABLE TO GET THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TO GET THE CAR OPEN AND GET THE BABY OUT BEFORE SOMETHING TRAGIC OCCURRED. IT HAPPENED TO ME ONCE BEFORE WHEN I WAS LOADING MY CAR AND THE WIND BLEW THE LAST DOOR SHUT. BOTH TIMES THE CAR LOCKED IMMEDIATELY. THE AUDI DEALERSHIP SAID THAT THIS KEY IS SUPPOSED TO LOCK THE CAR AFTER A SPECIFIED PERIOD O…”
NHTSA complaint #10633800, 2014

Seat Belts 1 1 injury

“Two of my four kids were in the rear seat. My 7 year old panicked because her seatbelt came unbuckled and she couldn’t get it back. My initial reaction was to hit the breaks and slow down. My daughter was ejected from her seat into the passenger seat head first and then landed on the floor with her booster seat on top of her. I pulled over and checked the seat belt and it would not latch. I had to drive her home unrestrained!! A few days later, different child experienced a similar situation with the middle seat. This is a concern because if the seatbelts failed during a car accident, my child…”
NHTSA complaint #11434947, 2021 · 1 injury(ies)

Service Brakes 1

“WHEN I BACK OUT FROM MY GARAGE THE VEHICLE FAILS TO MOVE FORWARD WHEN THE SHIFTER IS MOVED FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE. I HAVE TO APPLY AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF PRESSURE TO THE ACCELERATOR TO GET THE CAR TO MOVE FORWARD. WHEN THE FRONT WHEELS ENGAGE, THE EXCESSIVE FORCE FROM INCREASING THE POWER CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO LAUNCH FORWARD MANY TIMES ALMOST UNCONTROLLABLE WITH THE FRONT TIRES SQUEALING. IT APPEARS THE FRONT BRAKES ARE ENGAGED AND SUDDENLY DISENGAGES AND THEN SUDDENLY LAUNCHES FORWARD. THERE HAS BEEN NO ASSISTANCE FROM THE DEALERSHIP TO ASSIST WITH THE PROBLEM. THIS ISSUE ALMOST ALWAYS HAPPENS…”
NHTSA complaint #11091493, 2018

Tires 1

“NEW AUDI A4, 10 DAYS OLD 800 KM. DRIVING ABOUT 40MPH ON TWO LANE HIGHWAY, HIT MINOR BUMP. THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE COLLAPSED, SMOKED AND THERE WAS COMPLETE SEPARATION OF TREAD AND SIDEWALL. INCIDENT OCCURRED ON A DANGEROUS CURVE WHERE THERE WAS NO SHOULDER AND LOTS OF TRAFFIC. FORTUNATELY NO ACCIDENT OR INJURY BUT COULD HAVE BEEN DISASTROUS. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10533816, 2013

Traction Control System 1 1 crash 1 injury

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 AUDI A4. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED TO CENTER AND THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND IT SPUN INTO A CIRCLE. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE GUARDRAIL AND SIDESWIPED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A HEAD INJURY THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10722043, 2015 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

Wheels 1

“THE PROBLEM: A CLICKING OR CLACKING NOISE MAY EMANATE FROM THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS DUE TO A LACK OF WHEEL-BEARING LUBRICANT ON THE BEARING HOUSING ASSEMBLY. VEHICLES AFFECTED BY SERVICE BULLETIN: 2008 AUDI A4 2009 AUDI A4 2010 AUDI A4 2011 AUDI A4 2012 AUDI A4 2013 AUDI A4 2014 AUDI A4 AUDI DOES HAVE A SAFETY ISSUE ON FRONT WHEEL BEARING AFFECTED 2008-2017 AUDI. I CALL THE DEALER AND THEY SAID NO RECALL. I DO EXPERIENCED THE NOISE/ VIBRATION ASSOCIATED WITH WHEEL BEARING”
NHTSA complaint #11196622, 2019

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 2013 Audi A4 draws about 7.9 complaints per year on the road, ranking 3 of 11 among the Audi A4 model years we have ingested (1 = most complaints per year on road).

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