FaultScore

Audi A4 seat problems

37 of the 3,677 complaints filed about the Audi A4 are about the seats — 1% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 1997.

37

Complaints

1%

Share of all complaints

2

Crashes

6

Fires

Seats complaints by model year

1996 A4 3 8.1%

Median failure at 61,000 miles

1997 A4 6 16.2%

Median failure at 81,000 miles

1998 A4 5 13.5%
1999 A4 1 2.7%
2000 A4 1 2.7%
2001 A4 2 5.4%

Median failure at 149,217 miles

2002 A4 5 13.5%

Median failure at 1,872 miles

2003 A4 2 5.4%

Median failure at 36,500 miles

2006 A4 2 5.4%

Median failure at 147,500 miles

2007 A4 3 8.1%

Median failure at 60,000 miles

2008 A4 1 2.7%

Median failure at 67,000 miles

2009 A4 1 2.7%

Median failure at 4,350 miles

2017 A4 3 8.1%
2018 A4 1 2.7%
2020 A4 1 2.7%

What owners said

2018 Audi A4 Winchester, CA

SEATS

The vehicle is subject to a Passenger Occupant Detection System / PODS safety recall involving the front passenger seat occupant-detection system and passenger airbag status. The concern is that the system may incorrectly detect whether a passenger is seated and may switch off or affect the front passenger airbag when the seat is occupied. This is being reported because the recall remedy was not completed, was delayed, was not properly resolved, or the concern remains unresolved. A malfunctioning passenger occupant detection system can affect whether the passenger airbag deploys as intended in a crash. The issue involves the airbag system, front passenger seat occupant detection, related sensors/modules, and related electrical components. No crash, fire, injury, or fatality occurred. The vehicle/component is available for inspection, and Audi recall documents, service records, communications, and any warning-light or passenger-airbag-status evidence are available if requested.

NHTSA complaint #11747852 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2020 Audi A4 Norwood, NJ

SEATS

A metal bracket on the back left side of the driver seat snapped suddenly while driving straight and at a constant speed. Since this part is broken the seat is no longer connected to the track in that corner. The car is drivable for me because I am tall and sit with the seat at its lowest height setting. When turning or breaking quickly the seat moves, and it would obviously be a safety issue if I get into an accident. If the seat is adjusted higher it is not supported in that corner and it leans back. Yesterday I dropped it off at the dealer service center and they said it is the seat frame. I have not heard back from them yet. I am the first owner of this car, and it has not been in any serious accidents (I hit a deer once roughly 2 years ago). I am not unusually heavy.

NHTSA complaint #11733679 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2017 Audi A4 Aliso Viejo, CA

SEATS

I have been experiencing something that might be related to safety recall 74E3, but i am not sure. I've been driving with my seatbelt on with no one at the passenger seat. But the seatbelt sign keeps showing up with the beeping sound, and the sign says Safety System Malfunction with front airbags off.... I called the Audi Fletcher Jones dealership in Irvine, California, the service team told me that they don't have the part to help fix this recall and there is nothing they can do. They also would not tell me when this recall can be fixed. I called a few other dealership in Orange County, California, seems none of the dealership has the parts to fix this. I have not yet encountered an accident, but felt risky driving the car now.

NHTSA complaint #11461481 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2017 Audi A4 NRH, TX

SEATS

I went to Audi Fort Worth (116 University Dr, Fort Worth, TX 76107) to fix my PODS recall currently on my Audi A4. After a day of servicing my vehicle for the recall the dealership handed me back my vehicle in the condition attached in the photo. You can see the huge gap in the seat which is a safety hazard considering there is high voltage wires in the seat and they just left it exposed with a considerable gap. They refused to reassemble my seat so I am unsure if my airbag sensors even work now, it has been a week of waiting and my VIN still shows that it has a recall even though the service was completed a week ago. I asked for a service ticket of he work preformed but Audi Fort Worth refused to provide me one. I went in for the recall service on 1/24/2021. Is there any way we can remove my VIN from this recall list since the service was completed? I have messaged the Audi Service manager Veronica about this issue but still no response from her. Even left her an email and voice message. I just would like to file a complaint about this service center, and get my VIN removed from the recall list since the work was performed according to Audi.

NHTSA complaint #11449676 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2017 Audi A4 Novato, CA

SEATS

The passenger side air bag warning light and/or passenger seat sensor mat has failed 3 times (twice since we've owned the car and once before). We purchased a used 2017 A4 Audi Sedan in October 2019. In early November 2020 the passenger side airbag warning light came on. After adjusting the front passenger seat, the light went off. Thereafter, the light would intermittently go on and off. We took the car to the dealer from whom we bought it - Royal Automotive Group in San Francisco. Their technician tested the car and confirmed a fault code #DTC B1225F1. They found "tsb #2051242/5 for issue and fault" and installed "cable tie per tsb." We continued to drive the car without incident until September 2021when the problem happened again. The passenger side airbag warning light began going on and off intermittently both when the front passenger seat was occupied and when it was not. Since we had moved from San Francisco to Novato, we took the car to Audi Marin. They verified the concern and found fault code P122F51. They confirmed the tsb recommended repair had already been done and told us it was first repaired on August 2, 2019 (before we bought the car) and again in November 2020 when we reported the problem to Royal Automotive Group in San Francisco. Audi Marin's recommended repair is to replace the passenger side seat POD which would cost approximately $2,000. We have been advised that the defective passenger side air bag and/or seat sensor pad constitutes a safety hazard because the airbag system may not work. We have since learned that several Audi models have been recalled for defects in the passenger occupant detection system (PODS). In March of 2021, it was announced Audi is recalling virtually all A3, RS3 and S3 cars built from 2015 to 2020 to address the risk that the PODS may malfunction and turn off the airbag when someone is in the front passenger seat.

NHTSA complaint #11434300 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 Audi A4 at 165,000 miles Tacoma, WA

SEATS

PURCHASED THE VEHICLE A FEW MONTHS AGO (JULY OF 2020). BEFORE BUYING IT I WAS TOLD THAT THE WARNING CHIME FOR THE SEATBELT HAD STOPPED WORKING , SO I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL GERMAN AUTO SHOP TO SEE WHAT WOULD NEEDED TO FIX IT. TO MY SURPRISE, IT'S A PART IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER THAT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED, BUT IT'S A COMMON ISSUE AS THESE CARS AGE FOR THE WARNING CHIME TO FAIL THEREFORE NOT NOTIFYING OR WARNING IF THE DRIVER OR PASSENGER BELT IS BUCKLED. WARNING CHIME DOES NOT WORK WHETHER STATIONARY, OR MOVING FOR ANY SEAT IN THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #11361487 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 Audi A4 at 67,000 miles Epworth, IA Fire

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 AUDI A4 CONVERTIBLE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE PASSENGER SEAT HEATER MALFUNCTIONED AND BURNED A LARGE HOLE THROUGH THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT SPLIT AT THE SEAM. LATER THAT DAY, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT SPONTANEOUSLY BURNED A SECOND HOLE IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT ON/OFF SWITCH WAS IN THE OFF POSITION DURING BOTH INCIDENTS. IN AN ATTEMPT TO CORRECT THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT REMOVED THE FUSE WITHIN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. CAROUSEL MOTORS (809 IA-1, IOWA CITY, IOWA 52244, (319) 354-2550) WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 67,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #11128102 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 Audi A4 at 130,000 miles Miami Shores, FL

SEATS

BOTH REAR SEAT LATCHES/LOCKS (THAT ALLOW THE REAR SEATS TO BE FOLDED DOWN) HAVE FAILED ALLOWING THE REAR SEAT BACK REST TO FOLD DOWN DURING RAPID DECELERATION. THE PASSENGER SIDE FAILED FIRST APPROXIMATELY 1 YEAR AGO AND NOW DRIVER SIDE HAS FAILED. REAR PASSENGERS COULD BE INSURED IN AN ACCIDENT IF REAR SEAT BACKREST IS UNSECURED.

NHTSA complaint #11000319 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1997 Audi A4 Flethcer, NC Crash 2 injured

SEATS

I WAS SITTING AT A STOP LIGHT AND WAS STRUCK FROM BEHIND AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 40 TO 60 MILES A HOUR. MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND MY DRIVER SEAT CAME LOSE FROM THE FLOOR AND BECAUSE OF THIS I RECEIVED INJURIES TO MY NECK AND FACE.

NHTSA complaint #10608531 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2001 Audi A4 at 149,217 miles Chesterfield, MO

SEATS

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.

NHTSA complaint #10557722 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2007 Audi A4 at 60,000 miles Kapolei, HI

SEATS

AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, A CAR ON THE LEFT SIDE OF ME CROSSED OVER A SOLID LINE AND ATTEMPTED TO MAKE HIS WAY INTO MY LANE. HE CAME WITHIN INCHES OF SIDE BLINDING ME. I QUICKLY JAMMED ON MY BRAKES, AND BEEPED MY CAR HORN. HE THEN SWERVED BACK INTO HIS LANE. FORTUNATELY FOR QUICK ACTIONS, THIS INCIDENT DIDN'T RESULT INTO AN "ACCIDENT." BUT WHAT REALLY CONCERNS ME IS THE FACT THAT BOTH SEATS IN THE BACK FELL FORWARD EXPOSING MY TRUNK! IF MY FIVE YEAR OLD WAS WITH ME, HE WOULD'VE BEEN SITTING IN THE BACK AND COULD HAVE POSSIBLY GOTTEN INJURED, AS EVERYTHING FROM THE TRUNK INCLUDING THE SEATS FLEW FORWARD. PLEASE CHECK IF THERE ARE OTHER COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS PROBLEM. I PURCHASED THIS SPECIFIC VEHICLE BECAUSE OF ITS HIGH SAFETY RATING.

NHTSA complaint #10532942 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2007 Audi A4 at 84,000 miles Mather, CA Crash

SEATS

PURCHASED CAR FROM ELK GROVE AUDI AS A CERTIFIED USED VEHICLE. THE SEAT BROKE AND NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. I WAS AT A STOP LIGHT WITH ONE TRUCK IN FRONT OF ME ALSO STOPPED. A CHEVY TAHOE DOING APPROX 45 MPH HIT ME FROM BEHIND, SHE MOVED OVER AT THE LAST MINUTE SO SHE DID NOT HIT ME COMPLETELY FROM THE REAR, SHE ENDED UP HITTING THE BACK DRIVERS SIDE AND THEN DOWN THE SIDE OF THE DRIVERS SIDE. I WAS PUSHED INTO THE TRUCK IN FRONT OF ME. ONE OF THE OFFICERS ASKED IF WE HAD PURCHASED THE CAR USED SINCE THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. CAR WAS TOTALLED - DURING THE PROCESS OF THE SETTLEMENT ON THE CAR THE INSURANCE COMPANY INFORMED US THAT THE CAR HAD BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT BEFORE. WHEN WE WENT BACK TO AUDI ABOUT IT, THEY CLAIM THEY HAD NO KNOWLEDGE OF THE PREVIOUS ACCIDENT. THE REASON WE DO NOT BELIEVE THAT IS BECAUSE THE MILEAGE ON THE ACCIDENT CLAIM IS EXACTLY THE SAME AS ONE OF THE SERVICE VISIT TO AUDI 5 DAYS AFTER THE CLAIM.

NHTSA complaint #10450196 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2007 Audi A4 at 30,000 miles Laguna Hills, CA

SEATS

THE CARPET IN FRONT OF MY AUDI A4 DRIVER SEAT DETACHES FROM THE ATTACHMENT POST ON THE FLOOR BY THE DRIVERS DOOR AND BUNCHES UNDER THE ACCELERATOR CAUSING UNEXPECTED ACCELERATION. THE DEALER BASICALLY TOLD ME JUST TO BE AWARE AND RE ATTACH IT WHEN IT COMES OFF. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME TWICE. I AVOIDED ACCIDENTS TWICE BY THROWING IT INTO NEUTRAL.

NHTSA complaint #10366912 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2009 Audi A4 at 4,350 miles NEW York, NY

SEATS

I HAD JUST GONE TO THE GROCERY STORE AND WAS UNLOADING THE BACK SEAT OF THE CAR WHEN I NOTICED THAT THE SEAT BELT BUCKLES WERE NOT VISIBLE THROUGH THE SLOTS OF THE SEATS ANYMORE. I TRIED TO FEEL FOR THEM AND WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. I THEN NOTICED THAT THE ENTIRE SEAT WAS TOO FAR FORWARD AND THE CURVED PART AT THE BACK OF THE SEAT WAS NO LONGER TUCKED TO THE SEAT BACK. AS I WAS TRYING TO SEE IF I COULD PUT IT BACK INTO POSITION THE SEAT COMPLETELY DISLODGED FROM THE CAR AND THE GLUE THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE ATTACHING THE SEAT TO THE CAR, THE WIRING AND EVEN PART OF THE CAR ITSELF WAS VISIBLE.

NHTSA complaint #10345121 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2003 Audi A4 at 40,000 miles Newtown, PA

SEATS

BOUGHT A 2003 AUDI A4 CABRIOLET IN 2005. 6 MONTHS LATER, REAR WINDOW IN 2003 AUDI A4 DETACHED FROM CONVERTIBLE TOP CAUSING REAR LEATHER SEAT TO ROT AND TEAR DUE TO RAIN WATER LEAKING THROUGH THE DETACHED WINDOW. TRIED TO HAVE THE WINDOW REATTACHED BY AN AUDI DEALERSHIP REFERRED DETAILING COMPANY, ADHESIVE DID NOT HOLD AND I WAS TOLD THE CAR WOULD NEED A NEW ROOF. THE DEALERSHIP I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM, DON ROSEN AUDI OF CONSHOHOKEN, PA NOR AUDI WILL TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE DETACHED WINDOW OR PROVIDE PAYMENT FOR REPAIRS.

NHTSA complaint #10238628 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2001 Audi A4 Bristol, CT

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER

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

NHTSA complaint #10210712 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1996 Audi A4 Windsor Locks, CT Fire

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER

1996 AUDI A4 QUATTRO WITH LEATHERETTE PASSENGER SEAT - HEATED SEAT WAS SET AT LEVEL 6 AND WHILE A PASSENGER WAS SITTING ON THE SEAT A HOLE THE SIZE OF TWO QUARTERS WAS BURNT INTO THE PASSENGER SEAT DUE TO THE HEATED SEAT STARTING A SMALL FIRE..

NHTSA complaint #10176313 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1998 Audi A4 Fort Johnson, NY 1 injured

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER

1. HEATED SEAT BURNED THROUGH THE LEATHER BURNING THE BACK OF MY LEG WHEN ON THE LOWEST SETTING(1/6). 2. THE CRUISE CONTROL WORKS ABOUT 1% OF THE TIME AND WILL ENGAGE UNEXPECTEDLY IF NOT TURNED OFF.

NHTSA complaint #10164350 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2002 Audi A4 Bayside, NY

SEATS

THE FRONT SEAT (DRIVER SIDE) BACK PANEL PLASTIC CLIPS BROKE AND THE WHOLE BACK PANEL LOOSE OFF. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACE ANOTHER PLASTIC CLIPS ONCE BUT IT BROKE AGAIN.

NHTSA complaint #10154727 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2003 Audi A4 at 33,000 miles Clinton, CT Fire

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER

MY 2003 AUDI QUATTRO 3.0 HEATED SEAT CAUGHT ON FIRE. FORTUNATELY NO ONE WAS INJURED AND I WAS ABLE TO PUT OUT THE FIRE BEFORE IT SPREAD. A HOLE WAS BURNED IN THE SEAT WHICH AUDI REPLACED. I WAS LUCKY THAT I NOTICED THE FIRE BEFORE I LEFT MY CAR IN MY GARAGE OR ELSE THE CAR AND HOUSE COULD HAVE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THIS IS A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS PROBLEM THAT SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO. THE AUDI DEALER TOLD ME THAT OTHERS HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM IN THEIR ALL ROAD MODEL..IT IS JUST A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE SOMEONE IS SEVERELY INJURED FROM THIS TYPE OF DEFECT.

NHTSA complaint #10153564 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other Audi A4 problems