FaultScore

Audi A4 suspension problems

109 of the 3,677 complaints filed about the Audi A4 are about the suspension — 3% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 1998.

109

Complaints

3%

Share of all complaints

7

Crashes

1

Fires

Suspension complaints by model year

1996 A4 23 21.1%

Median failure at 95,000 miles

1997 A4 19 17.4%

Median failure at 57,100 miles

1998 A4 27 24.8%

Median failure at 88,000 miles

1999 A4 8 7.3%

Median failure at 113,963 miles

2000 A4 3 2.8%

Median failure at 32,537 miles

2001 A4 3 2.8%

Median failure at 53,153 miles

2002 A4 5 4.6%

Median failure at 16,000 miles

2003 A4 3 2.8%

Median failure at 85,000 miles

2004 A4 1 0.9%

Median failure at 2,389 miles

2005 A4 1 0.9%

Median failure at 4,000 miles

2009 A4 5 4.6%

Median failure at 17,148 miles

2010 A4 1 0.9%

Median failure at 81,500 miles

2011 A4 1 0.9%

Median failure at 100,000 miles

2014 A4 1 0.9%
2016 A4 1 0.9%
2017 A4 1 0.9%
2018 A4 2 1.8%
2020 A4 2 1.8%

Median failure at 12,000 miles

2021 A4 2 1.8%

Median failure at 1,347 miles

What owners said

2018 Audi A4 Winchester, CA

SUSPENSION

An Audi dealer installed 245/40R18 93H tires on this 2018 Audi A4, while the vehicle placard/specification requires 245/40R18 97H. The lower load index reduces capacity from 1,609 lb per tire to 1,433 lb per tire, approximately 704 lb total across four tires. This creates a safety risk because load-rated tires affect vehicle stability, heat buildup, braking, steering/cornering, suspension loading, and tire failure/blowout risk. After discovering the mismatch, the concern was reported to the dealer and Audi, but the dealer stated the 93H tires were acceptable rather than providing a safety-based correction. No crash, fire, injury, or fatality occurred. This complaint is being submitted because the vehicle may have been operated with under-rated tires and because the issue can affect handling, braking, tire durability, suspension/wheel components, and safe vehicle control. Tire/repair-order records, door-jamb placard evidence, load-index comparison evidence, and dealer communications are available.

NHTSA complaint #11747798 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2020 Audi A4 Santa Rosa, CA

SUSPENSION

Since I purchase my vehicle I have had to continuously replace my tires on the front. Going through my carfax acct I came across some recalls that showed up that I had no idea of the car may had which was prior to purchase from the dealers. I would think that these issues were fixed prior to reselling. I recently had to pull over on the freeway due to the tire making noises then realized that the tire wear was uneven again but this time shredded apart. I could feel metal poking out which the tires hadn’t been on for long. The loss pressure warning light went off. I later found the missing tire that has came off wrapped around the rotor which the tire shop near me hadn’t seen while replacing with new tires again. The wear on the brake pads were off as well as the rotors which I also ended up having to replace just recently. I’ve made an appointment with a dealer which is out of my way to hopefully have this resolved but needed to make a report of this safety issue.

NHTSA complaint #11728966 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2018 Audi A4 Slingerlands, NY

SUSPENSION

Fortunately no catastrophic failure or accident occurred. At about 40,000k miles the rear spring mounts are significantly corroded and need replacing. This appears to be a galvanic reaction that occurs due to a design flaw which shortens the life of the critical mounts. I’m told one could fail imminently and the other is headed that way. Had this failed in use the damage would be significant and caused an accident. The service advisor said that Audi is aware of the short lifespan and has an improved version that will be used in the repair. I have a video of one of the mounts and will request the parts when repaired.

NHTSA complaint #11622923 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2020 Audi A4 at 12,000 miles Trabuco Canyon, CA Crash

SUSPENSION

The contact owns a 2020 Audi A4. The contact stated that while pulling out of a parking space, there was big rock next to the bumper on the front passenger's side of the vehicle and there was a scallop area with stones next to the passenger's side of the vehicle as well. The contact stated that she lost control of the vehicle and crashed into the scallop area and the vehicle was stuck between the scallop area and the big rock. There was no further information provided. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact did not sustained any injuries and did not seek medical assistance. The contact was able to release the vehicle with the assistance of road side assistance. A police report was not filed. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the check engine warning light, the low oil warning light and other unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact was able to drive the vehicle for approximately 1 mile; however the warning message "Do Not Drive" illuminated. The contact notified the dealer of the failure. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the oil pan was fractured and needed to be replaced. The dealer repaired the oil pan and towed the vehicle to the collision shop, where it was repaired. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V295000 (SUSPENSION), which she associated with the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they would follow up with the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 12,000.

NHTSA complaint #11456332 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2017 Audi A4 Fort Wayne, IN Crash

SUSPENSION

I was driving like normal and the stability light came on and the car started to swing left to right by it self.

NHTSA complaint #11450854 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2016 Audi A4 York Haven, PA

SUSPENSION

According to TSB 401548, car dealership/manufacture will not provide extended warranty to repair premature wheel bearing due to vehicle VIN not in their system as an affected vehicle. The 2016 A4 has premature wheel bearing as described in the TSB 401548. Covered vehicles are 2016 Audi A4. Faulty wheel bearing may result in loss of control of vehicle and will not pass Pennsylvania State Inspection. This is a safety defect and a wheel bearing should not fail with only 63,000 miles on the vehicle. Please assist. Thank you.

NHTSA complaint #11448765 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2021 Audi A4 at 1,347 miles Los Angeles, CA Crash 1 injured

SUSPENSION

The contact leased a 2021 Audi A4. The contact stated that the dealer had provided her with the vehicle rental while her vehicle was being repaired. The contact stated that while driving at 4 MPH and turning into a parking pace on the 4th floor of a parking garage, the vehicle inadvertently accelerated on its own at 100 MPH. The contact depressed the brake pedal several times but it failed to respond. The vehicle crashed into the fence of steel and broke a portion of the wall. The air bags deployed. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact sustained two concussions and a heart attack. The contact sought medical assistance the next day and had been seeking medical assistance. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and it was totaled. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 1,347.

NHTSA complaint #11440644 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2021 Audi A4 Memphis, TN

SUSPENSION

The contact owns a 2021 Audi A4. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 21V295000 (Suspension) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who stated that the parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA complaint #11425403 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2010 Audi A4 at 81,500 miles Norwich, NY

SUSPENSION

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 BROKEN COIL SPRING IS VERY DANGEROUS AND CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT PARTICULARLY IF IT PUNCTURES A TIRE WHILE DRIVING. MY SUSPICION IS THAT THE COIL SPRINGS ARE DEFECTIVE GIVEN THAT THE BREAKS OCCURRED WITH 2 DIFFERENT COIL SPRINGS. SINCE THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE, I CHOSE TO REPLACE ALL THE COIL SPRINGS IN THE CAR BECAUSE I FEAR FOR MY SAFETY. I UNDERSTAND THAT VOLKSWAGON, OF WHICH AUDI IS A PART OF, RECALLED OVER 56,000 VEHICLES LAST YEAR DUE TO DEFECTIVE COIL SPRINGS. HOWEVER, I CANNOT FIND ANY INFORMATION REGARDING A RECALL FOR AUDI COIL SPRINGS.

NHTSA complaint #11322887 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2011 Audi A4 at 100,000 miles Columbiana, AL

SUSPENSION

LEAKING OIL 4 CYLINDERS HAD OIL SITTING ON TOP OF PISTONS AND OIL WAS LEAKING DOWN CYLINDERS WALLS PASSES PISTONS RINGS NO GOOD AND DAMAGE ON CYLINDER WALLS

NHTSA complaint #11308140 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2014 Audi A4 Orange, CA

SUSPENSION

I BOUGHT THIS 2014 AUDI A4 USED IN 1/2019. THE CAR SEEMS TO HAVE MAJOR STEERING AND SUSPENSION ISSUES. ALTHOUGH I'VE HAD IT CHECKED BY PROFESSIONALS MULTIPLE TIMES,?ALIGNED MULTIPLE TIMES, AND TIRES REBALANCED MULTIPLE, NO ONE CAN DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. IT'S HARD TO CONTROL THE CAR ON FREEWAYS. SOMETIMES IT SEEMS IMPOSSIBLE TO KEEP THE CAR IN A STRAIGHT LINE. THE CAR WANDERS ALL OVER THE FREEWAY. IT'S VERY DANGEROUS. UNFORTUNATELY I'M UNABLE TO SUE USING THE LEMON LAW BECAUSE I BOUGHT IT USED.

NHTSA complaint #11299800 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2003 Audi A4 at 112,345 miles Lake Elsinore, CA

SUSPENSION

LOSS OF POWER OR LATE RESPONSE TO THROTTLE. TCS AND ABS LIGHT LIMININTED AFTER REPLACING SENSOR. VIBERTION IN PASSENGER SIDE AROUND 50 MPH OR BRAKING. REPLACED IGNITION COIL TWICE.

NHTSA complaint #11111062 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2009 Audi A4 at 96,546 miles Valencia, CA Fire

SUSPENSION

MY CAR HAS A LEAKING HIGH PRESSURE FUEL LEAK FROM THE HIGH PRESSURE HOSE RIGHT AT THE TOP OF THE ENGINE BLOCK AT THE REAR OF THE ENGINE. THE STEEL LINE CONNECTS DIRECTLY TO THE FILTER AND IS LEAKING FROM THE STAINLESS STEAL LINE. THE POWER STEERING METAL HOSE LINES ARE INCORRECT FROM THE FACTORY AND DO NOT SUPPLY ENOUGH PRESSURE IN THE LINE TO KEEP THE STEERING WHEEL FROM A VERY HARSH LOW SPEED SHUDDER WHEN TURNING. THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS FAIL AT VERY LOW MILEAGE. NONE OF THESE ISSUES HAVE BEEN ACKNOWLEDGED ON THIS YEAR CAR. THIS MODEL AUDI IS AN ABSOLUTE LEMON HAVING MULTIPLE ISSUES AND EXTREME REPAIRS AND HUGE COSTS WHEN TRYING TO FIX THEM. I HAVE THE PAPER WORK FOR THESE FIXES AND WHAT IT TAKES TO REPAIR THEM CORRECTLY. I HAVE ALREADY HAD THIS CAR REPAIRED FROM AUDI FOR THE PISTON RING OIL FAILURE WHICH THEY HAD TO REPLACE PER THE LAWSUIT THEY WERE HIT WITH AND STILL DENIED ANY WRONG DOING. PLEASE FORCE THIS COMPANY TO RIGHT THESE ISSUES THEY IGNORED IN THE FACE OF PROFITS INSTEAD OF DOING RIGHT BY THE CONSUMER.

NHTSA complaint #10888525 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2002 Audi A4 at 134,000 miles Renton, WA Crash

SUSPENSION

I BOUGHT A CAR FROM A USED CAR DEALER IN RENTON WA. AFTER ABOUT A YEAR WENT BY I NOTICED THAT I HAVEN'T RECEIVED THE TITLE. CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME I HAVE TO CONTACT DMV. TALKED TO A PERSON IN THE RENTON OFFICE AND TWICE TO THE COVINGTON OFFICE. THEY TOLD ME I HAVE TO PAY A 39 DOLLAR CHARGE TO GET A TITLE. DECIDED TO MAYBE TRADE THE CAR IN AND FOUND OUT THE FRAME WAS BENT. I ALREADY SPENT 1200 DOLLARS FOR PARTS MISSING ON THE CAR. NOW ANOTHER PART IS AD AT ANOTHER 1500 DOLLARS TO MAKE THE AIR WORK. APPARENTLY THE CAR HAD BEEN CRASHED AND PICKED BACK TOGETHER JUST TO OFF IT. COMPLAINED A OUT PARTS MISSING AND THEY AGREED TO GIVE ME 400 DOLLARS FOR THE FIRST PROBLEM. NEVER DID SEE THE MONEY. I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A TOTAL REFUND OF THE DIFFERENCE FROM WHAT THEY GAVE ME FOR THE CAR AFTER THE 25000 DOLLARS THEY GAVE ME FOR THE TRUCK LOAD I TRADED IN.

NHTSA complaint #10676772 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2009 Audi A4 at 35,000 miles Tulsa, OK

SUSPENSION

THERE IS A GRUMBLING/MOANING TYPE NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT SUSPENSION. VERY NOTICEABLE AROUND 20-30 MPH AND WHEN MAKING SLIGHT LEFT AND RIGHT TURNS. THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10418615 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1996 Audi A4 Morgantown, PA

SUSPENSION

WHILE DRIVING WEST ON PENNSYLVANIA RT. 401 I DROVE OVER A SMALL BUMP IN THE ROAD, WHERE A DRAIN IS BURIED UNDER THE ROAD, AND THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT LOWER A ARM SNAPPED IN HALF AT A SPEED OF 45 MPH CAUSING A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE AND THE CAR TO GRIND TO A HALT ON THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD.

NHTSA complaint #10397830 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2009 Audi A4 at 17,148 miles East Berne, NY

SUSPENSION

STEERING WHEEL VIBRATION AT HIGHWAY SPEED. AUDI DEALER ATTRIBUTED TO CUPPED TIRES. BOUGHT NEW SET OF TIRES ($864) AND SAME PROBLEM. LEARNED THROUGH INTERNET SEARCH THAT AUDI'S HAVE PROBLEM WITH LOWER CONTROL ARMS. RETURNED TO DEALER WITH TSB 2018121/3. DEALER ROAD FORCE BALANCED WHEELS AT MY EXPENSE ($70), DEALER SAID AUDI WOULDN'T PAY FOR CONTROL ARM REPLACEMENT. I CALLED AUDI TO COMPLAIN (OBTAINED CASE NO.) BECAUSE THEY VOLUNTARILY REPLACED CONTROL ARMS IN TWO LONG TERM TEST VEHICLES IN EDMONDS INSIDE LINE FLEET AFTER EDMONDS PUBLISHED ARTICLES NOTING THE STEERING PROBLEM (HTTP://BLOGS.INSIDELINE.COM/ROADTESTS/2009/07/2009-AUDI-A4-AND-S5-STEERING-VIBRATION-WRAP-UP.HTML). AUDI WOULDN'T AGREE TO REPLACE CONTROL ARMS. VIBRATION WENT AWAY FOR A TIME BUT THEN CAME BACK. CONDITION IS FATIGUING WHEN DRIVING ANY LENGTH AT HIGHWAY SPEED.

NHTSA complaint #10394923 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2003 Audi A4 at 66,500 miles Richmond, VA

SUSPENSION:FRONT

2003 AUDI A4 CABRIOLET HAS HAD NUMEROUS ISSUES, FAILURE OF DOOR GASKET SEAL WHICH DESTROYED PLC, RESULTING IN HORRIBLE SOUND SAFETY ISSUE, COST OVER $2K TO FIX, FAILURE OF CV JOINT WHICH COULD CAUSE WHEEL TO FLY OFF, FAILURE OF REAR GLASS WINDOW THAT COULD COME LOOSE HURTING OTHER VEHICLES OR PASSENGERS OF CAR; CAR HAS LESS THAN 70K MILES, WAS BOUGHT NEW AND IS GARAGED. AUDI AMERICA SHOULD REIMBURSE OWNERS FOR THESE NUMEROUS, (AND APPARENTLY INEVITABLE, JUDGING BY WHAT I'VE READ AND HEARD FROM OTHER OWNERS) PROBLEMS.

NHTSA complaint #10362262 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2009 Audi A4 at 13,000 miles Ottumwa, IA

SUSPENSION:FRONT

2009 AUDI A4-MAKES NOISE WHEN SUSPENSION IS MOVING,SO WE INSPECTED IT AND FOUND OUT ON ALL FRONT UPPER CONTROL ARMS,THE BUSHINGS ARE CRACKED.IF NOT REPLACED IT WILL BRAKE,WHICH CAN CAUSE LOST OF CONTROL AND ACCIDENT.

NHTSA complaint #10323493 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1998 Audi A4 at 152,000 miles North Andover, MA

SUSPENSION:FRONT

CONTROL ARM ON MY 1998 AUDI A4 FRACTURED WHEN PULLING OUT OF A PARKING LOT, CAUSING COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. AUDI TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN NHTSA # 10016418, #11242004 COMPONENT DESCRIPTION: 22. SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM BULLETIN NUMBER: 11242004 BULLETIN DATE: NOV 2004 VEHICLE: 1,998 AUDI A4 SUMMARY: SERVICE ACTION JE CAMPAIGN-CHECK/REPLACE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER CONTROL ARMS. AUDI HAS FOUND THAT IN RARE CASES, ONE OR BOTH FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER CONTROL ARMS ON AFFECTED VEHICLES CAN EXHIBIT WEAR, EVEN THOUGH THE DAMAGE TO THE RUBBER BO ( NHTSA ITEM NUMBER - 10016418 ).

NHTSA complaint #10299063 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other Audi A4 problems