Audi S4 engine problems

ENGINE

Unknown

NHTSA complaint #11688973 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

Water pump defect for the 3.0L ea839 turbo engine found across many Porsche and Audi models. Defect causes damage to vacuum lines, thermostat, and can eventually lead to engine failure if not resolved. No way of knowing this is happening until you start to lose coolant (which will throw an engine code), but by that point the damage is done. There was a recall for the previous generation vehicle water pumps.

NHTSA complaint #11665383 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

My 2018 Audi S4 has a catastrophic engine failure issue and this is common with the EA839 engine. There is a knocking in the motor that is caused by internal engine parts (rocker arms needle bearings) becoming loose and dislodged. The metal shavings travel in the motor oil and destroy the engine from the inside. Hendrick Audi northlake examined the car on February 26, and recommended a new engine be installed at a cost of $32,000. I contacted Audi customer care and they reviewed the case only to offer me no assistance with the new engine expense. My Audi S4 is a 2018 with less than 47k miles, and I am the fifth owner. I have been reading a lot of threads on Audi forums as well as Reddit about this problem, and this is not rare. This should be a class action lawsuit against Audi for making and selling a defective product. The EA839 engine from 2017 to 2020 is a ticking bomb from day one, almost engineered to fail prematurely. And Audi does nothing to remedy the problem. That is why I would like for NHTSA to get involved in this situation. Please look into this and let me know what I can do to assist with this. I can be reached at [XXX] or [XXX] . Thank you!! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11648098 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

I don't know because dealer will not allow me to inspect engine or send me a response to what caused failure. Seems by the sounds coming from the top end of the motor most likely cause is that rocker arm (or possibly a valve train)component failed, noise coming from top end. Of course the failure was just after the 50k warranty by about 17 k miles. So roughly 66-67 k miles. The original estimate was a new long block at approx. 31k cost to me. Eventually after complaining significantly it was settled at 14k plus tax.

NHTSA complaint #11646713 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

Engine mount failure at 60,000 miles

NHTSA complaint #11638289 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

PCV housing and lines failed. Caused pressure to build up thus shooting off the oil cap shooting oil everywhere! in addition to that it is a huge fire hazard considering the turbo is right next to it.

NHTSA complaint #11581607 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

The R&R valve/oil separator unit failed on my 2015 Audi S4 at approximately 71,000 miles. This unit, when fails, can mix the oil and anti-freeze which can seize the engine. I was able to catch the problem before engine failure. Minneapolis Audi repaired the vehicle this week, 1/10/23. There were NO warning indicators except noise. Various media sources have stated that this is a known engine failure concern between 60-90K miles for this engine. Audi does not recognize this as a safety or warranty concern.

NHTSA complaint #11501592 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

MY 2014 AUDI S4 HAS A EPC LIGHT THAT KEEPS TURNING ON WHILE DRIVING THAT CAR. THE EPC LIGHT WILL PUT THE CAR INTO LIMP MODE AND WILL HAVE A ROUGH IDLE AND CAN BARLEY DRIVE. WHEN THAT LIGHT TURNS ON YOU HAVE TO PULL OVER IMMEDIATELY AND RESTART THE CAR TO CONTINUE DRIVING AND IS A COMPLETE SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE IT WILL HAPPEN WHEN YOU ARE ON THE FREEWAY. THE LIGHT MAINLY TURNS ON WHEN YOU ARE TRYING TO GET UP TO SPEEDS OF THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER MANY TIMES TO GET THIS ISSUE RESOLVED AND THEY KEEP SAYING THERE IS NO ISSUE WITH THE CAR WHAT'S SO EVER. I DECIDED TO TRY TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR MYSELF BECAUSE THE DEALER WAS NO HELP. WHEN I LOOK IT UP HUNDREDS OF FORUMS SHOW UP TALKING ABOUT IT AND NO ONE CAN FIGURE OUT WHAT IS GOING ON WITH THE CAR AND EVERYONE IS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE AND HOW THE DEALER IS NO HELP AT ALL. ONE PERSON SAID THEY TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THERE WAS A FAULTY WIRE ON THE ECU. I THINK ITS THE ECU FAILING AND DOESN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO.

NHTSA complaint #11399328 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

AUDI HAS USED A TIMING CHAIN IN THE 4.2L V8 ENGINE. BECAUSE TIMING CHAINS ARE TYPICALLY VERY RELIABLE, THE CHAIN HAS BEEN PLACED AT THE REAR OF THE ENGINE NEAR THE FIREWALL. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE TIMING TENSIONERS ARE MADE OF PLASTIC AND PRONE TO BREAKAGE. THIS CAN RESULT IN CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE.

NHTSA complaint #11374788 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

WHILE TRAVELING AT 75MPH, UPHILL, IN 100F WEATHER THE FUEL LOW PRESSURE FUEL SYSTEM DEVELOPED A VAPOR BUBBLE THAT STALLED THE LOW PRESSURE FUEL PUMP AND STARVED THE MOTOR FOR FUEL. THE CAR STALLED ON THE FREEWAY AND WOULD INTERMITTENTLY RESTART UNTIL THE LOW PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FAILED. THE REPAIR REQUIRED ADDITIONAL VALVES AND HOSES HE ADDED TO THE LOW PRESSURE FUEL SYSTEM TO COMPENSATE FOR THE POOR VAPOR MANAGEMENT DESIGN. THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP WHERE THE APPROPRIATE FIX AND TSB WAS EXECUTED. TOTAL COST WAS ~$2200, $715 OF THAT TOTAL COST WERE THE NEW VALVES AND HOSES THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN PART OF THE INITIAL DESIGN.

NHTSA complaint #11220686 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

CARBON BUILD UP

NHTSA complaint #11096865 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

I WAS EXITING OFF OF THE INTERSTATE AND THE CAR BEGAN TO SPUTTER. I HAD TO CUT 3 CARS OFF TO PULL ONTO TO THE SHOULDER, WHERE THE CAR CONTINUED TO LOSE POWER AND EVENTUALLY DIED. A GEARBOX MALFUNCTION WARNING LIGHT CAME ON, BUT SAID IT WAS STILL SAFE TO DRIVE. I WAS ABLE TO GET ME CAR INTO PARK AND START . AFTER SITTING FOR A FEW MINUTES I WENT ON MY WAY, HOWEVER, THE CAR SPUTTERED AGAIN OUT OF 1ST GEAR BUT SMOOTHED OUT ONCE I GOT GOING. THE LIGHT REMAINED ON THE REMAINDER OF THE TRIP BUT DIDNT COME BACK ON THE NEXT MORNING. I CALLED AUDI USA TO EXPLAIN WHAT HAPPENED AND THEY ACTED LIKE THEY NEVER HEARD OF SUCH A THING HAPPENING AND SAID IT WAS OKAY TO DRIVE. I HAVE ONLY HAD THIS CAR FOR 6 MONTHS AND THAT GEARBOX MALFUNCTION HAS NOW HAPPENED 3 TIMES, THE LATEST OF WHICH ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE CALLED A COUPLE MECHANICS, INCLUDING A LOCAL AUDI DEALERSHIP, AND HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT ITS A BAD MECHATRONICS UNIT AND THAT IT IS EXTREMELY COMMON FOR MY PARTICULAR YEAR, MODEL AND TYPE (THERE IS A TSB FOR IT). WORST OF ALL, IT WILL COST ME $5000 + TO REPAIR. I BOUGHT THIS CAR 6 MONTHS AGO FROM A LARGE, WELL RESPECT DEALERSHIP AS A CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED, WITH 75,000 MILES. I ALSO PURCHASED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT WILL NOT COVER IT. IM NOT SURE WHAT TO DO.

NHTSA complaint #11065848 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

WHEN DRIVING IN MANUAL MODE AND TRANSITION FROM ON THE THROTTLE TO OFF-THROTTLE, THERE IS A 1-2 SECOND DELAY BEFORE THE ENGINE STOPS ACCELERATING AND TRANSITIONS TO DECELERATION. ESPECIALLY IN FIRST GEAR, THIS MEANS THAT THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO ACCELERATE FOR THAT PERIOD OF TIME. I DROVE ANOTHER MODEL OF AUDI WITH THE SAME ENGINE/TRANSMISSION (2018 S5) AND IT EXHIBITS THE SAME BEHAVIOR. SINCE THE CAR DOES NOT HAVE A PHYSICAL THROTTLE CABLE, THIS WOULD SEEM TO BE CAUSED BY THE THROTTLE NOT CLOSING AS COMMANDED BY THE ECU OR THERE BEING A DELAY IN THE THROTTLE BEING COMMANDED TO CLOSE. THIS HAS NOT CAUSED A COLLISION BUT EASILY COULD.

NHTSA complaint #11051028 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

THE COMPLAINT IS ABOUT THE MOTORS LOSING OIL EVERY 1000 MILES A 1QT IS NEED EACH TIME. THE ENGINE IS CAUSED AND BURNS OIL FAST TO THE MOTOR TO LOSE OIL MORE RAPIDLY. NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. MY MOTOR IS LOSING OIL! AND SO DO OTHER MODELS HAVENING THIS PROBLEMS ISNT GOOD.

NHTSA complaint #11044873 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

AFTER ENGINE COOLS DOWN, TIMING CHAIN RATTLE CAN BE HEARD UPON STARTING THE CAR. CHAIN RATTLE MEANS THAT PLASTIC GUIDES OR ADJUSTERS ARE WORN, AND MIGHT GO ANY SECOND. SPOKE WITH AUDI REP ONLINE, WHICH ADVISES ME THAT THIS IS NORMAL, AND EXPECTED. KNOWING BASICS OF ENGINES AND TRANSMISSION, I DIDN'T BELIEVE THAT SOMETHING IS "LIFE TIME" AND IS NOT SERVICEABLE, ESPECIALLY IF IT'S PLASTIC (WHICH TENDS TO SHRINK AND EXPAND DEPENDING ON TEMPERATURES, AND THEN HAS FRACTURES WHICH SNAPS). TWO DIFFERENT INDEPENDENT LICENSED AUDI SHOPS CONFIRMED THAT THE GUIDES AND ADJUSTERS HAS TO BE REPLACED IN ORDER TO PREVENT CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE. CHAIN SKIPPING A TOOTH MIGHT MEAN BENT VALVES, SCORED CYLINDER WALLS AND THE LIST GOES ON. WHAT IS LIFETIME, SHOULD BE COVERED BY AUDI. IF IT'S PROMISED TO BE LIFETIME AND NEEDS NO SERVICE, SHOULDN'T BREAK. IF IT BREAKS THAT ONLY MEANS DESIGN FLAWS, WHICH ARE OBVIOUS IN THIS ENGINE. YES, CAR ISN'T NEW, BUT THE PARTS WERE LIFETIME, SO I'M EXPECTING THEM TO LAST UNTIL ENGINE IS WORN OUT, NOT THE PARTS THAT ARE LIFETIME. IF NHTSA WILL DO FULL SCALE INVESTIGATION. WILL BE OBVIOUS THAT LARGE AMOUNT OF S4'S RANGING FROM 2004 TO 2007 ARE AFFECTED. EVEN 10% IS LARGE NUMBER, CONSIDERED THE COSTS OF FIXING WHAT IS "LIFETIME" ACCORDING TO AUDI, AND WHEN IT FAILS THEY LEAVE THEIR DESIGNS FLAWS FOR YOU TO FIGURE OUT. HOPEFULLY JUSTICE CAN BE BROUGHT TO LIGHT AS TO WHAT AUDI TRIES TO TURN IT'S BACK TO. SYMPTOMS: CHAIN RATTLE UPON START. CHAIN RATTLE DOESN'T GO AWAY WHILE DRIVING. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, LOSS OF POWER OR CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE.

NHTSA complaint #11036013 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

TRANSMISSION SHIFTS HARSHLY AND MAKES NOISE DURING SHIFTS. WAS TOLD THE MECHATRONICS NEED REPLACEMENT. SOMETIMES WHEN ACCELERATING THE CAR WILL JOLT AS IF IT IT LOSES POWER MOMENTARILY. WHEN MERGING INTO TRAFFIC IN COULD BE DANGEROUS.

NHTSA complaint #11023449 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

MY AUDI S4 2010 IS HAVING A MECHATRONIC ISSUE. WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE DOWN THE STREET IT DROPPED A GEAR AND A ERROR MESSAGE POPPED UP STATING GEARBOX MALFUNCTION: NO REVERSE GEAR. MY VEHICLE WAS THEN UNABLE TO REVERSE AND ALSO KEPT DROPPING AND JUMPING TO DIFFERENT GEARS. IT MADE A VERY UNSAFE AND SCARY DRIVE,I HELD UP ALOT OF TRAFFIC TRYING TO DRIVE BACK TO MY HOUSE. TO GET A NEW MECHATRONIC COST BETWENN 3-8 THOUSAND DOLLARS. ALSO THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF AUDI OWNERS ON THE WEB WHO ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. I THINK AUDI SHOULD RECALL THIS PART THAT IS CAUSING SO MANY ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #10906235 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

ENGINE - EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION (1QT REFILL IS REQUIRE FOR EVERY 750MILES). DSG TRANSMISSION ' GETTING GEARBOX MALFUNCTION, YOU CAN CONTINUE TO DRIVE ON DASHBOARD. THIS IS DUE TO P179E - DRIVE RANGE SENSOR ELECTRICAL ERROR.

NHTSA complaint #10785293 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

I WAS ACCELERATING, AFTER LEAVING A RESTAURANT, INTO TRAFFIC. I RECEIVED THE "DSG MALFUNCTION LIGHT" AND SUDDENLY AT ABOUT 20MPH MY LURCHED FORWARD AND FAILED TO RESPOND TO THE THROTTLE AND SHUT OFF IN TRAFFIC. CAR RESTARTED AFTER ABOUT 30 SECONDS BUT DEFINITELY NOT SOMETHING THAT SHOULD GO WITHOUT NOTICE. IF I WAS ON THE INTERSTATE AND THROTTLE WENT OUT SITUATION COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE.

NHTSA complaint #10670583 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

RECEIVED "GEARBOX MALFUNCTION WARNING, OKAY TO CONTINUE DRIVING" WARNING ON THE DASH WHILE DRIVING 45MPH, THREE MILES AWAY FROM HOME. ARRIVED 20 FEET FROM MY RESIDENCE AND RECEIVED ANOTHER ERROR, "PARKING BRAKE MALFUNCTION." THE CAR WENT INTO LIMP MODE; WITH PRESSURE BEING APPLIED TO GAS PEDAL, NO VEHICLE MOVEMENT. TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND THEN BACK ON. THE CAR CORRECTED ITSELF AND WAS ABLE TO PARK IN GARAGE. TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO AUDI AND THE RUDE AND UNKNOWLEDGEABLE SERVICE ADVISOR TOOK MY VEHICLE AND APPLIED A SOFTWARE UPDATE. DROVE THE VEHICLE HOME WITHOUT ERROR THAT NIGHT. MY WIFE DROVE THE VEHICLE NEXT DAY AND EXPERIENCED THE SAME MALFUNCTION ERRORS BUT THE CAR WENT INTO LIMP MODE WHILE DRIVING ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY AND ALMOST ENDED UP BEING REAR ENDED. SHE NOW FEARS FOR HER SAFETY AND WILL NO LONGER DRIVE OR BE A PASSENGER IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE NOW SITS AT AN AUDI DEALERSHIP. I HAVE ASKED THEM TO PICK UP THE FULL COST OF REPAIR ($5628) BEING THAT THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE AND I HAVE REPORTED AND HAD AUDI DOCUMENT THE SYMPTOMS BEFORE THIS OCCURRED. THE DEALERSHIP INDICATES THERE IS A TSB (TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN) THAT DOCUMENTS MY ISSUE BUT THEY REFUSE TO FIX THE VEHICLE ON THEIR DIME, ESPECIALLY WHEN I REPORTED THE ISSUE BEFORE MY WARRANTY EXPIRED AND THEY KNEW OF THE TSB.

NHTSA complaint #10669498 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.