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2009 Audi A4

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2009 Audi A4 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 76.5.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

71 reports with mileage · 49 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine. Review the 44 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 33 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

6 crash reports3 fire reports2 injury reports

Structure complaints

6 reports
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Mileage unknown · Mar 2, 2019
EngineStructure

I PURCHASED FROM A DEALERSHIP WITH WARRANTY AND WITH IN THE WEEK THE CAR NEEDED A QUART OF OIL, I COME TO FIND OUT THE CAR HAS BEEN TO AUDI DEALERSHIP AND IT WAS ADVISED THE VACUUM PUMP NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND THAT THE ENGINE IS CONSUMING OIL, THE DEALERSHIP THAT SOLD THIS CAR IN AUCTION TO THE DEALERSHIP I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM …

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I PURCHASED FROM A DEALERSHIP WITH WARRANTY AND WITH IN THE WEEK THE CAR NEEDED A QUART OF OIL, I COME TO FIND OUT THE CAR HAS BEEN TO AUDI DEALERSHIP AND IT WAS ADVISED THE VACUUM PUMP NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND THAT THE ENGINE IS CONSUMING OIL, THE DEALERSHIP THAT SOLD THIS CAR IN AUCTION TO THE DEALERSHIP I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM WAS FULLY AWARE OF THIS ISSUE SINCE AUDI DIAGNOSED IT FOR THEM AND NO WORK HAD BEEN DONE. AUDI HAD A CALL BACK FOR THIS ISSUE AND HAD REFUSED TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE WHEN THE DEALERSHIP BROUGHT IT TO THEIR ATTENTION AND NOW I AM STUCK WITH A CAR LOAN ON A CAR THAT NEED OVER $6K IN REPAIRS TO THE ENGINE IT SELF.

NHTSA ODI #11183701

50,000 miles · May 4, 2016
Structure

SUN ROOF DRAINS ON RIGHT HAND SIDE OF VEHICLE HAVE FAILED (FAIL TO SEAL OUT EXTERNAL WATER LIKE RAIN) LEADING TO SIGNIFICANT QUANTITIES OF WATER ENTERING THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT AND DRAINING INTO VARIOUS AREAS OF THE CAR DURING ANY MEASURABLE RAIN FALL. THE LAST RAIN STORM OF ABOUT 1/3" WAS ENOUGH TO CAUSE THE FOLLOWING DAMAG…

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SUN ROOF DRAINS ON RIGHT HAND SIDE OF VEHICLE HAVE FAILED (FAIL TO SEAL OUT EXTERNAL WATER LIKE RAIN) LEADING TO SIGNIFICANT QUANTITIES OF WATER ENTERING THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT AND DRAINING INTO VARIOUS AREAS OF THE CAR DURING ANY MEASURABLE RAIN FALL. THE LAST RAIN STORM OF ABOUT 1/3" WAS ENOUGH TO CAUSE THE FOLLOWING DAMAGE. WHILE PARKED OVERNIGHT, SOME OF THE WATER POOLED IN THE RIGHT REAR BODY COLUMN SPACE WHERE THE MASTER COMPUTER FOR MUCH OF THE CAR IS LOCATED. THE WATER SHORTED OUT THE COMPUTER AND LEFT CAR INOPERABLE, UNMOVEABLE, UNUSABLE UNTIL IT WAS TOWED AND REPLACED, THIS INCLUDED THE PURCHASE OF A NEW COMPUTER AND ITS PROGRAMMING AND THE REPROGRAMMING OF THE CAR'S KEYS. ADDITIONALLY THE WATER SATURATED THE CARPET THROUGHOUT THE CAR AND THE SEATS. THE SUNROOF DRAIN REPAIR WAS EXPENSIVE AS WERE THE COMPUTER REPLACEMENT AND REPROGRAMMING. AUDI HAS SETTLED A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT FOR LEAKY SUNROOF DRAINS FOR MODEL YEARS 2005-2008, MINE IS A 2009 SO NO LUCK FROM AUDI ON PAYING FOR ANY OF IT, AND WHEN I CALLED TO COMPLAIN THEY DENIED ANY FAULT IN THE MATTER.

NHTSA ODI #10863146

92,354 miles · Sep 26, 2013
Structure

THE 2009 AUDI A4 CONVERTIBLE REAR WINDOW'S ADHESIVE ON MY CAR (AND OTHERS, ACCORDING TO INTERNET/YOUTUBE POSTINGS) IS BECOMING DETACHED FROM THE TOP. THE ONLY CHOICE OWNERS HAVE IS TO PURCHASE A NEW CONVERTIBLE TOP. DEALERS CHARGE BETWEEN $4500-$6000. PRIVATE BODY SHOPS CHARGE APPROX. $1600+. WHILE RESEARCHING THE ISSUE, I DISCO…

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THE 2009 AUDI A4 CONVERTIBLE REAR WINDOW'S ADHESIVE ON MY CAR (AND OTHERS, ACCORDING TO INTERNET/YOUTUBE POSTINGS) IS BECOMING DETACHED FROM THE TOP. THE ONLY CHOICE OWNERS HAVE IS TO PURCHASE A NEW CONVERTIBLE TOP. DEALERS CHARGE BETWEEN $4500-$6000. PRIVATE BODY SHOPS CHARGE APPROX. $1600+. WHILE RESEARCHING THE ISSUE, I DISCOVERED THAT IT IS A RELATIVELY COMMON PROBLEM WITH AUDI CONVERTIBLES, AS CONFIRMED BY THE AUDI SERVICE REP WHO INFORMED ME OF THE ISSUE DURING A SERVICE VISIT. IF THAT IS THE CASE, AUDI SHOULD HOLD THE ADHESIVE COMPANY RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIR, NOT THE AUDI CUSTOMER. PURCHASING AN ENTIRELY NEW TOP IS UNREASONABLE AND UNFAIR. MY REQUEST: AUDI USA SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL, WHETHER THE CAR IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY OR NOT, AT NO CHARGE TO ITS CUSTOMERS. SHOULD RECOUP COSTS FROM THE ADHESIVE MANUFACTURER. AT THE VERY LEAST, CUSTOMERS, AT THE POINT OF SALE, SHOULD BE WARNED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF THE DEFECT THAT HAPPENS SOON AFTER PURCHASE. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10545563

37,991 miles · Feb 20, 2013
StructureVehicle Speed ControlCrash

I WAS JUST PARKING THE CAR AND WAS ABOUT 5 MPH AND SUDDENLY CAR GOT ACCELERATED UNINTENTIONALLY TO HIGHER RPM AND HIT THE CURB AND ABOVE CEMENT WALL . EVEN APPLYING BRAKES HADN'T SLOWED DOWN THE VEHICLE BECAUSE IT WAS JUST FEW FEET AWAY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10499431

Mileage unknown · Apr 24, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingLatches/locks/linkagesStructure

AFTER HAVING MY CAR FOR A YEAR, IT STARTED TO BURN THROUGH OIL AT AN INCREASING RATE. CURRENTLY IT IS GOING THROUGH ABOUT 1 QUART OF OIL EVERY 1000 MILES. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR IN A FEW TIMES TO CHECK FOR LEAKS OR TRY TO DETERMINE THE LOCATION WHERE IT IS GOING AND HAVE JUST BEEN TOLD THAT THIS MODEL ENGINE GOES THROUGH AT A FA…

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AFTER HAVING MY CAR FOR A YEAR, IT STARTED TO BURN THROUGH OIL AT AN INCREASING RATE. CURRENTLY IT IS GOING THROUGH ABOUT 1 QUART OF OIL EVERY 1000 MILES. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR IN A FEW TIMES TO CHECK FOR LEAKS OR TRY TO DETERMINE THE LOCATION WHERE IT IS GOING AND HAVE JUST BEEN TOLD THAT THIS MODEL ENGINE GOES THROUGH AT A FASTER PACE AND HAS BEEN A COMMON COMPLAINT AMONGST CUSTOMERS. IN ADDITION TO THIS I HAVE DEALT WITH HAVING TO GET THE SUNROOF RE-LUBRICATED EVERY FEW MONTHS, DEALING WITH RATTLES IN THE DOORS, WARPING OF THE INTERIOR (DASH, DOOR PANELS, SEAT BACKS), AND A ONE-TIME FAILURE WITH THE DOOR LATCH NOT WORKING DURING COLD TEMPERATURES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10456276

50 miles · Oct 21, 2009
StructureSuspension

NEW CAR PURCHASE 2009, WHEEL SHIMMY NOTICED IN FIRST FEW DAYS. I ASKED TWO OTHER PEOPLE TO DRIVE THE CAR AND NO ONE EVER FELT THE SHAKE. I DECIDED TO WAIT UNTIL THE FIRST CHECK IN AT 5K, OF COURSE THE SHIMMY WAS MORE NOTICEABLE. THE DIAGNOSIS IS THE CONTROL ARMS ARE FAULTY AND REDESIGNED PARTS ARE DUE TO BE INSTALLED W/IN THE WE…

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NEW CAR PURCHASE 2009, WHEEL SHIMMY NOTICED IN FIRST FEW DAYS. I ASKED TWO OTHER PEOPLE TO DRIVE THE CAR AND NO ONE EVER FELT THE SHAKE. I DECIDED TO WAIT UNTIL THE FIRST CHECK IN AT 5K, OF COURSE THE SHIMMY WAS MORE NOTICEABLE. THE DIAGNOSIS IS THE CONTROL ARMS ARE FAULTY AND REDESIGNED PARTS ARE DUE TO BE INSTALLED W/IN THE WEEK. I AM NOT CERTAIN HOW DANGEROUS A FAULTY CONTROL ARM IS, BUT I'VE BEEN PRETTY DISAPPOINTED THAT THE CAR WAS NOT PERFECT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10289260

Official recalls

2

17V032000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Jan 11, 2017

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2009 Audi A4 Cabriolet, S4 Cabriolet, A6 Avant, A6 Sedan and S6 Sedan vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Additionally, unless included in "Zone B" above, Volkswagen is recalling certain 2005-2008 Audi A4 Avant, A4 Sedan, A6 Sedan, S4 Avant and S4 Sedan vehicles, 2007-2008 A4 Cabriolet, RS4 Sedan, S4 Cabriolet and S6 Sedan vehicles, and 2006-2008 A6 Avant and 2008 RS4 Cabriolet vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 30, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Note: This recall has been superseded by recall number 18V427.

16V376000 · Air Bags; Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE

May 27, 2016

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (VW) is recalling certain model year 2008-2009 Audi A4, A5, and Q5 vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the air bag control units may corrode and fail.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the air bag control unit fails, the air bags may not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of occupant injury.

Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag control unit, free of charge. The recall began October 2016. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69O1.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Air Bags

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (VW) is recalling certain model year 2008-2009 Audi A4, A5, and Q5 vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the air bag control units may corrode and fail.

Consequence: If the air bag control unit fails, the air bags may not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of occupant injury.

Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag control unit, free of charge. The recall began October 2016. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69O1.

Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (VW) is recalling certain model year 2008-2009 Audi A4, A5, and Q5 vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the air bag control units may corrode and fail.

Consequence: If the air bag control unit fails, the air bags may not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of occupant injury.

Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag control unit, free of charge. The recall began October 2016. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69O1.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.