2004 Audi A4 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 12about this part
- Share
- 6%of 189 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 41,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 12 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2004 Audi A4, 6% of the 189 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 41,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I bought a 2004 Audi A4 with only 92k miles on it, on my way home with the car I heard this weird noise every time accelerate in first gear as soon as I change to second its gone. After doing some research on-line I noticed that alot of people have the same problem, then I started to wonder if Audi manufacturing company had a recall seeing that its such a common problem. Thats how I ended up on this website.”
NHTSA complaint #10469911, filed 2012-08, 92,600 miles“I first had a check engine light pop on my 04 Audi A4 CVT the code number 17090, then flashing pndr indicator lights. After doing many hours of research and hearing other stories about Audi CVT issues, I came to a conclusion that the issue lies within the TCM (transmission computer) and has a faulty part that goes bad. I did not have the funds to repair this issue so I have been driving the car, caution this failure will cause loss of reverse at any given moment and sometimes drive. …”
NHTSA complaint #10493664, filed 2013-01, 41,000 miles“My car intermittently does not move when the vehicle is put in drive. This has only happened so far when the engine is cold. It happened to me yesterday as I was trying to pull out into an intersection and the car behind me almost hit me because it looked like I should be moving. I have a CVT transmission.”
NHTSA complaint #10153428, filed 2006-03, 18,000 miles“At around 55,000 miles, warranty over at 50,000, my friend (he owns a foreign auto repair shop in seattle) noticed that my transmission was a little jumpy. It might have been doing this earlier but I did not notice it because my wife was driving the car and they never know anything is wrong with the car until it falls part. My nearest authorized dealership was 45 minutes away and I need the vehicle for deliveries and pickups in my business so I waited until it got worse. …”
NHTSA complaint #10325461, filed 2010-04, 55,000 miles“2004 Audi A4 1.8l turbo - the car suffers from a problem that begins with a flashing of the gear selector range (prnds). This occurs consistently, every time the vehicle is operated. When prnds is flashing the vehicle possesses a serious safety concern that has occurred (3) times since the onset of this condition. While the gear selector range was flashing I pulled over to re-fuel at a local gas station. After purchasing gas I returned to the car, started it up, and the flashing prnds condition persisted. …”
NHTSA complaint #10342562, filed 2010-07, 75,200 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10226530Jun 3, 2014ATF pan leaks
- 10210680Jun 3, 2014As the sump pan gasket settles, the torque of the bolts decreases and the seal may leak. Automatic transmission fluid is leaking at the sump pan gasket.
- 10122418Jun 3, 2014Supersedes Technical Service Bulletin Group 37 number 11-19 dated January 31, 2011. Automatic transmission fluid is leaking at the sump pan gasket. As the sump pan gasket…
- 10212703May 29, 2014Vehicle lacks power or will not move after stop due to simultaneous depressing of the brake and accelerator pedals
- 10226529May 28, 2014Vehicle lacks power or will not move after stop due to simultaneous depressing of the brake and accelerator pedals
- 10210679May 28, 2014This condition may be caused when the brake pedal and the accelerator pedal are depressed simultaneously. Drivers who drive with their left foot resting on the brake pedal are…
- 10122465May 28, 2014Supersedes Technical Service Bulletin Group 37 number 13-07 dated May 29, 2013. Customer states that the engine returns to idle speed of approximately 1,400 RPM although the…
- 10123551Jun 19, 2013Audi is extending the New Vehicle Limited Warranty to 10 years or 100,000 miles, whichever occurs first, from the vehicle?s original in-service date for certain MY2002 through…
- 10250453Oct 3, 2012TCM software update for downshift concerns
- 10122793Oct 3, 2012Supersedes Technical Service Bulletin Group 37 number 11 ? 31 dated December 1, 2011. Customer may report downshifts not smooth when slowing the vehicle. Improved software…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 | 17% |
| 2021 | 2 | 18% |
| 2018 | 5 | 11% |
| 2017 | 4 | 7% |
| 2016 | 1 | 9% |
| 2015 | 1 | 5% |
| 2014 | 2 | 6% |
| 2012 | 2 | 11% |
| 2011 | 3 | 27% |
| 2010 | 9 | 14% |
| 2009 | 6 | 5% |
| 2008 | 12 | 7% |
| 2007 | 11 | 6% |
| 2006 | 14 | 5% |
| 2005 | 16 | 7% |
| 2004 | 12 | 6% |
| 2003 | 43 | 20% |
| 2002 | 16 | 9% |
| 2001 | 5 | 4% |
| 2000 | 8 | 8% |
| 1999 | 10 | 5% |
| 1998 | 7 | 3% |
| 1997 | 5 | 5% |
| 1996 | 6 | 7% |
Other parts of the 2004 Audi A4
56 complaintsAir bags
26 complaintsEngine cooling
18 complaintsTires
16 complaintsVehicle speed control
16 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
16 complaintsElectrical system
15 complaintsExterior lighting
14 complaintsEngine
7 complaintsOther or unknown
6 complaintsBrakes
5 complaintsBody and structure
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2004 Audi A4
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology