2009 Audi A4 Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 44about this part
- Share
- 37%of 120 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 84,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 44 complaints about the engine of the 2009 Audi A4, 37% of the 120 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 84,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I been doing a lot of research and I seen that there are many vehicles that the add 1 quart of oil light to keep driving light comes out. Many have said is a pistons problem that need to be recalled by Audi. The light warning comes out randomly every month. There are no leaks in my vehicle. I have two buy 3 bottles in oil every month. The light comes on when I'm driving.”
NHTSA complaint #10936433, filed 2016-12, 77,800 miles“Driving home from work, all of a sudden my vehicle was revving while it was idle and at low speed, making it very difficult and dangerous to steer the car and keep it under control. Upon inspection, it was found that the timing chain tensioner had failed and had caused serious engine damage, causing the pistons to fire prematurely. Previously the tensioner was replaced in 2014 by Audi when the car had ~50k miles and was reported as a weak tensioner . My car currently has 92k miles. …”
NHTSA complaint #11066633, filed 2018-02, 92,000 miles“We bought two 2009 Audi A4's for our children. Last month one went to the the dealer because the engine failed and needed to be rebuilt because of oil consumption issue, while there the dealer informed us that the water pump was failing and needed to be replace. I questioned the dealer and called an independent Audi mechanic, both said the same thing, we were lucky it lasted this long Audi has known from the beginning that this water pump is flawed and should have been recalled. …”
NHTSA complaint #10877055, filed 2016-06, 79,000 miles“My car was over heating due to a water pump and my timing chain is going and I got a recall letter 2 days later on the timing chain and now my alternator is going out”
NHTSA complaint #11132406, filed 2018-09, 141,000 miles“My Audi 2009 A4 is going through a quart of oil every 150 miles. There are no leaks and the car is not driven hard. The more I research the more people I find with the same complaint. Dream car has turned into a nightmare.”
NHTSA complaint #10622537, filed 2014-08, 68,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11035797Jul 9, 2026This special notice is to inform dealers to return the parts listed if it meets the criteria provided.
- 11016532Mar 12, 2025This bulletin provides informatin when the engine does not run smoothly at idling speeds.
- 11012476Dec 5, 2024This bulletin provides information when the MIL is on; DTCs for misfire, air/fuel ratio imbalance, or lean fuel system stored in the ECM P030000.
- 11009928Oct 8, 2024This bulletin provides informatin when the engine does not run smoothly at idling speeds.
- 10190274Apr 1, 2021This bulletin contains instructions for resolving a coolant leak.
- 10169127Dec 3, 2019The communication contains the details of the water pump extended warranty.
- 10158489Feb 4, 2019This bulletin explains the extended warranty for the timing chain/timing chain tensioner in certain vehicles. Was revised on 11/13/18 to include a proration table for…
- 10157267Feb 4, 2019This bulletin explains the extended warranty for the timing chain/timing chain tensioner in certain vehicles. Was revised on 11/13/18 to include a proration table for…
- 10155743Feb 4, 2019This bulletin explains the extended warranty for the timing chain/timing chain tensioner in certain vehicles. Was revised on 11/13/18 to include a proration table for…
- 10153151Nov 13, 2018This bulletin explains the extended warranty for the timing chain/timing chain tensioner in certain vehicles. Was revised on 11/13/18 to include a proration table for…
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 3 | 30% |
| 2022 | 2 | 33% |
| 2021 | 1 | 9% |
| 2019 | 2 | 20% |
| 2018 | 5 | 11% |
| 2017 | 22 | 39% |
| 2016 | 7 | 64% |
| 2015 | 10 | 53% |
| 2014 | 13 | 41% |
| 2013 | 6 | 25% |
| 2012 | 13 | 68% |
| 2011 | 7 | 64% |
| 2010 | 37 | 58% |
| 2009 | 44 | 37% |
| 2008 | 13 | 7% |
| 2007 | 17 | 9% |
| 2006 | 15 | 5% |
| 2005 | 10 | 5% |
| 2004 | 7 | 4% |
| 2003 | 7 | 3% |
| 2002 | 5 | 3% |
| 2001 | 2 | 2% |
| 1998 | 2 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2009 Audi A4
33 complaintsSteering
15 complaintsFuel system
8 complaintsOther or unknown
7 complaintsBody and structure
6 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
6 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
6 complaintsEngine cooling
5 complaintsSuspension
5 complaintsExterior lighting
4 complaintsElectrical system
3 complaintsVehicle speed control
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2009 Audi A4
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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