2009 Audi A4 Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 5%of 120 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 1,200miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the visibility of the 2009 Audi A4, 5% of the 120 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 1,200 miles.
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.
“During the winter, the 2009 Audi A4 windshield wipers freeze. Because the wiper recess beneath the hood, you cannot deice them or even get to them to clear them. This is a huge hazard!”
NHTSA complaint #10298903, filed 2010-01, 5,700 miles“The wiper blades on 2009+ model year Audi A4 have a channel on the top surface that collects liquid/icy slush and in freezing conditions that liquid freezes making the blade rigid and incapable of clearing the glass resulting in zero visibility. Further, Audi is using a proprietary wiper blade mount which means that there are no third party options to install a traditional 'winter' type blade not subject to freezing. I have made multiple requests to Audi reporting this problem and hoping for some solution since november 2008 but they seem to have no interest in addressing this issue. …”
NHTSA complaint #10298240, filed 2010-01, 500 miles“An accident waiting to happen. The outside rearview mirrors block the driver view to the extent that an entire car is many times completely hidden from the drivers' view. They are placed poorly and maybe are too large. Maybe if they were lower, or smaller or the drivers seat higher. I am a female of average height and have had a few close calls. I now must rise myself up to see over or around the mirror which is difficult when driving.”
NHTSA complaint #10410903, filed 2011-07“The contact owns a 2009 Audi A4. The contact stated that the steering wheel shakes when making turns and while the vehicle is stopped. In addition, the exterior side mirrors are designed with aluminum interior, which projects a glare. The only object that is visible is the dashboard. He took the vehicle to three dealers and they concluded that the steering failure was caused by the control arm clip and the steering lower arm control. Replacing the parts would not guarantee that the failure would be corrected. …”
NHTSA complaint #10269976, filed 2009-05, 1,200 miles“Oem wipers provided by Audi on 2008.5 A4 model year onwards fill with water/slush and freeze solid in the winter rendering them useless and creating significant driving hazard. Audi has no replacement and is non-responsive. Further, there are no third-party replacement winter-style blades because it is a proprietary blade-arm connector.”
NHTSA complaint #10370307, filed 2010-12Related service bulletins
- 10238241Jun 14, 2023This bulletin provides information for when an unpleasant odor is coming from the heating and ventilation system.
- 10238221Jun 14, 2023This bulletin provides information for when an unpleasant odor is coming from the heating and ventilation system.
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 1 | 1% |
| 2018 | 1 | 2% |
| 2015 | 1 | 5% |
| 2014 | 1 | 3% |
| 2010 | 1 | 2% |
| 2009 | 6 | 5% |
| 2008 | 3 | 2% |
| 2006 | 5 | 2% |
| 2005 | 5 | 2% |
| 2004 | 16 | 8% |
| 2003 | 20 | 10% |
| 2002 | 11 | 6% |
| 2001 | 3 | 2% |
| 2000 | 5 | 5% |
| 1999 | 5 | 3% |
| 1998 | 8 | 3% |
| 1997 | 4 | 4% |
| 1996 | 6 | 7% |
Other parts of the 2009 Audi A4
44 complaintsAir bags
33 complaintsSteering
15 complaintsFuel system
8 complaintsOther or unknown
7 complaintsBody and structure
6 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
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