Audi A4 Engine and Engine Cooling Problems
Owners have filed 229 complaints with NHTSA about engine and engine cooling problems on the Audi A4 across 21 model years. The 2001 model year has the most (31). The words owners use most often: “timing belt” (24% of reports).
- 229engine and engine cooling complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 2mention a crash
- 2mention an injury
- 2related recalls
- $6,900typical repair cost reported by owners
- 50%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Timing belt: mentioned in 55 of 229 complaints (24%)
- Engine damage: mentioned in 14 of 229 complaints (6%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical engine and engine cooling repair on the Audi A4 at $6,900, and half of them between $2,650 and $9,450.
Based on 26 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2002–2021), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do engine and engine cooling problems happen?
Based on 163 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 229 complaints, 2 mention a crash, 9 a fire, 2 an injury.
Audi A4 engine and engine cooling complaints by model year
| Model year | Engine and Engine Cooling complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 A4 | 1 | 17% | 51,155 |
| 2018 A4 | 1 | 2% | 92,000 |
| 2017 A4 | 2 | 4% | — |
| 2015 A4 | 1 | 5% | 141,177 |
| 2014 A4 | 1 | 3% | 82,000 |
| 2013 A4 | 1 | 4% | 127,000 |
| 2010 A4 | 9 | 14% | 5,500 |
| 2009 A4 | 5 | 4% | 58,000 |
| 2008 A4 | 4 | 2% | 20,000 |
| 2007 A4 | 12 | 6% | 32,444 |
| 2006 A4 | 6 | 2% | 71,000 |
| 2005 A4 | 8 | 4% | 53,000 |
| 2004 A4 | 18 | 10% | 55,900 |
| 2003 A4 | 17 | 8% | 55,400 |
| 2002 A4 | 28 | 15% | 29,100 |
| 2001 A4 | 31 | 24% | 63,521 |
| 2000 A4 | 11 | 11% | 78,484 |
| 1999 A4 | 28 | 15% | 68,900 |
| 1998 A4 | 28 | 11% | 75,000 |
| 1997 A4 | 12 | 12% | 76,500 |
| 1996 A4 | 5 | 6% | — |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (2)
Engine and engine cooling:engine:engine control module (ecu/ecm)
Model years: 2022
Problem: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2022 Audi A6 Sedan, A4 Sedan, Q5, and Q5 Sportback vehicles. The semiconductor inside the engine control unit may short-circuit and cause an engine stall.
Risk: An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the engine control unit, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 18, 2022. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 24iH.
Engine and engine cooling:cooling system
Model years: 1998
Problem: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. If the engine backfires during a cold-start, an air screen which is loosely seated in the air flow meter can become damaged.
Risk: Screen pieces could enter the intake air flow system and prevent the throttle plate from returning to its full idle position.
Fix: Dealers will install a retaining ring to hold the air screen in place.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owns a 2022 Audi A4. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle stalled in the middle of the roadway and failed to restart. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the used car dealer where it was purchased. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle with…
The contact owned a 2018 Audi A4. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was fluid leaking from the front of the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact also stated that while the vehicle was parked, there was a puddle of fluid leaking from the front…
The contact owns a 2015 Audi A4. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, the coolant warning light illuminated. The vehicle was turned off and restarted after 20 minutes, and the coolant warning light was no longer illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The…
The contact owns a 2014 Audi A4. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, a message advising to stop the vehicle immediately was displayed. The contact pulled into a parking lot, where the contact noticed that coolant was leaking onto the ground. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic…
The contact owned a 2013 Audi A4. The contact stated that his grandson was driving at an undisclosed speed when he heard a loud unidentified sound coming from the engine compartment. Suddenly, white smoke and flames were emerging from the engine compartment. The vehicle was successfully pulled to…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Audi A4s have engine and engine cooling problems?
No. NHTSA has 229 owner complaints about engine and engine cooling for the Audi A4. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Audi A4 engine and engine cooling?
Yes: 2 safety recalls list engine and engine cooling. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix engine and engine cooling problems on the Audi A4?
Owners report a typical cost of $6,900 (half paid between $2,650 and $9,450), from 26 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about engine and engine cooling problems on the Audi A4?
The most frequent phrase is “timing belt”, in 55 of 229 complaints, followed by “engine damage” (14).
Other Audi A4 problems
- Air Bags problems (516)
- Electrical System problems (469)
- Exterior Lighting problems (366)
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic problems (306)
- Engine problems (251)
- Power Train problems (201)
- Steering problems (130)
- Fuel System, Gasoline problems (127)
See all Audi A4 problems.