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ProblemsByVin File / 2009-AUDI-A4 NHTSA data synced 4 days ago
2009 · Audi

Audi A4 problems

1 critical safety recall on file — the kind NHTSA opens when crashes, fires, or injuries are documented. 142 owner complaints alongside. Read those first.

0 5 10
Reliability score
6.8 / 10

Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.

1
Critical
1
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2009 A4?
Acceptable — with caveats

Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.

Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.

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Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints

airbags
51 reports · fails ~60,600 mi · avg $1,100
severe
engine
40 reports · fails ~83,928 mi · avg $3,100
moderate
steering
15 reports · fails ~38,805 mi · avg $700
severe
visibility
5 reports · fails ~5,700 mi · avg $350
moderate
body
4 reports · fails ~60,115 mi · avg $1,500
severe
powertrain
4 reports · fails ~50,200 mi · avg $2,500
severe
suspension
4 reports · fails ~21,716 mi · avg $900
moderate
electrical
3 reports · fails ~44,598 mi · avg $850
severe
Buyer's checklist
Going to look at one? Use the pre-purchase inspection list.
Generated from this 2009 A4's actual NHTSA complaint history — every item points at a documented failure pattern on this exact vehicle, not generic walkaround filler.
See the checklist ->
Honest Calculator
Should you buy an extended warranty on this 2009 A4?
We pulled the math: risk-weighted exposure, typical contract cost, and our verdict on whether coverage pencils out for this specific vehicle.
See the calculator ->

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2009 A4 · engine
This past fall, Audi replaced my pistons and rings due to a failed oil consumption test. My car would require oil after about 250 miles. Within a week of changing the oil at Audi I received a warning light. Audi at that time decided to replace my pistons and rings. On 12/29…
12/30/2014 · at 90,500 mi · NHTSA ODI #10669177.0 · see engine pattern →
2009 A4 · electrical
On Sunday December 19, 2021, while driving home the warning light for the battery/alternator flashed on with an associated beep warning. An estimated 30 miles later all electrical and motor functions died while I was in heavy traffic. I was able to pull off onto a narrow…
2009 A4 · electrical Fire
I own a 2009 audi a4. On the Month of october 2024 my transmission failed. I towed my car to a mechanic who then replaced my transmission i picked up my car on December 11 2024 at 7 am from audi of fresno. I have had no prior issues and like always i expect a dealership to…
2009 A4 · engine
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…
12/20/2016 · at 77,800 mi · NHTSA ODI #10936433.0 · see engine pattern →
View all 142 owner complaints →
Had a problem with your 2009 Audi A4? File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.

Estimate your repair exposure

Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.

0 mi 200k mi
At 80,000 miles
Likely repair cost in next 24 months
$0

Active recalls showing 2 of 2

critical NHTSA 17V032000 January 11, 2017

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc

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

Fix: 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.
severe NHTSA 16V376000 May 27, 2016

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc

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.

Fix: 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.

Common questions

Is the 2009 Audi A4 reliable?

It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 6.8 out of 10 based on 142 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2009 Audi A4 has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.

Should you avoid the 2009 Audi A4?

The 2009 Audi A4 is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Reliability score 6.8/10 — around the segment average; 2 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.

What's the most common problem on the 2009 Audi A4?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is airbags, with 51 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 60,600 miles. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The airbags is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 60,600 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.

How do I check if my Audi A4 has open recalls?

Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.

Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2009 Audi A4?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 142 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $1,100, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.

Related

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 4 days ago. Verify the raw federal record at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2009/Audi/A4. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with Audi. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
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