The List of Common Audi A4 Problems (Audi Are You Listening?!)
01-06-2000, 07:20 AM
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The List of Common Audi A4 Problems (Audi Are You Listening?!)
People have been asking me for the list, so I decided to reprint it. Maybe we should make it a FAQ. The reason for publishing this list to make Audi aware of these issues so that they can improve the A4. My concern is if issues are not addressed, the A4's reliability rating will suffer, as happened with the 96 A4. CR's rating have fallen with passing years.
The list includes common failures that owners talk to me about at the dealership. I'm a frequent visitor there - every 3-4 weeks. Also my Audi mechanic friend of 10 years confirms that he has seen the same issues at his shop. Four friends that own A4's ( 97, 2 98's and a 99) have identical bad experiences with their A4's. These cars are not lemons. They exhibit common failures. According to my Audi mechanic, Audi has known about control arm issue since 97 but has decided not to fix the problem (until MAYBE the next gen) because it is an inherent, expensive issue with the 4-link suspension. The 4-link suspension, although a nifty design which eliminates torque steer, is weak.
THE LIST OF AUDI A4 PROBLEMS
1. Control arms and guide links. (Multiple failures in 96-00 A4s and S4s)
2. Tie rod ends. (Audi finally recalled this high failure item, redesigned them in newer A4's)
3. Clutch/Brake master/slave cylinders.
4. Engine valve noise at start up. (Audi unofficially admits bad oil non-return valve design)
5. Oil consumption (Some A4s 1 qt/1K miles, others not a drop - bad mfg?)
6. B-pillar rattles (Bad B-pillar and door seal design)
7. Steering rack (Fewer owners reported this)
8. Seat rails (Same problem on VWs)
9. Idle Control Valves (Need to be cleaned/replaced too often - bad design)
10. Sunroof motors (More of a problem with 96-98)
11. Power window motors (More of a problem with 96-98)
12. Bad valve cover/pan design - leaky gaskets (Multiple failures in all MYs)
13. Rattles and squeaks (Center console, instrument panel, B-pillar, etc.)
14. Water pump (Fewer owners reported this)
15. Heated side mirrors (Bad design with high failure rate - ask Bob Petruska)
16. Dash top peeling off (Only a problem with 96-97 A4's)
Bob
96 A4QM
86 4KCSQM
The list includes common failures that owners talk to me about at the dealership. I'm a frequent visitor there - every 3-4 weeks. Also my Audi mechanic friend of 10 years confirms that he has seen the same issues at his shop. Four friends that own A4's ( 97, 2 98's and a 99) have identical bad experiences with their A4's. These cars are not lemons. They exhibit common failures. According to my Audi mechanic, Audi has known about control arm issue since 97 but has decided not to fix the problem (until MAYBE the next gen) because it is an inherent, expensive issue with the 4-link suspension. The 4-link suspension, although a nifty design which eliminates torque steer, is weak.
THE LIST OF AUDI A4 PROBLEMS
1. Control arms and guide links. (Multiple failures in 96-00 A4s and S4s)
2. Tie rod ends. (Audi finally recalled this high failure item, redesigned them in newer A4's)
3. Clutch/Brake master/slave cylinders.
4. Engine valve noise at start up. (Audi unofficially admits bad oil non-return valve design)
5. Oil consumption (Some A4s 1 qt/1K miles, others not a drop - bad mfg?)
6. B-pillar rattles (Bad B-pillar and door seal design)
7. Steering rack (Fewer owners reported this)
8. Seat rails (Same problem on VWs)
9. Idle Control Valves (Need to be cleaned/replaced too often - bad design)
10. Sunroof motors (More of a problem with 96-98)
11. Power window motors (More of a problem with 96-98)
12. Bad valve cover/pan design - leaky gaskets (Multiple failures in all MYs)
13. Rattles and squeaks (Center console, instrument panel, B-pillar, etc.)
14. Water pump (Fewer owners reported this)
15. Heated side mirrors (Bad design with high failure rate - ask Bob Petruska)
16. Dash top peeling off (Only a problem with 96-97 A4's)
Bob
96 A4QM
86 4KCSQM