Audi A4 Years To Avoid - 4 Worst Years

One of the oldest participants in the automobile sector is Audi A4, which has retained its position as a market leader since its launch. Over time, this car model improved through competition with automakers like Mercedes Benz and BMW.

In terms of suspension, handling, steering precision, and noise suppression, Audi A4 has a lot to offer. However, despite its rich history, there are Audi A4 years to avoid.

This paper aims to go back in history and revisit some of the troublesome years the Audi A4 brand encountered. It will also tell you about this old vehicle's most reliable model years.

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Audi A4 Years To Avoid And Why

The following are some bad years when it comes to choosing an Audi A4:

• In 2007, many problems were reported, such as airbag failures, engine and engine cooling issues, power train malfunctions, vehicle speed control issues, exterior lighting failures, and electrical system issues.
• Airbag malfunctions were common in 2008, as seen in non-deflating airbags, climate control dilemmas, and leaking oil.
• 2009 was characterized by increased engine failures and more oil leaks, leading to high repair costs.
• The fuel economy dropped drastically in 2011 while mechanical failures became frequent.

Audi A4 Common Problems

The period from 2007-2008 is associated with serious engine malfunction caused by high oil consumption in Audi A4 cars. Power system breakdowns complicate the situation further.

The 2009 and 2011 models are notable for their high failure rates, with large airbag problems across these vehicles signaling a significant safety concern.

Below is a summarization of all the issues, with brief explanations accompanying them.

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If you are thinking about purchasing one of these models from those years, this list will help guide you:

Audi A4 Oil Consumption

Oil levels have been known to drop significantly in some Audi A4s, particularly the 2l Turbo versions manufactured in 2007, after just 2500 miles of driving and would require refilling using around 1/2 gallon. If the level indicator illuminates, balance can be restored with just a quart of 5w-40 oil.

In certain cases, it may be necessary to add up to one quart of oil every five-thousand-eight hundred miles due to extreme oil consumption that results from inherent design flaws within the engine.

Unfortunately, there have been reports of failure in the oil rings that cause engines to overheat and, eventually, valves to break down.

Audi A4 Airbags Problems

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration defined a recall (Campaign Number 21V874000) that affected roughly 208,332 Audi A4s in the years of production from 2017 to 2022 but is most noticeable between 2007 and 2011.

There are different types of airbag-related troubles ranging from airbag warning lights turning on, mostly due to corroded wires, to a more grave situation where airbags fail to deploy. The root cause of this problem is the oxidation (rusting) within the Passenger Occupant Detection System connection cable, leading to wrong diagnoses by the airbag system.

Audi A4 Speed Control Issues

Owners of Audi A4s between those model years reported experiencing an astonishing number of 99 cases involving speed control issues. Another common problem is unintentional acceleration, which is dangerous for drivers’ lives as cars go on without control.

Imagine a driver resting one foot on the brake pedal and another on the accelerator. While keeping pedal pressure on a brake-capable car, he decided to depress an accelerator after securing a suitable gap in traffic. Ideally, this would result in a sharp right turn into the next lane. In contrast, with these affected vehicles, the story becomes different. The car changed lanes, completely crossing from one side to another, while its driver had no control whatsoever over it towards moving traffic.

In some cases where drivers are powerless, cars have gone into reverse gear when they should be going forward, leading to lethal conditions. Additionally, vehicles have been known to accelerate inside parking garages, causing accidents inexplicably.

Audi A4 Engine Cooling And Powertrain

Enter into difficulties facing those with Audi A4 models manufactured in 2011, and you will see many problems involved. Commencing with power train issues, clutch failures emerge as a recurring theme, coming up at around mileages of about four thousand five hundred miles, followed by another high-occurring rate within twenty-eight thousand and thirty-one thousand miles.

Eventually, clutch slippage results in catastrophic “molten” conditions of the clutch, and, finally, this bearing fuses to the transmission shaft. In addition, abrupt engine seizures have been reported while driving at high speeds on highways.

The 2011 Audi A4 2.0 has been strongly accused of extensive oil consumption resulting in engine catastrophes, especially those beyond 25000-36000 miles. This oil consumption problem has led to many complaints because it can make an engine break down at high speeds. A much worse version involves a fire that starts from the front section of the A4. It is an acrid smell emanating from the air conditioning system that forebodes about the engine malfunctions, eventually causing such dangerous circumstances.

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Which Used Audi A4 Years Are Safe to Buy?

The question arises: which used Audi A4 years presents a haven for prospective buyers? This can only be answered simply by looking at 1995-2001 and then 2013-present day model years for Audi A4. None of these versions stands out like the Audi A4 of 2022. However, it might be better to consider the range between 2014 and 2016.

When considering whether or not to purchase a B9 model car, it is important to note that it has had issues with wiring and leakage of plastic components in the engine. On a different note, the B8 generation’s twilight years represent perfection with few bugs and glitches.

Below is a list of the best years for Audi A4, based on more than 100 real user ratings:

Years	Critics' Rating	Performance	Safety	Reliability
2015	9.0	8.4	9.1	4/5
2018	9.5	8.4	9.5	3/5
2019	9.7	8.5	9.5	3.5/5
2020	9.8	8.6	9.6	TBD
2022	9.6	8.3	9.3	74/100

In conclusion

Numerous online articles contain inaccurate information, with certain poor-quality car models mistakenly hailed as superior. This piece, however, delves deeply into the truth, providing comprehensive details.

Particularly, the 2007 A4 is often endorsed by various users. Being informed of the potential issues these models may present is crucial, regardless of your preferred model. This article aims to clarify which Audi A4 years to steer clear of, assisting you in making an informed choice.