Page 3 of 4 · complaints 101–150 of 189

2004 Audi A4 complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2004 record →

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Aug 15, 200968,000 milesNY

AUDI A4 3.0 WHILE DRIVING TO THE AIRPORT TO PICK UP FRIENDS THE CAR SUDDENLY DIED. ONLY 68000 MILES. HAD TO WAIT FOR A TOW TO A DEALERSHIP. I WAS IN ANOTHER STATE. FRIENDS HAD TO RENT A CAR AND PICK ME UP. TURNED OUT TO BE A BAD FUEL PUMP AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. APPROXIMATELY TWO MONTHS EARLIER I HAD A BAD FUEL FILTER THAT HAD TO BE REPLACED. ONLY USE 93 OCTANE. NOT GOOD. DISAPPOINTED IN WHAT SEEMS TO BE A REGULAR OCCURRENCE. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Aug 8, 2009103,000 milesNY

AUDI 2004 A4 FUEL PUMP FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. WILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH THE CAR STALLED AND HAD TO BE PUSHED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE FUEL USED WAS ALWAYS 93 OCTANE AND TANK REPLENISHED AT 1/4 TANK. THERE IS A RECALL ON THE 2003 MODEL I THINK THIS CAR SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE CAMPAIGN. *TR

Air Bags › FrontalCrash1 injured
Filed Jul 27, 20093,800 milesMA

I WAS IN A HEAD ON COLLISION PRIMARILY ON THE DRIVERS SIDE AND THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED AND THE DRIVERS SIDE DID NO. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Jul 1, 200940,000 miles00

2004 AUDI A4 1.8T STALLED IN HEAVY CITY TRAFFIC WITH NO WARNING. VEHICLE HAS APPROX. 40,000 MILES ON IT AND HAS BEEN REGULARLY MAINTAINED BY LOCAL DEALER. DRIVER WAS LEFT STRANDED IN CENTRE LANE FOR ALMOST THIRTY MINUTES UNTIL POLICE AND TOW TRUCK ARRIVED. LOCAL AUDI DEALER DIAGNOSED PROBLEM AS A FAILED FUEL PUMP. THIS IS THE SAME FUEL PUMP AS THE ONE RECALLED IN THE 03 AUDI A4. WHY HASN'T THE 2004 AUDI A4 BEEN RECALLED FOR THIS PROBLEM AS ONLINE RESEARCH INDICATES THE PROBLEM IS WIDESPREAD? *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Jun 8, 200946,000 milesCA

2004 AUDI A4 - FUEL PUMP FAILURE AT 46,000 MILES. WELL-MAINTAINED VEHICLE (BY DEALER). THE SAME MODEL (2003) WAS RECALLED FOR FUEL PUMP ISSUES. GIVEN THE NUMBER OF PROBLEMS/COMPLAINTS AND ASSOCIATED SAFETY ISSUES, VW/AUDI SHOULD RECALL THE 2004 MODEL AS WELL. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline › Belts and Associated Pulleys
Filed Jun 1, 200949,500 milesCA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 AUDI A4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIMING BELT FAILED AND DESTROYED THE ENGINE. THE ENGINE WILL NOT START AND THE VEHICLE CANNOT BE DRIVEN. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,500.

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed May 5, 200933,885 milesPA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 AUDI A4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS FAULTY AND PREVENTED FUEL FROM ENTERING THE ENGINE. AS A RESULT, THE ENGINE STALLED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH AND THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,885.

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed May 4, 200949,426 milesNC

FUEL PUMP FAILURE ON 2004 AUDI A4. AUDI HAD A RECALL OF 2003 MODEL A4 AND A6 VEHICLES FOR PREMATURE FUEL PUMP FAILURES. I EXPERIENCED A SIMILAR PROBLEM WITH MY 2004 AUDI A4. WHILE I CAUGHT THIS ISSUE BEFORE A COMPLETE FAILURE, THIS PREMATURE FAILURE COULD RESULT IN SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUES. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Apr 9, 2009CA

TWO OF THE ORIGINAL "COILS" IN MY 2004 AUDI HAVE FAILED ON SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THESE SHOULD NOT BE FAILING. MY DEALERSHIP STATED THERE IS A HIGH FAILURE RATE. A RECALL OF AUDI COILS WAS LAST MADE IN 2003. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE ALL THE COILS IN ANTICIPATION OF MORE FAILURES AND UNDER THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE DEALERSHIP THAT STATED I SHOULD EXPECT ALL COILS TO FAIL. AN INTERNET SEARCH INDICATED THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. IT APPEARS THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL OF A4 AUDI'S SO THE COILS CAN BE REPLACED AND A REIMBURSEMENT TO PEOPLE LIKE MYSELF WHO HAD TO PAY HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS TO FIX THIS ORIGINAL DEFECT. *TR

Steering
Filed Mar 24, 200974,640 milesOH

THE STEERING RACK HAS A HOLE IN IT AND IS LEAKING INTO THE BOOT. THE PROBLEM JUST STARTED. I NOTICED A SOUND AND STIFFNESS IN THE STEERING WHEEL WHICH GOES AWAY AFTER THE CAR IS MOBILE FOR ABOUT 3 MINUTES. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Jan 21, 200961,000 milesNJ

THE CAR WAS MAINTAINED WELL, AS PER MANUFACTURERS SPECS. BOTH THE FUEL PUMP AND POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED AT 4 YRS/APPROX 60,000 MILES WHICH IS UNACCEPTABLE BY TODAY'S QUALITY STANDARDS DEALER INVESTIGATED AN EXISTING FUEL PUMP RECALL ON THE MODEL BUT MY VIN WAS "OUT OF RANGE". I BELIEVE THE RECALL (06V017) INCORRECTLY EXCLUDED SOME CANDIDATE VINS. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Jan 19, 200961,000 milesMA

A FUEL PUMPED HAS FAILED IN MY 2004 AUDI A4 QUATTRO 3.0L. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE FUEL PUMP IN THE PREVIOUS MODEL (2003). WITHIN MY RESEARCH, I HAVE CONCLUDED THAT SEVERAL 2004 OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PREMATURE FAILURE WITH THE FUEL PUMP (WHICH HAPPENS TO BE THE SAME FUEL PUMP FOR THE 2003 MODEL, AS WELL AS THE 2002 AND 2001). I WAS QUOTED A PRICE OF 800 DOLLARS AT AN AUDI DEALER RECENTLY. MY CAR ONLY HAS 60K ON IT, AND SHOULD NOT BE HAVING FUEL PUMP ISSUES. I FEEL THAT THE DEALERSHIP SHOULD COVER MY CHARGES, AS WELL AS ALL OTHER 2004 A4 OWNERS' CHARGES FOR THE FUEL PUMP FIX. IT SHOULD BE A RECALL, AND I HOPE TO FIND THE REASONING TO BE A SIMILAR INSTANCE AS THE 2003 A4 FUEL PUMP RECALL DETAILED BY THE NHTSA. THANK YOU. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump
Filed Jan 5, 200946,700 milesNY

2004 AUDI A4 1.8L FUEL PUMP. *TR

Exterior Lighting
Filed Dec 1, 200840,000 milesIL

1. THE LEFT HEADLIGHT FLICKERS 2. IT THEN TURNS ITSELF OFF 3. THE MESSAGE "LEFT DIPPED HEADLIGHT" APPEARS 4. THE MESSAGE IS CHANGED TO A SIGN INDICATING THAT THE LIGHTBULB HAS FAILED. 5. HEADLIGHT COMPLETELY OUT NOW 6. REPLACED BULB TWICE 7. AUDI NOW SUGGESTS ITS IGNITER 8. SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE ON THIS SITE HAVE THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM: HTTP://WWW.FIXYA.COM/CARS/T593349-AUDI_A4_LEFT_DIPPED_HEADLIGHT_PROBLEM. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Nov 5, 200852,000 milesCA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 AUDI A4. THE CONTACT TOOK HER VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AND A RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED FOR THE FUEL PUMP. TWO YEARS LATER, WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 50 MPH, SHE HEARD A LOUD WINDING NOISE FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP AND REAR WINDOW REGULATOR CABLE FAILED. THE REPAIRS WERE MADE AT THE COST OF $1,458.33. LATER, THROUGH ONLINE RESEARCH, THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE RECALL REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED IN 2006 AND THEY WOULD NOT COVER A SECOND REPAIR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS NEVER INFORMED OF THE REPAIR FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V017000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP). THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 52,000.

Electrical System
Filed Oct 22, 200819,102 milesFL

2004 AUDI A4 HAS HAD SEVERAL REPAIR PROBLEMS. CONSUMER FEELS THAT THE VEHICLE COULD BE IN AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THE PROBLEMS. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED ALL OF A SUDDEN, THE VEHICLE STOPPED RUNNING WHILE IN TRAFFIC. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO FIND ANY PROBLEMS. SEVERAL MONTHS LATER, THE ENGINE WOULDN'T TURN OVER. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED AS WELL AS A BULB. THE CONVERTIBLE TOP WOULD NOT GO DOWN. AN ELECTRICAL PART ON THE CONVERTIBLE WAS REPLACED, ONE OF THE HEADLIGHTS HAD BURNED OUT AND THE CRANK PULLEY WAS REPLACED.. *JB THE CONVERTIBLE TOP BECAME STUCK IN THE OPEN POSITION AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE CONVERTIBLE TOP REPLACEMENT CAUSED DAMAGED TO THE HEADLINER AS WELL THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW HAD A LEAK. UPDATED 02/07/11

Air Bags › FrontalCrash2 injured
Filed Sep 19, 200870,000 milesUT

TL*THE CONTACTS OWNS A 2004 AUDI A4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED; HOWEVER, HE WAS NOT PRESENT AT THE TIME OF THE CRASH. AT THE TIME, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED, BUT THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT. AS A RESULT, THE DRIVER WAS INJURED AS WELL AS THE PASSENGER IN THE OTHER VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE HAS NOT YET BEEN DETERMINED. THE CONTACT WAS UNSURE IF THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 70,000.

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Sep 11, 200838,000 milesCA

MY CAR IS THE 2004 AUDI A4 3.0 QUATRO. THE PRODUCTION DATE OF MY VEHICLE IS 12/03. WHILE DRIVING AT A SPEED OF APPROX. 45 MPH ON A 4-LANE HIGHWAY GOING UP A HILL, I SUDDENLY LOST POWER. THERE WAS NOT ANY WARNING PRIOR TO THE SPUTTERING AND LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. IT FELT AS THOUGH THE CAR HAD RUN OUT OF GAS. I WAS IN THE FAST LANE, AND FORTUNATELY FOR ME, THERE WASN'T A CAR IN THE LANE TO MY RIGHT, SO I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE EMERGENCY LANE. AAA RESPONDED AND, AFTER DETERMINING THAT ADDING FUEL DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM, THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED. I TOWED THE CAR VIA A FLATBED, RENTED A CAR, AND TWO DAYS AND $750 LATER, DISCOVERED THAT MY PROBLEM WAS DUE TO A FAULTY FUEL PUMP AND CLOGGED FUEL FILTER. THE MILEAGE ON MY AUDI IS ONLY 38,000 MILES....VERY LOW MILEAGE FOR A FUEL PUMP TO GO OUT. I DISCOVERED THAT THE 2003 FUEL PUMPS HAVE BEEN RECALLED, BUT AUDI OF AMERICA HAS DENIED MY CLAIM THAT MY '04 CAR'S FUEL PUMP (WHICH WAS ALSO MANUFACTURED IN '03) SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *TR

Air Bags › FrontalCrash
Filed Sep 2, 200856,000 milesMA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 AUDI A4. WHILE TURNING A CORNER AT 45 MPH, THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY THE BRAKES IMMEDIATELY TO AVOID STRIKING ANOTHER VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, HE REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT NOTICED FAILURE WITH THE VEHICLE'S ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 56,000.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Aug 28, 200847,000 milesFL

BEEN A NOT SO PROUD OWNER OF A AUDI A4 2004 , AND HAVING A NUMBER OF DOCUMENTS ISSUES WITH MY CALL AND RECEIVING POOR SERVICE FROM MY LOCAL DEALER. AT APPROXIMATELY 3000 MILES BEFORE MY WARRANTY EXPIRED THE FRONT BRAKES STARTS TO MAKE GRINDING NOSE AFTER TAKING TO THE DEALER THE DEALER INFORMED ME THAT THE BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED INCLUDING THE ROUTERS (WHICH BY THE WAY THEY NEVER REPLACED UNDER THE MAINTENANCE DESPITE THE FACT I REQUESTED THEM TO CHECK MY BRAKES EVERY TIME I TOOK THE CAR FOR SERVICE AND THEY KEPT TELLING MY THE BRAKES WERE GOOD). AT THIS TIME THEY INFORMED ME THAT I HAD TO PAY $320.00 TO HAVE MY BRAKES REPLACED. WHAT I DON'T UNDERSTAND IS MY DID THE DEALER WAITED FOR THE ROUTER TO THE FULL DAMAGED BEFORE REPLACING THEM. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Aug 14, 200867,000 milesNJ

FUEL PUMP, FUEL DELIVERY SYSTERM FAILED WHILE ON HIGHWAY. *TR

Tires
Filed Aug 8, 200821,000 milesMA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 AUDI A4. THE VEHICLE HAS GOODYEAR ASSURANCE COMFORT TREAD TIRES (NA). WHILE THE CONTACT WAS EXAMINING HER VEHICLE, SHE NOTICED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TREAD WAS SEPARATING FROM THE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE TIRE DEALER AND THEY DIAGNOSED IT AS ALIGNMENT FAILURE. THERE WERE NO WARNINGS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VIN AND TIRE SIZE WERE UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21,000.

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Jul 24, 200844,000 milesVA

FUEL PUMP FAILED WITHOUT WARNING ON JUNE 14, 2008 WHEN I WAS 300 MILES FROM HOME, VISITING MY FATHER FOR FATHER'S DAY. MY AUDI ONLY HAD APPROX 44,000 MILES ON IT AT THE TIME. I HAVE RETAINED THE FAULTY FUEL PUMP, BUT WAS CHARGED NEARLY $800.00 FOR THE REPAIRS, INCLUDING TOWING. I CONTACTED AUDI AND THEY REFUSE TO DO ANYTHING BECAUSE THEIR RECALL ONLY COVERS THE 2003 MODEL, AND NOT THE 2004. AUDI REALLY NEEDS TO PROTECT THEIR CUSTOMERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT TO THOSE OF US WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS VERY DANGEROUS FAILURE. A FUEL PUMP FAILURE ON THE HIGHWAY COULD EASILY LEAD TO SEVERE INJURY OR EVEN DEATH. AUDI CANNOT CLAIM THAT THEY ARE NOT ON NOTICE OF THIS PROBLEM, AS I HAVE REVIEWED SEVERAL SIMILAR COMPLAINTS FOR THIS VEHICLE. *TR

Visibility
Filed Jul 23, 200854,000 milesPA

2004 AUDI A4 QUATTRO WIPERS STARTED TO RUN SLOWLY. SOMETIMES WOULD STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WINDSHIELD. RAN SLOWLY FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS. FINALLY, DRIVERS SIDE WIPER DISENGAGED FROM LINKAGE AND ACTUALLY CRACKED MY WINDSHIELD. TOOK IT TO SHOP FOR REPAIR, AND WAS TOLD THAT THE "WIPER TRANSMISSION" WAS BROKEN AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. WHEN CALLING FOR PARTS, SHOP FOUND OUT THAT THIS PART IS IN "HIGH DEMAND" DUE TO AN APPARENT DESIGN DEFECT. READ MORE ABOUT OTHERS WITH SIMILAR PROBLEMS ONLINE. THIS WILL END UP COSTING ME CLOSE TO $1000 TO REPLACE THAT BAD WIPER ASSEMBLY AND MY WINDSHIELD. HOW COULD THIS NOT BE A RECALLED ITEM? *TR

Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls
Filed Jul 19, 200820,000 milesSC

I PURCHASED NEW A 2004 AUDI , THE CAR NOW HAS ONLY 20,000 MILES AND BOTH FRONT WINDOWS HAVE QUIT WORKING., THE PASSENGER SIDE A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO AND NOW THE DRIVER'S SIDE. HAS THIS HAPPENED TO OTHER CARS THIS MODEL AND IF SO, WHY HASN'T THERE BEEN A FACTORY RECALL? *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Jul 18, 200848,500 milesLA

HEARD A WHISPING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR RIGHT WHEEL WELL. IT GOT PROGRESSIVELY LOUDER. DEALER INSPECTED AND FOUND THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS FAILING DUE TO PIECES OF THE FUEL FILTER FROM THE PREVIOUS FUEL PUMP REPLACEMENT FLOATING AROUND IN THE GAS TANK. 1 MONTH LATER, AFTER MOVING TO A NEW STATE, DRIVING ABOUT 1100 MILES, THE SOUND OF WHISPING OR A CARD IN THE SPOKES OF A BIKE WHEEL WAS COMING FROM THE SAME RIGHT REAR AREA IN FRONT OF THE WHEEL WELL. THE DEALER IN THE NEW STATE SAID THAT THE FUEL FILTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Jun 25, 200868,500 milesCA

WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK WHICH IS A 30 MILE COMMUTE. UPON PARKING ON MY DRIVEWAY, MY CAR SEEMED TO STALL AND IMMEDIATELY SHUT DOWN WHICH WAS AWKWARD BECAUSE THE PARKING BREAK WAS ON AND THE CAR WAS ON NEUTRAL, GIVING NO REASON FOR THE CAR TO STALL. I TRIED TO RESTART AND THE CAR RAN BUT ONLY FOR A FEW SECONDS THEN SHUT DOWN. I TOWED IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THE NEXT DAY AND THEY FOUND THE PROBLEM TO BE A FAULTY GAS PUMP. DEALER REPLACED PUMP AND CAR WAS BACK TO NORMAL. SEEING THE AMOUNT OF COMPLAINTS WITH FUEL PUMPS, I ALSO AGREE THAT THE 2004 MODEL SHOULD BE ADDED TO THE LIST OF RECALLS. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed May 27, 200857,000 milesCA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 AUDI A4. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT WAITED A FEW MINUTES AND WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. HE THEN HEARD A BUZZING SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. WHENEVER HE ACCELERATED, THE BUZZING SOUND WOULD INTENSIFY. THREE WEEKS BEFORE THE FAILURE OCCURRED, THE CONTACT HEARD A SLIGHT BUZZING SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000.

Visibility › Rear Window Wiper/Washer
Filed May 26, 200887,000 milesOH

WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED OPERATING WHEN IN USE WHILE DRIVING DOWN INTERSTATE. DEALER EXPLAINED THEY WERE AWARE OF THIS ISSUE, INDICATED IT WAS A POOR MECHANICAL ASSEMBLY DESIGN AND THE BUSHINGS CORRODE. THEY WOULD REPLACE BUT WOULD NOT COVER UNDER WARRANTY. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed May 23, 200864,850 milesCA

THE FUEL PUMP ON MY 2004 AUDI A4 1.8T WENT OUT WHILE TRYING TO LEAVE ON A TRIP. THE CAR STALLED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO GET ONTO THE FREEWAY CAUSING TRAFFIC TO BE BLOCKED AND I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED. *TR

Tires
Filed May 19, 200838,000 milesTX

I OWN A 2004 AUDI A4 3.0 QUATTRO WITH PIRELLI P6 4SEASONS P235/34R17 TIRES. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE FIRESTONE TIRE STORE TO GET THE TIRES BALANCED BECAUSE THEY WERE VIBRATING. THE FIRESTONE STORE EMPLOYEE SHOWED ME THE TIRES LATER ON BECAUSE HE BELIEVED THESE WERE UNSAFE TO DRIVE. A TOTAL OF THREE OF THE TIRES SHOWED SOME TYPE OF DEFECT: ONE OF THE TIRES (FRONT LEFT) HAS A BIG BUBBLE IN THE CENTER OF THE TIRE, THE OTHER TWO TIRES (BOTH ARE REAR) ARE COMING APART IN THE INSIDE WALL (I CAN PROVIDE A PICTURES OF THE TIRES--THE DEFECTED TIRE WITH THE BUBBLE CAN NOT BE NOTICED UNLESS THE TIRE IS PLACED ON THE BALANCED MACHINE). BOTH REAR TIRES ARE ACTUALLY COMING APART IN THE SAME PATTERN. I STARTED RESEARCHING ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE AND IT APPEARS THAT THESE TIRES WERE COLLECTED AMONG OTHER ELEVEN TIRES (TWELVE TOTAL MODELS) A COLLECTION SITE IN PHOENIX, ARIZONA ON OR ABOUT 2004 TO CONDUCT A STUDY. THE WEBSITE I FOUND THIS ARTICLE IS: HTTP://DIG.ABCLOCAL.GO.COM/KGO/PDF/TIRE_AGING_NHTSA.PDF (SEE APPENDIX A, AND APPENDIX E). I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW I CAN GET PIRELLI TO REPLACE THESE TIRES AT NO COST SINCE THESE TIRES APPEAR TO HAVE A AT LEAST 5 TO 10,000 MILES REMAINING OF LIFE. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE IN THIS MATTER WHICH WOULD INDEED SAVE LIVES. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed May 6, 200898,500 milesCA

FUEL PUMP IS HUMMING AND THE CAR STALLS. AND IT REFUSE TO START FOR A COUPLE OF MINUTES. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Apr 30, 200834,125 milesCA

ENGINE HAS AN REPEATED BUT INTERMITTENT LOSS OF POWER. USUALLY OCCURS SHORTLY AFTER STARTING THE CAR AND BEFORE THE TEMPERATURE GAGE SHOWS THE ENGINE RUNNING AT NORMAL TEMP. ENGINE CONTINUES TO RUN, BUT WHEN PRESSING GAS PEDAL ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR, THERE IS INSUFFICIENT POWER TO MOVE THE CAR. ALSO, WHEN IN NEUTRAL OR PARK, RPM BARELY GOES ABOVE 1500 WHEN PEDAL FULLY DEPRESSED. AFTER WAITING A FEW SECONDS FOR SOMETIMES AS LONG AS A MINUTE, ENGINE WILL REGAIN POWER AND WILL THEN OPERATE NORMALLY. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 10 TIMES FROM OCT07 (WHEN PURCHASED CAR USED) THROUGH 22 APRIL. MANUFACTURER TECHNICIAN IS UNABLE TO LOCATE PROBLEM. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump
Filed Apr 18, 200839,691 milesCA

I OWN A 2004 AUDI A4 - 3.0 QUATTRO. I WAS DRIVING ON THE 710 LONG BEACH FREEWAY IN CA FOLLOWING MY DAUGHTER'S SCHOOL BUS ON A FIELD TRIP TO THE LONG BEACH AQUARIUM PREPARED TO SPEND A DAY WITH HER. SUDDENLY, THE CAR STARTED SHAKING AND THEN I REALIZED I DIDN'T HAVE ANY POWER. I WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER THE CAR TO THE SHOULDER OF THE FREEWAY, BUT THE 710 FWY HAS A VERY NARROW SHOULDER. IT WAS A VERY SCARY EXPERIENCE AS BIG RIG TRUCKS WERE PASSING ME ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE LITERALLY INCHES AWAY. I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO GET HIT BY THEM. I CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE ON A FLAT BED AND TOWED TO MCKENNA AUDI IN NORWALK, CA. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM TO A DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP AND CLOGGED FUEL FILTER. THE CONSEQUENCES ARE THAT I HAD TO PAY $80 TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AS MY ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE ONLY COVERED 5 MILES. SECONDLY, I HAD TO PAY $1,100 IN PARTS AND SERVICE TO MCKENNA AUDI TO HAVE THE CAR REPAIRED. I SEE THAT AUDI HAD A RECALL FOR THE 2003 A4 FOR BAD FUEL PUMPS. I THINK THAT THEY SHOULD ALSO RECALL THE 2004 MODEL FUEL PUMPS AS WELL. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Mar 23, 2008100 milesCA

CAR IS 2004 AUDI A4 WITH 1.8 ENGINE AND CVT TRANSMISSION. CAR'S ENGINE WILL UPON ACCELERATION FROM STANDSTILL, OFTEN HESITATE AND STUMBLE. AT TIMES WHEN MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN ACROSS TRAFFIC FROM STANDSTILL, IT WILL AT TIMES NOT ONLY HESITATE, BUT ACTUALLY STALL OR HAVE A NO POWER SITUATION FOR A COUPLE OF SECONDS. THIS HAS LED TO SEVERAL NEAR ACCIDENTS. I HAVE REPORTED TO OUR AUDI DEALERS SERVICE DEPARTMENT A NUMBER OF TIME. EACH TIME, THEY MERELY SAY THAT THEY CANNOT FIND THE PROBLEM AND RETURN AUTO TO US. A COUPLE OF TIMES THEY HAVE SAID THAT THEY HAVE DOWNLOADED SOFTWARE FIXES TO THE AUTOMOBILES ECM(COMPUTER). *TR (EXCERPT FROM E-MAIL 4-1-08) I WAS THEN TOLD BY ONE SERVICE REP THAT HE HAD SEEN THIS PROBLEM ON THOSE AUDI'S THAT ARE EQUIPPED WITH THE SO CALLED "CVT" TRANSMISSION BEFORE BUT THAT AUDI HAS BEEN UNABLE TO ADDRESS. HE SAID THAT HE APPLIED A SOFTWARE FIX TO THE AUTO'S ELECTRONIC MANAGEMENT COMPUTER, BUT THIS DID NOT HELP. *SMCH

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump
Filed Mar 3, 200867,550 milesCO

VEHICLE BREAKS DOWN IN TRAFFIC (55 MPH HIGHWAY) ~100 MI FROM HOME DUE TO FAILED FUEL PUMP. NO WARNING OF IMPENDING FAILURE. VERY DANGEROUS FAILURE LOCATION. TOTAL REPAIR COST = $602.13 INCLUDING FUEL PUMP REPLACEMENT, TOW, RENTAL CAR, ETC. *TR

Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Mar 3, 200865,483 milesCO

VEHICLE BREAKS DOWN IN TRAFFIC DUE TO IGNITION COIL FAILURES. REPLACE 6 IGNITION COILS, VEHICLE RUNS FINE AGAIN. THIS IS A COMMON DEFECT OF THIS GENERATION AUDI A4. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump
Filed Feb 7, 200829,000 milesOK

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 AUDI A4 CABRIOLET. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND THEN SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 29,200 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,000. UPDATED 03-04-08 *BF THE VEHICLE HESITATED AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. AFTER A WHILE, IT WOULD JUST SHUT DOWN. UPDATED

Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel
Filed Jan 10, 200870,000 milesVA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 AUDI A4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LCD INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED SPORADICALLY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY RECEIVED COMPLAINTS ON THIS COMPONENT AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL CLUSTER WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 70,000.

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump
Filed Jan 7, 200843,570 milesNJ

HAD ONE PREVIOUS INCIDENT WHERE THE CAR STALLED. IT SEEMED THIS WAS CURED BY REPLACING THE FUEL FILTER. SIX MONTHS LATER, THE CAR DIED WHILE BEING DRIVEN ON THE ROAD. ENGINE STALLED AND WOULD NOT RESTART. CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. DEALERSHIP REPLACED FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY. MY CAR IS A 2004 AUDI A4 3.0 QUATTRO. THE DEFECT APPEARS TO BE SIMILAR TO THE 2003 AUDI A4 RECALL. *TR

Air Bags › Frontal
Filed Dec 27, 2007CA

I HAVE RECENTLY PURCHASED MY 2004 AUDI A4 AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT HAS RECENTLY IGNITED AFTER MY CAR HAS PASSED THE 50,000 MILE WARRANTY PERIOD. DEALERSHIP CLAIMS I NEED TO PAY 300 OUT OF POCKET TO COVER. I BELIEVE THIS TO BE A MANUFACTURE PROBLEM AS I HAVE NOT GOT INTO ANY ACCIDENTS OR ACTIONS WHICH MAY HAVE RESULTED IN THE AIRBAG GOING OFF. *TR

Fuel System, Other › Delivery › Fuel Pump
Filed Dec 12, 200768,350 milesNC

MY 2004 AUDI A4 STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION WHILE I WAS IN THE PROCESS OF MAKING A LEFT TURN INTO ANOTHER STREET. I WAS STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS BUSY STREET FOR ALMOST AN HOUR UNTIL A TOW TRUCK COULD ARRIVE FROM THE AUDI DEALER. AN OFFICER FROM THE CHARLOTTE, N.C. POLICE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED IN ABOUT 20 MINUTES AND DIRECTED VEHICLES TO PREVENT AN ACCIDENT UNTIL THE TOW TRUCK ARRIVED. I WAS FORTUNATE THAT THE POLICE AND OTHER MOTORISTS HELPED DIRECT TRAFFIC AROUND MY VEHICLE TO PREVENT AN ACCIDENT, AS IT WAS RAINING AND FOGGY AT THE TIME OF THIS ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS DETERMINED TO HAVE A FUEL PUMP FAILURE BY AUDI OF CHARLOTTE, AND THEY REPAIRED THE VEHICLE AT A CHARGE OF $869.18. I HAVE SINCE LEARNED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON 2003 AUDI A4 MODELS FOR FUEL PUMP FAILURES. *TR

Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Dec 12, 200769,250 milesNC

I WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 85 IN SOUTH CAROLINA RETURNING TO CHARLOTTE, N.C. WHEN THE ENGINE OF MY 2004 AUDI A4 STARTED SKIPPING SEVERELY. AFTER PULLING TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND LETTING THE CAR SIT FOR A WHILE, I RESTARTED THE ENGINE AND THE PROBLEM SEEMED TO MINIMIZE SOMEWHAT. THE FOLLOWING MORNING ON THE WAY TO WORK THE ENGINE STARTED SKIPPING SEVERELY, AND THE VEHICLE SEEMED TO BE BUCKING HEAVILY. I WAS ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE TRAFFIC AND PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I CALLED AUDI OF CHARLOTTE, AND THEY ADVISED TO DRIVE THE CAR TO THERE FACILITY IF IT WAS DRIVABLE. I MANAGED TO GET THE CAR THERE DRIVING AT 25 MPH WITH THE MOTOR SKIPPING HEAVILY. THE PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED AS AN IGNITION COIL FAILURE, AND WAS REPAIRED AT A COST OF $472.04. THIS WAS THE SECOND MAJOR FAILURE OF A COMPONENT OF THIS VEHICLE IN A TIME SPAN OF TWO MONTHS ( FUEL PUMP-6/14/07 ), AND AS A FEMALE DRIVER I AM CONCERNED THAT I'M GOING TO BE LEFT ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AT NIGHT. *TR

Tires
Filed Dec 7, 200770,000 milesNJ

I BROUGHT MY 2004 AUDI A4 TO JACK DANIELS MOTORS IN MARCH OF 2007 TO GET NEW TIRES. THEY OF COURSE SUGGESTED PIRELLI TIRES AND REALLY DIDN'T OFFER ME ANY OTHER CHOICES. SO I SPENT $826.21 FOR NEW PIRELLI IN MARCH, 2007. WELL NOW IT'S NOVEMBER OF 2007 AND I BROUGHT MY AUDI BACK TO THEM AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE TIRES HAD TO BE CHANGED BECAUSE THEY LOST THE THREADS AND WERE GONG BALD. WHEN I TOLD THEM I JUST PUT THE TIRES ON EIGHT (8) MONTHS AGO AND WEREN'T THEY WARRANTED, THEY TOLD ME THEY WEREN'T. WHY WOULD AUDI PUT ON TIRES THAT DIDN'T COME WITH A WARRANTY???? I CALLED PIRELLI CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY TOLD ME THE SAME THING. . I HAVE HAD MY TIRES REPLACED BECAUSE THEY WERE NOT SAFE TO DRIVE ON ESPECIALLY WITH THE WINTER MONTHS UPON ME. I DID NOT GET TIRES FROM THEM, I BOUGHT TIRES THAT HAD A WARRANTY FROM AN TIRE DEALER AND THEY WEREN'T PIRELLI. I WOULD NEVER AGAIN BUY PIRELLI TIRES AND FEEL I SHOULD GET MY MONEY BACK FOR THE GARBAGE THEY PUT ON THE CAR AT SUCH A RIDICULOUSLY HIGH PRICE. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump
Filed Nov 27, 200776,750 milesOH

LOUD BUZZING NOISE COMING FROM REAR SEAT, SOUNDED LIKE BAD MOTOR BEARINGS. APPROXIMATELY 2 MINUTES LATER THE ENGINE STALLED AND WAS FORCED TO STOP VEHICLE WITHOUT ANY POWER ASSISTANCE FROM ENGINE. THE AUDI DEALER FOUND IT WAS A FAULTY FUEL PUMP, REPLACED WITH NEW FUEL PUMP OK NOW. THEY INDICATED IT WAS NOT COVERED IN THE 2003 FUEL PUMP RECALL SINCE MY VEHICLE WAS AN 04. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip › Abs Warning Light
Filed Nov 26, 200748,000 milesCA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 AUDI A4. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PRESS DOWN THE EMERGENCY BRAKE, THE BRAKE LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT IT WOULD COST $5,000 TO REPAIR. THE DEALER WOULD NOT IDENTIFY WHAT CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE BRAKE LIGHT REMAINS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 49,000. UPDATED 01/03/08. *LJ UPDATED 12/31/07

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Oct 5, 200730,000 milesPA

TL*THE CONTACT'S FATHER OWNS A 2004 AUDI A4. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE DRIVER SIDE REAR DOOR OF THE VEHICLE. FURTHERMORE, THERE WAS A SUDDEN ACCELERATION THAT CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO A POLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A CRACKED KNEE CAP AND STERNUM. AS OF OCTOBER 5, 2007, THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAD NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE VIN AND ENGINE SIZE WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 30,000.

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump
Filed Aug 27, 200761,500 milesCA

AUDI 2004 A4. DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, FUEL PUMP FAILS. BATTERY LIGHT LIT UP RIGHT BEFORE FUEL PUMP COMPLETELY FAILED. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP THE VERY NEXT DAY. THERE IS A RECALL CURRENTLY ON THE FUEL PUMP FOR THE 2003 A4 1.8T. IS THERE A POSSIBILITY THAT THE FAILURE IN MY FUEL PUMP IS THE SAME AND THAT THE RECALL SHOULD ALSO COVER 2004? *TR

Visibility › Rear Window Wiper/Washer › Linkages
Filed Jun 15, 2007NY

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 AUDI A4 AVANT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPER FLUID PREVENTS THE WIPERS FROM WORKING PROPERLY. THE DEALER HAS REPLACED THE WIPERS TWICE, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTS. TO HAVE THE WIPERS REPAIRED WOULD COST $500, SINCE THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THERE ARE NO RECALLS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 70,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

Power Train › Clutch Assembly
Filed May 31, 200729,000 milesCA

VEHICLE WAS ACCELERATING AND ATTEMPTING TO GET UP TO SPEED ON A BUSY HIGHWAY WHEN THE CLUTCH SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT ANY INDICATION FAILED IN-BETWEEN GEAR SHIFTS. THE CLUTCH PEDAL BECAME LODGED/STUCK AGAINST THE FLOORBOARD, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO PANIC IN THE BELIEF THAT SOME FOREIGN OBJECT WAS INTERFERING WITH THE NATURAL RETURN OF THE CLUTCH PEDAL. THE VEHICLE REMAINED IN GEAR, AND WAS COASTED TO A SHOULDER WITH THE CLUTCH PEDAL STILL STUCK AGAINST THE FLOORBOARD. ONCE SAFELY ON THE SHOULDER, THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF AND THE DRIVER INVESTIGATED THE CAUSE OF THE CLUTCH PEDAL STICKING TO THE FLOORBOARD. NOTHING WAS FOUND TO BE BLOCKING/INTERFERING WITH THE CLUTCH. AN ATTEMPT TO RESTART THE CAR AND PLACE THE VEHICLE IN FIRST GEAR RESULTED IN THE CAR STALLING OUT. THE CAR WAS NO LONGER OPERABLE. AN AUDI DEALERSHIP ASSESSED THE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY AND DETERMINED THAT THE SUDDEN CLUTCH FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE CLUTCH DISK BEING OVERHEATED, AND THE FRICTION MATERIAL BEING COMPLETELY WORN OUT DESPITE ONLY 29,000 MILES BEING LOGGED ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AS THE MATTER IS BEING LITIGATED. *TR

Reading these

NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Full record for the 2004 Audi A4 → · Every A4 year → · How the figures are calculated →