Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2004 Audi A4 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I originally had 3 recalls on my vehicle I called in to see about getting them fixed free of charge as explained in the recall tech bulletin .the customer service representative proceeded in getting all of my information then after doing so tells me there are no recalls on my vehicle and proceeded to update my cars info shortly after I went back to the original site of this recall put in my cars info again and all the recalls that was once available for my vehicle was mysteriously gone.I never received a notice and never got it fixed. Now the recall that was originally posted are starting to be noticeable on my vehicle such as the defective water pump, defective headlights and defective airbag situation what can I have done about this issue
Oil dipstick & support tube, made of plastic, cracks - brakes into pieces , both on the dipstick & tube that can easily go down the tube into the oil below. Looks like a poor engineering decision to use plastic that after years of heating to near engind tempatures then cooling has a high probability of cranckin and having pieces fall into the engine oil supply - possibally causing engind damage or faliure. Should be replaced every 5 years or with a metal structure that doesn't crack/break off into pieces. I would think from the youtube complaints on how to replace it I am not alone with this proiblem. Dealer part sales might confirm the problem.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Audi A4. The contact stated that while driving at 70 MPH, the vehicle stalled. In addition, the engine warning light illuminated and the oil pressure was displayed across the message board. The contact stated that an oil change was previously performed on the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 106,500.
During driving check engine start blinking and engine start shaking . After stop and turning off engine for a couple of minutes and starting engine again everything was fine until next day . Start engine and engine light was on , car has 2 cylinder misfire , loosing coolant from cooling flange and thermostat was leaking . I took car to local mechanic and change thermostat, cooling flange , j plug , ignition coils and 4 spark plugs , car was running fine for 1 day and start overheating and loosing coolant again and has 2 cylinder misfire . Called mechanic , he stop by my house and check pressure in the cooling system using special pump , everything looks OK but after taking out 2 cylinder ignition coil and spark plug he noticed a liquid in cylinder 2 and told me that head gasket is probably broken and has to be change ?!?!? …
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). (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. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Audi A4. The contact was driving approximately 35 MPH when the vehicle stalled with the illumination of several warning lights. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle and it was towed to an authorized dealer. The dealer advised that the engine failed due to a lack of lubrication and an internal compression failure. The vehicle was then taken to a local mechanic where the engine was rebuilt. After the repairs, the contact continued to experiences the failure with the sporadic illumination of the check engine warning light. The contact stated he performed a diagnostic which located the failure as a multi-cylinder misfire. The manufacturer advised that the vehicle be taken back to the dealer. The vehicle was not further repaired. The contact was concerned with his safety when operating the vehicle. …
2004 Audi A4 has had several repair problems. Consumer feels that the vehicle could be in an accident due to the problems. 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.. 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
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.
My daughter was driving her 2004 Audi A4 at about 40 miles per hour when the car jerked, she then pulled up to the stop light and stopped. The car stalled and would not start. The engine warning light was on. We pushed the car out of the lane of traffic. A few hours later we went back to the car and it started up with no problem, we drove the car with no problems. This is a very dangerous situation and it appears that other owners have had this problem. There was an investigation pe08027 opened on this issue in 2008 and closed in 2008 without a recall.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Audi A4. The contact stated that a week after having the oil changed, coolant flange replaced and the readiness codes reset the engine seized. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who diagnose that the engine needed to be replaced. The technician explained that the engine failure was not due to the repairs that were previously performed on the vehicle. The failure and current mileage was 104,000.
Engine complaints in other A4 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2004 Audi A4?
NHTSA has 25 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2004 Audi A4, 13% of the model year's 189 complaints. The component named most often is engine (7 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Audi A4 engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2004 Audi A4, though it has 2 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2004 Audi A4 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 66,000 miles, and 14% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.