Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2009 Audi A4 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The negligent driver yielded to the flow of traffic without stopping. When he collided with us, the airbags (exploded) deployed so strongly that they damaged the windshield and our bodies: face, neck, etc. Our beloved Audi A4 2009 was totaled and after that we had several operations: 2 eye operations (need 2 more), dental surgeries, 3 neck surgeries ... multiple unpaid medical expenses.
The turbo sounds like it's not going in/out of gear, oil going into spark plugs, radiator fluid leaking system getting real hot. Low engine poer picking up speed an issue. Air bag rear brake light malfunction, oil pressure not correct
Takata recall: I recently learned that both my driver side and passenger side Takata airbags were recalled on my 2009 Audi A4. I have called and visited two dealerships in person and made over 5 phone calls to the manufacturer to try to get my vehicle's repair escalated, as my vehicle began it's "life" in florida, and humid regions are to be given priority, but to no avail. Audi, the manufacturer, has instructed me to talk directly to dealerships and the dealerships tell me to call Audi international. Both are pointing fingers at the other, and no one is doing anything to aid the situation. I have asked for repair, loaner vehicles, a buyback, and have met no results. I no longer want to drive my car, as I do not feel safe, and am saving up for my wedding, so my fiance and I are sharing our other, reliable and safe vehicle, at this time, which has proven difficult. …
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2009 Audi A4. While driving various speeds, the air bag warning indicator remained illuminated, which was a safety concern. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 18V427000 (air bags), 18V082000 (air bags), and 16V079000 (air bags); however, the parts needed for the repairs were not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The vehicle was taken to Audi downtown la (1900 s figueroa st, los angeles, ca 90007, [phone]) where the contact was informed that the parts were not available. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 92,000. …
I had an accident in my Audi A4 convertible and the driver airbag did not deploy. Due to sun glare, I rear-ended a Mercury mountaineer with my 2006 Audi A4 convertible. I never saw his taillights, I was not messing with the radio or talking on the cell phone. I was not cited, although the accident was clearly my fault. I was the only one in the car. I was wearing my seatbelt and shoulder harness in the correct fashion. My injuries were minor bruising and a rub mark on my neck from the shoulder harness. The accident was a direct hit, practically straight on. The radiator was pushed into the engine. The passenger airbag deployed. The driver airbag did not. The rest of the Audi safety features worked - the rear seat rollover protection deployed. The emergency flashers came on. The engine turned itself off. My question is why didn't the driver airbag go off??? It was a direct hit. …
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2009 Audi A4. The contact stated that the manufacturer failed to provide the remedy and the part within a reasonable timeframe for NHTSA campaign number: 18V082000 (air bags). In addition, the front passenger side air bag recall repair for NHTSA campaign number: 18V427000 (air bags) took an extended period of time. The repair was performed by Audi nashville (1576 mallory ln, brentwood, tn 37027, [phone]), but the contact was uncertain if the front passenger side air bag inflator was replaced. The contact was waiting to determine when the manufacturer would provide the remedy and part for the driver's side air bag. The dealer stated that they did not extend the courtesy of a waiting list to provide the part and was uncertain when an appointment would be scheduled. The manufacturer was contacted. The contact had not experienced a failure. …
Received recall notification at the beginning of April. I called both customer service and the auto manufacturer. Their response is that they do not have a timeline for the parts to come in and therefore, it will take time to repair or replace the air bags. Toyota dealt with this problem quickly. Why is it taking Audi so long to repair this defective air bag. What happens if I was to get in an accident and I injured due to this defective air bag and it wasn't replaced asap. Call to Audi customer service, spoke to judith and Audi manufacturer service spoke to adam. Both said that they had no timeline as when they will receive the parts and when they will repair the cars. This is totally unacceptable. The 60 days are long overdue.
Takata inflator: for at least 2 years, if not more, we have received recall notices from Audi USA to call our local service agent and make an appointment to go in and have the airbags changed. We have contacted them asking for an appointment to have this work done on an almost monthly basis and they never have the replacement part. The A4 has been located in humid south florida for all it's life and it is now 10 years old. Most importantly, we'd like to hand it down to our teenage daughter, however, we are reluctant until it is fixed. The collection, our local Audi dealership has not been able to provide us with the replacement airbags.
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2009 Audi A4. The contact stated that NHTSA campaign numbers: 18V082000 (air bags) and 18V427000 (air bags) exceeded a reasonable amount of time for repairs. The contact received the recall notifications several months ago. An unknown local Audi dealer was contacted and stated that the parts were unavailable. The manufacturer was also contacted and confirmed that the parts were unavailable. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available for NHTSA campaign number: 18V082000 (air bags) and parts distribution disconnect for NHTSA campaign number: 18V427000 (air bags).
I have a 2009 Audi A4 cabriolet. I received notice that the airbags were part of the Takata recall. I made an appointment at my nearest dealer, and they told me that Audi was not fixing the repair. They told me that Audi would give me a few thousand toward a new Audi, but that was it. I called another dealership a several months later and was told that Audi is still not prepared to fix this problem. It's disgraceful of Audi. I love my car and want to keep it. They should be forced to fix this problem immediately and they should stand behind their products. My daughter's Honda was fixed within a few months of being notified.
Related recalls
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2009 Audi A4 Cabriolet, S4 Cabriolet, A6 Avant, A6 Sedan and S6 Sedan vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey,…
Remedy: 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.
Air bags
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (VW) is recalling certain model year 2008-2009 Audi A4, A5, and Q5 vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the air bag control units may corrode and fail.
Remedy: 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.
Airbag complaints in other A4 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2009 Audi A4?
NHTSA has 33 complaints about the air bags of the 2009 Audi A4, 28% of the model year's 120 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2009 Audi A4 airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 17V-032 (inflator module, Jan 11, 2017); NHTSA recall 16V-376 (air bags, May 27, 2016). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2009 Audi A4 airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 85,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 3 injuries to air bags 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.