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 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
Oil consumption I had this car since 2012 and found out recently about oil consumption class action lawsuit through the internet, when my car started consuming copious amounts of oil. The owner manual says a quart per ~1,200 miles, but I'm getting oil light at about 400 miles after service at the dealership. I spoke with multiple dealerships including the dealership I'm currently doing every 10K maintenance with and none have actually helped me out since I'm out of warranty of 80K. I spoke with Audi corporate and they say they will review when they get to my case which is pretty much never. They keep telling me to take my car in to do phase 2 oil consumption which is going to be a several grand repair. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Audi A4. While the vehicle was parked, the contact found oil spills under the vehicle. While driving at various speeds, the engine warning light illuminated. In addition, the contact mentioned there was a burning odor of oil coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the rear main seal of the engine's crankshaft needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 51,000. The VIN was not available.
The timing chain tensioner failed causing the Audi interference engine to become out of Sync resulting in the engine becoming totaled. This has become a common occurrence and is widely reported on 2009 and newer models. Below is an article with their assessment of the situation. The car had been taken in 2x for misfires and was diagnosed as an issue with the spark plugs, it is now clear that this was the timing chain being out of alignment and missed. Upon the engine light coming on the car was left parked until the day before the service appt when it was to be dropped off at the service location, at that time, upon starting the vehicle the timing chain tensioner failed and caused the engine to fire out of alignment damaging the engine. …
The timing chain tensioner failed causing the Audi interference engine to become out of Sync resulting in the engine becoming totaled. This has become a common occurrence and is widely reported on 2009 and newer models. Below is an article with their assessment of the situation. The car had been taken in 2x for misfires and was diagnosed as an issue with the spark plugs, it is now clear that this was the timing chain being out of alignment and missed. Upon the engine light coming on the car was left parked until the day before the service appointment when it was to be dropped off at the service location, at that time, upon starting the vehicle the timing chain tensioner failed and caused the engine to fire out of alignment damaging the engine. …
I purchased my Audi 2009 A4 quattro in oct. 2012. After only one month I had to take it back to the dealer ship to fix. They spend over $2,000 in repairs trying to get the oil consumption down. I continued to have problems with it for the next two years. I have since spent over $6,000 to try and repair the oil consumption problem. Due to the financial situations I have still not been able to get the oil consumption problem resolved. On my last trip to the mechanic my oil consumption went from 300 miles per quart of oil to now only 100 miles per quart of oil. This is a known issue all over the united states and yet when I contact Audi they say it is normal wear and tear. Audi should be help accountable for selling faulty vehicles and avoiding a recall to try and save their name and their profits. I have many problems with the vehicle cutting out or not producing full power. …
We bought two 2009 Audi A4's for our children. Last month one went to the the dealer because the engine failed and needed to be rebuilt because of oil consumption issue, while there the dealer informed us that the water pump was failing and needed to be replace. I questioned the dealer and called an independent Audi mechanic, both said the same thing, we were lucky it lasted this long Audi has known from the beginning that this water pump is flawed and should have been recalled. Now fast-forward to yesterday, my daughter took hers in for an oil change and the mechanic, a different independent Audi mechanic, said car was fine except water pump was failing!!!! He said its a known problem and Audi is fully aware of it, its a $1200 repair not including the suggested timing belt change. Two cars, same exact model and engine, this cannot be a coincidence. Please help!!!
Purchased vehicle 8/15/19 at select motors inc, smyrna tn. Clean car fax report. Ongoing oil consumption issues. Intake camshaft locked up following oil consumption test at Audi of nashville. Not driveable now. Audi of nashville quoted cylinder head and associated parts, timing chain, tensioner, cam adjuster and pistons. TSB-2027731-8 brought to my attention. Engineering defect with pistons a known issue. Contacted Audi of north America. Unwilling to provide financial assistance. Car beyond the 8year/80,000 mile extended warranty they offered following a class action lawsuit. Paid cash at purchase, put roughly 2,000 miles on the car and and being told will need to spend an additional $10,000-$13,000 to get the car running again for a known engineering defect with the pistons Audi is unwilling to classify as a recall.
This car has been a nightmare .. After basically having the engine rebuilt due to an oil consumption lawsuit that had been an ongoing problem since 19,000 miles and just been bandaided up with excuses from the dealership, but now the vibrations are blamed on the motor mounts. Will the crap just ever end? Or will I fix the mounts and we can point the finger at something else. It just seems like there is no end.. Personally this car should have been recalled with all the issues- something just didn't happen for them in 2009 apparently. The motor mounts should have never gone bad in this vehicle at this point being the high end car they claim to manufacture..I would love my car if it ran correctly- and since 19,000 miles it hasn't - that is sad. I know what this company is capable of .. And this is just bs.
August 12, 2017 car was parked in a target parking lot. Went to start and car lights and radio came on but engine wouldn't turn over. Also check engine light became illuminated. Next day car was towed to quad cities Audi to service dept. Audi service dept finally got around to looking at car on Friday sept 1. They state that " found timing to have jumped causing valves to come into contact with pistons and bend." their repair suggestion states " r&r cylinder head and send to machine shop to determine how many valves need to be replaced. Replace timing chains, guides and tesioner." quoted $3,729 to fix, plus $595 for diagnosis. Car is currently at that dealership being worked on.
Engine complaints in other A4 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2009 Audi A4?
NHTSA has 49 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2009 Audi A4, 41% of the model year's 120 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2009 Audi A4 engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2009 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 2009 Audi A4 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 79,000 miles, and 5% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 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.