Suspension complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2 | 18% | 1,000 miles |
| 2020 | 2 | 2% | 12,000 miles |
| 2018 | 2 | 4% | — |
| 2017 | 1 | 2% | — |
| 2016 | 1 | 9% | — |
| 2014 | 1 | 3% | — |
| 2011 | 1 | 9% | 100,000 miles |
| 2010 | 1 | 2% | 82,000 miles |
| 2009 | 5 | 4% | 17,000 miles |
| 2005 | 1 | 0% | 4,000 miles |
| 2004 | 1 | 1% | 2,000 miles |
| 2003 | 3 | 1% | 85,000 miles |
| 2002 | 5 | 3% | 16,000 miles |
| 2001 | 3 | 2% | 53,000 miles |
| 2000 | 3 | 3% | 33,000 miles |
| 1999 | 8 | 4% | 143,000 miles |
| 1998 | 24 | 9% | 101,000 miles |
| 1997 | 19 | 19% | 74,000 miles |
| 1996 | 19 | 21% | 95,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
My car has a leaking high pressure fuel leak from the high pressure hose right at the top of the engine block at the rear of the engine. The steel line connects directly to the filter and is leaking from the stainless steal line. The power steering metal hose lines are incorrect from the factory and do not supply enough pressure in the line to keep the steering wheel from a very harsh low speed shudder when turning. The lower control arm bushings fail at very low mileage. None of these issues have been acknowledged on this year car. This model Audi is an absolute lemon having multiple issues and extreme repairs and huge costs when trying to fix them. I have the paper work for these fixes and what it takes to repair them correctly. …
Steering wheel vibration at highway speed. Audi dealer attributed to cupped tires. Bought new set of tires ($864) and same problem. Learned through internet search that Audi's have problem with lower control arms. Returned to dealer with TSB 2018121/3. Dealer road force balanced wheels at my expense ($70), dealer said Audi wouldn't pay for control arm replacement. I called Audi to complain (obtained case no.) because they voluntarily replaced control arms in two long term test vehicles in edmonds inside line fleet after edmonds published articles noting the steering problem (http://blogs.insideline.com/roadtests/2009/07/2009-Audi-A4-and-s5-steering-vibration-wrap-up.html). Audi wouldn't agree to replace control arms. Vibration went away for a time but then came back. Condition is fatiguing when driving any length at highway speed.
2003 Audi A4 cabriolet has had numerous issues, failure of door gasket seal which destroyed plc, resulting in horrible sound safety issue, cost over $2K to fix, failure of cv joint which could cause wheel to fly off, failure of rear glass window that could come loose hurting other vehicles or passengers of car; car has less than 70K miles, was bought new and is garaged. Audi America should reimburse owners for these numerous, (and apparently inevitable, judging by what I've read and heard from other owners) problems.
Right front hub whell bearing seized into the adjoining knuckle. This failure resulted from what the dealer reported to be "electrolysis. Wrong choice of metals in the wheel bearing. Wheel partially siezed
I bought a car from a used car dealer in renton wa. After about a year went by I noticed that I haven't received the title. Called the dealer and they told me I have to contact dmv. Talked to a person in the renton office and twice to the covington office. They told me I have to pay a 39 dollar charge to get a title. Decided to maybe trade the car in and found out the frame was bent. I already spent 1200 dollars for parts missing on the car. Now another part is ad at another 1500 dollars to make the air work. Apparently the car had been crashed and picked back together just to off it. Complained a out parts missing and they agreed to give me 400 dollars for the first problem. Never did see the money. I would like to have a total refund of the difference from what they gave me for the car after the 25000 dollars they gave me for the truck load I traded in.
Consumer took vehicle to dealer for a rough idle, hesitating to pull off in traffic. Took to dealer, dealer states all four cylinder coils are defected and dealer will only replace as they fail. Please provide any further information. Ts
Purchased an 2001 audio (used) at d & s auto and within a week there was screeching noise coming from the engine, engine light came on. Brought it back to d & s auto. D & s auto had it looked at and they said the list of problems were none found, only that they fixed the engine light. Couple days later the engine light came back on and also the rear back tire was making a strange noise. D & s auto made an appointment for the 2001 auto to go to another dealer to be looked at. Also, purchased the best full warranty on the vehicle. The dealer printed out a list of problems which are listed above he said that are problems and the cost was going to be around $3,000.00 and that the warranty does not cover any of the repairs.
I leased an A4 2001 Audi in December 2000. My lease runs out in March 2004 and I'm looking at what my rights are as a consumer. Over the last 6 months, I've had my car towed and repaired twice for ignition coil failure as well as my tires replaced from out of whack alignment. Today, the engine light appeared again and I will drop it off at the Audi service department, this Monday for maintenance review. Fortunately, the only costs I've incurred are replacement of the 2 front tires. It currently has 33,000 miles on it.
Related recalls (1)
Suspension › Rear › Axle › Non-powered axle assembly
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 Q7, Q8, Q5 Sportback, SQ5 Sportback, RS6 Avant, RS7, RS Q8, 2020-2021 Audi S6 sedan, Q5, A8, S8, A7, A6 Allroad, A5 Cabriolet, A4 sedan, A4 Allroad, SQ5, S7, A6 sedan, S5 coupe, S4 sedan, S5 Cabriolet, A5 coupe, 2019-2021 RS5 coupe, A5 Sportback, S5 Sportback,…
Remedy: Dealers will replace the lock nuts and, if necessary, the associated bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 4, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.
Frequently asked questions
Which Audi A4 years have suspension problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1998 (24), 1996 (19), 1997 (19), 1999 (8) and 2002 (5) model years. Suspension complaints make up 9% of all complaints for the 1998.
Is there a recall for Audi A4 suspension problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 21V-295 (non-powered axle assembly, Apr 26, 2021). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Audi A4 suspension problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 69,000 miles; 40% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the front › control arm (23 mentions), followed by the front (21).
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.