The Audi A4 has undergone the following significant alterations in recent years: 2017: Complete makeover (start of fifth generation) V6-powered S4 version added in 2018. 2019 saw the end of the manual transmission.
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When was the brand-new Audi A4 released?
The cost and release date for the new Audi A4 The new Audi A4 is anticipated to be on sale in 2023, therefore a model reveal is anticipated for either the end of this year or the beginning of 2023.
A4 Audi models should be avoided?
With around 250,000 vehicles sold each year in the US, Audi is a high-performing luxury brand with a German basis that sells well. It ranks fourth among the most popular luxury brands. In 2020, Audi sold more than 1.5 automobiles worldwide, which is an 8.3% decline from the prior year.
Audi gained its market share in the majority of important markets, despite reduced overall sales. The most important single market for Audi was China, where sales increased by more than 5% to a record level. Even though it has a strong following and is a well-known brand, it occasionally disappoints. Consider purchasing one. These Audi A4 model years should be avoided.
Quick answer: 2008, 2009, 2011
Although these model years are all relatively recent in comparison to when the A4 was first released, there’s a strong possibility that if you’re looking for a secondhand car, they will all have more than 65k miles on them. This implies that when it comes to maintenance, you might not be able to discern when something needs minor maintenance or a major overhaul. Once the A4 has accumulated more than 70,000 miles, fuel economy becomes a regular complaint. Drivers have reported receiving less than 300 miles per tank, which is significantly fewer than the 415 miles it should be getting.
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Complaints by year
- 2021 – 0
- 2020 – 0
- 2019 – 0
- 2018 – 0
- 2017 – 12
- 2016 – 2
- 2015 – 1
- 2014 – 6
- 2013 – 11
- 2012 – 9
- 2011 – 23
- 2010 – 18
- 2009 – 35
- 2008 – 20
- 2007 – 12
Issues:
- oil problems
- Airbags
- climate regulation
The oil consistently caused routine issues during the Ad model year. This included oil leaks, an incorrect estimation of the amount of oil in the tank between replacements, and other issues. It was very typical to observe problems with the air conditioning after a while. It runs well when maintained and is a reasonably comfortable drive, with the exception of occasional mechanical issues.
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Recalls:
Airbags: On the 2008 model, there were five different airbag recalls, including one for delayed deployment on the driver’s side, one for explosion during deployment, and one for excessive corrosion and failure.
motor failure
It had some issues, much like the 2008 model year, but overall it’s a respectable used luxury car. This vehicle is still to be avoided because it had the same recalls as the previous year and had comparable mechanical concerns. This model year is considered to have more long-lasting repair expenditures that accumulate over time due to low fuel economy and excessive usage.
Recalls
Airbags: The same five airbag recalls from the 2008 model, including excessive corrosion and failure, explosion during deployment, and delayed deployment on the driver’s side, persisted into the 2009 model.
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Audi A4 model year to avoid – 2011
2011 was the Audi A4’s worst-performing model year. The engine accounted for the majority of the mechanical issues and problems that the Audi A4 had during this model year. The 2011 Audi A4 was frequently criticized for being extremely inefficient with fuel and gobbling up gas. This might not be a life-threatening circumstance, but it can become one of the more costly ones over time.
This means that the owner of a 2011 Audi A4 will not only need to fill up their tank more frequently, but also that it will cost more money to fix the issue permanently. The average cost of this repair was well over $5,000, with many owners opting to completely replace the engine. Although the 2011 model year is frequently regarded as the worst model year overall, the 2009 model year tops it in terms of the total number of complaints received.
One could anticipate that the average cost of repairs would be substantially greater given that 2009 had an increase in overall complaints. However, that’s where the 2011 comes into play, as many owners chose to completely replace the engine, driving up the cost of the repair.
The Audi A4 model years from 2008 to 2011 generally saw a number of complaints, the majority of which were centered around the car’s high oil consumption and subpar engine performance. These excessive oil consumption problems all happened at roughly the same total mileage and were expensive to fix. Around 60,000 miles, on average, these vehicles began to experience noticeable performance decreases, while the model years that followed saw improvements.
The 2011 didn’t have any significant recalls that consumers should be aware of, unlike the previous two model years on this list that you should stay away from. Instead of serious safety concerns, its problems are largely related to general wear and tear maintenance.
Remember that the Audi A4 has been available since 1996, and older models with older engines will probably need more repairs. Even though the 2002 model was praised at the time as one of the best, keeping one today would be unaffordable.
When customers see a used Audi for sale, they are intrigued by the pricing and the amount of money they can save on a high-end vehicle. They don’t immediately think about how much money this car will end up costing them in the long term. The majority of Audis are designed to run without any problems for the first three years, but after that, they demand a lot of maintenance.
What are the good Audi A4 model years?
After some time on the road, the Audi A4 has its share of issues, although not all model years are equally problematic. A4 vehicles from 2013 and newer are typically thought to be more dependable than versions from earlier years, with owners reporting fewer issues. There have only been a few recorded recalls in the previous five years, which is probably because the car has relatively little miles on it and newer technology all around.
Most of the time, buying a used Audi is not a wise financial decision. When accumulated over time, all of those trips to the mechanic may add up to a sizable sum of money. Each model is distinctive in its own way, but if you’re looking at used Audi A4 models, models from more recent years are a better option.
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When was the last facelift for the Audi A4?
The Audi A4’s exterior styling was updated for the 2019 model, making the midsize car even more appealing.
A more aggressive front fascia was added to the premium-looking A4 but no other significant alterations were made from the previous model.
The S line package’s sport leather seats and 3-spoke multifunction steering wheel gave the A4’s interior a sporty appearance.
What year Audi A4 is most reliable?
It is generally acknowledged that 2001 is the most dependable year for the Audi A4. The original B5 was produced until this year, and if you can find one with the 1.9 TDI, it’s worth buying. The 1.9 TDI is an extremely dependable engine; some of them have been driven 500,000 miles while receiving routine maintenance and are still on the road.
The 2001 Audi A4’s only drawback is that it lacks some of the more modern equipment seen in more recent models. 2010 is a fantastic year to look at if you’re seeking for something with improved technology. Around that time, Audi was making some excellent vehicles and received the fewest complaints annually.
In terms of dependability, Audi has experienced some ups and downs over the years, but they appear to be returning to the correct track. If you are considering a new A4, I wouldn’t worry about it surviving up to more than 150,000 kilometers.
What Audi A4 years to avoid?
If you’re considering the Audi A4, you should steer clear of 2011 and 2014. Compared to the other years, these had the most complaints. The 2011 A4’s terrible oil consumption is the main issue that has been brought up.
For the 2011 model year, the A4’s oil system became unnecessarily complicated, which caused it to use oil significantly more quickly than other vehicles. As a result, the car eventually runs out of oil. Due to insufficient lubrication, a car with low oil can suffer more engine damage.
Because replacing the oil system in an A4 from 2011 or 2014 would cost roughly $6,000, many people choose to replace the engine instead. The entire engine has to be taken apart in order to be repaired, which takes a lot of time and increases the cost for the business.
Which Audi A4 engine is best?
The 1.9L TDI engine is the greatest one you can purchase for an Audi A4. This excellent diesel engine generates 228 pound-feet of torque and 130 horsepower. Even while it might not seem like much, that is a fantastic choice for the A4, a compact car.
The 1.9L TDI engine excels in this regard. These little diesel motors are some of the most durable ones ever made. There are several of them still on the road today who have driven more than 300,000 miles, and some of them have exceeded 500,000. If they choose to swap engines, many consumers opt to replace the gasoline engines in their A4s with the 1.9L TDI.
Although it’s an older option, the A4’s 1.9L engine has been reliable over the years. If you’re considering an Audi and want it to survive longer, you should think about choosing a diesel model because they have better gas mileage and a longer lifespan than their gasoline counterparts.
B5 (1996-2001)
Due to a negative brand reputation and an outdated product selection, the first-generation Audi A4 was created. Although A4 production started in 1994, the car wouldn’t reach the United States until the 1996 model year. The A4 signified a complete redesign of the brand’s compact luxury sedan from the previous Audi 80. The first-generation Audi A4, which was built on the Volkswagen B5 chassis, came standard with a 1.8-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine and front-wheel drive, with a 2.8-liter V-6 and Audi’s Quattro all-wheel-drive system available as upgrades. Standard transmissions included a five-speed manual and a Tiptronic manual-shiftable automatic based on Porsche technology. A minor visual update arrived in 1999, along with a new 2.8-liter V-6 engine with 30 valves and more power than the 1.8T basic engine. The 30-valve, 2.8-liter V-6 twin-turbocharged S4 performance model with a six-speed manual transmission and Quattro all-wheel drive was available in the United States. It produced 250 horsepower. A wagon, known as the Avant, was additionally offered in addition to the sedan body style. This first-generation A4 was successfully sold in the United States through the 2001 model year, effectively helping to rebuild the Audi brand in the region.
B6 (2002-2004)
On the new lighter, stronger, and bigger B6 platform, the second-generation Audi A4 made its debut in the United States for the 2002 model year. On most models, a manual transmission remained the default setting, while the preceding Tiptronic automatic was swapped out for a CVT transmission. There were sedan, wagon, and two-door cabriolet body types in addition to front- or Quattro all-wheel drive. The 1.8-liter turbo-four remained the base engine, but the 2.8-liter V-6 was swapped out for a 3.0-liter engine with 220 horsepower. From 2003 on, a new 4.2-liter V-8 engine with 339 horsepower was added to the S4 performance sedan.
B7 (2005-2008)
Despite the fact that the B7 designation was given to the third generation, this model is more of a thorough update than a completely new one. Finally, the 1.8-liter turbo-four was replaced with a brand-new 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 200 horsepower, direct fuel injection, and a four-valve head in place of the prior five-valve head. The original five-speed manual transmission was replaced by a six-speed standard across the board, and the 3.0-liter V-6 was swapped out for a 3.2-liter model that also featured direct injection for the first time. While the CVT persisted in 2.0-liter vehicles, those choosing a self-shifting transmission with the new V-6 engine were given the option of a new conventional six-speed Tiptronic automatic. For the first time in this series, comforts like Bluetooth compatibility and a full-color navigation system were available, although the S5 kept on with its 4.2-liter V-8 and Quattro all-wheel drive.
B8 (2009-2016)
Audi’s flagship sedan, the A4, once again grew in size with a new Audi Modular Longitudinal Platform shared with the A5 model for the 2009 model year in the U.S. (one year later than the European market). The new A4 was noticeably bigger than the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class it competed against, measuring five inches longer, two inches wider, and with a wheelbase that was six inches longer. A new 3.2-liter V-6 engine with 265 horsepower was the only option at launch, and sedan, wagon, and convertible models were still on the order list. An revised 2.0-liter turbo-four with new “valvelift” technology would soon come after it, boosting output to 211 horsepower and, more importantly, torque to 258 lb-ft. The optional Audi Driving Select, which offers several drive and suspension settings, and the Audi MMI display interface were at this point settling into their groove as in-car luxuries and infotainment systems. A new eight-speed automatic transmission was added to the Quattro variants in 2011, replacing the six-speed manual and CVT in front-drive cars. A mid-cycle revamp in 2013 included more aggressive exterior styling in line with A5 revisions and debuted electric power steering assistance. By that time, the 4.2-liter V-8 in the S4 had been replaced with a 3.0-liter V-6 that was supercharged and produced 333 horsepower. A seven-speed S-tronic dual-clutch automatic transmission was an optional addition.
B9 (2017-present)
The new Audi A4 B9 model was the company’s major announcement for the year. With innovative aluminum brake and suspension components, a five-link front and rear design, and other features, Audi stated that 90% of the new A4 is actually brand-new. The B9 A4 was introduced in the US with two new engines: a 188-horsepower TDI turbodiesel four and a new 248-horsepower TFSI turbocharged four-cylinder. While the car is slightly larger than its predecessor, the seven-speed S-tronic dual-clutch transmission is now standard, and the use of lightweight materials has reduced weight by roughly 100 pounds. Although updated with the new “Virtual Cockpit” architecture, MMI infotainment is still available. Do you want a wagon version? The Audi A4 Allroad, which has an increased body height and Quattro all-wheel drive, was introduced for the 2018 model year; the conventional Avant and cabriolet are no longer offered for the American market. The new S4 debuted in 2018 as well, replacing the old supercharged component with a 3.0-liter V-6 that is turbocharged and produces 349 horsepower. Unfortunately, the S4 no longer has a manual transmission option and instead comes standard with an eight-speed automatic. The A4 lineup received a facelift for the 2020 model year, but the fundamental powertrains remained the same.
Audi A4 Highlights
While the S4 has never been a weakling in any of its versions over the years, just one A4-related model has attracted enthusiasts’ attention: the RS4. The A4’s sportiest variations, known by the initials RSfor Renn Sportwere these vehicles; sadly, many of themlike the original B5 RS4 Avantwere never offered for sale in the United States. In both sedan and cabriolet body types, the RS4 made its debut in America as a B7 in 2006 and was equipped with a Getrag six-speed manual transmission and an altered version of Audi’s 4.2-liter V-8 engine producing 414 horsepower with an 8,000 rpm redline. Sadly, it was scrapped shortly after, and despite the fact that Audi presently sells the RS4 Avant in other countries, there are no plans to bring the vehicle to the power-hungry American market.
Audi A4 Buying Tips
When purchasing a used Audi A4, there are often a ton of things that might go wrong because they are high-end vehicles with lots of technology and luxury features. For this reason, we advise purchasing any used A4 from a dealership’s certified pre-owned program with a warranty unless you are mechanically adept or have a sizable budget for repairs. If a B5 S4 or B7 RS4 was very well-kept, we might make an exception, but again, make sure your repairs fund is well-stocked. There aren’t many fixes that will get you out the door of your neighborhood service center for less than $400.