Audi has used a timing chain in the 4.2L v8 engine. Because timing chains are typically very reliable, the chain has been placed at the rear of the engine near the firewall. The problem is that the timing tensioners are made of plastic and prone to breakage. This can result in catastrophic engine failure.
Engine & cooling
Audi A4/S4 Engine problems by year
31 complaints filed with NHTSA about the Audi A4/S4's engine & cooling. Stalling, loss of power, oil consumption, overheating, head gaskets, timing chains and engine failure.
Engine complaints by model year
| Year | Engine complaints | Crashes | Injuries | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 31 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Latest A4/S4 engine complaints
2007 Audi a4. Consumer writes in regards to issue with oil consumption. *Ld the consumer stated the oil return rings collapsed. The motor got hot and caused 3 holes in 3 exhaust valves. The manufacturer was notified. *Js
Oil leaks and electric malfucntions and engine oil leaks...Lots of oil leaks even after repairs
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 audi a4. The contact stated that while driving at 10 mph, the vehicle suddenly stalled as the check engine and battery warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the engine failed and the timing chain needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 126,000.
Car started blowing white smoke and oil consumption increased to 1 quart per 500 miles. Dealership replaced pcv valve, which should have been replaced under csc-10043026-6562. However, since the check engine light never illuminated, the dealership and audi refuse to cover this issue under the extended warranty, despite the fact that the defective part is specifically called out in their customer service campaign.
High pressure fuel pump failure resulting in damage to camshaft, cam follower and internal metal shavings from defect at 123,542 miles.
I picked up my audi a4 a few weeks ago left the dealer went about five miles and the car starts miss firing bring it back for a new coil pack, one week later oil light came on low oil not even 700 miles and add one 16 oz of oil so started to park car in garage oil on garage floor lots of oil so far not very happy with the car. Bringing it to audi repair shop they said they will look for the leak. I should have come here first to see, what I see now I would not have brought something other then audi now waiting to see if it burns or consumes any oil if so should I call the audi dealer. I paid 9,850.00$ *Js
From day one in august 2013 when I bought this car it burns oil at an extreme rate. A quart every 500 - 800 miles. It calls for synthetic oil by castrol which is close to $10.00 A quart. Do the math. The car manufacture say that is with in the specs for how engine was built. This is truly highway robbery and audi should be held responsible. I went on audi forums and thousands of people in the u.S. And the u.K. Complain of the same problem. Please do something about it. I as 50 years old and been paying taxes for...
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35 years. Working since I was 15 years old. Stand up and do something for a agency that was put in place to do so. I would greatly appreciate it. I look forward to your response. *Js
I purchased a vehicle from better way auto sales on 10-31-14. After 2 weeks of driving, my check engine light came on. My odometer was also going up pretty fast, went from 89,000 miles to 93,000 miles in less than a month. My brake light was also on permanently even when I wasn't pressing the brakes. I bought it to a mechanic & he gave me a list of issues that was wrong with the car. I called the dealership where I purchased the vehicle from to make a appointment to bring my car in to get fixed. They gave me an...
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appointment weeks from when I called. After having my car for a few days, they called saying my dealership warranty has expired so they can't fix it. I'm 100% sure I didn't drive 4,000 miles in 3 weeks. The dealership warranty expires after 90 days or 3,000 miles which ever one comes first. I also purchased a extended warranty which the dealership said my extended warranty don't cover the parts needed. The labor of everything is expensive that they want me to pay out of pocket. I suspect that there's some odometer fraud going on or some type of scam. I also feel as though the issues with the car should've been fixed before selling. They claim there was a safety inspection done on car but aren't brakes included in inspection? I have little knowledge when it come to things of this nature but I do suspect something wrong is going on with better way auto sales. *Js
Traveling on the freeway at 60mph. The esp(stability control) and epc lights came on. 5 Seconds later the engine shuts off and I keep rolling at 60mph but decreasing speed. Luckily I was on a straight away and there was no need to turn but once the engine turned off the steering wheel was hard to turn and I could not pull over. There was an exit and I was able to stop on the off ramp. After putting the vehicle in park. I took the key out then, put it back on the ignition and tried to turn the vehicle on. The...
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vehicle would not turn back on. When it finally turned on the vehicle stalled back off and the "check engine" light came on. After sitting in the vehicle for 5min in off. I then turned the vehicle on and it started off. I went to the dealership and told them what had happen they told me that it had never happened before with other audi's but that it sounded like it was the crank shaft sensor. After looking online and doing research many other audi owners had the same problem they stated that the "engine speed sensor" aka crankshaft sensor would go out and their engine would stall while driving. This is a safety issue! Airbags go off when the engine shuts off and the steering wheel is hard to be turned. Please do something about it! *Tr
Extremely bad oil consumption the car uses a quart under 1000 miles and has received all of the updates with this problem that audi offers. This is a manufactures defect that plague many models and this should be recalled to assist the consumer before its too late. *Tr
While driving to new york city from north carolina on interstate 95, I encountered heavy traffic around silver spring, md. After approximately 30 minutes of driving in slow-moving traffic, the clutch pedal failed to return from its engaged position and the vehicle stalled. With the engine off, I manually pulled and returned the clutch pedal back to its released position. I then proceeded to restart the engine and pressed the clutch pedal. Again, the clutch pedal remained stuck in the engaged position. Moments later...
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smoke became to appear from under the right side of the hood. A police officer who happened to be nearby helped push the car to the left shoulder of the interstate and left, while smoke kept escaping from under the hood. No further assistance was provided by the police officer. Shortly after the departure of the police officer, flames appeared alongside the smoke from the right side of the hood and the interior of the vehicle began to fill up with dense smoke. While frantically removing my dog, suitcases and other personal belongings from the vehicle, a motorist stopped to assist me and with the use of his own fire extinguisher put out the fire. The damaged vehicle was towed to a nearby audi dealership and subsequently taken to another location to be evaluated by an insurance adjuster and by audi of america. A rental car had to be used to complete the travel. The insurance adjuster has since declared the damaged vehicle a "total loss". The vehicle in question had not missed any manufacture-recommended service at authorized audi dealerships. The last such service was conducted the week prior to this accident. *Tr
August 2010 at 30k miles, add oil light came on within 2,000 miles of last oil change. Took it into the dealership, they fixed pressure regulating valve. Add oil light continues to come on between oil changes, approx 1k to 3k miles. Dealership stated it was normal for that yr/model. May 2013 at 69k miles, white foul smelling smoke comes from exhaust upon acceleration and car drives rough. Happens intermittently. Dealership states no codes or problems upon test driving. June 2013 it happens again and this time needs...
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to be towed. Dealer fixes fuel injectors. August 2013 happens again on numerous occasions. Dealer does oil consumption test. Fails test. Sept 2013 dealership replaces piston rings and cylinder head. Add oil light continues to come on and white smoke and shaking intermittently. Oct 2013 take back to dealership. They replace turbo. All of the above services done at no charge due to extended service contract. Dec 2013 it happens again. Dealership finds another leak in the valves. Dealership now wants to charge me 50% of repairs although problem started before warranty expired. Currently car is not repaired. It is drivable but continues to need oil every 1k miles or so and intermittently produces white smoke and shakes. *Tr
Oil warning light came on. This is after a 75,000 mile checkup was performed (even though the car has less than 75,000 miles) the car petered out on me, had it towed to the dealership service where I was told it had a blown engine. *Tr
The oil light continues to come on. I've had it changed two weeks ago and today it appeared again. It was totally empty and once I filled it up the light went out. The car was jumping and making a hhumm like noise. I was told that the turbo part of the engine needs to be replaced. *Tr
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked daily. Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data