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Transmission & drivetrain

Audi A4 Transmission problems by year

211 complaints filed with NHTSA about the Audi A4's transmission & drivetrain. Harsh or delayed shifting, slipping, CVT shudder, rollaway, axles, driveshafts and transfer cases.

Transmission complaints by model year

YearTransmission complaintsCrashesInjuriesRecalls
20212000
20185000
20174000
20161000
20156000
20145000
20139000
20122000
20114000
20109000
20096100
200813000
200615100
200516000
200412100
200344000
200217100
20015000
20008100
199910000
19987110
19975000
19966000

Latest A4 transmission complaints

2018 Audi A4Transmission & drivetrainElectrical system

A vehicle diagnostic scan dated 04/15/2026 at approximately 88,502 miles showed a stored transmission electronics fault: P084100, described as "Transmission fluid pressure sensor/switch A range/performance," with status listed as passive/sporadic. This indicates a transmission / powertrain control concern involving the transmission fluid pressure sensor, transmission electronics, wiring, control logic, pressure monitoring, or related powertrain components. The vehicle also has prior transmission/powertrain...

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history, including a March 2023 transmission-pan-gasket concern documented in service records, so this later transmission electronics fault is being reported in that broader powertrain context. This is being reported as a safety concern because a transmission fluid pressure sensor or transmission-control fault can affect shifting, drivability, delayed engagement, slipping, harsh shifting, limp mode, reduced power, drivetrain damage, or loss of propulsion while driving. Even if the fault is intermittent, a transmission-control issue may create an unsafe condition if it occurs in traffic or during acceleration, merging, turning, or normal driving. No crash, fire, injury, or fatality occurred. The vehicle/component is available for inspection, and the diagnostic scan report, transmission-related records, service records, manufacturer communications, and related communications are available if requested.

Filed Incident Power train · Electrical system · Unknown or otherNHTSA 11747862
2021 Audi A4Transmission & drivetrain

I am writing to report a persistent issue with my 2021 Audi A4, VIN [[redacted]] . I have been experiencing a noticeable vibration, humming, and shuddering sensation that occurs specifically when turning at slow speeds (e.g., in a parking lot or when making a tight turn at an intersection). This issue has been diagnosed at a dealership, and the diagnostic report from the service invoice dated 07/12/2025 noted "VIBRATION HUMMING SHUDDER WHILE TURNING." The vehicle's mileage at the time was 38,888 miles. ...

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Dealership diagnosed this issue as a failing AWD clutch system. I took the car to a different repair shop, and they redirected me to the Audi Technical Service Bulletin (TSB). The symptoms described in the TSB - "vibrations, humming, droning, or rubbing can be heard and/or felt in the vehicle interior... when the steering wheel is turned to full lock" - perfectly matches my experience. TSB Link - [[redacted]] The vehicle details are: Model: Audi A4 Year: 2021 VIN: [[redacted]] Current Mileage: 39490 Since this is an issue due to a sub-optimal part shipped by Audi, many other Audi owners are also facing similar issues. Therefore, I want to report this issue to the NHTSA and take action on cars sold by Audi. This issue divert driver attention and is a potential cause of accident while taking the turn as driver may get distracted. I already got my car serviced at Audi dealership but they didn't inform me about this issue while the car was under warranty. Now the car is out of warranty after Apr-2025, I'm facing this issue significantly and dealership is charging close to $5000 to fix the issue. Please let me know what information you require from me to proceed. I would like Audi to place a recall on the car models facing this issue and implement the fix for all owners facing the issue because of faulty part shipped by Audi of America. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Incident Power trainNHTSA 11681029
2021 Audi A4Transmission & drivetrainEngine & cooling

The vehicle at 13,[redacted] miles on the high ways, and during stop & go traffic; vehicle begins to tremble, transmission and floor shakes, rpms are higher than normal, abnormal noises coming from engine (screeching), jerking on acceleration on the first gears, rough idle, happens only on highways after 1hr of driving. Can drive over 40 min without any check engine light turning on. No codes come up, while clearly having issues. After a day of being off, car goes back to normal without those issues, just...

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vibrations and pulsing on idle. -happens on Texas highways where vehicle begins to have trouble with acceleration and transmission shakes yet no check engine or error messages appear. -problem has been shown to one Audi dealer while happening and another Audi dealer was able to reproduce the problem. They even noted how vehicle will do all the issues noted above while not providing any error codes or messages. - vehicle has been inspected but all they do is reset software and hand back keys. While issues are still prevalent. - no warning, no over heat or any codes appear on the vehicle. Issues started at 13,[redacted] miles. Only on long highway or stop and go traffic does it happens

Filed Incident Power train · Unknown or other · EngineNHTSA 11652167
2018 Audi A4Transmission & drivetrain

The all-wheel-drive clutch in the vehicle had to be replaced. The symptoms were heavy vibrations or thumping when starting to drive forward from a stop with the wheels turned in either direction. A dealership - New Country Audi of Greenwich - did the repair at a cost of $4,308.85 (including tax). This drivetrain failure occurred at less than 48,000 miles. The vehicle came with a 50,000 mile or 4 year warranty. Since it was in service for over 5 years, this defect was not covered under warranty. There is a...

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Techical Service Bulletin on this issue, number 39 21 43 2059057/4 July 16, 2021. The dealer confirmed my issue was indeed the same as that addressed in the TSB. It seems to me that a major known issue occurring at less than 50,000 miles is a defect. I do not know if it is ultimately a safety hazard, but it seems it could become dangerous if not addressed. For reference, I am attaching the TSB and the repair invoice.

Filed Incident Power trainNHTSA 11547846
2018 Audi A4Transmission & drivetrain

While driving there was an internal failure of the front differential which caused debris to fly out and the debris then punctured the transmission according to the diagnosis on an Audi dealership. The car jerked to a stop and would not move. If this happens at high speed it represents a sever safety risk to the occupants. The vehicle has been inspected by the manufacturer and insurance representatives as well as by a dealer. There were no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms and this happened with no warning.

Filed Incident Power trainNHTSA 11539793
2008 Audi A4Transmission & drivetrainFuel system

2021 I brought an Audi A4 Quattro 2.0 2008 after having a test drive and haven't looked over the mechanic just said it was the fuel pressure high pressure sensor that was not a big deal after an hour buying it it took it to see my mom and it quit on me I had to have it towed home it would not start I took it to the mechanic and the mechanic said the same thing that it was a high pressure fuel pressure sensor so I purchased one and put on it couple months later it did the same thing the check engine light came on...

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and it was told it was fuel pressure high pressure sensor again so I changed a fuel sensor two fuel pumps in the engine to electrical fuel pumps in the back four sensors camshaft sensor the cam follower PPC valves body throttle can follower engine light still comes on the car does not want to seem like it wants to accelerate when it gets to the normal temperature save your driving for 10 or 15 minutes still normal temperature not the radio the temperature it will start to cut off the RPM drops very fast I also have put in a fuel pressure regulator and a fuel pressure filter just the other day it came out again saying the same thing p0089 Dakota's always been throwing ever since I brought the car and p 02993 it says performance one and performance too I have put a lot of money in to get in this car fixed in the I believe there is something wrong with with the fuel system in the cars they need to be on a recall

Filed Incident Power train · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11490502
2017 Audi A4Transmission & drivetrain

My 2017 Audi A4 transmission started to fail as it frequently was not able to shift gears unless I came to a complete stop and restarted my car. This made it difficult to drive at a higher speed when I was on a major road or highway. I took it to a mechanic specializing in transmissions and he confirmed that the transmission was failing. The car would give me an indicator light of a transmission malfunction. I find it ridiculous that my cars transmission would go out around 5 yrs/60,000 miles. Since the pandemic, it hasn't been driven a whole lot as I've worked from home.

Filed Incident Power trainNHTSA 11470067
2014 Audi A4Transmission & drivetrain

The TCM doesn't properly communicate with sensors in the transmission of my Audi A4 such as one of the speed sensors and this issue is inspectable by most certified technicians. The equipment failure can result in the transmission not being able to engage the gears into a "forward" motion causing the vehicle to seemingly stall in traffic. It can also cause it to shift roughly, which could further damage equipment and pose higher safety risks to not only to me, but other drivers on the roads as well, both of which...

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issues I mentioned have occurred to me on multiple occasions. I've recently had this issue diagnosed by an Audi technician. A "transmission malfunction" message also is present on the dashboard as a result of the aforementioned issues.

Filed Incident Power trainNHTSA 11459394
2014 Audi A4Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemEngine & cooling

This is my second time contacting you in reg. this vehicle, it was previously in the shop for the same repairs the engine was replaced and the coolant system was fixed, now it has been about two mo and again it is having issues with the coolant system and now transmission issues, I also just found out that this vehicle was in a accident in 2014, in which I was told t had not been, so I am currently reaching out to the Audi dealership trying to receive previous service history done to vehicle Oasis report. I feel...

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this vehicle is a safety hazard, I am a single mom and grandmother and I do not feel safe in this vehicle and wish I was informed of previous accident. In the time I have had the vehicle it has spent over 30 days in the shop and now its back in there.

Filed Incident Power train · Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 11456007
2016 Audi A4SuspensionTransmission & drivetrain

According to TSB 401548, car dealership/manufacture will not provide extended warranty to repair premature wheel bearing due to vehicle VIN not in their system as an affected vehicle. The 2016 A4 has premature wheel bearing as described in the TSB 401548. Covered vehicles are 2016 Audi A4. Faulty wheel bearing may result in loss of control of vehicle and will not pass Pennsylvania State Inspection. This is a safety defect and a wheel bearing should not fail with only 63,000 miles on the vehicle. Please assist. Thank you.

Filed Incident Suspension · Power trainNHTSA 11448765
2015 Audi A4Transmission & drivetrainEngine & cooling

The engine failed while I was driving. The car did not show any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms, it just jumped and died. I had the car towed to my mechanic. The mechanic thought it was the starter, but then realized the chain had broken and it hit other parts of the engine, including the pistons catastrophically. The engine is not reparable. My safety was a risk as the car died on a busy road. Audi has asked that I bring the car, at my expense for them to inspect, without offering anything. I have a letter from them indicating that they will not help. ABS SYSTEM and Brake Actuator that is failing or defective. Vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not repaired.

Filed Incident Power train · EngineNHTSA 11447143
2004 Audi A4Transmission & drivetrainElectrical system

PRNDS appeared in red on my dash and then started blinking. Went on line regarding this and read about a TCM switch or a lever switch malfunction.Have an appt with mechanic on 8/26/21. From what I have read we are looking at a cost prohibitive repair of several thousands of dollars. Does Audi have any responsibility? Apparently it is a common complaint with the A4 model. Felt loss of power when decelerating.

Filed Incident Power train · Electrical system · Unknown or otherNHTSA 11430229

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

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