Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2009 Audi A4
NHTSA data on file today
The 2009 Audi A4 has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 120 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #17V032000 Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #16V376000 Air Bag Control Unit Power Supply Corrosion NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Engine 44 complaints
- Air Bags 33 complaints
- Steering 15 complaints
- Fuel/Propulsion System 7 complaints
- Unknown or Other 7 complaints
- Power Train 6 complaints
Of the 120 complaints on file, 6 report a crash and 3 a fire; across all 120 complaints, owners report 3 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $10,000–$15,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2009 Audi A4 has issues with the airbag system that could lead to expensive repairs. Owner complaints suggest additional reliability concerns beyond airbags, affecting long-term costs.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| airbag system | 50,000–75,000 miles | $1,000–$1,500 | very common |
| engine oil consumption | 60,000–90,000 miles | $500–$1,200 | common |
| timing chain tensioner | 70,000–100,000 miles | $1,500–$2,500 | common |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil and filter changes every 5,000 miles
- Brake fluid replacement every 2 years
- Timing belt replacement around 80,000 miles
- Coolant system flush every 3 years
- Transmission fluid check every 40,000 miles
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Check engine light constantly on
- Unusual engine noises
- Airbag warning light
- Frequent need for oil top-up
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2009 Audi A4 at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.