2005 Audi A4 1.8 turbo from North America
Summary:
Audi's are unreliable, black holes!
Faults:
- Throttle body had to be replaced at 54,000 miles.
- Transmission control module had to be replaced at 60,000 miles.
- Coolant leak at 60,000 miles.
- Gasket leak at 72,000 miles.
- Fuel pump replaced at 72,000 miles.
- Timing belt replaced at 80,000 miles.
That is a grand total of $6,000 (approx.) in random repairs to this car!
General Comments:
I fell in love with this car when I bought it. It was cute, and according to Consumer Reports it was a reliable car. Wrong! After I realized something was wrong with the car I started reading forum posts and realized I had made a mistake. They were all about transmission issues and timing belt replacements. I guess that is what I get for not doing my research beforehand.
The car is still in perfect condition to the average eye. I have a small dent on the back passenger side fender, but other than that it looks new on the outside. Inside it still smells new! I have people comment on that all the time. The black leather is something Audi actually got right. It stays in great condition and is beautiful. I kept up with regular maintenance and had a tune up done at 70,000, which is when I found out about the gasket leak.
Now I just want to get out from under this problem car and into something more reliable. One problem, I am upside down and out of cash... thanks to my A4. I'll definitely go for a Honda or Toyota... great reputation and low maintenance costs, if something does go wrong.
So if you enjoy driving a rental or going without your car, and you would rather spend your savings on repairing your car, rather than a vacation... Go with Audi!! I have been contemplating hanging out at the Audi dealership and telling their innocent potential customers not to buy an Audi!
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No
Review Date: 28th April, 2009
29th Apr 2009, 14:32
On the average, it is reliable. I've had five Audis, and save for some minor problems (they were all second hand), never gave me a headache. You will always find the odd few which drive the averages down.
Have you done a bit of research lately? Check on transmissions for V6 Hondas and Acuras, sludging problems on Toyota Siennas, among others. The age of the modern car has dawned: all too complicated, very, very expensive to fix.
18th Mar 2010, 20:08
An absolute shock to find out that my 2005 Audi A4 has coolant leaking into my engine.
I purchased it new with the intent of keeping it forever. I have kept it dealer maintained and it now has 80,000 miles. I scheduled its 75,000 service (at 74,000 miles) and at the same time the engine light came on. After the service and new tires $$s - the engine light was back on within 12 hours.
Back and forth and rental cars - the dealer technicians, and area technicians that trouble shoot over the phone only took 6 months to figure out the leak. They believe it is the cylinder head gaskets, but will not know for sure until they remove the heads. Black hole is correct - wish they still had the 'Cash for Clunkers.' Cannot wait to dump this car.
Will never buy another Audi, and I guess that includes VW.
11th Jan 2013, 21:47
You list a timing belt replacement at 80K miles as a fault. This is a regular maintenance item on many cars besides your A4.
12th Jan 2013, 17:18
Do not purchase an Audi or VW if you are looking for reliability, low operating costs or low maintenance costs.
Even minor things cost an arm and a leg to fix, and most mechanics will not even touch them, leaving you at the mercy of the dealership.
My girlfriend had a 2005 Jetta; nice car when it worked, but unreliable, expensive to maintain; basically an overpriced headache.
We sold it at a huge loss; worst investment ever.
29th Apr 2009, 06:42
Even Hondas & Toyotas cost way too much to fix when they break (and being machines, they do sometimes break).