2001 Audi A4 quattro 1.8t from North America

Summary:

The A4 is a smooth and great handling car, but you don't want to own it out of warranty

Faults:

Sender unit on engine temp guage broke.

Front suspension/steering piecesau wore out and started to squeak. All were replaced, but have started to wear badly again.

Vacuum hose broke.

Rear right differential leaked and was replaced, but has started to leak again.

Catalytic converter/sensors went bad.

Piece on driver sun shade has broken off.

Center arm rest pad is coming off.

General Comments:

The A4 is a stylish, solid feeling performance sedan. The overall design is excellent.

Unfortunately, the car is constantly breaking. I should have got the message when the temp guage and the whole front end steering assembly went bad early in the ownership. I consider myself a pretty average driver ranging from sedate to occasional spirited driving. I observe warm-up and cool-down time (especially with the turbo) and have been perfect with the scheduled maintenance.

I am writing this complaint due to the latest findings of the latest scheduled oil change. It was discovered that the rear right diff was leaking and the steering components were getting worn/loose. These components are less than two years old! Are my expectations of getting 50-100k on steering components and differentials to great? If I fix these components, are they going to break again in another 2 years?

Simply put, I can't possibly afford the maintenance of this car.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 26th August, 2004

11th Sep 2008, 19:38

I agree, I bought a 2001 A4 Quattro for my daughter's first car with 70,000 miles. Have owned it a little over a year, and have spent nearly $3,000 in misc repairs and need to spend a lot more.

The windows leak, and the window modules break.

The sunroof does not work right, the speakers are all broken, the timing belt just cost $1300 plus $500 in various oil leaks. Now the airbag module needs replaced.

Sensors go out, it's one thing after another.

The car is fun and stylish, but stuff keeps breaking.

I intend on selling it and buying a more reliable car like a Toyota or Honda.

2001 Audi A4 1.8 turbo from North America

Summary:

Best and nicest car out there

Faults:

Totally nothing!

General Comments:

This car is just great, every morning I can't wait to drive. I got it used and I put 10000 on it without any problems. It drives like a dream, very reliable, perfect in any weather, very comfy compared to my Acura which was impossible to drive in a rain and snow, the car wouldn't even more from its spot. It had a beautiful perfect interior and its very classy looking. Audi all the way!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 14th July, 2004

15th Jul 2004, 19:21

Agree!! I have a "99 1/2" 2.8 5 speed, and it is a gem. A truly incredible car. When you open and close doors and touch any control it feels like a Swiss watch. When you drive, it feels and responds like a sports car and literally makes you grin. The steering "talks" with feel, the gearshift slides into gears like in butter, the brakes are firm. When you hit a bump, nothing vibrates, nothing rattles, nothing squeaks - the entire car feels like it's machined out of a single billet of steel. On top of that, it is probably the most tastefully designed and beautifully finished compact car ever. And mine has been completely trouble free. And then of course there is the Quattro AWD system -- you don't need snow tires.

The A4 does not have the image of the BMW 3-series, but is more sophisticated, all around better and more fun.

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2001 Audi A4 1.8T Quattro 1.8 turbo from North America

Summary:

Great Style, Poor Quality

Faults:

Rear seat latch defective at delivery (this should have been an omen).

"Check Engine" light frequently came on. The dealer always told me the that nothing was wrong or that the computer registered a lean mixture (too low octane). After several trips (4+) it was determined that the vacuum hose had come loose.

I am constantly replacing headlight bulbs, tail light bulbs, and turn signal bulbs. The dealer tells me they aren't sure if this is caused by poorly manufactured bulbs or the corrosion in the bulb sockets (why did these sockets corrode so early?).

The speakers cut in and out repeatedly and the dealer can't find anything wrong. I have replaced numerous stereo speakers (some as many as three times each) and the problem still isn't resolved.

Engine coil failure at 20,000 miles (subsequently coils were recalled).

General Comments:

Fun to drive and handles well, but requires too much service.

Well designed. The best designed car on the road.

Comes loaded with options at a reasonable price, but the service fees are where they get you.

I'm worried about how much it will cost to maintain this vehicle once the warranty / Audi advantage period is over.

I changed service dealers once thinking the problem was the service, but it turns out the problem is the car (no dealer can fix it).

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 23rd June, 2004