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Since its debut in 1997, the Audi A4 has been a bread-and-butter vehicle for the German automaker. And until the rise of SUVs and the Q5, this compact sedan was the brand’s best-seller. The Audi A4 remains popular, especially as a pre-owned car for savvy shoppers looking to take advantage of depreciation. This raises the logical question, “What are the most reliable Audi 4 years?”
To answer this inquiry, we’ll review information from carcomplaints.com, the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), and Consumer Reports to reach our conclusions. Although cars can have many problems, we mainly concentrate on the frequency of engine and transmission troubles, as these areas are the most costly to fix.
Keep in mind that we’re covering reliability, so our recommendations don’t reflect fuel economy, safety, or other factors.
We’re also skipping the first-generation A4 (1997-2001) from this discussion. These are old vehicles (and some are technically classic cars!) and are more prone to reliability issues.
THE AUDI A4 YEARS TO AVOID
While it sells well and is considered a prestigious brand, it still has occasional disappointments. Considering buying one? Here are the Audi A4 years to avoid.
Here’s a quick glance at the most reliable Audi A4 years. We’ll continue with a generation-by–generation breakdown of the results.
- 2005
- 2008
- 2014
- 2015
- 2016
- 2018
- 2019
- 2020
Most Reliable Audi A4 Years: Second Generation (Sold: 2002-2005)
Thanks to a larger platform, the second-generation (B6) Audi A4 arrives as a larger car (inside and out) with better handling. It’s not unusual to find a five-speed manual transmission connected to the base turbocharged 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine or other upgraded (V6 and V8) engines. A continuously variable transmission (CVT) was optional.
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2005 Audi A4
Unfortunately, the earlier years (2002-2004) of the B6 Audi are filled with numerous engine-related complaints. And while the 2005 model year isn’t totally problem-free in this area, it’s much better than its predecessors. It just took Audi a few years to work out the “first-year bugs” of an all-new model. Any shopping for a 2005 A4 should include a thorough pre-purchase inspection, a wise step before buying any used car.
Most Reliable Audi A4 Years: Third Generation (Sold: 2006-2008)
The third-generation (B7) of the Audi A4 incorporates a reworking of the B6 platform more than an all-new model. Audi wanted customers to consider this a new generation, so we’ll go along for the ride. Notably, these Audis get a punchy turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine making 200 horsepower as the base powerplant. The manual transmission got an upgrade to a six-speed setup.
2008 Audi A4
The connection to the previous-generation A4 may be too great because the B7 A4 also gets off to a trouble-filled start. Engine-related problems abounded for the first two years (2006-2007), but owner reports of these issues died down with the 2008 Audi A4. We’d suggest looking for a newer A4 if the budget permits. However, if a B7-generation is all the wallet allows, the 2008 model year is the most reliable option.
Most Reliable Audi A4 Years: Fourth Generation (Sold: 2009-2016)
Audi reinvents the wheel with the all-new fourth-generation (B8) A4. It’s substantially larger than the B7 edition, giving the model a leg up on the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class. A reworked turbo 2.0-liter engine pushes out more horsepower and torque, and a redesigned interior makes the A4 a formidable contender in the compact luxury car segment.
2014 Audi A4
Like with previous-generation A4s, the B8 Audi takes years to reach its stride for dependability. This begins with the 2014 model year, which ranks a 3 (out of 5) for reliability, according to Consumer Reports. Which looks fantastic considering the organization gave the 2011 and 2013 model years a 1. Engine complaints for the 2014 A4 dropped considerably, making this model year the first among the fourth generation that can wear a reliable label.
2015 Audi A4
The dependability trend continues with the 2015 Audi A4. It receives an impressive 4 in Consumer Reports’ reliability index, and carcomplaints.com records only three owner reports about engine troubles. Other problem categories that NHTSA tracks are filled with single-digit complaint volume, an impressive decline considering the earlier years of the B8 Audi A4.
2016 Audi A4
2016 marks another 4 for reliability, according to Consumer Reports. It’s a significant achievement celebrating the final year of the fourth generation. Also noteworthy is that carcomplaints.com received just one engine-related report about the 2016 A4. The problems of the past have indeed escaped this Audi.
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Most Reliable Audi A4 Years: Fifth Generation (Sold: 2017-Current)
Audi reports that the fifth-generation (B9) A4 is 90% new. Thanks to aluminum and other materials, the car weighs less than the last A4, even though it’s bigger. The venerable turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine returns. However, it now makes a robust 248 horsepower. A thoroughly modern cabin includes an available “virtual co*ckpit” (a fancy term for a configurable digital instrument panel), giving this A4 generation impressive technology credentials.
2018 Audi A4
In truth, the 2017 A4 isn’t bad in the dependability department (it gets a reliability score of 4 from Consumer Reports). But given the A4’s troublesome history at the start of a new generation, we’ll hold off on making a recommendation until the 2018 edition. Owner complaints about the engine and transmission are practically non-existent, and the 2018 A4 gets a perfect 5 out of 5 from Consumer Reports for reliability.
2019 Audi A4
The 2019 A4 continues a notable reliability streak; this model year is basically a cut and paste of the 2018 A4. Trouble reports and complaints are few and far between, and this is from a vehicle that’s now four years old. Consumer Reports backs this up with another perfect (5) reliability score.
8 QUESTIONS TO ASK WHEN BUYING A USED CAR
So you’re in the market for a used vehicle? We’ve gone ahead and prepped some essential questions to ask when buying a used car.
2020 Audi A4
Curiously, Consumer Reports drops the reliability of the 2020 A4 to a 3, but there’s little independent data to confirm a downward reliability trend. Carcomplaints.com shows one owner report (about the engine), and NHTSA has a total of four problems, hardly enough reason to give a thumbs down to the 2020 Audi A4.
About the 2021-2023 Audi A4
Initial data show that the most recent years (2021-2023) of the A4 are off to a good start. Consumer Reports gives the 2021 edition a score of mid-grade 3, and there are few complaints or owner reports. However, these cars are still relatively new. So, without more solid data about reliability, we’ll hold off on any recommendations.
Audi A4 FAQs
How much does a new Audi A4 typically cost?
The starting price for a 2023 Audi A4 is around $42,000. Tick all the boxes, and a top-tier A4 costs about $53,000.
How much does a used Audi A4 typically cost?
Prices for pre-owned Audi A4 vary greatly depending on age, mileage, condition, and equipment. Using a more recent example, the typical 2018 Audi A4 has an asking price of $26,080, according to a CoPilot Price Pulse report. This amount reflects a 28% premium due to volatile conditions in the used car market.
Is the Audi A4 a good car to purchase?
The Audi A4 can be an excellent used car with proper research and cautious buying. Be sure to concentrate your shopping on reliable model years (the ones we reviewed earlier) and get a pre-purchase inspection from a professional mechanic before signing the paperwork.
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