Audi S4 engine failure problems

Filed Jun 6, 2025 · Engine · MO

Water pump defect for the 3.0L ea839 turbo engine found across many Porsche and Audi models. Defect causes damage to vacuum lines, thermostat, and can eventually lead to engine failure if not resolved. No way of knowing this is happening until you start to lose coolant (which will throw an engine code), but by that point the damage is done. There was a recall for the previous generation vehicle water pumps.

Filed Mar 13, 2025 · Engine · NC

My 2018 Audi S4 has a catastrophic engine failure issue and this is common with the EA839 engine. There is a knocking in the motor that is caused by internal engine parts (rocker arms needle bearings) becoming loose and dislodged. The metal shavings travel in the motor oil and destroy the engine from the inside. Hendrick Audi northlake examined the car on February 26, and recommended a new engine be installed at a cost of $32,000. I contacted Audi customer care and they reviewed the case only to offer me no assistance with the new engine expense. My Audi S4 is a 2018 with less than 47k miles, and I am the fifth owner. I have been reading a lot of threads on Audi forums as well as Reddit about this problem, and this is not rare. This should be a class action lawsuit against Audi for making and selling a defective product. The EA839 engine from 2017 to 2020 is a ticking bomb from day one, almost engineered to fail prematurely. And Audi does nothing to remedy the problem. That is why I would like for the federal safety agency to get involved in this situation. Please look into this and let me know what I can do to assist with this. I can be reached at [XXX] or [XXX] . Thank you!! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jan 13, 2023 · Engine · MN

The R&R valve/oil separator unit failed on my 2015 Audi S4 at approximately 71,000 miles. This unit, when fails, can mix the oil and anti-freeze which can seize the engine. I was able to catch the problem before engine failure. Minneapolis Audi repaired the vehicle this week, 1/10/23. There were NO warning indicators except noise. Various media sources have stated that this is a known engine failure concern between 60-90K miles for this engine. Audi does not recognize this as a safety or warranty concern.

Filed Nov 15, 2020 · Engine · 175,000 miles · MA

Audi has used a timing chain in the 4.2l v8 engine. Because timing chains are typically very reliable, the chain has been placed at the rear of the engine near the firewall. The problem is that the timing tensioners are made of plastic and prone to breakage. This can result in catastrophic engine failure.

Filed Oct 24, 2017 · Engine · 102,000 miles · NJ

After engine cools down, timing chain rattle can be heard upon starting the car. Chain rattle means that plastic guides or adjusters are worn, and might go any second. Spoke with audi rep online, which advises me that this is normal, and expected. Knowing basics of engines and transmission, I didn't believe that something is "life time" and is not serviceable, especially if it's plastic (which tends to shrink and expand depending on temperatures, and then has fractures which snaps). Two different independent licensed audi shops confirmed that the guides and adjusters has to be replaced in order to prevent catastrophic engine failure. Chain skipping a tooth might mean bent valves, scored cylinder walls and the list goes on. What is lifetime, should be covered by audi. If it's promised to be lifetime and needs no service, shouldn't break. If it breaks that only means design flaws, which are obvious in this engine. Yes, car isn't new, but the parts were lifetime, so I'm expecting them to last until engine is worn out, not the parts that are lifetime. If the federal safety agency will do full scale investigation. Will be obvious that large amount of s4's ranging from 2004 to 2007 are affected. Even 10% is large number, considered the costs of fixing what is "lifetime" according to audi, and when it fails they leave their designs flaws for you to figure out. Hopefully justice can be brought to light as to what audi tries to turn it's back to. Symptoms: chain rattle upon start. Chain rattle doesn't go away while driving. Check engine light, loss of power or catastrophic engine failure.

Filed Feb 6, 2015 · Steering · 5,900 miles · MN

Tl*the contact owns a 2014 audi s4. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 40 MPH, the steering wheel seized and the stop car steering system default warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed that the steering module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 5,900.

Filed Aug 14, 2014 · Engine, Transmission · 80,000 miles · CT

Audi claims that the timing chain on those vehicles are lifetime and does not need to be service. Unfortunate the timing change tensioners are made of plastic which the wear out at about 50k miles, causing a start up rattle and eventually engine explosion from the chain coming of the guides and destroying the entire engine and causing a massive accident at high speed. Hundreds of problems like this one are reported online from thousands of people even youtube videos. Not to mention that every time you bring your vehicle and complaint to audi the claim that the rattle is normal; just to find out that is the first clue of future engine failure.

Filed Feb 2, 2012 · Engine · CA

2004 audi s4. Consumer states vehicle failed while driving, engine, power brakes and steering locked up *tgw the dealer informed the consumer, the vehicle had suffered catastrophic engine failure, which was most likely due to the failure of the timing chain or adjusters. The consumer was quoted a price of $24,000 for the repairs. The consumer has since learned it was a relatively common problem for his model and year. The specific mechanical flaw seemed to be that the timing chain coordinated the action between the pistons and the valves. The timing chain was supported by several plastic guides. The guides pushed against the chain by the adjusters.

Filed Jan 13, 2012 · Transmission · 55,000 miles · IN

I own a 2004, audi, s4 which I purchased used from my brother, who bought it new. I bought this car from him with 45,000 miles on it. At 55,000 miles the car had catastrophic engine failure. 5,000 miles over the warranty period! The mechanic that is repairing the damage said if one more component would have broke it could have caused me to lose control of the vehicle and crash. The engine and transmission had to be removed from the vehicle to be repaired. I contacted audi of u.s.a. To,1. Alert them of this problem and possible safety issue, 2. Because the car is only 5,000 miles over the warranty and it had such massive failure I believe it only reasonable to ask for some help in the cost of repairs. The repair cost are going to be between 4,000 and 5,000 dollars. 3. I work in quality assurance for a company and I really wanted to speak with their quality assurance and alert them to this big problem. It is crucial they (audi) understand the problem. The reps at audi of u.s.a. That I spoke with would not help (except to listen, they are good at that), and were not cooperating with me in the process of trying desperately to alert their quality people of this failure that occurred to my car. I believe I was completely ignored and I need to find out how I can effectively report this. Not only to audi but also other people who own the same vehicle. This is a major issue that needs to be made public. Thank you.

Filed Jan 3, 2010 · Engine · 103,000 miles · WI

Engine failure going 45mph due to broken valve spring. Faulty part documented in 5/2005 USA today but audi will not repair.