Audi might be highly celebrated for its all-wheel drive Quattro system, but there are other areas that need some work. The automatic emergency braking system has recently come under fire for randomly engaging, which could lead to a wreck. There have also been other major problems with Audi vehicles as well.

The 2010 A4 is one of those vehicles. Owners who bought it felt cheated and quickly turned it in for another vehicle. In fact, the problem is so bad that Consumer Reports has recommended that potential buyers steer clear of this model. 

It definitely gets better than the 2010 Audi A4

The Audi A4 is often praised as being a reliable luxury sedan. In fact, many owners adore their A4. Unfortunately, the 2009 and 2010 models are a set of bad lemons in a lineup that is typically well-received.

The main problem with the 2009 and 2010 A4 is the engine. It tends to consume oil the way an elephant drinks water. According to Car Complaints, owners are fed up with how much money they spend on oil.

One owner even stated he had to add a liter of oil every 300 miles. Since running a vehicle without oil can destroy the engine, owners have little choice but to spend hard-earned money on extra oil. 

The problem is so bad that Audi was forced to issue a recall. Many owners found relief from this issue by having their entire engine rebuilt. There’s no report on how expensive the repairs are, but NADA Guides reports:

“In a very general sense, you can expect the cost of rebuilding your engine to run you anywhere between $2,500 and $4,500 depending on parts as well as labor.”

For many owners, selling the vehicle for parts and buying another vehicle is easier. Those who can’t afford to do that are stuck with a vehicle they’ve probably grown to detest. Unfortunately, the 2010 Audi A4 has other issues beyond the engine. 

Just when you thought it couldn’t get worse

The timing chain is another big issue for the 2010 Audi A4. Car Complaints reports that it can cost around $3,940, and gave it a severity score of 10. That’s their highest score, making this a more severe issue than the engine.

Since many experts recommend that you change the timing belt and the water pump together, this means more money for owners. Both are crucial to the life of the car and, even worse, create wear and tear on the engine when they don’t function properly. 

What you should buy instead of the 2010 Audi A4

While many might think that the auto world is crowded with choices, that’s actually a good thing. If a vehicle is as unreliable as the 2009 and 2010 Audi A4, having no other options would leave consumers in a bad spot. Thankfully, Consumer Reports recommended three other used vehicles that are far more reliable.

The 2008-2010 Lexus ES, the 2008-2010 Infiniti G, and the 2009-2010 Acura TL are great choices for families on a budget. The 2007 Lexus ES has gotten some rather bad reviews from consumers, but Lexus fixed many of the issues plaguing it in the 2008 model. The Infiniti G37 is also under $5,000, so anyone on a budget can get a reliable car at a great price.