What year Audi A4 Cabriolet should I avoid?

The 2009 model year is rated Avoid, with the highest complaint index (100) among the 2006-2009 A4 Cabriolet years and four recall campaigns, mostly for airbags.

Which Audi A4 Cabriolet year is best?

2008 is the only year rated Good, with a complaint index of 33, the lowest among model years with data.

Are airbags a common problem across A4 Cabriolet years?

Yes. Airbags account for 57 of 64 total complaints (89%) across all years, and multiple recall campaigns target airbag inflators.

Does the 2009 Audi A4 Cabriolet have a recall?

Yes, NHTSA lists four recall campaigns for the 2009 model year, three of which involve airbag inflator or frontal airbag replacement.

Is the 2007 Audi A4 Cabriolet reliable?

2007 is rated Caution, with a complaint index of 67 and three recall campaigns, ranking second-worst behind 2009.

Audi A4 Cabriolet Best and Worst Years (2006–2009)

The 2009 Audi A4 Cabriolet is the year to avoid, with a complaint index of 100 (the highest of the range) and 4 recall campaigns, mostly airbag-related. 2008 is rated Good with a complaint index of 33, making it the strongest choice among the years covered.

Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.

Avoid 2009

Model years: 4; 2006–2009
NHTSA complaints: 64
Recall campaigns: 4
Crashes reported: 1
Fires reported: 0
Top problem area: Airbags

A4 Cabriolet Complaint Index by year

Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Audi A4 Cabriolet problems and recalls by year

Year	Verdict	Index	Complaints	Crashes	Recalls	Top issue	MPG	NCAP
2006	No verdict	0	3	1	1	Electrical System	20.5	—
2007	Caution	67	23	0	3	Airbags	22	—
2008	Good	33	16	0	3	Airbags	22	—
2009	Avoid	100	22	0	4	Airbags	23	—

A4 Cabriolet years to avoid: what went wrong

2009 Audi A4 Cabriolet Index 100 · 22 complaints · 4 recalls

The 2009 A4 Cabriolet carries the highest complaint index (100) of the model years covered and ranks worst overall. Airbags dominate owner reports, accounting for 18 of 22 complaints (82%), with a median failure mileage of 40,500 miles. Fuel system issues made up 3 complaints at a median of 86,376 miles, and engine complaints (2) showed a median of 103,752 miles, including a case of a failed high-pressure fuel pump leading to camshaft failure. NHTSA lists four recall campaigns for this year, three tied to airbag inflators and frontal airbag replacement, none marked do-not-drive. Owners frequently described long waits for Takata airbag recall parts and replacement inflators.

2009 airbags problems →

Most common Audi A4 Cabriolet problems (all years)

Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.

Airbags57 (89%)
Engine3 (5%)
Fuel System3 (5%)
Electrical System2 (3%)
Transmission & Powertrain2 (3%)
Other1 (2%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

Frequently asked questions

What year Audi A4 Cabriolet should I avoid?: The 2009 model year is rated Avoid, with the highest complaint index (100) among the 2006-2009 A4 Cabriolet years and four recall campaigns, mostly for airbags.
Which Audi A4 Cabriolet year is best?: 2008 is the only year rated Good, with a complaint index of 33, the lowest among model years with data.
Are airbags a common problem across A4 Cabriolet years?: Yes. Airbags account for 57 of 64 total complaints (89%) across all years, and multiple recall campaigns target airbag inflators.
Does the 2009 Audi A4 Cabriolet have a recall?: Yes, NHTSA lists four recall campaigns for the 2009 model year, three of which involve airbag inflator or frontal airbag replacement.
Is the 2007 Audi A4 Cabriolet reliable?: 2007 is rated Caution, with a complaint index of 67 and three recall campaigns, ranking second-worst behind 2009.