Which is cheaper to maintain, the Audi A4 or the Audi A4?

Based on 5-year routine maintenance labor at a $150/hr indie shop rate, the Audi A4 is cheaper to maintain — about $64,352 less over 60,000 miles. Parts cost is not included.

What's the labor difference between the 2.8L V6 and the 2.0L I4 TFSI?

Across 33 common maintenance jobs, hours vary by drivetrain and engine layout. See the side-by-side table on this page for each job's labor hours and estimated cost.

Are there any active recalls on the Audi A4 or Audi A4?

The Audi A4 has 3 open NHTSA recalls. The Audi A4 has 0 open recalls. Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer.

2001 Audi A4 vs 2026 Audi A4 — Labor Times, Costs & Recalls

Specifications

Year

2001

2026

Engine

2.8L V6

2.0L I4 TFSI

Drivetrain

AWD

Transmission

automatic

Fuel

gas

Powertrain

Engine output, acceleration, top speed, handling, braking — and Nürburgring if either car ran one.

Horsepower

—hp

Torque

—lb-ft

0–60 mph

—

Quarter Mile

—

Top Speed

—

Skidpad

—

60–0 Braking

—

70–0 Braking

—

MPG · City

—

MPG · Highway

—

MPG · Combined

—

Performance specs synthesized from manufacturer figures and instrumented magazine tests (Car and Driver, Motor Trend, Road & Track). MPG from EPA fueleconomy.gov. Numbers flagged as "low confidence" by AI generation are conservative estimates from related platforms.

Cost of Ownership

5-Year Maintenance

$66,952

1.12 $/mi

★ WINNER

5-Year Maintenance

$2,600

0.04 $/mi

🏆

ADVANTAGEAudi A4 — Saves you $64,352 over 5 years (96% less in routine maintenance labor)

Routine maintenance only. Cost = labor hours × $150/hr × estimated 5-yr frequency. Parts cost not included.

Maintenance Breakdown

Hours per common service. Lower is faster (and cheaper) at the shop.

Oil & filter change

10.4 hrs$19,200 / 5yr

— hrs

1.8T Catastrophic Sludge Failure (Engine Rebuild/Replacement)

— hrs$4,063 / 5yr

— hrs

Tire rotation

2.6 hrs$3,120 / 5yr

— hrs

Wiper blades

3.9 hrs$2,460 / 5yr

— hrs

Cabin air filter

5.2 hrs$2,415 / 5yr

— hrs

Serpentine belt

10.4 hrs$1,595 / 5yr

— hrs

PCV valve

10.4 hrs$1,580 / 5yr

— hrs

Fuel filter

3.3 hrs$1,050 / 5yr

— hrs

Front brake pads

2.6 hrs$940 / 5yr

— hrs

Rear brake pads

2.6 hrs$920 / 5yr

— hrs

Differential fluid

2.6 hrs$860 / 5yr

— hrs

Engine air filter

2.6 hrs$840 / 5yr

— hrs

Brake fluid flush

2.6 hrs$810 / 5yr

— hrs

Timing belt service

10.4 hrs$784 / 5yr

— hrs

Control Arm Bushings and Ball Joints

— hrs$748 / 5yr

— hrs

Timing Belt and Water Pump Failure

— hrs$715 / 5yr

— hrs

Valve cover gasket

10.4 hrs$648 / 5yr

— hrs

Coolant flush

3.9 hrs$635 / 5yr

— hrs

12V battery

2.6 hrs$590 / 5yr

— hrs

Power steering flush

3.3 hrs$515 / 5yr

— hrs

Intake manifold gasket

10.4 hrs$495 / 5yr

— hrs

Oil pan gasket

10.4 hrs$403 / 5yr

— hrs

Automatic Transmission Oil Cooler Line Failure

— hrs$390 / 5yr

— hrs

Spark plugs

2.0 hrs$380 / 5yr

— hrs

Oxygen sensor

3.9 hrs$353 / 5yr

— hrs

Ignition Coil Pack Failures (1.8T)

— hrs$260 / 5yr

— hrs

Water pump

3.9 hrs$247 / 5yr

— hrs

Window Regulator Failure

— hrs$228 / 5yr

— hrs

Thermostat

3.9 hrs$219 / 5yr

— hrs

Alternator

2.6 hrs$173 / 5yr

— hrs

Ignition coil

2.0 hrs$152 / 5yr

— hrs

Starter motor

2.6 hrs$118 / 5yr

— hrs

Mass Airflow Sensor Contamination (1.8T)

— hrs$96 / 5yr

— hrs

Active Recalls

Open NHTSA Recalls

3 open

★ WINNER

Open NHTSA Recalls

CLEAR

🏆

ADVANTAGEAudi A4 — 3 fewer open recalls from the NHTSA

Fluid Capacities

Audi A4

brake · DOT 4 ESP Brake Fluid

coolant10.00 qt · Audi G13 Coolant (Purple)

engine_oil5.50 qt · Castrol Edge 5W-30

front_diff1.50 qt · Audi Differential Fluid

power_steering1.00 qt · Pentosin CHF 11S

rear_diff2.00 qt · Audi Differential Fluid

transfer_case2.50 qt · Audi Transfer Case Fluid

transmission_auto10.00 qt · Audi DSG / S-Tronic Fluid

washer3.50 qt · Windshield Washer Fluid

Audi A4

brake · VW B 000 750

coolant7.50 qt · VW TL 774 J

engine_oil4.50 qt · VW 502.00 / 504.00

front_diff1.50 qt · API GL-5

power_steering · N/A

rear_diff2.00 qt · API GL-5

transfer_case2.50 qt · ATF or manufacturer specific

transmission_auto10.00 qt · ATF for DSG/Tiptronic

washer3.50 qt · All-season or winter-rated

The Verdict

🏆

THE WINNER

2026 Audi A4

2.0L I4 TFSI

Audi A4 is cheaper to maintain (saves ~$64,352 over 5 years)
Audi A4 has 3 fewer open NHTSA recalls

Based on objective maintenance and recall data. Driving feel, looks, brand loyalty, and ownership experience are separate (and very valid) considerations.

Open the full dashboard for either truck

Labor times, torque specs, fluid capacities, DTC codes, repair procedures, recalls, common platform problems.