2011 Audi A4 Avant Problems
- Complaints
- 32filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 59,000miles, 25 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- 4 / 5stars overall
- EPA fuel economy
- 24 mpgcombined, 2.0L 4-cyl AWD · 21 city / 29 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2011 Audi A4 Avant (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 32 consumer complaints for the 2011 Audi A4 Avant. The part named most often is engine, with 17 complaints (53% of the total), followed by other or unknown (6) and fuel system (4). 25 of the complaints include a mileage, and 44% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 59,000 miles. Of all complaints, 2 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 628 technical service bulletins for this model year. Engine complaints overlap with 51 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Other or unknown complaints overlap with 45 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.
Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Engine17 53%
- Other or unknown6 19%
- Fuel system4 13%
- Steering4 13%
- Air bags2 6.3%
- Electrical system2 6.3%
- Exterior lighting2 6.3%
- Engine cooling1 3.1%
Also reported: Body and structure (1), Suspension (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).
Example complaints
Engine: “Timing belt tensioner failing at under 70k miles but Audi suggests that no need to perform any timing belt related work before 120k miles. This causes catastrophic failure on the engine and entire engine needs to be rebuilt or replaced. There are several lawsuits and complaints in several states. I wanted to officially start this complain and I'm in missouri. …”
NHTSA complaint #10915384, filed 2016-10, 76,100 milesOther or unknown: “I recently purchased the vehicle from an independent dealer three weeks ago. 200 miles into driving the vehicle the oil light came on. I took the vehicle for an inspection and oil change. The vehicle passed inspection, but the mechanic noted very little oil in the vehicle, even though the next oil change wasn't for 4,000 miles. After driving the vehicle 600 more miles, the car indicated low oil again. In 2015, Audi lost a class action lawsuit for this issue. …”
NHTSA complaint #11141228, filed 2018-10, 70,430 milesFuel system: “2 incidents of total loss of power including steering. Twice in the last year traveling normally at low speed the car ceased to function. Today I was traveling about 25 MPH taking a slight right hand curve when the car died. I was almost rear ended. Power was lost and I had great difficulty pulling it off the road. It would barely coast. I restarted the car and it was fine. The first time it happened I thought it was a fluke but now it has happened twice.”
NHTSA complaint #10852082, filed 2016-03, 25,000 milesSteering: “As I am making a turn onto another street in town my steering wheel locks up, when I complete a turn it won't walk it's way back around, you have to force it around. I have never felt something like this before, it is definitely a safety issue.”
NHTSA complaint #11205890, filed 2019-05, 100,220 milesMileage when problems were reported
44% of the 25 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 30,000 and 80,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2011 Audi A4 Avant. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A4 Avant · wagon AWD | ★★★★☆ | 3 / 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 · 9.9% risk |
Neighbouring years: 2012: same overall rating. A redesign between years can change both the car and the test.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2011 Audi A4 Avant version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A4 Avant quattro AWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 8-speed automatic | 21 | 29 | 24 | $3,400 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2011 Audi A4 Avant in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 628 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11038027Sep 25, 2026Other or unknown. This bulletin provides information for reporting safety related information to the manufacturer.
- 11038042Sep 22, 2026Steering. This bulletin provides information about vibrations and rotational steering vibrations.
- 11036917Aug 26, 2026Other or unknown. This bulletin provides information when the horn sound quality is poor.
- 11036911Aug 21, 2026Brakes. This bulletin provides information for all models regarding brake sounds.
- 11036909Aug 21, 2026Brakes. This bulletin provides information on the zirconium insercts in the brake piston (ceramic brakes only).
- 11036934Aug 11, 2026Other or unknown. This bulletin provides information when there is a paint issue on alloy wheels.
- 11036921Aug 11, 2026Brakes. This bulletin provides information about the general approach for brake vibration concerns.
- 11036915Aug 11, 2026Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors). This bulletin provides information on the GFF test plan required for AC compressor replacements regardless of the concern.
- 11036914Aug 11, 2026Brakes. This bulletin provides information when there is an ABS/ESC speed sensor implausible signal.
- 11035854Jul 27, 2026Other or unknown. This bulletin provides a statement regarding the bottleneck of supply for VW approved oil types VW 504.00 and VW 507.00.
Other model years of the Audi A4 Avant
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 26 | 60,000 | 0 | 4 | 24 | Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years) | Stable |
| 2011 | 32 | 59,000 | 0 | 4 | 24 | Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years) | Falling |
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2011 Audi A4 Avant have?
NHTSA recorded 32 consumer complaints for the 2011 Audi A4 Avant as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2011 Audi A4 Avant is reported most often?
Engine is named most often, in 17 complaints (53% of the total), followed by other or unknown with 6.
Has the 2011 Audi A4 Avant been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
How did the 2011 Audi A4 Avant do in NHTSA crash tests?
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2011 Audi A4 Avant 4 out of 5 stars overall. Ratings from different model years are only comparable when the vehicle was not redesigned in between.
What gas mileage does the 2011 Audi A4 Avant get?
The EPA rates the 2011 Audi A4 Avant (A4 Avant quattro, 2.0L 4-cyl) at 24 mpg combined, 21 city and 29 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,400 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2011 Audi A4 Avant reported?
Among the 25 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 59,000 miles and the middle half falls between 30,000 and 80,000 miles; 44% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.