2018 Audi A4 Problems
Compared with other Audi A4 years
Typical for this model
44/100 0.9× a typical year · 50 = typical
- Complaint rate is 0.9× that of a typical Audi A4 year, weighted for crashes, fires, injuries, recalls and mileage, and allowing for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints.
- 4 of its 45 complaints were filed by the end of 2020.
- Most reported part: Other or unknown (18 complaints).
- 1 recall campaign on record. A VIN search at nhtsa.gov/recalls shows open recalls for a specific vehicle.
Nearby years with fewer complaints than typical and no open NHTSA investigation: 2017
Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated
- Complaints
- 45filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 12,000miles, 4 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- 5 / 5stars overall, 2 rated versions
- EPA fuel economy
- 31 mpgcombined, 2.0L 4-cyl FWD · 27 city / 37 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2018 Audi A4 (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 45 consumer complaints for the 2018 Audi A4. The part named most often is other or unknown, with 18 complaints (40% of the total), followed by electrical system (17) and fuel system (6). 4 of the complaints include a mileage, and 75% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 12,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 773 technical service bulletins for this model year. Other or unknown complaints overlap with 81 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Electrical system complaints overlap with 189 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Compared with the other 6 Audi A4 model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 44 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.
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.
- Other or unknown18 40%
- Electrical system17 38%
- Fuel system6 13%
- Body and structure6 13%
- Engine5 11%
- Air bags4 8.9%
- Brakes4 8.9%
Also reported: Suspension (2), Electronic stability control (1), Engine cooling (1), Seats (1), Steering (1), Tires (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1), Wheels (1).
Example complaints
Other or unknown: “Due to the AT&T 3G turndown, Audi of America is removing a critical safety feature from certain MY 2018 vehicles, with no solution offered to the vehicle owner except to pay an additional $650-$1000 out of pocket to install a retrofit device to restore some of these safety features. As sold, MY2017-2018 and certain MY 2019 Audi A4/A5/Q5/Q7 vehicles came with an emergency call feature, both automatic in the event of a severe accident, and manual. …”
NHTSA complaint #11453407, filed 2022-02Electrical system: “My screen turns on and off consistently not allowing me to use my backup camera. Causing a small collision while backing up when the camera turned off unexpectedly. Additionally when it’s off it will auto break when I’m not close enough to hitting and it’s loud and yanked me. This has been an issue for some time and I’m seeing a significant amount of my models have this issue and it’s not safe.”
NHTSA complaint #11702346, filed 2025-12Fuel system: “Engine malfunction prevented the vehicle to engage and a significant lag. Correction of the failure has been attempted twice and a third attempt to correct malfunction is currently in progress with no movement as of yet. Gas tank has been drained and refilled and did not correct issue. Definitely not a gasoline type issue.”
NHTSA complaint #11349755, filed 2020-08, 14,000 milesBody and structure: “Front of body rides too low to ground. Body damage occurred on left front fender from driving up a steep hill after making left turn onto road with the steep hill.”
NHTSA complaint #11327100, filed 2020-06, 10,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
75% of the 4 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 10,000 and 14,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: rising. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2018 Audi A4. 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 · sedan AWD | ★★★★★ | 4 / 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 · 9.9% risk |
| A4 · sedan FWD | ★★★★★ | 4 / 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 · 9.9% risk |
Driver aids listed by NHTSA for the 2018 model year: forward collision warning standard, lane departure warning optional, automatic emergency braking not available.
Neighbouring years: 2017: same overall rating; 2019: 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 2018 Audi A4 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 Ultra FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 7-speed automatic | 27 | 37 | 31 | $2,650 |
| A4 quattro AWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 7-speed automatic | 24 | 34 | 27 | $3,050 |
| A4 quattro AWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 6-speed manual | 24 | 33 | 27 | $3,050 |
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
- 21V874000Nov 10, 2021Air bags › Sensor › Occupant classification › Front passengerCovers: Audi A4 2017–2020, A5 2018–2020, S4 2018–2020 +2 more
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2017-2020 A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, 2018-2019 RS5 Coupe, 2019 RS5 Sportback, 2018-2020 A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A5 Sportback, S4 Sedan, S5 Cabriolet, S5 Coupe, and Audi S5 Sportback vehicles. The cable…
Recall details for the 2018 Audi A4 → · Check a 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. 773 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11038130Sep 25, 2026Other or unknown. This bulletin states that technicians are required to report to the manufacturer when a vehicle has flooded, and specify the height to which the vehicle has been flooded.
- 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.
- 11038024Sep 22, 2026Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors). This bulletin provides service information regarding exterior glass cleaning.
- 11038056Sep 18, 2026Body and structure. This bulletin provides information about billing for a broken sunroof glass panel.
- 11038025Sep 15, 2026Other or unknown. This bulletin provides information when the license plate mounting bracket threded inserts are stripped.
- 11038033Sep 8, 2026Body and structure. This TSB describes a corrosion issue due to outside influence and the prohibition of warranty in these cases.
- 11038026Sep 8, 2026Other or unknown. This bulletin provides infomraiton abou the Audi frequency analysis application, which is available in the App Store for Android and Apple phones.
- 11038061Sep 2, 2026Electrical system. This bulletin provides information regarding fault finding and repair information for electric tailgate.
- 11036917Aug 26, 2026Other or unknown. This bulletin provides information when the horn sound quality is poor.
Other model years of the Audi A4
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 10 | 30,000 | 0 | — | 28 | — | Too new |
| 2022 | 6 | 32,400 | 3 | — | 29 | — | Not enough data |
| 2021 | 11 | 2,674 | 4 | 5 | 28 | — | Not enough data |
| 2020 | 128 | 26,000 | 3 | 5 | 30 | 84 · More | Rising |
| 2019 | 10 | 50,000 | 1 | 5 | 30 | — | Not enough data |
| 2018 | 45 | 12,000 | 1 | 5 | 31 | 44 · Typical | Rising |
| 2017 | 56 | 28,000 | 1 | 5 | 31 | 0 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2016 | 11 | 45,000 | 0 | 5 | 27 | — | Not enough data |
| 2015 | 19 | 44,000 | 0 | 5 | 26 | — | Falling |
| 2014 | 32 | 80,000 | 0 | 5 | 26 | 0 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2013 | 24 | 101,000 | 0 | 5 | 26 | — | Falling |
| 2012 | 19 | 109,000 | 0 | 4 | 25 | — | Falling |
| 2011 | 11 | 105,500 | 0 | 4 | 25 | — | Not enough data |
| 2010 | 64 | 83,750 | 0 | — | 26 | 50 · Typical | Falling |
| 2009 | 120 | 65,000 | 2 | — | 25 | 100 · More | Stable |
| 2008 | 175 | 62,000 | 4 | — | 24 | 100 · More | Falling |
| 2007 | 196 | 74,000 | 3 | — | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2006 | 295 | 60,000 | 3 | — | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2005 | 219 | 58,400 | 3 | — | 23 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2004 | 189 | 59,560 | 2 | — | 23 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2003 | 210 | 60,000 | 3 | — | 23 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2002 | 181 | 30,000 | 1 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2001 | 131 | 61,028 | 1 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2000 | 96 | 62,900 | 2 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1999 | 190 | 75,000 | 4 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1998 | 258 | 80,650 | 4 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1997 | 98 | 92,457 | 6 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1996 | 89 | 66,821 | 4 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
All Audi A4 model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2018 Audi A4 have?
NHTSA recorded 45 consumer complaints for the 2018 Audi A4 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2018 Audi A4 is reported most often?
Other or unknown is named most often, in 18 complaints (40% of the total), followed by electrical system with 17.
Has the 2018 Audi A4 been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
How did the 2018 Audi A4 do in NHTSA crash tests?
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2018 Audi A4 5 out of 5 stars overall, across 2 rated versions (body style and drive). Ratings from different model years are only comparable when the vehicle was not redesigned in between.
What gas mileage does the 2018 Audi A4 get?
The EPA rates the 2018 Audi A4 (A4 Ultra, 2.0L 4-cyl) at 31 mpg combined, 27 city and 37 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,650 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2018 Audi A4 reported?
Among the 4 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 12,000 miles and the middle half falls between 10,000 and 14,000 miles; 75% 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.