VehicleVerdict

2018 Audi A4 allroad problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 16 complaints on file for the 2018 Audi A4 allroad — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 3 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

16

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

0

Investigations

7

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2018 compare to other A4 allroad years?

A4 allroad NHTSA complaints by model year, 2018 highlighted105 complaints2013: 105 complaints2014: 52 complaints2015: 32 complaints2016: 18 complaints2017: 48 complaints2018: 16 complaints2019: 5 complaints2020: 50 complaints2021: 1 complaints2022: 0 complaints2023: 1 complaints2024: 6 complaints
A4 allroad NHTSA complaints by model year, 2018 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all A4 allroad years to avoid →

What are the most common 2018 Audi A4 allroad problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System425%
Airbags319%
Other213%
Brakes213%
Engine16%
Seats16%
Speed Control16%
Body & Structure16%
Visibility & Wipers16%

Does the 2018 Audi A4 allroad have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

19V547000AirbagsJuly 24, 2019 · 145,337 units

Defect

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Audi RS5 Sportback, 2018 S5 Cabriolet, S5 Sportback, S5 Coupe, S4 Sedan, A5 Cabriolet, A5 Sportback, A5 Coupe, and 2017-2018 A4 Sedan and A4 Allroad vehicles. Oxidation on the Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS) connecting cable may cause the software to misdiagnose a malfunction and disable the passenger air bag.

Consequence

A disabled passenger air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Remedy

Audi will notify owners, and dealers will install cable ties to the harness, free of charge. The recall began September 9, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Audi's number for this recall is 74D9.

18V836000AirbagsNovember 27, 2018 · 12 units

Defect

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Audi A5 Sportback and 2017-2018 Audi A4 Allroad vehicles. A passenger air bag module mounting screw may not have been sufficiently tightened, possibly affecting the deployment of the air bag in the event of a crash.

Consequence

If the air bag does not deploy correctly in the event of a crash, it can increase the risk of an injury.

Remedy

Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the air bag mounting screw, tightening or replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began December 19, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69Y4.

17V675000Body & StructureOctober 25, 2017 · 31,323 units

Defect

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Audi A4 Sedan and A4 allroad, and 2018 A5 Sportback vehicles. The aluminum trim on the front and rear doors can come loose from around the door speakers, leaving sharp edges exposed.

Consequence

The sharp edges of the speaker trim increase the risk of injury to vehicle occupants.

Remedy

Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the speaker cover aluminum trim, free of charge. The recall began March 13, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 70G6.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“MY SON JUST CRASHED MY 2018 AUDI A4 WITH PRE SENSE BASIC AND CITY. $20K DAMAGE IN THE FRONT! NO AIR BAG DEPLOYED. IT HAPPENED ON A HIGHWAY DURING MORNING RUSH HOUR IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. HE WAS DRIVING AROUND 40MPH, TRAFFIC SLOW DOWN AND HE DID NOT REALIZE UNTIL IT WAS TOO LATE. HE BRAKED HARD, BUT THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · July 18, 2019 · crash

“The contact owned a 2018 Audi A4. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 MPH a second vehicle crashed into the passenger side front end of the vehicle. During the crash, the front end of the vehicle was severely damaged but no air bags were deployed. The driver sustained a fractured…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · November 24, 2021 · crash

“MY SON JUST CRASHED MY 2018 AUDI A4 WITH PRE SENSE BASIC AND CITY. $20K DAMAGE IN THE FRONT! NO AIR BAG DEPLOYED. IT HAPPENED ON A HIGHWAY DURING MORNING RUSH HOUR IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. HE WAS DRIVING AROUND 40MPH, TRAFFIC SLOW DOWN AND HE DID NOT REALIZE UNTIL IT WAS TOO LATE. HE BRAKED HARD, BUT THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · July 18, 2019 · crash

“MY NEW AUDI A4 2018 HORN HAS A DEAD SPOT ON THE WHOLE LOWER RIGHT HAND SIDE. AUDI HAS REPLACED THE AIR BAG IN THE STEERING WHEEL WHICH HAS THE HORN CONTACTS AND IT STILL DOES NOT WORK! I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THIS IS THE CASE ON ALL 2018 AUDI A4'S. I DRIVE IN NYC AND NOT HAVING A FUNCTIONING HORN IS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · June 25, 2018

“WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY ALL INTERIOR ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS SHUT DOWN. CRUISE CONTROL FEATURE WAS DISABLED FOR SEVERAL HOURS. WHILE STOPPED AT A LIGHT, AUDI PRE SENSE WAS ENGAGED AND SEATBELTS TIGHTENED UNNECESSARILY. PARKING SENSORS CAUSE CAR TO QUICKLY STOP UNNECESSARILY WHILE REVERSING OUT OF…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · June 14, 2019

2018 Audi A4 allroad — common questions

Is the 2018 Audi A4 allroad reliable?

The record is thin — 16 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 3 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2018 A4 allroad problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (4 complaints), airbags (3 complaints), other (2 complaints).

Does the 2018 Audi A4 allroad have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2018 Audi A4 allroad. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Audi A4 allroad years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the A4 allroad years to avoid are 2013, 2014, 2020, 2017, 2015. The cleanest record among A4 allroad years belongs to 2022.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.