VehicleVerdict

2018 Audi A4 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2018 Audi A4 sits mid-pack among A4 years: 39 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 95, with a single recall and no defect investigations.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across other (7), electrical system (7), and driver assistance (6), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect. In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

39

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

0

Investigations

1

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2018 compare to other A4 years?

A4 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2018 highlighted343 complaints1995: 1 complaints1996: 133 complaints1997: 119 complaints1998: 321 complaints1999: 242 complaints2000: 115 complaints2001: 153 complaints2002: 218 complaints2003: 282 complaints2004: 225 complaints2005: 267 complaints2006: 343 complaints2007: 226 complaints2008: 204 complaints2009: 150 complaints2010: 77 complaints2011: 17 complaints2012: 23 complaints2013: 28 complaints2014: 38 complaints2015: 23 complaints2016: 18 complaints2017: 75 complaints2018: 39 complaints2019: 16 complaints2020: 226 complaints2021: 19 complaints2022: 10 complaints2023: 17 complaints2024: 4 complaints
A4 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2018 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all A4 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2018 Audi A4 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Other718%
Electrical System718%
Driver Assistance615%
Transmission410%
Engine410%
Airbags38%
Brakes38%
Fuel System25%
Steering13%
Body & Structure13%
Suspension13%

Does the 2018 Audi A4 have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

21V874000AirbagsNovember 10, 2021 · 208,332 units

Defect

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 connecting the seat heater to the Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS) may have a contact fault, causing 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

Dealers will replace the connecting cable and either the heating mat or entire seat cover, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 7, 2022. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 74E3. This recall is an expansion of Recall 19V-547 (74D9). Vehicles previously repaired under 19V-547 will need to return for the new remedy.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“Drive system malfunction message appeared after starting ignition at 6am before heading to work. Turned car off immediately and took another vehicle to work. ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · October 14, 2025

“I WENT TO PRESS THE BUTTON TO DISABLE START/STOP MODE. THE BUTTON TO DO THIS IS NEXT TO THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL BUTTON. I ACCIDENTALLY PRESSED THE ESC BUTTON AND SHUT OF ELECTRONIC STABILITY. [REDACTED]THESE TWO BUTTONS SHOULD NOT BE NEXT TO EACH OTHER. [REDACTED] THERE SHOULD BE A WAY TO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · July 30, 2020

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Driver Assistance · September 23, 2025

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · August 10, 2020

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · August 10, 2020

2018 Audi A4 — common questions

Is the 2018 Audi A4 reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 39 NHTSA complaints, below the typical A4 year, with 1 recall and no open investigations.

What are the most common 2018 A4 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are other (7 complaints), electrical system (7 complaints), driver assistance (6 complaints).

Does the 2018 Audi A4 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 2018 Audi A4. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Audi A4 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the A4 years to avoid are 2006, 1998, 2003, 2005, 1999, 2020, 2007, 2004, 2002, 2008, 2001, 2009. The cleanest record among A4 years belongs to 1995.

How safe is the 2018 Audi A4?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2018 Audi A4 earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

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.