What are the most common problems with the 2011 Audi A4?

Engine complaints lead the list with 25 reports. Power train comes next with 7.

Are there recalls for the 2011 Audi A4?

Recalls are listed in the Recalls section of this page. The by-year facts show 0 recalls in our data.

Is the 2011 Audi A4 reliable?

NHTSA has 43 owner complaints on file. The engine group makes up the largest share. Read the problems section to judge for yourself.

What is the gas mileage of the 2011 Audi A4?

See the fuel economy section of this page for the figures.

Is the 2011 the best year for the Audi A4?

See the by-year comparison on this page. The 2011 model year has 43 complaints.

2011 Audi A4 Problems, Recalls and MPG

NHTSA has 43 owner complaints on file for the 2011 Audi A4^[1]. The engine group is the largest^[2].

43owner complaints^[1]

24–25MPG combined (EPA)^[3]

4★NHTSA overall rating^[4]

Problems
Recalls
Fuel economy
Safety
Engine and size
By year
Verdict
FAQ

Most reported problems

Here are the complaint groups, biggest first.

Engine. 25 complaints^[2]. In the stories we read, owners describe the car using up oil far too fast, warning lights coming on, and in a few cases the engine stalling or giving out. One owner tells of a fire at the front of the car. The median mileage at failure was 67,715^[2].
Power Train. 7 complaints^[5]. Owners describe clutches that slip or give out, a gearbox that shudders, and a car that would not go into reverse. Some say the repair bills were steep.
Unknown Or Other. 6 complaints^[6]. These reports do not fit a single named part.
Fuel/Propulsion System. 6 complaints^[7]. Owners describe the car suddenly losing power, including power steering, while driving at low speed or in traffic.
Steering. 4 complaints^[8]. Owners describe steering that goes heavy or stiff, assist that cuts in and out, and a wheel that sticks in turns.
Electrical System. 3 complaints^[9].
Exterior Lighting. 2 complaints^[10].
Air Bags. 2 complaints^[11].

Recalls

NHTSA's records show 0 recalls for the 2011 A4^[12].

Fuel economy

EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.

Version	City / highway / combined MPG	Annual fuel cost
A4, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Premium, Front-Wheel Drive^[3]	22 / 30 / 25	$3,300
A4 quattro, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S8), Premium, All-Wheel Drive^[13]	21 / 29 / 24	$3,400
A4 quattro, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Manual 6-spd, Premium, All-Wheel Drive^[14]	21 / 31 / 25	$3,300
A4 Avant quattro, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S8), Premium, All-Wheel Drive^[15]	21 / 29 / 24	$3,400

Safety ratings

Version	Overall	Frontal	Side	Rollover	Rollover risk
4 DR AWD^[4]	4	4	5	5	9.9%
4 DR FWD^[16]	4	4	5	5	9.9%
SW AWD^[17]	4	4	5	5	9.9%

Engine and size

Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.

Engine	Horsepower
2011 Audi A4 with electric motor^[18]	211 hp
2011 Audi A4 with 2.0L 4-cylinder^[19]	211 hp

These are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, so US models can differ slightly.

Version	Length	Width	Height	Wheelbase	Curb weight
A4 4DR SEDAN 2.0T FWD^[20]	185 in	72 in	56 in	111 in	3,263 lb
A4 4DR SEDAN 2.0T QUATTRO^[21]	185 in	72 in	56 in	111 in	3,373 lb
A4 AVANT 2.0 TFSI 4DR AWD WAGON^[22]	185 in	72 in	56 in	111 in	3,571 lb

How 2011 compares with other years

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each A4 model year. The 2011 is highlighted^[12].

Show the numbers

Model year	Complaints	Recalls
1996	89	4
1997	98	6
1998	258	4
1999	190	4
2000	96	2
2001	131	1
2002	181	1
2003	210	3
2004	189	2
2005	219	3
2006	298	4
2007	219	5
2008	191	6
2009	144	6
2010	64	0
2011	43	0
2012	45	0
2013	111	4
2014	78	4
2015	44	4
2016	26	3
2017	87	6
2018	54	4
2019	13	1
2020	158	3
2021	13	4
2022	7	3
2023	11	1
2024	6	0
2025	1	0

NHTSA's counts for the A4 show 43 complaints and 0 recalls for 2011^[12]. Among the 30 model years listed, 7 have fewer complaints than 2011 and 22 have more^[12]. The fewest complaints are for 2025 (1) and the most are for 2006 (298)^[12]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.

Should you buy a used 2011 A4?

These are unverified owner reports, so they show patterns and not proof. The engine group stands out in the stories we read, with 25 of the complaints^[2]. Power train and fuel system reports follow far behind^[5]^[7]. The record shows 2 fire reports and no deaths or injuries^[1]. If you are shopping for this car, ask for service records on oil top-ups and clutch or gearbox work, and have a trusted mechanic look it over.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2011 Audi A4?: Engine complaints lead the list with 25 reports^[2]. Power train comes next with 7^[5].
Are there recalls for the 2011 Audi A4?: Recalls are listed in the Recalls section of this page. The by-year facts show 0 recalls in our data^[12].
Is the 2011 Audi A4 reliable?: NHTSA has 43 owner complaints on file^[1]. The engine group makes up the largest share^[2]. Read the problems section to judge for yourself.
What is the gas mileage of the 2011 Audi A4?: See the fuel economy section of this page for the figures.
Is the 2011 the best year for the Audi A4?: See the by-year comparison on this page. The 2011 model year has 43 complaints^[12].

Keep exploring

Other model years of the Audi A4

2010 64 complaints, 0 recalls
2011 this page
2012 45 complaints, 0 recalls
2013 111 complaints, 4 recalls
2014 78 complaints, 4 recalls
2015 44 complaints, 4 recalls
2016 26 complaints, 3 recalls
2017 87 complaints, 6 recalls
2018 54 complaints, 4 recalls

Compare all model years of the Audi A4

All Audi models

Similar cars from 2011: compact cars

2011 Ford Focus 113 complaints, 0 recalls
2011 Honda Insight 41 complaints, 10 recalls
2011 Mazda 3 132 complaints, 2 recalls
2011 Subaru Impreza/Outback Sport 58 complaints, 14 recalls
2011 Volkswagen Jetta 640 complaints, 8 recalls
2011 BMW 3 Series 829 complaints, 12 recalls

All compact cars we cover

Facts and sources

NHTSA has 43 owner complaints on file for the 2011 Audi A4 (0 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 0 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
25 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 67,715). NHTSA vehicle records
EPA rating for A4, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Premium, Front-Wheel Drive: 22 city / 30 highway / 25 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,300. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR AWD: overall 4 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 5 stars; rollover risk 9.9%. NHTSA vehicle records
7 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 62,000). NHTSA vehicle records
6 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 60,000). NHTSA vehicle records
6 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
4 complaints name the steering component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
3 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
2 complaints name the exterior lighting component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
2 complaints name the air bags component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
Owner complaints and recalls for every Audi A4 model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for A4 quattro, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S8), Premium, All-Wheel Drive: 21 city / 29 highway / 24 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,400. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for A4 quattro, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Manual 6-spd, Premium, All-Wheel Drive: 21 city / 31 highway / 25 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,300. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for A4 Avant quattro, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S8), Premium, All-Wheel Drive: 21 city / 29 highway / 24 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,400. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: overall 4 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 5 stars; rollover risk 9.9%. NHTSA vehicle records
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SW AWD: overall 4 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 5 stars; rollover risk 9.9%. NHTSA vehicle records
EPA Test Car List, 2011 Audi A4 with electric motor: rated 211 hp. www.epa.gov
EPA Test Car List, 2011 Audi A4 with 2.0L 4-cylinder: rated 211 hp. www.epa.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, A4 4DR SEDAN 2.0T FWD: length 185 in, width 72 in, height 56 in, wheelbase 111 in, curb weight 3,263 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, A4 4DR SEDAN 2.0T QUATTRO: length 185 in, width 72 in, height 56 in, wheelbase 111 in, curb weight 3,373 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, A4 AVANT 2.0 TFSI 4DR AWD WAGON: length 185 in, width 72 in, height 56 in, wheelbase 111 in, curb weight 3,571 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

2011 Audi A4: problems, recalls and fuel economy