CarBrief

NHTSA lists 78 owner complaints and 4 recalls for the 2014 Audi A4[1][2]. Engine and steering draw the most complaints, and two of the recalls involve a coolant pump with a fire risk[3][4][5][6].

78owner complaints[1]
4recalls[2]
23–26MPG combined (EPA)[7]
5★NHTSA overall rating[8]

Most reported problems

Owners filed 78 complaints with NHTSA for the 2014 A4[1]. One mentions a crash, 3 mention a fire, and none report an injury or death[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name several parts of the car.

The samples are small, so treat these themes as a rough picture and not as a ranking of what goes wrong.

Recalls

NHTSA lists 4 recalls for this model year, newest first[2].

Owners in the complaint sample describe waiting for parts for the coolant pump recall[3][9]. Ask a dealer whether each of these recalls has been completed on the exact car you are considering.

Fuel economy

EPA lists three versions of the 2014 A4[17][7][18]. EPA annual fuel cost uses its current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new.

Version City / Highway / Combined MPG Annual fuel cost
A4 quattro, automatic (S8), all-wheel drive[17] 20 / 28 / 23 $3,550
A4, automatic (AV-S8), front-wheel drive[7] 23 / 31 / 26 $3,150
A4 quattro, manual 6-speed, all-wheel drive[18] 22 / 32 / 26 $3,150

All three use a 2.0L 4-cylinder turbo engine. The all-wheel-drive automatic uses premium or E85 fuel, and the other two use premium[17][7][18].

Safety ratings

NHTSA gives the 4-door all-wheel-drive version 5 stars overall, with 5 stars for frontal, side and rollover protection[8]. Rollover risk is 9.9%[8]. The 4-door front-wheel-drive version gets the same ratings[19].

Engine and size

The EPA lists the 2.0L 4-cylinder at 211 hp[20]. Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications, so US models can differ slightly.

Version Length Width Height Wheelbase Curb weight
Sedan 2.0 TFSI FWD[21] 185 in 72 in 56 in 111 in 3,505 lb
Sedan 2.0 TFSI quattro[22] 185 in 72 in 56 in 111 in 3,616 lb
Allroad 2.0 TFSI quattro[23] 186 in 72 in 58 in 111 in 3,891 lb

How 2014 compares with other years

1996: 89 complaints, 4 recalls19961997: 98 complaints, 6 recalls1998: 258 complaints, 4 recalls1999: 190 complaints, 4 recalls19992000: 96 complaints, 2 recalls2001: 131 complaints, 1 recalls2002: 181 complaints, 1 recalls20022003: 210 complaints, 3 recalls2004: 189 complaints, 2 recalls2005: 219 complaints, 3 recalls20052006: 298 complaints, 4 recalls2007: 219 complaints, 5 recalls2008: 191 complaints, 6 recalls20082009: 144 complaints, 6 recalls2010: 64 complaints, 0 recalls2011: 43 complaints, 0 recalls20112012: 45 complaints, 0 recalls2013: 111 complaints, 4 recalls2014: 78 complaints, 4 recalls7820142015: 44 complaints, 4 recalls2016: 26 complaints, 3 recalls2017: 87 complaints, 6 recalls20172018: 54 complaints, 4 recalls2019: 13 complaints, 1 recalls2020: 158 complaints, 3 recalls20202021: 13 complaints, 4 recalls2022: 7 complaints, 3 recalls2023: 11 complaints, 1 recalls20232024: 6 complaints, 0 recalls2025: 1 complaints, 0 recalls
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each A4 model year. The 2014 is highlighted[2].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
1996894
1997986
19982584
19991904
2000962
20011311
20021811
20032103
20041892
20052193
20062984
20072195
20081916
20091446
2010640
2011430
2012450
20131114
2014784
2015444
2016263
2017876
2018544
2019131
20201583
2021134
202273
2023111
202460
202510

The 2014 A4 has 78 complaints and 4 recalls[2]. Of the 30 model years NHTSA lists for the Audi A4, 17 have more complaints and 12 have fewer[2]. The year before, 2013, has 111 complaints and 4 recalls[2]. The year after, 2015, has 44 complaints and 4 recalls[2]. Five years have more recalls than 2014, with 5 or 6 each[2]. Counts are not adjusted for sales, and the list covers every A4 model year together, so use it as a rough guide[2].

Should you buy a used 2014 Audi A4?

The crash ratings are strong at 5 stars across the board[8][19]. The complaint count is middle of the pack for this model across its years[2]. The main thing to check is the paperwork. Two recalls cover the coolant pump and carry a fire risk[5][6], and a third covers heater wiring[15]. Ask for proof that all four recalls were done[5][15][6][16]. Test drive at highway speed and pay attention to steering, since steering is the second largest complaint group[4]. Complaints are unverified and a small sample, so they are a reason to look closely and not a verdict.

Frequently asked questions

What are the common problems with the 2014 Audi A4?
NHTSA has 78 complaints[1]. Engine has 29 and steering has 24[1][3][4]. In the sample we read, owners describe coolant pump trouble and highway steering wander[3][4].
Does the 2014 Audi A4 have any recalls?
Yes, 4 recalls: coolant pump replacement 18V229, heater wiring 17V622, coolant pump software 17V002 and air bag software 14V667[5][15][6][16].
What MPG does the 2014 Audi A4 get?
EPA combined ratings are 23 MPG for the all-wheel-drive automatic and 26 MPG for the front-wheel-drive automatic and the all-wheel-drive manual[17][7][18].
Is the 2014 Audi A4 safe?
NHTSA gives the 4-door versions 5 stars overall[8][19].
How much horsepower does the 2014 Audi A4 have?
The EPA lists the 2.0L 4-cylinder at 211 hp[20].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 78 owner complaints on file for the 2014 Audi A4 (1 mention a crash, 3 a fire, 0 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. Owner complaints and recalls for every Audi A4 model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  3. 29 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 2 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 57,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  4. 24 complaints name the steering component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 59,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  5. Recall 18V229, filed April 11, 2018: Engine And Engine Cooling › Cooling System. NHTSA recall database
  6. Recall 17V002, filed January 3, 2017: Engine And Engine Cooling › Cooling System. NHTSA recall database
  7. EPA rating for A4, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (AV-S8), Premium, Front-Wheel Drive: 23 city / 31 highway / 26 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,150. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  8. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR AWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 5 stars; rollover risk 9.9%. NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 6 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 6 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 5 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 4 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. 3 complaints name the air bags component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  14. 3 complaints name the brakes component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  15. Recall 17V622, filed October 5, 2017: Electrical System › Wiring. NHTSA recall database
  16. Recall 14V667, filed October 24, 2014: Air Bags. NHTSA recall database
  17. EPA rating for A4 quattro, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S8), Premium or E85, All-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 28 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  18. EPA rating for A4 quattro, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Manual 6-spd, Premium, All-Wheel Drive: 22 city / 32 highway / 26 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,150. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  19. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 5 stars; rollover risk 9.9%. NHTSA vehicle records
  20. EPA Test Car List, 2014 Audi A4 with 2.0L 4-cylinder: rated 211 hp. www.epa.gov
  21. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, A4 4DR SEDAN 2.0 TFSI FWD: length 185 in, width 72 in, height 56 in, wheelbase 111 in, curb weight 3,505 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  22. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, A4 4DR SEDAN 2.0 TFSI QUATTRO: length 185 in, width 72 in, height 56 in, wheelbase 111 in, curb weight 3,616 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  23. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, A4 ALLROAD 2.0 TFSI QUATTRO: length 186 in, width 72 in, height 58 in, wheelbase 111 in, curb weight 3,891 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.