What are the most common problems with the 2018 Audi A4?

NHTSA has 54 complaints, and the two largest groups are electrical system and unknown or other with 20 each. In the electrical complaints we read, backup camera faults and driver-assist braking issues show up.

Does the 2018 Audi A4 have any recalls?

Yes, 4 recalls. Two involve the passenger air bag occupant detection cable (21V874 and 19V547), one an air bag mounting screw on the Allroad (18V836), and one loose door speaker trim (17V675).

What is the gas mileage of the 2018 Audi A4?

The A4 Ultra is rated 31 mpg combined. The quattro versions are rated 27 mpg combined.

Is the 2018 Audi A4 safe?

NHTSA rates the 4-door versions 5 stars overall, with 4 stars in the frontal test.

How does the 2018 A4 compare with other model years?

It has 54 complaints. Only 2017 (87) and 2020 (158) have more among 2017 to 2025, and the other years have 13 or fewer.

2018 Audi A4 Problems, Recalls and MPG

NHTSA has 54 owner complaints on file for the 2018 Audi A4, and none of them report a fire or a death^[1]. The car has 4 recalls^[2]^[3]^[4]^[5], including two for a passenger air bag that can be switched off by mistake, so check the recall status of any car you are considering.

54owner complaints^[1]

4recalls^[6]

27–31MPG combined (EPA)^[7]

5★NHTSA overall rating^[8]

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

Most reported problems

Owners filed 54 complaints with NHTSA^[1]. Four mention a crash, one mentions an injury, and none mention a fire or a death^[1]. These are unverified reports, and one complaint can name more than one part.

The biggest groups by count:

Component group	Complaints
Unknown or other^[9]	20
Electrical system^[10]	20
Engine^[11]	7
Structure^[12]	7
Air bags^[13]	7
Brakes^[14]	6
Fuel/propulsion system^[15]	6
Power train^[16]	5

We read a small sample of complaint texts for four of these groups. The themes below come from that sample only, so they do not tell you how common a problem is across all cars.

Electrical system. In a sample of 12 complaints we read, 4 describe a backup camera that does not show an image or shows glitch lines when the car is in reverse^[10]. Another 4 describe driver-assist braking^[10]. Some owners say the automatic brake did not engage, and others say the car braked or tightened the seat belts when no hazard was near^[10].
Engine. In a sample of 6 complaints, 3 describe a failed water pump or coolant that keeps dropping^[11].
Air bags. In a sample of 7 complaints, 5 are about the passenger air bag recall repair^[13]. Owners describe waiting for parts, or an air bag warning light after the repair. The recall itself is covered below.

The 20 complaints in the unknown or other group are not described here because we did not read them^[9].

Recalls

NHTSA lists four recalls for this model year, newest first.

Occupant classification sensor (21V874). Issued 2021-11-10^[2]. A cable that links the seat heater to the passenger occupant detection system may have a contact fault. The software can then wrongly decide the system is broken and switch off the passenger air bag, which raises injury risk in a crash. Audi says dealers will replace the cable and either the heating mat or the whole seat cover for free. This recall expands 19V547, and cars already repaired under 19V547 need to return for the new remedy^[2]. Potentially affected units: 208,332^[2].
Air bag occupant detection cable (19V547). Issued 2019-07-24^[3]. Oxidation on the same kind of cable can also make the software switch off the passenger air bag, with the same injury risk. The remedy was for dealers to add cable ties to the harness for free. Potentially affected units: 145,337^[3].
Air bag mounting screw (18V836). Issued 2018-11-27^[4]. This one names the A4 Allroad^[4]. A screw holding the passenger air bag module may not be tight enough, which could affect how the air bag deploys. Dealers inspect the screw and tighten or replace it for free. Potentially affected units: 12^[4].
Door speaker trim (17V675). Issued 2017-10-25^[5]. Aluminum trim around the door speakers can come loose and leave sharp edges, which raises the risk of injury. Dealers replace the trim for free^[5].

Fuel economy

EPA ratings for the 2.0L 4-cylinder turbo, all on premium fuel:

Version	City / highway / combined (mpg)	EPA annual fuel cost
A4 Ultra, Automatic (AM-S7), front-wheel drive^[7]	27 / 37 / 31	$2,650
A4 quattro, Automatic (AM-S7), all-wheel drive^[17]	24 / 34 / 27	$3,050
A4 quattro, Manual 6-spd, all-wheel drive^[18]	24 / 33 / 27	$3,050

The annual cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new.

Safety ratings

NHTSA gives the 4-door versions an overall rating of 5 stars^[8]^[19]. Both the all-wheel drive and front-wheel drive versions score 4 stars in the frontal test, 5 in the side test and 5 in the rollover test, with a rollover risk of 9.9%^[8]^[19]. The SW AWD version has only a side rating, 5 stars, with the same 9.9% rollover risk^[20].

Engine and size

The 2.0L 4-cylinder is rated from 190 to 252 hp, depending on version^[21]. Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

Version	Length	Width	Height	Wheelbase	Curb weight
A4 4DR Sedan 2.0^[22]	186 in	71 in	55 in	111 in	3,450 lb
A4 4DR Sedan 2.0 Quattro^[23]	186 in	71 in	55 in	111 in	3,627 lb
A4 Allroad^[24]	187 in	72 in	59 in	111 in	3,825 lb

How 2018 compares with other years

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each A4 model year. The 2018 is highlighted^[6].

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

The 2018 A4 has 54 complaints and 4 recalls on file with NHTSA^[6]. Among recent years, 2017 has 87 complaints and 6 recalls, and 2020 has 158 complaints and 3 recalls^[6]. The 2019 and 2021 model years each have 13 complaints^[6]. Among model years 2017 to 2025, only 2017 (87) and 2020 (158) have more complaints than 2018 (54), and the other six years have 13 or fewer^[6]. These counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so treat them as a rough guide.

Should you buy a used 2018 A4?

NHTSA has 54 complaints on file, and none report a fire or a death^[1]. The main thing to settle before buying is recall status. Two recalls involve the passenger air bag being switched off by mistake, and the newer one asks previously repaired cars to come back^[2]^[3]. Ask for proof that the work was done, and consider a pre-purchase inspection that checks backup camera and coolant areas, which owners describe in the sample we read^[10]^[11].

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2018 Audi A4?: NHTSA has 54 complaints, and the two largest groups are electrical system and unknown or other with 20 each^[1]^[9]^[10]. In the electrical complaints we read, backup camera faults and driver-assist braking issues show up^[10].
Does the 2018 Audi A4 have any recalls?: Yes, 4 recalls^[2]^[3]^[4]^[5]. Two involve the passenger air bag occupant detection cable (21V874 and 19V547), one an air bag mounting screw on the Allroad (18V836), and one loose door speaker trim (17V675).
What is the gas mileage of the 2018 Audi A4?: The A4 Ultra is rated 31 mpg combined^[7]. The quattro versions are rated 27 mpg combined^[17]^[18].
Is the 2018 Audi A4 safe?: NHTSA rates the 4-door versions 5 stars overall, with 4 stars in the frontal test^[8]^[19].
How does the 2018 A4 compare with other model years?: It has 54 complaints^[6]. Only 2017 (87) and 2020 (158) have more among 2017 to 2025, and the other years have 13 or fewer^[6].

Facts and sources

NHTSA has 54 owner complaints on file for the 2018 Audi A4 (4 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 1 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
Recall 21V874, filed November 10, 2021: Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification › Front Passenger. NHTSA recall database
Recall 19V547, filed July 24, 2019: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
Recall 18V836, filed November 27, 2018: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
Recall 17V675, filed October 25, 2017: Structure › Body › Door › Hinge And Attachments. NHTSA recall database
Owner complaints and recalls for every Audi A4 model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for A4 Ultra, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (AM-S7), Premium, Front-Wheel Drive: 27 city / 37 highway / 31 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,650. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR AWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 5 stars; rollover risk 9.9%. NHTSA vehicle records
20 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
20 complaints name the electrical system component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
7 complaints name the engine component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
7 complaints name the structure component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
7 complaints name the air bags component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
6 complaints name the brakes component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
6 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
5 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
EPA rating for A4 quattro, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (AM-S7), Premium, All-Wheel Drive: 24 city / 34 highway / 27 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,050. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for A4 quattro, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Manual 6-spd, Premium, All-Wheel Drive: 24 city / 33 highway / 27 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,050. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 5 stars; rollover risk 9.9%. NHTSA vehicle records
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SW AWD: side 5 stars; rollover risk 9.9%. NHTSA vehicle records
EPA Test Car List, 2018 Audi A4 with 2.0L 4-cylinder: rated 190 to 252 hp depending on version. www.epa.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, A4 4DR SEDAN 2.0: length 186 in, width 71 in, height 55 in, wheelbase 111 in, curb weight 3,450 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, A4 4DR SEDAN 2.0 QUATTRO: length 186 in, width 71 in, height 55 in, wheelbase 111 in, curb weight 3,627 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, A4 ALLROAD: length 187 in, width 72 in, height 59 in, wheelbase 111 in, curb weight 3,825 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.

2018 Audi A4: problems, recalls and fuel economy