RoadVitals

2011 Audi A4 Avant

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
32
Latest Dec 22, 2021
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
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InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
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Overview

Our database contains 32 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2011 Audi A4 Avant, most frequently naming the engine, fuel system and powertrain (other) categories. 619 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Engine1845.0%
  • Fuel system410.0%
  • Powertrain (other)410.0%
  • Steering410.0%
  • Airbags25.0%
  • Electrical25.0%
  • Exterior lighting25.0%
  • Driver assistance12.5%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

No recalls in our database for this model year

That does not guarantee a specific vehicle is unaffected — recalls are issued against VINs, and new campaigns are announced regularly. Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov.

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Engine
Filed Dec 22, 2021

The contact owns a 2011 Audi A4. The contact stated she needed to add 1 quart of oil frequently to the vehicle. The contact stated that the oil warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer and had the oil consumption test completed twice but was not able to diagnose the failure. The contact stated she continued to add 1 quart of oil frequently, but the failure started to progress. The contact stated that the oil pressure warning light was illuminated and the turn-off engine warning message was displayed. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer and had an unknown sensor replaced. The vehicle was repaired but continued to experience the failure. The contact also stated that while making a left turn, the engine seized. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and drove to her destination. The contact attempted to call the manufacturer but was unable to reach a Representative. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID
11444742
Incident
Jan 1, 2017
Body & structureElectrical
Filed Aug 1, 2019
Fire reported

CAR WAS PARKED OUTSIDE OUR APARTMENT BUILDING. IT WAS OFF AND HADN'T BEEN DRIVEN IN OVER 20HRS. AT 11AM A FIRE BROKE OUT IN THE REAR DRIVER SIDE SEAT. FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED PUT OUT THE FIRE, SAID IT WAS NOT ARSON BUT RATHER ELECTRICAL ISSUE. THE CAR FRONT DASH WAS PARTIALLY MELTED, REAR SEAT BIG CHAR BLACK SEATING MATERIAL AND SHOWED EXPOSED WIRES.

NHTSA ID
11241009
Incident
Jul 15, 2019
Mileage
120,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jun 27, 2019

IT APPEARS THAT DUE TO A MANUFACTURING/ENGINEERING DEFECT, THE TIMING CHAIN ON CERTAIN AUDI AND VOLKSWAGEN MODELS FAILS AFTER A CERTAIN NUMBER OF MILES. THIS TIMING CHAIN FAILURE HAS BEEN DETERMINED TO CAUSE SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE, IN MANY CASES REQUIRING A COMPLETE ENGINE REPLACEMENT. REGRETTABLY, THIS IS WHAT RECENTLY HAPPENED WITH MY 2011 AUDI A4. IN FACT, THERE WAS A FAIRLY HIGH-PROFILE CLASS ACTION FILED AGAINST VOLKSWAGEN (CIVIL ACTION NO. 16-2765 (JLL)(JAD) THAT WAS RECENTLY SETTLED. (SEE HTTPS://TIMINGCHAINLITIGATION.COM/HOME/FAQ#FAQ6). UNFORTUNATELY, THE SETTLEMENT IS EXTREMELY FLAWED AND LEAVES VEHICLE OWNERS INADEQUATELY COMPENSATED IF THEIR VEHICLES ARE ABOVE A CERTAIN NUMBER OF MILES OR IF THE OWNERS MISSED THE DEADLINE FOR FILING CLAIMS. THE TIMING CHAIN ISSUE CONSTITUTES A SIGNIFICANT AND DANGEROUS MANUFACTURING/ENGINEERING FLAW THAT SHOULD WARRANT A RECALL OF ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES. THE ENGINE FAILURE THAT CAN OCCUR AS A RESULT OF THE TIMING CHAIN ISSUE CAN EASILY LEAD TO AUTO ACCIDENTS AND POSSIBLE FATALITIES. I URGE THE DEPT. OF TRANSPORTATION TO TAKE THIS MATTER VERY SERIOUSLY AND INVESTIGATE. A FULL RECALL AND COMPENSATION TO AFFECTED VEHICLE OWNERS SHOULD BE ORDERED.

NHTSA ID
11222952
Incident
May 20, 2019
Mileage
60,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed May 13, 2019

MY VEHICLE WAS BURNING OIL FASTER THAN NORMAL. I HAVE SINCE HAD MY CAR IN THE SHOP SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE OIL CHANGES WERE DUE TO TOP OFF OIL DO TO SEVERAL LIGHTS COMING ON: "MIN OIL", "OIL PRESSURE TOO LOW"

NHTSA ID
11207326
Incident
Apr 13, 2019
Steering
Filed May 6, 2019

AS I AM MAKING A TURN ONTO ANOTHER STREET IN TOWN MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP, WHEN I COMPLETE A TURN IT WON'T WALK IT'S WAY BACK AROUND, YOU HAVE TO FORCE IT AROUND. I HAVE NEVER FELT SOMETHING LIKE THIS BEFORE, IT IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE.

NHTSA ID
11205890
Incident
May 6, 2019
Mileage
100,220 mi
Engine
Filed May 6, 2019

MY VEHICLE WAS BURNING OIL FASTER THAN NORMAL. I HAVE SINCE HAD MY CAR IN THE SHOP SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE OIL CHANGES WERE DUE TO TOP OFF OIL DO TO SEVERAL LIGHTS COMING ON: "MIN OIL", "OIL PRESSURE TOO LOW". I HAVE HAD SEVERAL OIL CONSUMPTION TESTS EACH YEAR AS WELL AS PARTS REPLACED: PRESSURE REGULATING VALVE, CRANKSHAFT DAMPER AND SEAL. HAD A 40 POINT INSPECTION IN 2014 AT 44K MILES AND IN 2015 REQUESTED A MULTI INSPECTION AT 55K MILES. I HAD SEVERAL OIL CONSUMPTION TESTS AROUND THESES DATES: 3/714, 5/7/15, 11/12/15. AFTER THEY CHANGED OUT PARTS I HAD TO CHANGE 4 FUEL INJECTORS IN 2016. TO FAST FORWARD I HAD ALL OIL CHANGES ON TIME AND HAD TO ADD OIL SEVERAL TIMES IN-BETWEEN SERVICES. ON JAN 11, 2019 I HAD ANOTHER OIL CHANGE, THEY REPLACED MY OIL SENSORS AND BREAKS. 4 MONTHS LATER MY "LOW OIL LIGHT" KEPT POPPING UP WHEN I WOULD TURN. AFTER CHECKING THE OLD 4 TIMES IT KEPT READING 3/4 FULL OF OIL. AFTER I FELT THE CAR RUNNING STRANGE I PULLED OVER TO BUY OIL AND AT THIS POINT I CHECKED AND IT WAS BONE DRY. I PUT A QUART IN AND AT THIS POINT THE CAR WONT START. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE NEAREST AUDI DEALERSHIP WHO TOLD ME I NEED A NEW ENGINE AND A NEW TIMING SENSOR. THEY SAID THE AMOUNT OF DAMAGE THE TIMING BELT HAD DONE CAUSED THE ENGINE TO NEED TOTAL REPLACEMENT. YET NEVER SPOKE ABOUT WHY THE OIL SENSORS KEPT GIVING THE WRONG READING. SINCE I HAVE OWNED MY CAR FROM AUG 2013 IT HAS BURNED MORE OIL THAN I WANT TO BELIEVE WHICH MAKES THIS CAR BAD FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND THE AIR QUALITY.

NHTSA ID
11205888
Incident
Apr 20, 2019
Mileage
92,000 mi
Steering
Filed Mar 2, 2019

ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING CAUSING UNSAFE INSTABILITY ON FREEWAYS. INTERMITTENTLY THE POWER STEERING ASSIST IS FAILING INTERMITTENTLY CAUSING THE DRIVER TO APPLY EXCESSIVE FORCE TO MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL BUT SOON AFTER THIS THE POWER STEERING ASSIST COMES BACK ON AND HENCE TURNING THE STEERING MORE THAN REQUIRED AND ENDING UP IN AN UNSAFE POSITION OR SWERVING ON FREEWAYS AND EVEN AT LOW SPEEDS. THE ISSUE SEEMS TO BE A WELL DOCUMENTED ISSUE AND CAN HAPPEN AT ANY MILEAGE WITH REPORTS OUT THERE ON CARS WITH LESS THAN 5K MILES. AUDI SHOULD HAVE A TSB AND RECALL FOR THIS.

NHTSA ID
11183697
Incident
Mar 2, 2019
Mileage
124,800 mi
Engine
Filed Jan 3, 2019

TAKATA RECALL. I NOTICED THAT MY CAR CONSUMES LOTS OF OIL DUE TO THE ENGINE OIL CONSUMPTION. ANYTIME I PERFORM OIL CHANGE, IT WON'T LAST LONGER THAN 7 DAYS.

NHTSA ID
11165739
Incident
Jun 1, 2018
Mileage
65 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

TSB_2082846_1

This bulletin provides a statement regarding the bottleneck of supply for VW approved oil types VW 504.00 and VW 507.00.

TSB_2073282_1

STRUCTURE:BODY

This bulletin provides information when there is a film/visible rings on the clear glass cover of the headlight when the dipped beam is switched on.

TSB_2074729_3

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This bulletin provides informationwhen noises/vibration are detected from front of vehicle in dynamic mode.

TSB_2028405_5

POWER TRAIN

This bulletin provides infomraiton when there is a Gearbox warning light; DTC P060B00 stored in the Transmission Control Module.

TSB_2059335_7

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This bulletin provides information when there are noises from the area around the instrument cluster.

TSB_2082323_1

ENGINE

This bulletin provides informaiton when the engine is not running smoothly, misfiring.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Audi A4 Avant by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2012260033.1
2011Viewing320034.6
2010000
2009200
2008000

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.