RoadVitals

2018 Audi A4

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.
44
Latest Jul 2, 2026
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.
1
Latest Nov 10, 2021
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.
1

Overview

Our database contains 44 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2018 Audi A4, most frequently naming the electrical, driver assistance and fuel system categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 749 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

  • Electrical1727.9%
  • Driver assistance711.5%
  • Fuel system69.8%
  • Body & structure69.8%
  • Engine69.8%
  • Powertrain (other)58.2%
  • Airbags46.6%
  • Brakes46.6%

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

1 campaign cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov

AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER; SEATS

Nov 10, 2021
208,332 units potentially affected
The 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.
The risk: A disabled passenger air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
The 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.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.Manufacturer number 74E3View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Body & structureElectrical
Filed Jul 2, 2026

A vehicle diagnostic scan dated 04/15/2026 showed electrical communication faults involving vehicle control modules. The scan showed U014100, described as “Lost Communication With Body Control Module ‘A’,” with status listed as passive/sporadic. The scan also showed U112100, described as “Data bus message missing,” with status listed as active/static. This is being reported as a safety concern because body-control module, gateway, and data-bus communication faults can affect vehicle electrical functions, warning systems, access/locking systems, lighting or body-control functions, driver information, and other vehicle systems that rely on module communication. The concern is especially important because the vehicle has had multiple intermittent electrical/body-control symptoms, including fuel-door/tank-flap electrical faults and other reported intermittent vehicle electrical concerns. No crash, fire, injury, or fatality occurred. The vehicle/component is available for inspection, and the diagnostic scan report, electrical-system records, service communications, and related repair records are available if requested.

NHTSA ID
11747863
Incident
Apr 15, 2026
ElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Jul 2, 2026

A vehicle diagnostic scan dated 04/15/2026 at approximately 88,502 miles showed a stored transmission electronics fault: P084100, described as “Transmission fluid pressure sensor/switch A range/performance,” with status listed as passive/sporadic. This indicates a transmission / powertrain control concern involving the transmission fluid pressure sensor, transmission electronics, wiring, control logic, pressure monitoring, or related powertrain components. The vehicle also has prior transmission/powertrain history, including a March 2023 transmission-pan-gasket concern documented in service records, so this later transmission electronics fault is being reported in that broader powertrain context. This is being reported as a safety concern because a transmission fluid pressure sensor or transmission-control fault can affect shifting, drivability, delayed engagement, slipping, harsh shifting, limp mode, reduced power, drivetrain damage, or loss of propulsion while driving. Even if the fault is intermittent, a transmission-control issue may create an unsafe condition if it occurs in traffic or during acceleration, merging, turning, or normal driving. No crash, fire, injury, or fatality occurred. The vehicle/component is available for inspection, and the diagnostic scan report, transmission-related records, service records, manufacturer communications, and related communications are available if requested.

NHTSA ID
11747862
Incident
Apr 15, 2026
Body & structureElectrical
Filed Jul 1, 2026

The vehicle has a recurring interior rattle / loose-trim concern involving interior panels, trim, speaker/subwoofer area, rear shelf, dashboard area, or related mounting components. The noise is not merely a comfort concern if it is caused by a loose component, fastener, grille, panel, or speaker housing that may move, worsen, detach, or distract the driver. This is being reported as a safety concern because loose interior trim or components can distract the driver, interfere with normal vehicle use, create uncertainty about whether a component is secured, and may indicate improper fastening, panel fitment, speaker/subwoofer mounting, or body/electrical component installation issues. If the affected trim is near safety-system areas, it should be inspected to confirm it does not affect wiring, restraint-system areas, visibility, or safe vehicle operation. No crash, fire, injury, or fatality occurred. The vehicle/component is available for inspection, and service records, TSB-related records, photos/video/audio, issue lists, and repair communications are available if requested.

NHTSA ID
11747854
Incident
Mar 23, 2023
AirbagsElectricalInterior & seats
Filed Jul 1, 2026

The vehicle is subject to a Passenger Occupant Detection System / PODS safety recall involving the front passenger seat occupant-detection system and passenger airbag status. The concern is that the system may incorrectly detect whether a passenger is seated and may switch off or affect the front passenger airbag when the seat is occupied. This is being reported because the recall remedy was not completed, was delayed, was not properly resolved, or the concern remains unresolved. A malfunctioning passenger occupant detection system can affect whether the passenger airbag deploys as intended in a crash. The issue involves the airbag system, front passenger seat occupant detection, related sensors/modules, and related electrical components. No crash, fire, injury, or fatality occurred. The vehicle/component is available for inspection, and Audi recall documents, service records, communications, and any warning-light or passenger-airbag-status evidence are available if requested.

NHTSA ID
11747852
Incident
Jan 1, 2022
ElectricalFuel system
Filed Jul 1, 2026

The short-term MPG / fuel-consumption display gives illogical and inconsistent readings. The display can show a significant drop in short-term fuel economy after the vehicle has been parked, locked, and not running, as if the system is incorrectly factoring parked/off time into the MPG calculation. This suggests a possible fault in the onboard computer, instrument cluster, fuel-consumption calculation, sensor input, software, ECU/module logic, or related electrical system. This is being reported as a safety concern because inaccurate fuel-consumption or range-related information can mislead the driver about fuel usage and remaining range, and it may indicate a broader vehicle electrical/computer/sensor malfunction. The concern is also part of a broader pattern of electrical or driver-information issues, including other intermittent warnings and display-related concerns. No crash, fire, injury, or fatality occurred. The vehicle/component is available for inspection, and photos/video of the display, service communications, issue lists, and related electrical-system records are available if requested.

NHTSA ID
11747851
Incident
Aug 27, 2024
Electrical
Filed Jul 1, 2026

The vehicle intermittently gives a false proximity/collision warning while stationary or while maneuvering at low speed. The sensors beep and display a warning on the screen as if an object is about to hit the vehicle, even when nothing around the vehicle has changed and no object is present. This appears to involve the parking/proximity warning system, sensor system, control module, wiring, calibration, or broader electrical/driver-assistance system. This is being reported as a safety concern because false collision/proximity warnings can distract the driver, reduce trust in the vehicle’s warning systems, cause unnecessary braking or hesitation, and may indicate a malfunction in the systems used for parking, low-speed maneuvering, and obstacle detection. No crash, fire, injury, or fatality occurred. The vehicle/component is available for inspection, and service communications, issue lists, photos/video if available, and related electrical/driver-assistance records are available if requested.

NHTSA ID
11747850
Incident
Aug 27, 2024
EngineFuel system
Filed Jul 1, 2026

The engine oil level has been gradually dropping and has required monitoring and/or adding oil between normal service intervals. The exact source is unknown. It may involve abnormal oil consumption, an external oil leak, internal engine oil consumption, PCV/oil separator issue, turbo-related oil consumption, gasket/seal issue, or oil loss that is not leaving an obvious visible puddle. This is being reported as a safety concern because low engine oil or abnormal oil loss can lead to low oil pressure, warning messages, engine overheating or damage, smoke, oil contacting hot engine/exhaust components, limp mode, stalling, or loss of propulsion while driving. The issue should be inspected rather than treated as normal maintenance unless a proper diagnosis confirms normal operation. No crash, fire, injury, or fatality occurred. The vehicle/component is available for inspection, and oil-level/refill records, repair records, photos, receipts, and service communications are available if requested.

NHTSA ID
11747848
Incident
Aug 27, 2024
Body & structureElectricalFuel system
Filed Jul 1, 2026

The fuel filler door/gas door intermittently fails to open, preventing normal access to the fuel filler area. This appears to involve the fuel door latch, release mechanism, lock actuator, body component, electrical control, or related wiring/module issue. This is being reported as a safety concern because inability to open the fuel door can prevent refueling when fuel is low. If the vehicle cannot be refueled, it can create a stranding risk or loss-of-propulsion risk, including in traffic, at night, on a highway, or in an unsafe location. The issue also creates driver distraction and uncertainty because refueling access is not reliable. No crash, fire, injury, or fatality occurred. The vehicle/component is available for inspection, and photos/video, service communications, and repair records are available if requested.

NHTSA ID
11747847
Incident
Aug 27, 2024

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_2081573_4

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

This bulletin provides information when DTC B105A1A, B103E25 is stored in 0017; fuel tank level implausible.

TSB_2078648_2

STRUCTURE:BODY

This service information TSB provides warranty coverage information for vehicles with a broken sunroof panel.

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_2073747_4

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This bulletin provides informatoinw hent here are scratches or a coating on the cover of the instrument cluster, or particles inside of the housing.

TSB_2081573_3

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

This bulletin provides information when DTC B105A1A, B103E25 is stored in 0017; fuel tank level implausible.

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 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026000
2025000
2024200
2023100043.4
2022630
2021114065.1
20201273048.0
2019101059.4
2018Viewing441049.2
2017541040.6
2016110035.5
2015190046.4
2014310032.2
2013240044.8
2012190039.7
2011110027.6
2010640031.8
20091202047.1
20081754050.8
20071963046.5
20062953047.0
20052194049.4
20041893150.9
20032104049.2
20021812050.4
20011313157.3
2000965358.5
19991907559.8
19982586559.0
1997988462.0
1996896356.1
1995120

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.