2018 Audi A4: common problems and reliability

The 2018 Audi A4 has 51 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 4 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are electrical system and structure. Owners most often flag oil consumption (burning a quart every 1,000 miles or less): frequency: recurrent. multiple owners report oil consumption issues, with one owner needing an oil consumption test after finding multiple leaks.

Safety record for the 2018 model year

51
Owner complaints
4
Recalls
4
Crash reports
0
Fire reports

Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2018 Audi A4 vehicles (US, public record).

Is 2018 a good year for the A4?

Across the 23 A4 model years we track, complaint volume runs from 8 (2019) to 673 (2007). With 51 complaints, the 2018 A4 sits belowthe model's median of 109.

These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.

Where owners report problems

electrical system
19
structure
7
air bags
7
engine
6
fuel/propulsion system
6

Recalls affecting the 2018 A4

seats

Campaign 21V874000

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…

structure:body:door:hinge and attachments

Campaign 17V675000

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Audi A4 Sedan and A4 allroad, and 2018 A5 Sportback vehicles. The aluminum trim on the front and rear doors can come loose from around the doo…

air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module

Campaign 18V836000

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Audi A5 Sportback and 2017-2018 Audi A4 Allroad vehicles. A passenger air bag module mounting screw may not have been sufficiently tightened, possi…

air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module

Campaign 19V547000

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Audi RS5 Sportback, 2018 S5 Cabriolet, S5 Sportback, S5 Coupe, S4 Sedan, A5 Cabriolet, A5 Sportback, A5 Coupe, and 2017-2018 A4 Sedan and A4 Allroad…

What owners report on the 2016-2025 A4

Owners of the 2016-2025 Audi A4 express strong overall satisfaction, frequently praising the car’s reliability, comfortable and quiet cabin, good fuel economy (especially on the highway), and Quattro all-wheel drive. The 2016 model year is often singled out as

  • Oil consumption (burning a quart every 1,000 miles or less): Frequency: recurrent. Multiple owners report oil consumption issues, with one owner needing an oil consumption test after finding multiple leaks.
  • Timing chain replacement needed between 100,000-120,000 miles: Frequency: recurrent. Owners mention this as a known maintenance item costing around $4,000.
  • MMI system glitching: Frequency: isolated. One owner of a 2019 A4 reported MMI glitches that required software updates.
  • Temperature sensor failure: Frequency: isolated. One owner of a 2019 A4 reported an engine management light and fan running constantly due to a temperature sensor issue.
  • Clutch failure on high-mileage examples: Frequency: isolated. One owner reported a clutch burning out on a 2016 A4 with 65,000 miles shortly after purchase.

Owner insights for the 2016-2025 A4. Read the full 2016-2025 owner report.

Typical used price

Used A4 listings typically run $10,061–$18,889 across 2006 to 2024 model years.

Other A4 model years

Compare every A4 year side by side to see how 2018 ranks against the rest.

2020 A42019 A42017 A42016 A42015 A42014 A42013 A42012 A42011 A42009 A42008 A42007 A42006 A42005 A42004 A42003 A42002 A42001 A42000 A41999 A41997 A41996 A4

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