NHTSA has received 51 owner complaints about the 2018 Audi A4, or 5.9 per year on the road — far fewer complaints than typical for a vehicle of its age (complaint index 0.14, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 73 model-year 2018 vehicles we track, it ranks #4 for fewest complaints per year. Against other Audi models its rate is 35% lower; against other Luxury sedans it is 16% higher.
Counts are normalized by time on the road, not by sales volume: a popular model generates more reports than a rare one, and complaints are not verified individually. How we count
Complaints filed between 2018-07-10 and 2026-07-02. Median delay from incident to filing: 48 days.
51Complaints
5.9Complaints per year on the road
0.14Complaint index vs. all tracked vehicles
4Recalls
7.8%Share involving a crash or fire
19Last 12 months
Analysis
The following model year (2019) drew 1.0 per year, fewer than this one. In its first two years on the road the 2018 model collected 8 complaints, 91% lower than the average vehicle of the same model year.
The most common problem area is Electrical (33.3% of complaints), followed by Interior & equipment (15.7%) and Engine (13.7%). Electrical complaints are 2.1 times as common here as across all tracked vehicles. Within Electrical reports, owners most often mention “injury fatality”, “fire injury”, “crash fire”, “component available” and “communications”. 4 reports (7.8%) describe a crash or fire; owners mention 1 injury and 0 deaths.
Half of the reported incidents happened within 63 months of the model year's start; the busiest period was after five years (55% of incidents). In the last 12 months 19 new complaints were filed, versus 3 in the 12 months before — the pace is rising.
NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls for this model year. 16% of the complaints fall in component areas that a recall addresses.
Complaint index
vs. all tracked vehicles0.14
vs. other Audi models0.65
vs. other 2018 models0.12
vs. other Luxury sedans1.16
Complaints in first 2 years on the road · vs. same-year average (8)0.09
I was rear-ended at a slow speed. I was stopped at the time. The driver who hit me was decelerating hard. Damaged to rear bumper. When I got back in the car, I realized that telescoping steering column had been pulled toward me.
Steering · 2024-01-25 · ODI 11567780 · Crash
The contact owned a 2018 Audi A4. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 MPH a second vehicle crashed into the passenger side front end of the vehicle.
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.
Transmission / powertrain · 2026-07-02 · ODI 11747862
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.
Electrical · 2026-07-02 · ODI 11747863
An Audi dealer installed 245/40R18 93H tires on this 2018 Audi A4, while the vehicle placard/specification requires 245/40R18 97H. The lower load index reduces capacity from 1,609 lb per tire to 1,433 lb per tire, approximately 704 lb total across four tires.
Brakes · 2026-07-01 · ODI 11747798
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
Summary: 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.
Risk: A disabled passenger air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
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.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE Campaign 19V547000 · 2019-07-24
Summary: 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 vehicles. Oxidation on the Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS) connecting cable may cause the software to misdiagnose a malfunction and disable the passenger air bag.
Risk: A disabled passenger air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will install cable ties to the harness, free of charge. The recall began September 9, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Audi's number for this recall is 74D9.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE Campaign 18V836000 · 2018-11-27
Summary: 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, possibly affecting the deployment of the air bag in the event of a crash.
Risk: If the air bag does not deploy correctly in the event of a crash, it can increase the risk of an injury.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the air bag mounting screw, tightening or replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began December 19, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69Y4.
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS Campaign 17V675000 · 2017-10-25
Summary: 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 door speakers, leaving sharp edges exposed.
Risk: The sharp edges of the speaker trim increase the risk of injury to vehicle occupants.
Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the speaker cover aluminum trim, free of charge. The recall began March 13, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 70G6.
No NHTSA investigation covers the tracked model years.
Frequently asked questions
How many complaints were filed for the 2018 Audi A4?
51 complaints were filed with NHTSA for the 2018 Audi A4, or about 5.9 per year on the road.
What is the most common problem reported for the 2018 Audi A4?
The most common category is Electrical, accounting for 33.3% of complaints.
Does the 2018 Audi A4 have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 4 safety recall(s) for this model year.
Is the 2018 Audi A4 still generating complaints?
In the last 12 months 19 new complaints were filed, versus 3 in the 12 months before — the pace is rising.
How does the 2018 Audi A4 compare with similar vehicles?
NHTSA has received 51 owner complaints about the 2018 Audi A4, or 5.9 per year on the road — far fewer complaints than typical for a vehicle of its age (complaint index 0.14, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 73 model-year 2018 vehicles we track, it ranks #4 for fewest complaints per year. Against other Audi models its rate is 35% lower; against other Luxury sedans it is 16% higher.