2018 Audi A4 problems, complaints & recalls

Updated Oct 11, 2026 from NHTSA data · How we count

Owners have filed 43 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Audi A4, most often about electrical system. There is 1 recall for this model year.

Complaints: 43
Recalls: 1
Crashes: 1
Fires: 0
Injuries: 0
Median mileage: 12,000 mi

Key facts

Electrical System is the most-reported problem area, named in 17 of 43 complaints (40%).
Driver Assistance & Safety Tech (7) and body & structure (6) follow.
Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 12,000 mi.
Owners reported 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries.
The 2018 Audi A4 has 1 recall on file.
It ranks 3rd of 21 Audi A4 model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).
That is 22% fewer complaints than the 2017 model year (55).

A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.

Most-reported components

Component (as filed with NHTSA)	Complaints
Unknown or other	18
Electrical system	16
Fuel/propulsion system	6
Structure:body	6
Power train	5
Engine	5
Air bags	4
Forward collision avoidance: warnings	3

When problems happen (mileage)

Mileage at the time of the problem, for 2018 Audi A4 complaints that list mileage.

2018 Audi A4 recalls (1)

Recall 21V874000Nov 10, 2021208,332 vehicles
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER · SEATS
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.

Recent 2018 Audi A4 complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Filed Jul 2, 2026CABody & StructureElectrical SystemOther / Unknown
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…
NHTSA complaint #11747863 · source
Filed Jul 2, 2026CAElectrical SystemOther / UnknownTransmission & Drivetrain
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…
NHTSA complaint #11747862 · source
Filed Jul 1, 2026CABody & StructureElectrical SystemOther / Unknown
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,…
NHTSA complaint #11747854 · source
Filed Jul 1, 2026CAAirbagsElectrical SystemSeats & Seat Belts
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…
NHTSA complaint #11747852 · source
Filed Jul 1, 2026CAElectrical SystemFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionOther / Unknown
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.…
NHTSA complaint #11747851 · source
Filed Jul 1, 2026CAElectrical SystemOther / Unknown
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…
NHTSA complaint #11747850 · source
Filed Jul 1, 2026CAEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionOther / Unknown
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…
NHTSA complaint #11747848 · source
Filed Jul 1, 2026CABody & StructureElectrical SystemFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
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,…
NHTSA complaint #11747847 · source

Compare the 2018 Audi A4 with another vehicle →

Other 2018 Audi models

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 11, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology