2011 Audi A4 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Best The 2011 Audi A4 ranks 19th of 20 model years with a complaint index of 5 and just 11 complaints, earning a Best verdict. Engine issues, mainly oil consumption, make up 64% of complaints, but no recalls have been filed for this year.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 5/100
- #19 of 20 A4 years
- Verdict
- Best
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 11
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 0
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 25
- 21 city / 30 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
Top 2011 Audi A4 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine7 (64%)
- Transmission & Powertrain3 (27%)
- Fuel System2 (18%)
- Brakes1 (9%)
- Electrical System1 (9%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras1 (9%)
- Seat Belts1 (9%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (9%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Engine burns excessive oil from the pistons and piston rings, sometimes with oil found sitting on top of the pistons and cylinder walls damaged.
- Owners report the engine running low on oil due to high consumption, which some say risks ruining the engine.
- Transmission judders or jerks continually at all speeds, described by one owner as making the car unsafe to drive.
- The car reportedly fails to engage in reverse gear, an issue one owner found described by other A4 owners as well.
- Brakes are reported to activate or the car to speed up unexpectedly when adjusting cruise control, requiring hard braking to disengage.
- A driver's seat belt failed to latch properly, with the dash warning light staying on and difficulty releasing the belt.
2011 Audi A4 recalls
No safety recalls on record for this model year.
2011 Audi A4 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 21 MPG
- Highway
- 30 MPG
- Combined
- 25 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,200
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2011 compared with other A4 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2011 Audi A4 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2011 A4 ranks 19th out of 20 A4 model years, with a complaint index of 5 and a Best verdict.
- What problems does the 2011 Audi A4 have?
- Owners most often reported engine problems, accounting for 64% of complaints, largely tied to oil consumption. Transmission judder and reverse-gear engagement issues were also reported, along with isolated brake, seat belt, and electrical complaints.
- Does the 2011 Audi A4 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists zero recalls for the 2011 Audi A4.
- What year Audi A4 should I avoid?
- Among A4 model years, 2006 has the highest complaint index at 100 and an Avoid verdict, along with 2005, 2008, 2009, and 2020, all rated Avoid. The 2011 model year is one of the better-rated years by comparison.
- At what mileage do 2011 Audi A4 engine problems occur?
- The median mileage at failure for engine complaints on the 2011 A4 is 111,000 miles.