YearToAvoid

2018 Audi A4 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Caution The 2018 Audi A4 has a complaint index of 58, ranking 9th worst out of 20 model years, and carries a Caution verdict. It has 44 complaints, 1 recall, and no fires, deaths, or do-not-drive recalls.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
58/100
#9 of 20 A4 years
Verdict
Caution
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
44
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
1
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
1
reported in complaints
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Top issue
Electrical System
Best nearby year
2016
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
27
24 city / 34 hwy
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0

Top 2018 Audi A4 problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Other18 (41%)
  2. Electrical System17 (39%)
  3. Structure & Body7 (16%)
  4. Engine6 (14%)
  5. Collision Avoidance & Cameras6 (14%)
  6. Fuel System6 (14%)
  7. Brakes5 (11%)
  8. Transmission & Powertrain5 (11%)
  9. Airbags4 (9%)
  10. Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (5%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Forward collision warning (Audi PreSense) triggers false emergency braking when passing under overpasses or shadows, sometimes at highway speeds around 50 mph.
  • New factory brakes produce a loud screeching sound when coming to a stop, reportedly persisting even after dealer replacement.
  • The electronic parking brake has engaged on its own without warning, bringing the vehicle to an abrupt stop.
  • Water pump failures have occurred at higher mileage, with coolant reservoir levels dropping below minimum before failure was found.
  • Fuel gauge and fuel level sensor malfunctions have caused the gauge to read empty despite remaining fuel and triggered warning lights.
  • The telescoping steering column reportedly shifted position toward the driver after a low-speed rear-end collision.
2018 Audi A4 complaints: complaints filed per month14Nov 2019Feb 2022Mar 2023Oct 2023Aug 2024Oct 2025Jun 2026
44 complaints filed with NHTSA from Nov 2019 to Jul 2026; peak Jul 2026 (14).

2018 Audi A4 recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 21V874000Nov 10, 2021Airbags208,332 vehicles

    Air bags:sensor:occupant classification:front passenger

    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.

2018 Audi A4 fuel economy and fuel cost

City
24 MPG
Highway
34 MPG
Combined
27 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,950
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.

2018 compared with other A4 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2016Best1611026
2017Caution6355127.5
2018Caution5844127
2019Good4210128.5
2020Avoid95127328.5

All Audi A4 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2018 Audi A4 reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2018 A4 has a complaint index of 58 and ranks 9th worst among 20 model years, earning a Caution verdict.
What problems does the 2018 Audi A4 have?
Owners most often report Electrical System issues, which make up 39% of complaints, followed by Structure & Body, Engine, Collision Avoidance & Cameras, and Fuel System problems.
Does the 2018 Audi A4 have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2018 A4, covering an airbag issue where dealers replace a connecting cable and the seat cover or heating mat; it is not a do-not-drive recall.
How many complaints does the 2018 Audi A4 have?
NHTSA lists 44 complaints for the 2018 A4, including 1 crash and no fires, injuries, or deaths.
Which Audi A4 years are better than 2018?
Years like 2011, 2012, 2016, and 2022 earn a Best verdict with much lower complaint indexes (5, 21, 16, and 11) compared to the 2018's index of 58.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.