2018 Audi S4 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2018 Audi S4 has a complaint index of 40 and ranks 10th of 16 model years, earning a Good verdict. NHTSA lists 7 complaints, 2 recalls, and no crashes, fires, or injuries for this year.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 40/100
- #10 of 16 S4 years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 7
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 2
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 24
- 21 city / 30 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
Top 2018 Audi S4 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine4 (57%)
- Brakes1 (14%)
- Structure & Body1 (14%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (14%)
- Transmission & Powertrain1 (14%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report a 1-2 second delay when transitioning from throttle to off-throttle in manual mode, causing the car to keep accelerating briefly, especially in first gear.
- Some describe underbody panels held by loose plastic clips that collect water or snow and break free, striking the rear of the vehicle while driving in wet conditions.
- Owners report the automatic pre-sense braking system activating erroneously and jolting the brakes on curves or hill crests, with no way to disable it.
- Some found rear springs broken and mounts deteriorating during a dealer inspection, which they were told could lead to an accident if left unrepaired.
- Several owners describe catastrophic engine failure tied to the EA839 engine, including internal rocker arm bearings coming loose and metal shavings contaminating the oil.
- Others report a water pump defect on the 3.0L EA839 turbo engine that damages vacuum lines and the thermostat and can lead to engine failure if coolant loss goes unnoticed.
2018 Audi S4 recalls
2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- 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.
- NHTSA 19V547000Jul 24, 2019Airbags145,337 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
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.
2018 Audi S4 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 21 MPG
- Highway
- 30 MPG
- Combined
- 24 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,300
- 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 S4 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2018 Audi S4 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2018 S4 has a complaint index of 40, ranking 10th out of 16 model years, and carries a Good verdict relative to other S4 years.
- What problems does the 2018 Audi S4 have?
- NHTSA complaints for this year concentrate on the engine, which accounts for 4 of 7 complaints (57%), with a median mileage at failure of 1,300 miles. Brakes, structure/body, suspension, and transmission each account for one complaint.
- Does the 2018 Audi S4 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2018 S4, both involving airbags, neither marked do-not-drive or park-outside.
- Which Audi S4 model years should be avoided?
- Based on complaint index and verdict, 2005, 2010, 2011, and 2013 are rated Avoid, while 2018 is rated Good among the 16 model years with data.
- What is the median mileage for engine complaints on the 2018 Audi S4?
- NHTSA data shows a median mileage of 1,300 miles at failure for engine-related complaints on the 2018 S4.