Last updated: 2026-10-10
2018 Audi A4 Reliability Report
The 2018 Audi A4 has good reliability and a 5-star crash rating, but open airbag recalls and AWD clutch failures need checking before you buy.
Recalls
4
Complaints
35
Complaint Rate
10.2per 10,000 sold
Est. Repair Cost
$739
Annual Fuel Cost
$2,250–$2,550
Detailed Score Breakdown
Component-weighted complaints normalized by sales volume
Independent repair cost ratings
Recall count weighted by severity
Breadth of reported problem categories
The Verdict
A mid-ranked A4 year with good reliability and a 5-star crash rating, held back by airbag recall repair delays and AWD clutch complaints.
Top Issues to Watch
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (6)
- AIR BAGS (6)
- POWER TRAIN (4)
Generation & Refresh (US)
2018 is year 3 of the Fifth generation (B9).
- Redesigned for the 2016 model year.
- Well-established in its generation — most early issues should be resolved.
- A refresh arrives in 2020.
- 5th generation A4 (US).
What this means for buyers
Well into the generation cycle — most design and manufacturing issues should be resolved by now.
2016: Fifth generation (B9) Launch
Generation start — new platform.
2018: This Model Year
2018 is year 3 of the Fifth generation (B9).
2020: Mid-Cycle Refresh
Updated features and styling tweaks.
Should You Buy the 2018 Audi A4?
Reliability is good for this model year. It rates above average among 2018 sedans and lands in the middle of the six scored A4 years, so it is neither the one to chase nor the one to avoid. It has a 5 of 5 federal crash-test rating, and estimated yearly repair cost matches its class at $739.
Owner complaints center on safety systems. Backup cameras drop out while the parking sensors keep working, and one dealer found camera wiring pinched by the trunk mechanism. The electronic parking brake can engage while the car is moving and stop it abruptly. Some owners are stuck waiting on airbag recall repairs because dealers say parts are unavailable. A failing AWD clutch causes thumping when pulling away; one owner paid $4,308.85 at under 48,000 miles after the warranty ended. Federal recall records show four recalls covering seats, air bags and structure.
Run the VIN for open recalls, especially air bag ones. Ask for AWD clutch repair records, and test the backup camera before you buy.
Compared to the 2020 Audi A4, which scored 6 points lower.
Pros
- +Acceptable reliability score
- +Low major repair risk (13%)
- +Below-average complaint rate for Sedan
Cons
- −Moderate recall count
- −UNKNOWN OR OTHER: MMI infotainment screen reboots on its own while driving, sometimes several... (8 complaints)
- −ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: Backup camera fails to come on in reverse, scrolls, or shuts off mid-maneuver... (6 complaints)
Compare 2018 Audi A4 With
2018 Mercedes-Benz A-Class
Reliability: 48/100
2018 BMW 3 Series
Reliability: 65/100
2018 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Reliability: 51/100
2018 BMW 4 Series
Reliability: 54/100
2018 Mercedes-Benz CLA
Reliability: 46/100
Common Problem Categories
Safety
LOW RISK- 4 manufacturer recalls issued
Other
HIGH RISK- UNKNOWN OR OTHER (8)
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (6)
Recall Overview
4
recalls on record
A moderate 4 recalls are on file for the 2018 Audi A4. Each one points to a specific safety or compliance issue identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA — check the list below before buying.
NHTSA.gov →Complaint Breakdown
10.2
per 10,000 soldSegment avg: 25.7
Safety Incidents
4
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Deaths
NHTSA 5/5 Stars
Data sourced from NHTSA complaint filings and manufacturer recall notices. Complaint narratives are owner-reported.
2018 Audi A4 Recall Details
4 recalls have been issued for the 2018 Audi A4. All recall repairs are performed free of charge at authorized dealerships.
SEATS, AIR BAGS
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.
Consequence
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
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.
Consequence
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
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.
Consequence
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.
Buying a used 2018 Audi A4? Check its history first
Electrical system problems lead owner complaints about the 2018 Audi A4, and 4 recalls were issued for it. A VIN check shows whether this car's recall work was done, plus accident, title, and odometer history.
- Accidents
- Open Recalls
- Title History
- Odometer Rollback
2018 Audi A4 NHTSA Safety Ratings
Overall Safety Rating
Crash Test Results by Configuration (expand)
Gas Powertrain
Rollover risk: 9.9%
Safety Technologies
Audi A4Repair Costs & Maintenance
Maintenance Rating
3.5Maintenance rating: 3.5 out of 5Based on NHTSA complaint patterns, recall severity, and publicly available cost benchmarks.
Est. Annual Maintenance
$739
vs $739 avg for luxury midsize cars
vs $652 avg for all vehicles
Repair Frequency
0.4
unscheduled repair visits per year
Severe Repair Probability
13%
chance of a major repair
Annual Cost Comparison
Category-level averages derived from publicly available industry reports (AAA, CarMD). Model-level estimates produced by Auto Reliability Index.
MPG & Annual Running Costs
Gas
27–31 MPG
Running cost: $3,000–$3,300/yr
Fuel + repair
24–27 city / 33–37 hwy MPG
Running cost includes EPA fuel-cost estimate and independent repair-cost data (repair cost estimated at model level). Excludes routine maintenance, depreciation, and insurance. Data as of 2018 EPA label cycle.
Gas trims
| Trim | Drive | Trans. | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A4 Ultra 2.0L 4-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AM-S7) | 27 | 37 | 31 | $2,250 |
| A4 quattro 2.0L 4-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AM-S7) | 24 | 34 | 27 | $2,550 |
| A4 quattro 2.0L 4-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Manual 6-spd | 24 | 33 | 27 | $2,550 |
Used Buying Checklist
Key things to inspect or verify before purchasing a 2018 Audi A4.
Shift into reverse several times and confirm the camera image appears every time without blanking, scrolling, or showing the radio screen.
Take a long test drive with a phone paired and watch for the MMI screen rebooting or Bluetooth dropping.
Run the VIN through federal recall records and get dealer proof that all airbag recall work is complete.
Confirm the airbag warning light goes out shortly after startup and stays off.
From a stop, turn the wheel fully and pull away slowly. Feel for thumping or heavy vibration.
Ask for service records showing any AWD clutch, front differential, or water pump work.
Press the horn across the whole steering wheel pad, including the lower right side.
Brake gently to several full stops and listen for loud screeching just before the car stops.
2018 Audi A4 Common Problems by Component
35 owner complaints grouped by vehicle system.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
8 complaintsThe MMI infotainment screen reboots on its own while driving, sometimes several times per trip. Each restart cuts the rear camera, navigation and Bluetooth calls, and one replacement unit began doing the same thing. Other reports describe the radio screen showing in reverse instead of the camera, even after dealer visits. Smaller patterns include a coolant warning traced to a failed water pump at 56,000 miles, a drive system malfunction message at startup, a horn dead spot on the steering wheel, and an emergency call feature lost when 3G service shut down.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
6 complaintsSafety-relatedThe backup camera fails to come on in reverse, scrolls, or shuts off mid-maneuver while the parking sensors keep working. One dealer traced it to camera wiring pinched by the trunk mechanism. Several reports describe safety systems acting on their own: hard automatic stops while reversing, Pre Sense tightening the seatbelts at a light, and interior electronics shutting down on the highway. There are two crash reports. In one, automatic braking did not engage before a front collision. In the other, a minor rear impact left the car disabled in traffic.
AIR BAGS
6 complaintsSafety-relatedMost complaints are about waiting for airbag recall repairs. Dealers say parts or kits are not available and give no date for when they will be. Other owners report an airbag warning light that stays on, including after a recall repair, and dealers charging for diagnosis or saying the problem is not covered. One crash report says no airbags deployed in a severe front-end impact at 21,000 miles, and the driver was injured. A separate electrical-system crash report also says no airbag deployed.
POWER TRAIN (4 complaints)
POWER TRAIN
4 complaintsAll-wheel-drive problems lead this category. A failing AWD clutch causes heavy vibration or thumping when pulling away from a stop with the wheels turned. One owner paid $4,308.85 for the repair after the warranty ran out, at under 48,000 miles, and the dealer said it matched a service bulletin. Another report describes the front differential failing inside, throwing debris into the transmission and jerking the car to a halt with no warning. A third describes the engine lagging or not engaging, still unfixed after repeated repair attempts.
SERVICE BRAKES (2 complaints)
SERVICE BRAKES
2 complaintsThe electronic parking brake engages by itself while the car is moving and brings it to an abrupt stop with no warning, while the screen shows a message to shift into park. This is a collision risk in traffic. A separate complaint describes loud screeching just before the car stops and sometimes when braking starts. The noise continued after replacement brakes from the dealer, and the dealer blamed the brake coating.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING (1 complaints)
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
1 complaintThe contact owned a 2018 Audi A4. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was fluid leaking from the front of the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact also stated that while the vehicle was parked, there was a puddle of fluid leaking from the front of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and it was determined that the water pump had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 92,000.
SUSPENSION (1 complaints)
SUSPENSION
1 complaintFortunately no catastrophic failure or accident occurred. At about 40,000k miles the rear spring mounts are significantly corroded and need replacing. This appears to be a galvanic reaction that occurs due to a design flaw which shortens the life of the critical mounts. I’m told one could fail imminently and the other is headed that way. Had this failed in use the damage would be significant and caused an accident. The service advisor said that Audi is aware of the short lifespan and has an improved version that will be used in the repair. I have a video of one of the mounts and will request the parts when repaired.
STEERING (1 complaints)
STEERING
1 complaintSafety-relatedI 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. This would have been bad had I been shoved into the car in front of me and the airbags deployed too close to me. Luckily, this did not happen.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM (1 complaints)
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
1 complaintOn December 29, 2022 as I was driving my engine light came on, the fuel gauge registered empty (I had over a quarter tank of fuel at the time), and my miles till empty display in the upper left of the instrument cluster went blank. I took my Audi to my Audi dealer and their recommended repair was as follows: Fuel Tank: After removing fuel pump and level sensor we found that the secondary fuel level sensor is built into the fuel tank is faulty. Recommend replacing the tank and fuel pump with the tank. Their reason was that if the fuel tank failed it could cause a potentially hazardous situation for the driver and passengers.
ENGINE (1 complaints)
ENGINE
1 complaintWater Pump prematurely failed. Upon self inspection, I noticed the coolant reservoir was below the minimum requirements. I asked the dealer to inspect, and they determined the cause was a faulty water pump. At around 50,000 miles, this water pump should not have failed under normal use. I am fortunate I self inspected, as continued use may cause premature engine failure due to overheating. Overheating would cause spontaneous vehicle operation failure during normal driving conditions, stalling the vehicle on a road or highway, putting myself and others at risk for impact.
Best & Worst Audi A4 Years
Best Audi A4 Years to Buy
Based on reliability index scoreAudi A4 Years to Avoid
Audi A4 Reliability Score Trend
Scores 0–100. Higher is better. Current year highlighted.
| Year | Score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 71/100 | Good |
| 2020 | 65/100 | Good |
| 2021 | 71/100 | Good |
| 2022 | 72/100 | Good |
| 2023 | 77/100 | Good |
| 2025 | 81/100 | Excellent |
Audi A4 Reliability Compared to Other Years
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 2018 Audi A4 reliable?
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Audi A4?
Does the 2018 Audi A4 have AWD problems?
Does the 2018 Audi A4 have recalls?
How safe is the 2018 Audi A4?
Don’t buy a 2018 Audi A4 without checking its VIN first — hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls could cost you thousands.
How we score the 2018 Audi A4
Of the four inputs behind this score, the 2018 Audi A4 does best on how many systems draw complaints (83/100) and worst on complaint severity (68/100). Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.
Get notified when new recalls or reliability data is added for the Audi A4.
No spam. Only data updates for this model.
Browse More Audi Models
Audi A5
Score: 82/100
Audi Q3
Score: 82/100
Audi Q4 e-tron
Score: 71/100
Audi Q5
Score: 76/100
Audi Q7
Score: 70/100
Audi Q8
Score: 70/100
Browse More 2018 Vehicles
2018 Lexus RX
Score: 85/100
2018 Nissan Murano
Score: 82/100
2018 Lexus IS
Score: 81/100
2018 Lexus ES
Score: 80/100
2018 Toyota Corolla
Score: 80/100
2018 Buick Encore
Score: 80/100
See incorrect data? Report an issue