Audi · A4 · 2018
2018 Audi A4
1
Recall
29
Complaints
5/5
Safety Rating
The 2018 Audi A4 has 1 recall and 29 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Overall safety rating: 5 out of 5 stars. Most reported issue: unknown or other (6 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 28, 2026
Research Context
The 2018 Audi A4 page works best as a research starting point. Complaint totals show how much owner-reported activity exists, while recalls and investigations help show whether any of that activity turned into formal safety action.
Because this is a newer-era vehicle page, it usually helps to compare this year against nearby model years before deciding whether a complaint pattern looks isolated or persistent. On this page, the most prominent complaint area is unknown or other with 6 reported complaints.
Best Research Moves
- Use the complaint log to understand what owners were actually reporting instead of relying only on the raw complaint total.
- Review the recall section even if the total is smaller, because a limited number of recalls can still point to meaningful safety actions.
- This page is primarily a complaints-and-recalls research surface, so compare nearby model years before treating the complaint total as a standalone verdict.
Key Takeaways
- The 2018 Audi A4 currently shows 1 NHTSA recall listed on this page and 29 owner-reported complaints.
- This page currently shows no linked NHTSA investigations.
- This page reflects complaint volume, recall history, and NHTSA test data, but it does not diagnose causes or rank reliability by itself.
- Safety data currently shows 5/5 overall NHTSA safety rating.
- The most frequently reported complaint categories on this page are unknown or other (6), service brakes (3), air bags (3).
- Vehicle
- 2018 Audi A4
- Recalls
- 1
- Complaints
- 29
- Safety Rating
- 5/5
How to Interpret This Page
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
If you are researching a used vehicle, start with the complaint categories, compare them against the recall list, and then check nearby model years to see whether the same issue profile repeats. That usually produces a better buying or research signal than treating the raw complaint total as a standalone safety ranking.
NHTSA Crash Test Performance
Frontal Crash Test
Side Crash Test
Overall Frontal Rating
Driver and Passenger Assessment
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Overall Side Rating
Side Barrier and Side Pole Tests
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Rollover Resistance
9.9% rollover risk in single-vehicle crash
Safety Features
ESC: StandardForward Collision Warning: StandardLane Departure Warning: Optional
Recall Notices
NHTSANHTSA ID: 21V874000November 10, 2021
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.
Remedy Status
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.
Owner Complaints
29 totalENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Feb 12, 2026
The 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 leaki...
Preview excerpt
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,BACK OVER PREVENTION
Nov 20, 2025
This problem is extremely sporadic, and often remedies itself after car shut down, and sometimes require that the car sit for a period of time. I estimate the following issue happens ~1 time a month, or estimated 5% of the time. Weather (temperature specifically) does not appea...
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UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Oct 14, 2025
Drive system malfunction message appeared after starting ignition at 6am before heading to work. Turned car off immediately and took another vehicle to work.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Sep 23, 2025
My screen turns on and off consistently not allowing me to use my backup camera. Causing a small collision while backing up when the camera turned off unexpectedly. Additionally when it’s off it will auto break when I’m not close enough to hitting and it’s loud and yanked me. Thi...
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UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Aug 27, 2025
My car's MMI keeps restarting while driving which affects the rear view camera and while backing up it can restart and go completely blank. I feel this puts my safety at risk while backing up. It also shuts down my bluetooth to my phone which can be a hazard while driving. ...
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SUSPENSION
Oct 31, 2024
Fortunately 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 to...
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SERVICE BRAKES
Jul 22, 2024
Left front brake hose failed. Replaced both front hoses, bled and flushed the brake hoses as needed
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Jul 1, 2024
The Audi MMI system began to spontaneously restart while driving after owning the car for a couple of years. It would power off and reboot at random intervals. It became more frequent and is both distracting and dangerous as you lose all navigation, and camera function while it...
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ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
May 1, 2024
SAFETY AND THEFT ISSUE!! The door lock actuators on two doors of vehicle. Front and back seat where children ride. The actuators failed to engage leaving it easy for anyone to open the door from the outside even when presumed locked. Actuators do not engage which leaves vehicles...
Preview excerpt
POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
Apr 8, 2024
See attached document for complaint
Showing 10 recent complaints from 29 total
View Full Complaint LogCompare Related Vehicles
Why Compare These Pages
The strongest comparison flow is usually: exact vehicle-year page, then nearby years of the same model, then other 2018 Audi models. That sequence helps separate one-off year spikes from broader make-wide patterns.
More Audi A4 Years
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many recalls does the 2018 Audi A4 have?
The 2018 Audi A4 has 1 recall recorded by NHTSA.
How many complaints have been filed for the 2018 Audi A4?
NHTSA has received 29 owner-reported complaints for the 2018 Audi A4.
What is the NHTSA safety rating for the 2018 Audi A4?
The 2018 Audi A4 received an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars from NHTSA.
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Audi A4?
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2018 Audi A4 are unknown or other (6 reports), service brakes (3 reports), air bags (3 reports).
Does the 2018 Audi A4 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA has 1 recall on record for the 2018 Audi A4. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Check Another Vehicle
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.