2018 Audi A4 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
44 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
12,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2018 model year. Data snapshot: . 4 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Unknown Or Other is the most frequently named component, appearing in 18 of 44 complaints (40.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 14 | 31.8% |
| Braking behavior | 8 | 18.2% |
| Transmission and shifting | 5 | 11.4% |
| Engine operation | 3 | 6.8% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 4.5% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 4.5% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Unknown Or Other | 18 |
| Electrical System | 16 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 6 |
| Structure:Body | 6 |
| Engine | 5 |
| Power Train | 5 |
| Air Bags | 4 |
| Service Brakes | 4 |
Unknown Or Other: 18; Electrical System: 16; Fuel/Propulsion System: 6; Structure:Body: 6; Engine: 5; Power Train: 5; Air Bags: 4; Service Brakes: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 3 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 40 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 3 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 5 |
| 2023 | 8 |
| 2024 | 5 |
| 2025 | 4 |
| 2026 | 17 |
2019: 1; 2020: 3; 2021: 1; 2022: 5; 2023: 8; 2024: 5; 2025: 4; 2026: 17
Pattern summary
Unknown Or Other leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 14 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 8 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 5 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11453407 · 2022-02-22 (February 22, 2022)
Due to the AT&T 3G turndown, Audi of America is removing a critical safety feature from certain MY 2018 vehicles, with no solution offered to the vehicle owner except to pay an additional $650-$1000 out of pocket to install a retrofit device to restore some of these safety features. As sold, MY2017-2018 and certain MY 2019 Audi A4/A5/Q5/Q7 vehicles came with an emergency call feature, both automatic in the event of a severe accident, and manual. From the owners manual: "The vehicle electrical system initiates an automatic emergency call under …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11453407 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11515996 · 2023-04-07 (April 7, 2023)
The rear view camera does not activate when using the parking assist or when reversing. The sensors are still functioning as intended. This can cause unintentional accidents or injuries to pedestrians. This issue was brought up with the dealer back in January of 2023. They mentioned the wiring for the rear camera was pinched by the trunk mechanism and because loose. There are no warning lamps displayed on the dash.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11515996 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11279066 · 2019-11-08 (November 8, 2019)
NEW FACTORY BRAKES MAKE VERY LOUD AUDIBLE SCREECHING SOUND WHEN COMING TO A STOP.THIS HAPPENS JUST BEFORE COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP AND SOMETIMES IN THE BEGINNING OF BREAKING. MECHANIC HAS WORKED ON THIS ISSUE SEVERAL TIMES AND REORDERED BRAKES FROM LOCAL AUDI DEALERSHIP AND IT IS STILL MAKING THE SOUND. DEALERSHIP SAID ITS 4TH GENERATION BRAKES AND ITS A PROBLEM WITH THE COATING.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11279066 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11441169 · 2021-11-20 (November 20, 2021)
While driving the emergency parking brake engaged itself without warning or cause. This caused the vehicle to come to an abrupt stop. Luckily I was in a parking lot but if I had been in a high traffic area or intersection, it could’ve caused a collision. I had 2 passengers who witnessed this sudden bizarre event. There was nothing that could’ve caused this to happen. It scares me & now I’m worried this could happen again without warning. The sensor screen was beeping with a message to put my car in park before setting the brake. Made no sense w…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11441169 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11539793 · 2023-08-21 (August 21, 2023)
While driving there was an internal failure of the front differential which caused debris to fly out and the debris then punctured the transmission according to the diagnosis on an Audi dealership. The car jerked to a stop and would not move. If this happens at high speed it represents a sever safety risk to the occupants. The vehicle has been inspected by the manufacturer and insurance representatives as well as by a dealer. There were no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms and this happened with no warning.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11539793 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11709539 · 2026-01-07 (January 7, 2026)
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 appear to impact occurance. When reversing, at times the back up camera does not function properly. During these times, the parking sensors appear to work, but it's unclear if the emergency reverse automatic braking system is working. The backup camera issues present them…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11709539 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11489365 · 2022-10-15 (October 15, 2022)
Water 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…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11489365 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11747808 · 2026-07-01 (July 1, 2026)
The vehicle displayed a low coolant warning and the coolant reservoir was low. Audi dealer service records dated on or about 02/14/2025 document the concern as: “client states low coolant warning was on, coolant reservoir is low, diagnose and advise.” The dealer performed coolant-related work involving the thermostat gasket / coolant hoses or connections to the coolant reservoir, ran the vehicle to operating temperature, and rechecked. The concern is being reported because the coolant loss/refill issue continued or remained unresolved afterward…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11747808 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11567780 · 2024-01-25 (January 25, 2024)
I 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.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11567780 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11747798 · 2026-07-01 (July 1, 2026)
An Audi dealer installed 245/40R18 93H tires on this 2018 Audi A4, while the vehicle placard/specification requires 245/40R18 97H. The lower load index reduces capacity from 1,609 lb per tire to 1,433 lb per tire, approximately 704 lb total across four tires. This creates a safety risk because load-rated tires affect vehicle stability, heat buildup, braking, steering/cornering, suspension loading, and tire failure/blowout risk. After discovering the mismatch, the concern was reported to the dealer and Audi, but the dealer stated the 93H tires …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11747798 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11349755 · 2020-08-17 (August 17, 2020)
ENGINE MALFUNCTION PREVENTED THE VEHICLE TO ENGAGE AND A SIGNIFICANT LAG. CORRECTION OF THE FAILURE HAS BEEN ATTEMPTED TWICE AND A THIRD ATTEMPT TO CORRECT MALFUNCTION IS CURRENTLY IN PROGRESS WITH NO MOVEMENT AS OF YET. GAS TANK HAS BEEN DRAINED AND REFILLED AND DID NOT CORRECT ISSUE. DEFINITELY NOT A GASOLINE TYPE ISSUE.
Owner-reported narrative. 14,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11349755 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11507343 · 2023-02-15 (February 15, 2023)
On 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 fail…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11507343 at NHTSA ↗