2018 Audi A4 Reliability Report

NHTSA data as of Oct 15, 2026Published Oct 19, 2026

Excellent

Ranks 8th of 24 A4 years we score.

Owner complaints: 62; 4 are recall notices
Per 10,000 cars: 12.1; 47,772 made for the U.S.
Vs the average car: 0.44×; same age, 1× is average
Serious outcomes: 20; crash, fire, injury, stall or tow
Recalls: 4
NHTSA crash rating: 5★; overall, out of 5

← 2017 A4 2019 A4 →

Should You Buy the 2018 Audi A4?

Yes. Our reliability score for the 2018 Audi A4 is 80 out of 100, which rates Excellent. Owners reported about half as many problems as for the average car of the same age. It ranks 8th of the 24 A4 years we score.

The most reported problem is automatic emergency braking, mostly hard braking with nothing ahead (5 of 62 complaints). Owners also complain about the cooling system and the rearview camera. 20 of the 62 complaints describe a serious outcome, such as a crash, a fire, an injury or stalling while driving.

It has 4 recalls. Audi also offers three warranty extensions that may still apply, for problems with the air conditioning, fuel system and driver assistance systems. NHTSA rates it 5 out of 5 stars overall in crash tests. For comparison, the 2017 scores 85 and the 2019 scores 87.

Before you buy, check that the recalls were done, ask an Audi dealer about warranty extension AWA-21-01 and get an independent inspection. The full checklist is at the end of this page.

Pros

Excellent reliability score of 80
About half the problems of the average car its age
Recent complaints at or below average
No do-not-drive or park-outside recalls

Cons

Automatic emergency braking: hard braking with nothing ahead5 complaints
Cooling system failure5 complaints
Rearview camera: works on and off4 complaints

How the 2018 A4 Earned Its Score

Every model year starts at 100. Each part takes points away when this year has more problems than the average car of the same age. How we score

Score breakdown
Item	Vs average	Points lost
Starting score		100
Serious problems	0.40×	−6
Everyday problems	0.54×	−3
Problems in the last two years	0.44×	−6
Recalls	0.82×	−5
Score		80

What Owners Report

We read all 62 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2018 Audi A4, one by one, and grouped them by the problem they describe. The most reported problems come first.

Automatic emergency braking: hard braking with nothing ahead
5 complaints (8%)
Hard braking with nothing ahead, the system not working when needed and problems that come and go. 3 of these 5 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often sudden braking.
Cooling system failure
5 complaints (8%)
A failure and a leak. Median mileage when it started: about 56,000 miles.
Rearview camera: works on and off
4 complaints (6%)
Problems that come and go and a feature that stopped working.
Wiring, fuses or body control module: damage
4 complaints (6%)
Damage, a feature that stopped working and a stored fault code.
Screen and audio: works on and off
3 complaints (5%)
Problems that come and go. 1 of these 3 complaints describes a serious outcome: a crash.
AWD or rear differential failure
2 complaints (3%)
A failure and vibration or shudder. 1 of these 2 complaints describes a serious outcome: stalling or losing power while driving.
Airbag warning light
2 complaints (3%)
Warning lights.
Brakes: unusual noises
2 complaints (3%)
Unusual noises and a failure that needed a new part.
Forward collision warning: the system acting on its own
2 complaints (3%)
The system acting on its own.
Frontal airbags: no deployment in a crash
2 complaints (3%)
No deployment in a crash.
Parking sensors: hard braking with nothing ahead
2 complaints (3%)
Hard braking with nothing ahead and the system acting on its own.
Spring mounts: early wear
2 complaints (3%)
Early wear and rust or corrosion.
Transmission: damage
2 complaints (3%)
Damage and a stored fault code.

Reported Once (25)

Show the 25 problems reported once

PCV valve or crankcase breather failure
Coil spring: parts breaking or coming apart
Engine: failure or loss of drive
Engine failure
Engine oil consumption: burning or using oil
Exterior trim: damage
Fuel filler door: not opening or unlocking
Fuel gauge or level sensor: wrong readings
Horn: stopped working
Instrument cluster: wrong readings
Interior trim: unusual noises
Mirrors: works on and off
Body rivet: unusual noises
Cruise control: stopped working
Sunroof seal: damage
Tire valve stems: shattering or cracking
Underbody panel: parts breaking or coming apart
Parking brake: the system acting on its own
Door lock actuators: stopped working
Sunroof: sticking or stiffness
Shifter or park: the car rolling away
Unintended acceleration (cause not stated)
Valve train: parts breaking or coming apart
Warning lights (cause not stated)
Windshield: shattering or cracking

How the 2018 Audi A4 Compares With Other Years

The other A4 years of the 5th generation (B9), 2017 to 2025, and the years just before and after it.

Year	Rating	Score	Vs average	Per 10k cars	Recalls	Most reported problem
2025	Not scored	–	–	9.8	0	–
2024	Not scored	–	–	7.0	0	Tires: damage
2023	Good	78	0.56×	5.9	1	Stall (cause not stated)
2022	Good	75	0.55×	7.5	3	–
2021	Excellent	80	0.45×	6.6	4	Instrument cluster: stopped working
2020	Caution	62	4.4×	146.6	4	Screen and audio: works on and off
2019	Excellent	87	0.25×	4.5	1	Automatic emergency braking: hard braking with nothing ahead
2018 This year	Excellent	80	0.44×	12.1	4	Automatic emergency braking: hard braking with nothing ahead
2017	Excellent	85	0.39×	13.7	6	Cooling system: a leak
2016	Excellent	86	0.38×	11.2	3	Steering: locking up

See every A4 year

2018 Audi A4 Recalls

Four recalls cover the 2018 Audi A4. The most recent was issued in November 2021: “Disabled Passenger Air Bag.” A VIN check at NHTSA shows which are still open on a given car.

Disabled Passenger Air Bag
A disabled passenger air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
NHTSA 21V874000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Nov 10, 2021. By the fourth quarter of 2023, 77% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Passenger Air Bag May Switch Off/FMVSS 208
A disabled passenger air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
NHTSA 19V547000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Jul 24, 2019. By the fourth quarter of 2020, 92% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Air Bag Mounting Screw May Be Loose
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. If the air bag does not deploy correctly in the event of a crash, it can increase the risk of an injury.
NHTSA 18V836000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Nov 27, 2018. By the first quarter of 2020, 75% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Aluminum Trim for Speakers Can Come Loose
The sharp edges of the speaker trim increase the risk of injury to vehicle occupants.
NHTSA 17V675000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Oct 25, 2017. By the first quarter of 2019, 92% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.

2018 Audi A4 Warranty Extensions and Programs

Audi has three warranty extensions for the 2018 Audi A4, separate from its recalls. They are for problems with the air conditioning, fuel system and driver assistance systems. Whether one applies to a car depends on its VIN, which an Audi dealer can check.

Warranty extensionAudi AWA-21-01
Air conditioning evaporator failure
The problem:
The air conditioning evaporator can fail. The bulletin does not describe the symptoms.
The fix:
An Audi dealer repairs or replaces a failed A/C evaporator, with any parts and labor needed.
Who qualifies:
Certain A4, S4 and Q7 from model year 2017 and A5, S5 and Q5 from 2018. The bulletin gives no last model year. Cars already repaired still qualify, but totaled cars do not.
Coverage:
10 years or 100,000 miles from the original in-service date, whichever comes first.
Audi's bulletin (PDF)
Warranty extensionAudi AWA-22-05
Faulty electric fuel pump
The problem:
The electric fuel pump can be faulty. The bulletin does not describe the symptoms.
The fix:
An Audi dealer repairs or replaces a faulty electric fuel pump, with any parts and labor needed.
Who qualifies:
Certain 2018 to 2021 S4, S5 and SQ5, 2019 to 2021 Q8 and A8, and 2020 and 2021 Q7. Cars already repaired still qualify, but totaled cars do not.
Coverage:
15 years or 150,000 miles from the original in-service date, whichever comes first.
Audi's bulletin (PDF)
Warranty extensionAudi AWA-24-04
Automatic emergency braking system faults
The problem:
The automatic emergency braking, or AEB, system can malfunction when its control unit, a camera, the LIDAR or a sensor fails.
The fix:
An Audi dealer repairs the AEB fault and Audi pays 75 percent of the cost. Damage from crashes, impacts, moved sensors or weather is not covered.
Who qualifies:
Certain Audis covered by the settlement, with a confirmed fault in the AEB control unit, cameras, LIDAR or sensors. If the new car warranty's time ran out by May 16, 2024, the extension's time limit was November 16, 2024.
Coverage:
Up to 12 months or 12,000 miles after the new car warranty ends. Ask an Audi dealer for the exact terms.
Audi's bulletin (PDF)

NHTSA Crash Test Ratings

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for this model year. See the 2018 A4 ratings on NHTSA.gov.

4-door AWD and 4-door FWD

Overall5/5

Frontal crash4/5

Side crash5/5

Rollover5/5

allroad AWD

OverallNot rated

Frontal crashNot rated

Side crash5/5

RolloverNot rated

S4 4-door AWD

OverallNot rated

Frontal crashNot rated

Side crashNot rated

Rollover5/5

Check Before You Buy

A checklist for the 2018 A4, from its four recalls, three Audi warranty extensions that may still apply and the problems owners report most.

Confirm the Recalls Were Done

Ask the seller for proof that each of these recalls was repaired.

Disabled Passenger Air Bag NHTSA 21V874000
Passenger Air Bag May Switch Off/FMVSS 208 NHTSA 19V547000
Air Bag Mounting Screw May Be Loose NHTSA 18V836000
Aluminum Trim for Speakers Can Come Loose NHTSA 17V675000

Ask an Audi Dealer

Ask whether each of these warranty extensions applies to this VIN, and whether the work was done.

AWA-21-01: air conditioning evaporator failure
AWA-22-05: faulty electric fuel pump
AWA-24-04: automatic emergency braking system faults

On the Test Drive

Watch for sudden braking or steering with nothing ahead, and ask whether the driver-assist software updates were done.
Check the coolant level and watch the temperature gauge on the test drive.
Check the backup camera image when reversing.

Ask the Seller

Ask whether any of these were ever repaired, and ask to see the receipts.

Automatic emergency braking
Cooling system
Rearview camera
Also ask for the service records, especially oil changes.

Before You Pay

Get an independent pre-purchase inspection from a mechanic you choose.
Decode the VIN to confirm the model year, engine and trim.
Check the title for salvage, flood or rebuilt branding.

What to do next

All A4 Years →Best years and years to avoid, side by side.Compare With Other Years →Put up to four model years side by side.Find Warranty Extensions →Repairs Audi may still cover for this year.Decode a VIN →Confirm the exact year, engine and trim of a car.