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2018 Audi A4 problems, recalls and owner complaints
What the 2018 Audi A4 has been recalled for, how often it fails the UK MOT and what owners report, from official government data. Updated October 25, 2026.
- 1safety recall
- 43owner complaints
- 1crash report
- 0fire reports
- 15%fail the UK MOT
43 complaints, against an average of 49 for the other 11 Audi A4 model years.
Every Audi A4 model year with its number of owner complaints. Pick a year to compare.
What goes wrong with the 2018 Audi A4?
The components named most often in the 43 owner complaints. One complaint can name several, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
What symptoms do 2018 Audi A4 owners describe?
Found by reading the text of all 43 owner complaints. Tap a symptom for the answer, a real owner quote and any related recall.
- Why does the infotainment screen freeze, reboot or go black in my 2018 Audi A4?5 owners · 11.6%
- Why does my 2018 Audi A4 stall, lose power or shut off while driving?4 owners · 9.3%
- Why is the airbag light on in my 2018 Audi A4?4 owners · 9.3% · Recall 21V874000
- Why does my 2018 Audi A4 overheat?3 owners · 7%
- Why does the backup camera not work on my 2018 Audi A4?3 owners · 7%
Has the 2018 Audi A4 been recalled?
1 U.S. safety recall. Repairs are free at a franchised dealer; some are done over the air.
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.
Risk: A disabled passenger air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Is the 2018 Audi A4 recalled in the UK or Europe?
Recalls issued by the UK's DVSA and through the EU's Safety Gate system that cover this model and build period. European models can differ from U.S. ones, and "years estimated" means the recall gave no build dates, so confirm your own car with your registration or VIN.
UK DVSAVehicles may have been fitted with a hinged towing bracket on which the locking mechanism in the hinge module could be faulty
Risk: Vehicles may have been fitted with a hinged towing bracket on which the locking mechanism in the hinge module could be faulty.
Fix: The hinge module for the towing bracket must be checked and where necessary replaced on the vehicles affected.
UK DVSAMoisture may enter the belt driven starter-alternator
Risk: It is possible that moisture may enter the belt-driven starter-alternator.
Fix: The starter-alternator must be replaced on the affected vehicles.
UK DVSAMoisture may enter the belt-driven starter-alternator
Risk: It is possible that moisture may enter the belt-driven starter-alternator.
Fix: The starter-alternator must be replaced on the affected vehicles.
UK DVSAThe locking mechanism in the hinged towing bracket could be faulty
Risk: Hinged towing bracket on which the locking mechanism in the hinge module could be faulty.
Fix: The hinge module for the towing bracket must be checked and replaced if required.
UK DVSAPassenger airbag module bolts securing to the dash panel may be insufficiently tightened
Risk: Air bag securing bolts may not be to the correct torque.
Fix: Check and replace bolts as required.
UK DVSAAluminium trim may partly detach from loudspeaker trim in doors and cause injury to occupants
Risk: The aluminium trim may become detached from the loud speaker trim in the front or rear doors. Cuts and other injuries from the sharp edges may occur.
Fix: The affected vehicles will be recalled and all four aluminium strips on the loud speaker trims will be replaced.
EU Safety GateThe vehicles are equipped with control software regarded as unauthorised by the competent authorities.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Importer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: 23/04/2021
EU Safety GateThe vehicles may be fitted with a towbar with a swivel mechanism that may have a defective locking pin.As a result, the pin could break while driving, increasing the risk of an accident.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
EU Safety GateMoisture can ingress into the belt starter generator, generating short-circuits.This can lead to local overheating of the component, increasing risk of fire.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
EU Safety GateMoisture can penetrate into the belt starter generator.This can result in a short circuit, leading to local overheating and increased risk of fire.Due to the permanent power supply of the starter generator, this can occur when the vehicle has already been parked for a while.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
EU Safety GateA damaged transistor may have been installed in the airbag control unit.Years estimatedConsequently, it may not properly make contact leading to the passenger airbag not to be triggered in the event of an accident, increasing the risk of injuries.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
EU Safety GateThe locking mechanism in the articulated trailer hitch may be defective.Consequently, the trailer hitch might not be correctly locked and could swing out, causing the trailer to drop while the vehicle is in motion.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
EU Safety GateIn certain vehicles, fuel can leak onto the engine fuel rail.Fuel leakage close to a source of ignition may increase the risk of the vehicle catching fire.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
EU Safety GateThe screw fitting the passenger airbag module to the instrument panel may not have been correctly tightened.This could have an impact on the inflation of the airbag and thus the protection of the occupant.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
EU Safety GateDecorative aluminium strips on the lower part of the front or rear door trims may become partly detached.The sharp ends of the strips could cause injuries.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
EU Safety GateThe adhesive attaching the windscreen is not sufficiently secure.In the event of an accident, the protective effect of the passenger airbag could be compromised.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
How often does the 2018 Audi A4 fail its MOT?
Why they failed: the share of failed tests with at least one fault in each area (a test can fail on several). Cars first registered in 2018, tested in Great Britain in 2023; first registration is usually, but not always, the model year. Source: DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, Open Government Licence v3.0.
What do 2018 Audi A4 owners report?
12 of the 43 complaints, the most recent for the most-reported components, as the owners wrote them. NHTSA removes names and VINs; long reports are trimmed. CarHooq has not verified individual claims.
A vehicle diagnostic scan dated 04/15/2026 at approximately 88,502 miles showed a stored transmission electronics fault: P084100, described as “Transmission fluid pressure sensor/switch A range/performance,” with status listed as passive/sporadic. This indicates a transmission / powertrain control concern involving the transmission fluid pressure sensor, transmission electronics, wiring, control logic, pressure monitoring, or related powertrain components. The vehicle also has prior transmission/powertrain history, including a March 2023 transmission-pan-gasket concern documented in service…
A vehicle diagnostic scan dated 04/15/2026 showed electrical communication faults involving vehicle control modules. The scan showed U014100, described as “Lost Communication With Body Control Module ‘A’,” with status listed as passive/sporadic. The scan also showed U112100, described as “Data bus message missing,” with status listed as active/static. This is being reported as a safety concern because body-control module, gateway, and data-bus communication faults can affect vehicle electrical functions, warning systems, access/locking systems, lighting or body-control functions, driver…
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. The exact source of coolant loss is unknown, but…
The engine oil level has been gradually dropping and has required monitoring and/or adding oil between normal service intervals. The exact source is unknown. It may involve abnormal oil consumption, an external oil leak, internal engine oil consumption, PCV/oil separator issue, turbo-related oil consumption, gasket/seal issue, or oil loss that is not leaving an obvious visible puddle. This is being reported as a safety concern because low engine oil or abnormal oil loss can lead to low oil pressure, warning messages, engine overheating or damage, smoke, oil contacting hot engine/exhaust…
The vehicle is subject to a Passenger Occupant Detection System / PODS safety recall involving the front passenger seat occupant-detection system and passenger airbag status. The concern is that the system may incorrectly detect whether a passenger is seated and may switch off or affect the front passenger airbag when the seat is occupied. This is being reported because the recall remedy was not completed, was delayed, was not properly resolved, or the concern remains unresolved. A malfunctioning passenger occupant detection system can affect whether the passenger airbag deploys as intended in…
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 were acceptable rather than providing a…
The rear-view camera intermittently fails to engage when the vehicle is shifted into reverse. When the camera does display, the image sometimes shows horizontal glitch lines/artifacts. This affects backing visibility and parking safety and creates a risk of collision with pedestrians, objects, vehicles, or property. The concern was reported to Audi service along with other electrical/driver-assistance symptoms, suggesting a possible camera, wiring, module, signal-processing, or broader electrical fault. No crash, fire, injury, or fatality occurred. This complaint is being submitted because the…
The fuel filler door/gas door intermittently fails to open, preventing normal access to the fuel filler area. This appears to involve the fuel door latch, release mechanism, lock actuator, body component, electrical control, or related wiring/module issue. This is being reported as a safety concern because inability to open the fuel door can prevent refueling when fuel is low. If the vehicle cannot be refueled, it can create a stranding risk or loss-of-propulsion risk, including in traffic, at night, on a highway, or in an unsafe location. The issue also creates driver distraction and…
Visible wiring has become exposed in the windshield/A-pillar area. There is no airbag/SRS warning light at this time, and I am not able to determine from visual inspection whether the exposed wiring is related to the restraint system. However, this is a safety-sensitive area because it can contain or route electrical wiring near trim, sensors, and safety-system areas. Exposed or unsecured wiring in this area may create a risk of electrical short, damaged wiring, impaired signal integrity, loose trim, moisture intrusion, or safety-system malfunction. The concern was reported as part of broader…
I am reporting recurring safety-related defects on my 2018 Audi A4 involving Automatic Emergency Braking, Forward Collision Warning, Audi pre sense/front-collision functionality, and related electrical/driver-assistance reliability. The AEB/forward-collision system has shown two unsafe intermittent behaviors. At times it has failed to activate as expected when crash-mitigation assistance appeared reasonably available. At other times it has unexpectedly warned, jolted, or applied braking when there was no apparent vehicle, object, pedestrian, or hazard close to the car. Unexpected braking or…
The all-wheel-drive clutch in the vehicle had to be replaced. The symptoms were heavy vibrations or thumping when starting to drive forward from a stop with the wheels turned in either direction. A dealership - New Country Audi of Greenwich - did the repair at a cost of $4,308.85 (including tax). This drivetrain failure occurred at less than 48,000 miles. The vehicle came with a 50,000 mile or 4 year warranty. Since it was in service for over 5 years, this defect was not covered under warranty. There is a Techical Service Bulletin on this issue, number 39 21 43 2059057/4 July 16, 2021. The…
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 others at risk for impact.
2018 Audi A4: questions owners ask
Is the 2018 Audi A4 reliable?
NHTSA data alone cannot rate reliability, but it shows what owners reported. Owners filed 43 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Audi A4; the most common categories were electrical system (16, 37.2%), fuel/propulsion system (6, 14%), structure (6, 14%). There is 1 safety recall. 1 complaint mentions a crash.
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Audi A4?
Across 43 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the categories mentioned most often are electrical system (37.2% of complaints), fuel/propulsion system (14% of complaints), structure (14% of complaints), engine (11.6% of complaints), power train (11.6% of complaints). One complaint can name several components.
Does the 2018 Audi A4 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2018 Audi A4; the most recent (campaign 21V874000, 2021-11-10) concerns Seats. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Why does the infotainment screen freeze, reboot or go black in my 2018 Audi A4?
5 of the 43 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2018 Audi A4 (11.6%) describe the infotainment or touch screen freezing, rebooting or going black. One owner wrote: "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." (NHTSA complaint 11684505, September 2025). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Why does my 2018 Audi A4 stall, lose power or shut off while driving?
4 of the 43 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2018 Audi A4 (9.3%) describe the engine stalling, losing power or shutting off while driving. One owner wrote: "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." (NHTSA complaint 11684505, September 2025). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Why is the airbag light on in my 2018 Audi A4?
4 of the 43 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2018 Audi A4 (9.3%) describe airbag warning lights or airbag faults. A related recall exists: campaign 21V874000 (seats). The fix: Dealers will replace the connecting cable and either the heating mat or entire seat cover, free of charge. One owner wrote: "Without cause a passenger airbag malfunction light has come up, dealership says this is not covered under recall or vehicle warranty." (NHTSA complaint 11512210, March 2023). Recall repairs are free at a dealer; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Why does my 2018 Audi A4 overheat?
3 of the 43 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2018 Audi A4 (7%) describe the engine overheating or coolant loss. One owner wrote: "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." (NHTSA complaint 11489365, October 2022). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Why does the backup camera not work on my 2018 Audi A4?
3 of the 43 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2018 Audi A4 (7%) describe the rearview or backup camera failing or showing a blank screen. One owner wrote: "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." (NHTSA complaint 11684505, September 2025). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Check your own A4
Counts are a starting point, not a verdict: popular models collect more complaints because more of them are on the road, and NHTSA does not verify individual reports. To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls (U.S.) or your registration at check-vehicle-recalls.service.gov.uk (UK). Had a safety problem? Report it to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations and recalls.
Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation recall and complaint databases (public domain), DVSA anonymised MOT results (Open Government Licence v3.0), DVSA vehicle recalls (Open Government Licence v3.0), EU Safety Gate alerts (© European Union), retrieved October 25, 2026. Model year 2018 only.