2018 Audi A4 problems
The Audi A4 is a line of luxury compact executive cars produced since 1994 by the German car manufacturer Audi, a subsidiary of the Volkswagen Group. The A4 has been built in five generations and is based on the Volkswagen Group B platform. The first generation A4 succeeded the Audi 80. The automaker's internal numbering treats the A4 as a continuation of the Audi 80 lineage, with the initial A4 designated as the B5-series, followed by the B6, B7, B8, and the B9.
The B8 and B9 versions of the A4 are built on the Volkswagen Group MLB platform shared with several models and brands across the Volkswagen Group. The Audi A4 automobile layout consists of a front-engine design, with transaxle-type transmissions mounted at the rear of the engine. The cars are front-wheel drive, or on some models, "quattro" all-wheel drive. The A4 is available as a sedan and station wagon. Historically, the second (B6) and third generations (B7) of the A4 also included a convertible version. For the fourth generation (B8) and onwards, the convertible, along with a new coupé and 5-door liftback variant, was spun-off by Audi into a new nameplate called the Audi A5.
B5 (Typ 8D; 1994)
The first generation Audi A4 (known internally as the Typ 8D) debuted in October 1994, with production starting November 1994 and European sales commencing in January 1995 for the 1995 model year. North American sales later began in September 1995 for the 1996 model year. It was built on the Volkswagen Group B5 (PL45) platform, which it shared with the fourth generation Volkswagen Passat (B5, Typ 3B). It had a front-mounted longitudinal engine and front-wheel drive. Many variations of the A4 were also available with Audi's quattro four-wheel drive system. The A4 was initially introduced as a four-door saloon/sedan; the Avant (estate/wagon) was introduced in November 1995 and went on sale in February 1996.
Development began in 1988, with the first design sketches being created later that year. By 1991, an exterior design by Imre Hasanic was chosen and frozen for November 1994 production by 1992. The interior design was later finalized in 1992, with pilot production commencing in the first half of 1994. Development concluded in the third quarter of 1994, preceding November 1994 start of production.
A wide range of engines were available in European markets, between 1.6 and 2.8 litres for petrol engines; and a 1.9-litre diesel engine available with Volkswagen Group's VE technology, capable of achieving a 90 PS (66 kW; 89 bhp) or 110 PS (81 kW; 108 bhp). The 2.6 and 2.8-litre V6 engines which had been carried over from the old 80/90 proved popular, although in North America, the 2.8-litre engine was the only V6 that was available there until 1997. A 2.4-liter version was developed especially for the Thai market, where import duty jumped from 60 to 100 percent on cars of over 2,400 cc displacement.
The Audi A4 was the first model in the Volkswagen Group to feature the new 1.8-litre 20v engine with five valves per cylinder, based on the unit Audi Sport had developed for their Supertouring race car. A turbocharged 1.8T version produced 150 PS (110 kW; 148 bhp) and 210 N⋅m (155 lb⋅ft) torque. Moreover, a quattro GmbH special edition of the B5 1.8T was later available in Germany and Europe, for which the engine's power output was raised to 180 PS (132 kW; 178 bhp) and 235 N⋅m (173 lb⋅ft). Five-valve technology was also added to a reengineered V6 family of engines in 1997, starting with the 2.8-litre V6 30v, which now produced 193 PS (142 kW; 190 bhp), followed by a 2.4-litre V6 which was a downsize from the previous 2.6 litre, 150 hp (112 kW) engine, but with a power increase to 165 PS (121 kW; 163 bhp).
Audi also debuted their new tiptronic automatic transmission on the B5 platform, based on the unit Porsche developed for their 964-generation 911. The transmission is a conventional automatic gearbox with a torque converter offering the driver a fully-automatic operation or manual selection of the gear ratios.
The B5 marked Audi's continued move into the midsize luxury car segment, having started this trajectory notably with later model years of the preceding Audi 80/90 B4. Despite initial mechanical problems, overall build and assembly quality were lauded both by the automotive press and within Audi and Volkswagen, and at the time, parent company Volkswagen declared the B5 the company-wide build quality benchmark for all its other models.
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Common 2018 Audi A4 problems
The Audi A4 is a popular luxury vehicle, but like any car, it can have its share of common problems. Here are some of the issues that Audi A4 owners have reported, particularly for the 2018 model:
- Airbag and seat belts fault: There have been reports of faults with the Audi A4’s airbag modules and seat belts. These issues are the result of manufacturing errors, which could prevent both the airbags and seat belts from working correctly in the event of a collision. Audi has announced two separate recalls on the model, affecting models manufactured between 1st May and 31st October 2016, and between 1st February 2017 and 31st July 2017. If you think your car could be affected, it's crucial to get it checked out as soon as possible to ensure your safety. The average quote for a seat belt repair on the Audi A4 is £96.00, while an airbag repair costs an average of £283.33 when booked through WhoCanFixMyCar.
- Seat backrest fault: Another recall on the Audi A4 relates to a fault with the backrests for both front seats on models manufactured between 1st February and 14th March 2019. This fault is due to the backrests not being assembled correctly during production at the factory, which could result in injury in the event of a collision. If you're concerned that your car might be affected, contact your Audi dealer to find out if you need to have it inspected.
- Suspension problems: Some owners have reported issues with the suspension on their Audi A4. The suspension forks on some Audi A4 models produced between 26th February and 14th March 2019 may not have been manufactured correctly, which could result in the forks failing. This can cause problems with your car’s ability to absorb the impact of bumps in the road, resulting in increasing vibrations, and the component could fail altogether. If you've noticed problems with your car’s suspension, you should take it to a trained mechanic to have it checked out before the fault gets any worse. The average quote for a suspension repair on the Audi A4 is £119.58 when booked through WhoCanFixMyCar.
In summary, while the Audi A4 is generally considered a reliable car, it can still have common problems that affect its performance and safety. If you're experiencing any of the issues mentioned above, it's essential to get your car checked out by a trained mechanic to ensure that it's safe to drive. Regular maintenance and inspections can also help prevent these problems from occurring in the first place.
How reliable is Audi A4 2018?
The 2018 Audi A4 has a slightly above-average predicted reliability rating of 3.5 out of five from J.D. Power.
What is the common problem with Audi A4?
Some of the common problems with the Audi A4 include: Gearbox problems. Airbag and seat belts fault. Seat backrest fault.
How long will an Audi A4 engine last?
Audis can typically go up to 200,000 miles or 20 years without major repairs when they're properly maintained. They're fairly reliable cars, and Consumer Reports ranks them within the top 10 new car brands when it comes to reliability.
Is it expensive to maintain an Audi A4?
Audi A4 Maintenance Costs
An Audi A4 will cost about $9,054 for maintenance and repairs during its first 10 years of service. This beats the industry average for luxury sedan models by $2,907. There is also a 26.81% chance that an A4 will require a major repair during that time.
How reliable is Audi A4 2018?
The 2018 Audi A4 has a slightly above-average predicted reliability rating of 3.5 out of five from J.D. Power.
What is the common problem with Audi A4?
Some of the common problems with the Audi A4 include: Gearbox problems. Airbag and seat belts fault. Seat backrest fault.
Is the Audi A4 a good reliable car?
The 2024 Audi A4 has a predicted reliability score of 77 out of 100. A J.D. Power predicted reliability score of 91-100 is considered the Best, 81-90 is Great, 70-80 is Average and 0-69 is Fair and considered below average.
Which Audi A4 engine is best?
For us, the sweet spots in the range are the 2.0-litre petrol with either 190 or 204hp – badged 40 TFSI – or the 2.0-litre diesel with 150 or 163hp – badged 35 TDI. These engines offer enough power to make the A4 feel relaxed at high speeds without needing to jump up to one of the stronger but pricier options.
2018 Audi A4 complaints
The NHTSA has received 0 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2018 Audi A4.
You can leave your car complaint via the special form below.
2018 Audi A4 recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 4 recalls for different components of the 2018 Audi A4.
- Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
- Components: SEATS
- Summary: 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.
- Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
- Components: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
- Summary: 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.
- Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
- Components: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
- Summary: 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.
- Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
- Components: STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
- Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Audi A4 Sedan and A4 allroad, and 2018 A5 Sportback vehicles. The aluminum trim on the front and rear doors can come loose from around the door speakers, leaving sharp edges exposed.
- Consequence: The sharp edges of the speaker trim increase the risk of injury to vehicle occupants.
- Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the speaker cover aluminum trim, free of charge. The recall began March 13, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 70G6.
Negative 2018 Audi A4 car reviews
Positive 2018 Audi A4 car reviews
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This is the place to buy and service! Leo is terrific in sales. Next year, we will be purchasing our third Audi. Luis Macias is glad he is back. The service is great, great!
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Firstly, I am delighted to share that my manual comes with the
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I really enjoyed the A4, but the BMW 330i won me over. It's just more fun to drive (after all, BMW is the ultimate driving machine). Additionally, the BMW had a much better sales team.
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I've been driving A4s for over 15 years. I must admit, I've always loved them :)
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A car that's really enjoyable to drive, and its exterior looks even better than those of any German brand of cars!
Additional sources
More sources of information about 2018 Audi A4 problems:
What are common Issues for 2018 A4 between 50-100k - AudiWorld ...
Mar 18, 2023 ... Advice: Change the transmission fluid and filter. Change your oil every 5000 miles, use an OEM filter and the proper spec oil. Clean out the ...
Questions about reliability of a used A4 2.0 TFSI 2017-2018 B9 ...
Oct 6, 2022 ... Basically i want to know what known and common issues does the first hand non modified A4 2.0 TFSI 2017/2018 (Regular and Quattro) have?, Any ...
2018 Audi A4 Problems | Kelley Blue Book
How reliable is the 2018 Audi A4? See the most common repairs performed and learn if your vehicle is at risk for major repairs in the next 12 months.
2018 Audi A4 Problems? - AudiWorld Forums
Sep 12, 2022 ... One common problems is a water pump failure. If your coolant level is regularly dropping, that's likely the problem. A class action settlement ...
A4 B9 Common Issues - Forum
Jun 26, 2020 ... 10' Audi A4 2.0T P+ Meteor Grey APR stg2 ... i think i'll probably purchase a 2017 or 2018. ... Are there any common problems with the B9 A4? I ...
Other years of Audi A4
Are you having problems with your 2018 Audi A4?
Wallace Mitchell 2024-10-22
This car is exactly what we needed - it takes us from A to B with decent cargo and let's face it, the front seats are pretty dang comfy (there's only two of us and we rarely have passengers, but the rear heated seats are nice to have, and the same goes for the three zone climate control). The B&O speaker system is pretty good, and I can confirm that it is much more comfortable than some other cars on the market, as I have been asleep in the passenger seat while it was going well over 80mph. However, after owning it for a few years, the LEDs in the center cupholders have started to yellow, and the Bang and Olufsen metal tab on the passenger door speaker consistently sticks out (we even brought it up to Audi when we were having it serviced and they glued it in place, but it still pops out. At one point, I caught it with my foot getting out, and accidentally bent it, but that actually seems to have helped, as it's now sort of bent in to place). So overall, it's a great car, but I don't anticipate it living past 100k miles.
Jules Cremin 2024-06-26
This vehicle has been in my possession for two years now. It is a fast car with great gas mileage and I always feel confident when driving it. Although, I have had to take it to the shop for various repairs every 2000 miles. Despite these issues, I have had the seatbelt components replaced, the drivers seat lumbar support repaired, the rear window chatter in cold repaired, the transmission oil pump replaced, and most recently a brand new rear differential installed. Additionally, the transmission shifts hard in early gears but smooths out in later gears. I am confident that these issues are not a reflection of the quality of the vehicle, but rather a result of the previous owner's driving habits. Overall, I am still very satisfied with my purchase and look forward to enjoying this vehicle for years to come.
Imani Bernier 2024-06-24
I am facing an unusual situation where many of my passengers are experiencing headaches and motion sickness, which can sometimes escalate. Although I initially thought it was due to my driving style, it became clear that this was not the case, as the same people had no issues riding in my other cars. Most of the driving is in NYC or around the tri-state area, and all new riders share the same symptoms. Despite reaching out to Audi USA for a solution, I have been disappointed with the response, as multiple dealers have been unable to provide a solution. However, I still believe that the car is a fair all-rounder that gets the job done. The exterior allows it to blend in with traffic, while the interior boasts a nice dashboard and front overall. The seats lack side bolstering, but this only relates to the base Premium trim. The driving experience is adequate, with smooth acceleration and a comfortable ride on base 17Apple CarPlay works as designed, with a success rate of approximately 90%. The fuel efficiency meets Audi's claims, and the overall fit and finish is of good quality. However, there have been reports of random squeaky noises developing after 10-11 months or 6K miles. In my professional opinion, this car deserves a solid 3 stars. While it may have some issues, it is still a reliable vehicle. I would recommend addressing the transmission issue to improve the overall experience.