Owners have filed 17 complaints
about the 2011 Audi A4 with NHTSA between 2020 and 2024.
The largest single group is the engine & cooling.
Across this model's run it ranks 27 of 28 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 6
Against the median year of the Audi A4. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 0
0% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 0
0% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2011 Audi A4
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Engine & Cooling
741.2%
Median failure at 111,000 miles
Transmission & Drivetrain
317.6%
Median failure at 74,000 miles
Fuel & Propulsion
211.8%
Median failure at 93,500 miles
Driver Assist & Collision Avoidance
15.9%
Median failure at 112,000 miles
Seat Belts
15.9%
Suspension
15.9%
Median failure at 100,000 miles
Brakes
15.9%
Median failure at 112,000 miles
Electrical System
15.9%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
50,000 – 74,999 miles
110.0%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
220.0%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
770.0%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Feb 2020peak 3Jul 2024
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Fort Riley, KS
ENGINE
Engine oil consumption, timing chain. This is a massive problem among Audi vehicles across the board. Engine oil consumption is abnormal and if unnoticed leads to engine dying in the middle of the road which is dangerous and I’ve personally had this happen to me on multiple occasions. The engines timing chain goes bad and causes the entire engine to need to be replaced which consumers have to pay for out of pocket. Damage from timing chain, rough idle, sluggish engine performance, rattling, engine failure. There are large amounts of consumers experiencing the exact same issues. Something needs to be done it’s not safe at all and Audi should be held responsible and liable to fix these issues. The engines are deteriorating at an abnormal and accelerated rate.
NHTSA complaint #11601913 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pelzer, SC
ENGINE
So there have already been recalls on some audis for oil consumption. I have a 2011 Audi A4 quattro and it goes through oil like crazy. It's ridiculous I believe it's because of faulty piston rings which led to faulty head gasket witch leads to the spark plugs, and coils.
NHTSA complaint #11585103 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Howell, NJ
SEAT BELTS
As of yesterday 10/18/2023, the drivers seat belt would not connect, I forced it to connect, but the dash light indicator remains on. also, difficult to release. I'm concerned that in an accident the air bags won't deploy and worse I may be trapped in the vehicle. My mechanic told me that there were recalls on these Audi's, however I can't find any and the dealer said there is no recall and that they would charge me $200 dollars just to inspect it.
NHTSA complaint #11550773 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Northville, MI
POWER TRAIN
Vehicle has horrible oil consumption due to piston rings being defective upon manufacture. Vehicle will have slew of problems, including stopping in the middle of the street, risking the lives of everyone in the car. Audi Dealer knows of the problem with the model from this year (B8) and they refuse to fix.
NHTSA complaint #11528374 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Northville, MI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Vehicle has horrible oil consumption due to piston rings being defective upon manufacture. Vehicle will have slew of problems, including stopping in the middle of the street, risking the lives of everyone in the car. Audi Dealer knows of the problem with the model from this year (B8) and they refuse to fix.
NHTSA complaint #11528374 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Northville, MI
ENGINE
Vehicle has horrible oil consumption due to piston rings being defective upon manufacture. Vehicle will have slew of problems, including stopping in the middle of the street, risking the lives of everyone in the car. Audi Dealer knows of the problem with the model from this year (B8) and they refuse to fix.
NHTSA complaint #11528374 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 112,000 milesSanger, CA
SERVICE BRAKES
ON MY CAR WHEN I'M DRIVING ANYWHERE AFTER I PUT MY CRUISE CONTROL ON IF I PRESS UP OR DOWN ON THE CRUISE CONTROL TO CHANGE THE SPEED THE CAR WILL EITHER BRAKE OR SPEED UP AND IT WON'T STOP UNTIL I HIT MY BRAKES HARD AND TURN THE CRUISE CONTROL COMPLETELY OFF WHICH IS ALSO AN ISSUE BECAUSE MY BRAKES ARE GOING OUT EXTREMELY FAST LIKE I NEED A NEW PAIR EVERY 2-3 MONTHS AND THE CAR ALSO BURNS THROUGH OIL SO QUICKLY THAT I NEED TO ADD MORE WITHIN 2-3 DAYS AFTER AN OIL CHANGE WITH NO LEAKS AND IT'S BURNING MORE OIL THAN GAS WHICH IS CLOGGING UP MY CATALYTIC CONVERTER........ AND CAUSING MY EMISSIONS TO BE BAD.....
NHTSA complaint #11407333 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 112,000 milesSanger, CA
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
ON MY CAR WHEN I'M DRIVING ANYWHERE AFTER I PUT MY CRUISE CONTROL ON IF I PRESS UP OR DOWN ON THE CRUISE CONTROL TO CHANGE THE SPEED THE CAR WILL EITHER BRAKE OR SPEED UP AND IT WON'T STOP UNTIL I HIT MY BRAKES HARD AND TURN THE CRUISE CONTROL COMPLETELY OFF WHICH IS ALSO AN ISSUE BECAUSE MY BRAKES ARE GOING OUT EXTREMELY FAST LIKE I NEED A NEW PAIR EVERY 2-3 MONTHS AND THE CAR ALSO BURNS THROUGH OIL SO QUICKLY THAT I NEED TO ADD MORE WITHIN 2-3 DAYS AFTER AN OIL CHANGE WITH NO LEAKS AND IT'S BURNING MORE OIL THAN GAS WHICH IS CLOGGING UP MY CATALYTIC CONVERTER........ AND CAUSING MY EMISSIONS TO BE BAD.....
NHTSA complaint #11407333 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 112,000 milesSanger, CA
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
ON MY CAR WHEN I'M DRIVING ANYWHERE AFTER I PUT MY CRUISE CONTROL ON IF I PRESS UP OR DOWN ON THE CRUISE CONTROL TO CHANGE THE SPEED THE CAR WILL EITHER BRAKE OR SPEED UP AND IT WON'T STOP UNTIL I HIT MY BRAKES HARD AND TURN THE CRUISE CONTROL COMPLETELY OFF WHICH IS ALSO AN ISSUE BECAUSE MY BRAKES ARE GOING OUT EXTREMELY FAST LIKE I NEED A NEW PAIR EVERY 2-3 MONTHS AND THE CAR ALSO BURNS THROUGH OIL SO QUICKLY THAT I NEED TO ADD MORE WITHIN 2-3 DAYS AFTER AN OIL CHANGE WITH NO LEAKS AND IT'S BURNING MORE OIL THAN GAS WHICH IS CLOGGING UP MY CATALYTIC CONVERTER........ AND CAUSING MY EMISSIONS TO BE BAD.....
NHTSA complaint #11407333 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 111,000 milesKnoxville, TN
ENGINE
APPARENTLY AUDI HAD. ARE ALL FOR THIS CAR BECAUSE OF A BAD CYLINDER STATE FORCED AUDI TO DO A RECALL ON THE CAR I JUST PAYED 7K FOR THIS CAR AND THE CYLINDER IS BAD AUDI DOESN'T WANNA HELP ME UNLESS I PAY BUT IT'S AN ISSUE STRAIGHT FROM AUDI WHICH IS NOT FAIR OF AUDI TO DO THAT TO THEIR CUSTOMERS EVEN IF I DIDN'T BUY THE CAR FROM AUDI IT IS STILL A PROBLEM FROM THEIR END EVEN THE GOVERNMENT FORCED THEM TO DO THE RECALL BUT THE TIME FRAME OF THE RECALL IS OVER NOW AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT I CAN DO DO I JUST LOSE 7K DOWN THE DRAIN
NHTSA complaint #11376314 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 75,000 milesSAN Antonio, TX
POWER TRAIN
PURCHASED CAR USED FROM AUDI OF NORTH PARK IN SAN ANTONIO, TX WITH APPROX 73K MILES ON IT. I HAVE DRIVEN IT FOR LESS THAN 2K MILES. THE CAR WILL NO LONGER ENGAGE IN REVERSE. I SEARCHED FORUMS AND SEE THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #11330683 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 75,000 milesSAN Antonio, TX
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
PURCHASED CAR USED FROM AUDI OF NORTH PARK IN SAN ANTONIO, TX WITH APPROX 73K MILES ON IT. I HAVE DRIVEN IT FOR LESS THAN 2K MILES. THE CAR WILL NO LONGER ENGAGE IN REVERSE. I SEARCHED FORUMS AND SEE THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #11330683 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 73,000 milesLewis Center, OH
POWER TRAIN
VEHICLE HAS 73,000 MILES AND THE TRANSMISSION HAS SEVERE JUDDERING. TRANSMISSION JERKS CONTINUALLY WHILE DRIVING AT ALL SPEEDS, AND MAKES IT UNSAFE TO DRIVE. APPARENTLY A COMMON PROBLEM WITH AUDI'S. FIX IS $6000.00, MAKING CAR WORTHLESS.
NHTSA complaint #11329870 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Columbiana, AL
ENGINE
THE ENGINE BURNS TOO MUCH OIL FROM THE PISTOLS. I TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC AND IT DIDN'T HAVE ANY LEAKS OUTSIDE THE ENGINE SO IT THEY TOLD ME IT BURNS THE OIL FROM INSIDE THE ENGINE. AND THEY CANT FIX THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #11319791 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 125,000 milesMary Esther, FL
ENGINE
OIL CONSUMPTION REALLY HIGH. BURNING TOO MUCH OIL, CAUSING MY ENGINE TO RUN ON LOW OIL, AND RUINING THE ENGINE.
NHTSA complaint #11318175 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesColumbiana, AL
SUSPENSION
LEAKING OIL 4 CYLINDERS HAD OIL SITTING ON TOP OF PISTONS AND OIL WAS LEAKING DOWN CYLINDERS WALLS PASSES PISTONS RINGS NO GOOD AND DAMAGE ON CYLINDER WALLS
NHTSA complaint #11308140 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesColumbiana, AL
ENGINE
LEAKING OIL 4 CYLINDERS HAD OIL SITTING ON TOP OF PISTONS AND OIL WAS LEAKING DOWN CYLINDERS WALLS PASSES PISTONS RINGS NO GOOD AND DAMAGE ON CYLINDER WALLS
NHTSA complaint #11308140 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.