2018 Audi S4 Safety Report
2018 Audi S4 Safety and Reliability Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2018 Audi S4
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2018 Audi S4. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | Moderate (2) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | Low (7) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 0 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Engine | Compare engine issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2015 | Compare against the 2015 Audi S4 with 1 complaints and 1 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2020 | Check the 2020 Audi S4 before buying across this generation. |
Audi S4 Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Audi S4 years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 Audi S4 | 2 | 1 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2020 Audi S4 | 16 | 3 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2021 Audi S4 | 2 | 4 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2015 Audi S4 | 1 | 1 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
2018 Audi S4 Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2018 Audi S4, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Engine
3 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine issues Audi onlySuspension
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Suspension issues Audi onlyService Brakes
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Service Brakes issues Audi onlyStructure
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Structure issues Audi onlyPower Train,Vehicle Speed Control,Engine
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Power Train,Vehicle Speed Control,Engine issues Audi onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2018 Audi S4
Reliability Score
The 2018 Audi S4 receives a reliability score of 82 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates above-average reliability relative to comparable vehicles.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2018 Audi S4
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.
Known Issues for the 2018 Audi S4
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2018 Audi S4:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine Failure The EA839 turbo engine is prone to catastrophic failures, including knocking and oil shooting, affecting vehicles between 30k to 60k miles. |
High | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Pre-Sense Auto-Braking Malfunction The pre-sense auto-braking system has been known to activate erroneously, posing a risk of accidents. |
Medium | Common | N/A miles |
| Underride Guard Panel Issues Underride guard panels are fastened by small, loose-fitting plastic clips, posing a risk in rear-end collisions. |
Low | Common | N/A miles |
| Engine Acceleration Delay A 1-2 second delay in engine acceleration when transitioning from throttle to off-throttle can affect performance. |
Medium | Common | N/A miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2018 Audi S4:
Engine issues are the most common problem, affecting 23% of the components.
Recall Details for the 2018 Audi S4
The following 2 recalls have been issued for the 2018 Audi S4 by NHTSA:
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 reme...
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.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2018 Audi S4
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2018 Audi S4 with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Water pump defect for the 3.0L ea839 turbo engine found across many Porsche and Audi models. Defect causes damage to vacuum lines, thermostat, and can eventually lead to engine failure if not resolved. No way of knowing this is happening until you start to lose coolant (which will throw an engine code), but by that point the damage is done. There was a recall for the previous generation vehicle ...
My 2018 Audi S4 has a catastrophic engine failure issue and this is common with the EA839 engine. There is a knocking in the motor that is caused by internal engine parts (rocker arms needle bearings) becoming loose and dislodged. The metal shavings travel in the motor oil and destroy the engine from the inside. Hendrick Audi northlake examined the car on February 26, and recommended a new engine ...
PCV housing and lines failed. Caused pressure to build up thus shooting off the oil cap shooting oil everywhere! in addition to that it is a huge fire hazard considering the turbo is right next to it.
Audi Dealer inspection revealed Rear spring is broken and mounts are deteriorating. Dealer states not common and would result in accident if not repaired. Research indicates broken springs common with certain Audi vehicles (A4/S4, Q5 & Q7), especially 2018 model year. See Audi World forum website. It would appear these springs are defective and will result in accident, injury and death. Audi ref...
THE VEHICLE'S PRE SENSE AUTO-BRAKING AND BRAKING ALERT JOLT HAS BEEN ACTIVATING ERRONEOUSLY AND HAVE ALMOST CAUSED ACCIDENTS AT SPEED. THE SYSTEM CANNOT BE PERMANENTLY DISABLED, IT DEACTIVATES UPON IGNITION RESTART. THE SYSTEM HAS ERRONEOUSLY AND AGGRESSIVELY JOLTED THE BREAKS ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS ON CURVES, ESPECIALLY WHEN CRESTING A HILL WITH VEHICLES PARKED ON THE DOWNWARD SLOAP. CLEARLY, IT...
THERE ARE TWO LARGE "UNDERRIDE GUARD" PANELS ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE THAT ARE FASTENED BY SMALL, LOOSE-FITTING PLASTIC CLIPS. THERE IS ALSO FELT SOUND-DEADENING MATERIAL ON THE EXTERIOR SIDE OF THIS PANEL. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN IN RAIN OR SNOW, THE PANEL COLLECTS SNOW OR WATER UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS AND BREAKS FREE UNEXPECTEDLY, CAUSING THE PANEL TO CONTACT THE ROAD AND DRAG ...
WHEN DRIVING IN MANUAL MODE AND TRANSITION FROM ON THE THROTTLE TO OFF-THROTTLE, THERE IS A 1-2 SECOND DELAY BEFORE THE ENGINE STOPS ACCELERATING AND TRANSITIONS TO DECELERATION. ESPECIALLY IN FIRST GEAR, THIS MEANS THAT THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO ACCELERATE FOR THAT PERIOD OF TIME. I DROVE ANOTHER MODEL OF AUDI WITH THE SAME ENGINE/TRANSMISSION (2018 S5) AND IT EXHIBITS THE SAME BEHAVIOR. SINCE ...
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2018 Audi S4
Has the 2018 AUDI S4 been recalled?
Yes, the 2018 AUDI S4 has 2 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2018 AUDI S4 have?
The 2018 AUDI S4 has 7 complaints filed with NHTSA. None of the complaints involved crashes. No injuries or deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2018 AUDI S4?
The 2018 AUDI S4 does not have an NHTSA safety rating on file. This can happen for newer model years, specialty vehicles, or models that have not been crash-tested.
What are the most common problems with the 2018 AUDI S4?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2018 AUDI S4 involve engine (3 complaints), suspension (1 complaints), service brakes (1 complaints). Other affected components include structure, power train,vehicle speed control,engine.
How many crash reports does the 2018 AUDI S4 have?
There are no crash reports associated with the 2018 AUDI S4 in the NHTSA database.
How many fire reports does the 2018 AUDI S4 have?
There are no fire reports for the 2018 AUDI S4 in the NHTSA database.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2018 AUDI S4?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2018 AUDI S4.
How many injuries are reported for the 2018 AUDI S4?
No injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2018 AUDI S4.
Should I buy a 2018 AUDI S4?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2018 AUDI S4 is research thoroughly before purchasing. It has 7 complaints, 2 recalls. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2018 AUDI S4?
The components with the most failures on the 2018 AUDI S4 are: 1. ENGINE (3 complaints), 2. SUSPENSION (1 complaints), 3. SERVICE BRAKES (1 complaints), 4. STRUCTURE (1 complaints), 5. POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE (1 complaints). ENGINE is the single most-reported problem area with 3 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2018 AUDI S4?
Be cautious of engine failures and pre-sense auto-braking malfunctions. Regular inspections are recommended. The 2018 AUDI S4 has 7 NHTSA complaints and 2 recalls on record.
How reliable is the 2018 AUDI S4?
The 2018 AUDI S4 receives a reliability score of 82/100, indicating above-average reliability. This is based on 7 owner complaints, 2 recalls, and 0 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Engine Failure and Pre-Sense Auto-Braking Malfunction.
What are the known issues with the 2018 AUDI S4?
Known issues with the 2018 AUDI S4 include: Engine Failure, Pre-Sense Auto-Braking Malfunction, Underride Guard Panel Issues, Engine Acceleration Delay. These are based on patterns found across 7 NHTSA complaints. 2 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
What are the common engine issues in the 2018 Audi S4?
Common engine issues include catastrophic failures, knocking, and oil shooting, affecting vehicles between 30k to 60k miles.
Is the pre-sense auto-braking system reliable?
The pre-sense auto-braking system has been known to activate erroneously, posing a risk of accidents.
Are there any safety concerns with the underride guard panels?
Underride guard panels are fastened by small, loose-fitting plastic clips, posing a risk in rear-end collisions.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be cautious of engine failures and pre-sense auto-braking malfunctions. Regular inspections are recommended.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2018 Audi S4
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2018 Audi S4. The data includes 7 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 2 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-13