Total Complaints
17 filings
AUDI A4 · model year
2011 AUDI A4
17 NHTSA complaints for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
4 / 5 ★
New Car Assessment Program
The 2011AUDIA4 carries 17 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall 4/5 rating, with 4/5 front crash, 5/5 side crash, and 5/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2011 A4 is engine with 7 filings, followed by power train (3) and fuel/propulsion system (2). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.
NHTSA currently has 9 investigation files overlapping the 2011 A4. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
17
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
- Front Crash 4.0 ★
- Side Crash 5.0 ★
- Rollover 5.0 ★
Crashes Reported
0 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
NHTSA NCAP overall: 4/5 — Strong NCAP rating
· Front: 4/5
· Side: 5/5
· Rollover: 5/5
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| ENGINE | 7 |
| POWER TRAIN | 3 |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 2 |
| SUSPENSION | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 1 |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL | 1 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 1 |
| SEAT BELTS | 1 |
Recent Complaints
20240714ENGINE
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 Iâve 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 itâs 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.
20240424ENGINE
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.
20231019SEAT 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.
20230622ELECTRICAL 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.
20230622ENGINE
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.
20230622POWER 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.
20210409SERVICE 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.....
Mileage: 112,000
20210409FUEL/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.....
Mileage: 112,000
20210409FORWARD 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.....
Mileage: 112,000
20201125ENGINE
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
Mileage: 111,000
20200624FUEL/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. *TR
Mileage: 75,000
20200624POWER 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. *TR
Mileage: 75,000
20200621POWER 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.
Mileage: 73,000
20200331ENGINE
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.
20200315ENGINE
OIL CONSUMPTION REALLY HIGH. BURNING TOO MUCH OIL, CAUSING MY ENGINE TO RUN ON LOW OIL, AND RUINING THE ENGINE.
Mileage: 125,000
20200210ENGINE
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
Mileage: 100,000
20200210SUSPENSION
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
Mileage: 100,000
Compare 2011AUDIA4 to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 2011 AUDI A4 have?▼
The 2011 AUDI A4 has 17 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2011 AUDI A4?▼
The 2011 AUDI A4 received an overall NHTSA safety rating of 4/5, front crash rating of 4/5, side crash rating of 5/5, and rollover rating of 5/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2011 AUDI A4?▼
The most-complained component for the 2011 AUDI A4 is ENGINE with 7 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include POWER TRAIN and FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM.
Is the 2011 AUDI A4 safe to buy?▼
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. The 2011 AUDI A4 has an NHTSA safety rating of 4/5. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?▼
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.
Vehicle Safety Guides
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.