AUDI A4 AVANT · model year

2011 AUDI A4 AVANT

46 NHTSA complaints for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

4 / 5 ★

New Car Assessment Program

The 2011AUDIA4 AVANT carries 46 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 3 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 AVANT is engine with 17 filings, followed by unknown or other (6) and power train (4). 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 AVANT. 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.

46
Complaints
0
Crashes
3
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
2011 AUDI A4 AVANT — NHTSA crash-test profile NHTSA NCAP crash-test star ratings for the 2011 AUDI A4 AVANT. Overall composite: 4.0 of 5 stars across 3 safety dimensions. Front CrashSide CrashRollover 4.0 NHTSA NCAP of 5 stars
  • Front Crash 4.0 ★
  • Side Crash 5.0 ★
  • Rollover 5.0 ★
NHTSA overall 4.0/5 stars, with front-crash, side-crash and rollover ratings from standardized NCAP barrier and dynamic tests.

Total Complaints

46 filings

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

ComponentCount
ENGINE17
UNKNOWN OR OTHER6
POWER TRAIN4
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM4
STEERING4
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2
EXTERIOR LIGHTING2
AIR BAGS2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING1
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)1
VISIBILITY/WIPER1
SUSPENSION1
STRUCTURE:BODY1

Recent Complaints

20211222ENGINE

The contact owns a 2011 Audi A4. The contact stated she needed to add 1 quart of oil frequently to the vehicle. The contact stated that the oil warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer and had the oil consumption test completed twice but was not able to diagnose the failure. The contact stated she continued to add 1 quart of oil frequently, but the failure started to progress. The contact stated that the oil pressure warning light was illuminated and the turn-off engine warning message was displayed. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer and had an unknown sensor replaced. The vehicle was repaired but continued to experience the failure. The contact also stated that while making a left turn, the engine seized. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and drove to her destination. The contact attempted to call the manufacturer but was unable to reach a Representative. The failure mileage was unknown.

20190801FireSTRUCTURE:BODY

CAR WAS PARKED OUTSIDE OUR APARTMENT BUILDING. IT WAS OFF AND HADN'T BEEN DRIVEN IN OVER 20HRS. AT 11AM A FIRE BROKE OUT IN THE REAR DRIVER SIDE SEAT. FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED PUT OUT THE FIRE, SAID IT WAS NOT ARSON BUT RATHER ELECTRICAL ISSUE. THE CAR FRONT DASH WAS PARTIALLY MELTED, REAR SEAT BIG CHAR BLACK SEATING MATERIAL AND SHOWED EXPOSED WIRES.

Mileage: 120,000

20190801FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

CAR WAS PARKED OUTSIDE OUR APARTMENT BUILDING. IT WAS OFF AND HADN'T BEEN DRIVEN IN OVER 20HRS. AT 11AM A FIRE BROKE OUT IN THE REAR DRIVER SIDE SEAT. FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED PUT OUT THE FIRE, SAID IT WAS NOT ARSON BUT RATHER ELECTRICAL ISSUE. THE CAR FRONT DASH WAS PARTIALLY MELTED, REAR SEAT BIG CHAR BLACK SEATING MATERIAL AND SHOWED EXPOSED WIRES.

Mileage: 120,000

20190627ENGINE

IT APPEARS THAT DUE TO A MANUFACTURING/ENGINEERING DEFECT, THE TIMING CHAIN ON CERTAIN AUDI AND VOLKSWAGEN MODELS FAILS AFTER A CERTAIN NUMBER OF MILES. THIS TIMING CHAIN FAILURE HAS BEEN DETERMINED TO CAUSE SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE, IN MANY CASES REQUIRING A COMPLETE ENGINE REPLACEMENT. REGRETTABLY, THIS IS WHAT RECENTLY HAPPENED WITH MY 2011 AUDI A4. IN FACT, THERE WAS A FAIRLY HIGH-PROFILE CLASS ACTION FILED AGAINST VOLKSWAGEN (CIVIL ACTION NO. 16-2765 (JLL)(JAD) THAT WAS RECENTLY SETTLED. (SEE HTTPS://TIMINGCHAINLITIGATION.COM/HOME/FAQ#FAQ6). UNFORTUNATELY, THE SETTLEMENT IS EXTREMELY FLAWED AND LEAVES VEHICLE OWNERS INADEQUATELY COMPENSATED IF THEIR VEHICLES ARE ABOVE A CERTAIN NUMBER OF MILES OR IF THE OWNERS MISSED THE DEADLINE FOR FILING CLAIMS. THE TIMING CHAIN ISSUE CONSTITUTES A SIGNIFICANT AND DANGEROUS MANUFACTURING/ENGINEERING FLAW THAT SHOULD WARRANT A RECALL OF ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES. THE ENGINE FAILURE THAT CAN OCCUR AS A RESULT OF TH

Mileage: 60,000

20190627UNKNOWN OR OTHER

IT APPEARS THAT DUE TO A MANUFACTURING/ENGINEERING DEFECT, THE TIMING CHAIN ON CERTAIN AUDI AND VOLKSWAGEN MODELS FAILS AFTER A CERTAIN NUMBER OF MILES. THIS TIMING CHAIN FAILURE HAS BEEN DETERMINED TO CAUSE SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE, IN MANY CASES REQUIRING A COMPLETE ENGINE REPLACEMENT. REGRETTABLY, THIS IS WHAT RECENTLY HAPPENED WITH MY 2011 AUDI A4. IN FACT, THERE WAS A FAIRLY HIGH-PROFILE CLASS ACTION FILED AGAINST VOLKSWAGEN (CIVIL ACTION NO. 16-2765 (JLL)(JAD) THAT WAS RECENTLY SETTLED. (SEE HTTPS://TIMINGCHAINLITIGATION.COM/HOME/FAQ#FAQ6). UNFORTUNATELY, THE SETTLEMENT IS EXTREMELY FLAWED AND LEAVES VEHICLE OWNERS INADEQUATELY COMPENSATED IF THEIR VEHICLES ARE ABOVE A CERTAIN NUMBER OF MILES OR IF THE OWNERS MISSED THE DEADLINE FOR FILING CLAIMS. THE TIMING CHAIN ISSUE CONSTITUTES A SIGNIFICANT AND DANGEROUS MANUFACTURING/ENGINEERING FLAW THAT SHOULD WARRANT A RECALL OF ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES. THE ENGINE FAILURE THAT CAN OCCUR AS A RESULT OF TH

Mileage: 60,000

20190513FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

MY VEHICLE WAS BURNING OIL FASTER THAN NORMAL. I HAVE SINCE HAD MY CAR IN THE SHOP SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE OIL CHANGES WERE DUE TO TOP OFF OIL DO TO SEVERAL LIGHTS COMING ON: "MIN OIL", "OIL PRESSURE TOO LOW"

20190506ENGINE

MY VEHICLE WAS BURNING OIL FASTER THAN NORMAL. I HAVE SINCE HAD MY CAR IN THE SHOP SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE OIL CHANGES WERE DUE TO TOP OFF OIL DO TO SEVERAL LIGHTS COMING ON: "MIN OIL", "OIL PRESSURE TOO LOW". I HAVE HAD SEVERAL OIL CONSUMPTION TESTS EACH YEAR AS WELL AS PARTS REPLACED: PRESSURE REGULATING VALVE, CRANKSHAFT DAMPER AND SEAL. HAD A 40 POINT INSPECTION IN 2014 AT 44K MILES AND IN 2015 REQUESTED A MULTI INSPECTION AT 55K MILES. I HAD SEVERAL OIL CONSUMPTION TESTS AROUND THESES DATES: 3/714, 5/7/15, 11/12/15. AFTER THEY CHANGED OUT PARTS I HAD TO CHANGE 4 FUEL INJECTORS IN 2016. TO FAST FORWARD I HAD ALL OIL CHANGES ON TIME AND HAD TO ADD OIL SEVERAL TIMES IN-BETWEEN SERVICES. ON JAN 11, 2019 I HAD ANOTHER OIL CHANGE, THEY REPLACED MY OIL SENSORS AND BREAKS. 4 MONTHS LATER MY "LOW OIL LIGHT" KEPT POPPING UP WHEN I WOULD TURN. AFTER CHECKING THE OLD 4 TIMES IT KEPT READING 3/4 FULL OF OIL. AFTER I FELT THE CAR RUNNING STRANGE I PULLED OVER TO BUY OIL AND AT THIS POINT I CHECKE

Mileage: 92,000

20190506STEERING

AS I AM MAKING A TURN ONTO ANOTHER STREET IN TOWN MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP, WHEN I COMPLETE A TURN IT WON'T WALK IT'S WAY BACK AROUND, YOU HAVE TO FORCE IT AROUND. I HAVE NEVER FELT SOMETHING LIKE THIS BEFORE, IT IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE.

Mileage: 100,220

20190302STEERING

ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING CAUSING UNSAFE INSTABILITY ON FREEWAYS. INTERMITTENTLY THE POWER STEERING ASSIST IS FAILING INTERMITTENTLY CAUSING THE DRIVER TO APPLY EXCESSIVE FORCE TO MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL BUT SOON AFTER THIS THE POWER STEERING ASSIST COMES BACK ON AND HENCE TURNING THE STEERING MORE THAN REQUIRED AND ENDING UP IN AN UNSAFE POSITION OR SWERVING ON FREEWAYS AND EVEN AT LOW SPEEDS. THE ISSUE SEEMS TO BE A WELL DOCUMENTED ISSUE AND CAN HAPPEN AT ANY MILEAGE WITH REPORTS OUT THERE ON CARS WITH LESS THAN 5K MILES. AUDI SHOULD HAVE A TSB AND RECALL FOR THIS.

Mileage: 124,800

20190103ENGINE

TAKATA RECALL. I NOTICED THAT MY CAR CONSUMES LOTS OF OIL DUE TO THE ENGINE OIL CONSUMPTION. ANYTIME I PERFORM OIL CHANGE, IT WON'T LAST LONGER THAN 7 DAYS.

Mileage: 65

20181018ENGINE

I RECENTLY PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM AN INDEPENDENT DEALER THREE WEEKS AGO. 200 MILES INTO DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK THE VEHICLE FOR AN INSPECTION AND OIL CHANGE. THE VEHICLE PASSED INSPECTION, BUT THE MECHANIC NOTED VERY LITTLE OIL IN THE VEHICLE, EVEN THOUGH THE NEXT OIL CHANGE WASN'T FOR 4,000 MILES. AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE 600 MORE MILES, THE CAR INDICATED LOW OIL AGAIN. IN 2015, AUDI LOST A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT FOR THIS ISSUE. IN THE SERVICE RECORDS, THIS VEHICLE UNDERWENT THE FIRST STAGE OF REPAIRS TO CORRECT THE ISSUE IN JAN 2017, WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY EXTENSION GRANTED BY THE LAWSUIT. THE REPAIRS DID NOT WORK. AUDI HAS CONFIRMED THAT THIS IS THE ISSUE MOST LIKELY AFFECTING MY VEHICLE, AND THEY REFUSE TO COVER IT. MY VEHICLE IS BELOW THE MILEAGE SPECIFIED UNDER THE WARRANTY, BUT HAS MISSED THE YEAR SPECIFIED BY LESS THAN 3 MONTHS. THIS MEANS THAT AUDI KNOWINGLY AUCTIONED A DEFECTIVE VEHICLE WITHOUT FULFILLING THEIR WARRANTY O

Mileage: 70,430

20181018UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I RECENTLY PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM AN INDEPENDENT DEALER THREE WEEKS AGO. 200 MILES INTO DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK THE VEHICLE FOR AN INSPECTION AND OIL CHANGE. THE VEHICLE PASSED INSPECTION, BUT THE MECHANIC NOTED VERY LITTLE OIL IN THE VEHICLE, EVEN THOUGH THE NEXT OIL CHANGE WASN'T FOR 4,000 MILES. AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE 600 MORE MILES, THE CAR INDICATED LOW OIL AGAIN. IN 2015, AUDI LOST A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT FOR THIS ISSUE. IN THE SERVICE RECORDS, THIS VEHICLE UNDERWENT THE FIRST STAGE OF REPAIRS TO CORRECT THE ISSUE IN JAN 2017, WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY EXTENSION GRANTED BY THE LAWSUIT. THE REPAIRS DID NOT WORK. AUDI HAS CONFIRMED THAT THIS IS THE ISSUE MOST LIKELY AFFECTING MY VEHICLE, AND THEY REFUSE TO COVER IT. MY VEHICLE IS BELOW THE MILEAGE SPECIFIED UNDER THE WARRANTY, BUT HAS MISSED THE YEAR SPECIFIED BY LESS THAN 3 MONTHS. THIS MEANS THAT AUDI KNOWINGLY AUCTIONED A DEFECTIVE VEHICLE WITHOUT FULFILLING THEIR WARRANTY O

Mileage: 70,430

20180808ENGINE

HELLO. THIS MODEL OF AUDI A4 2.0T 2011 HASE A BIG PROBLEM WITH OIL CONSUMPTION WHICH I THINK IS A THING THAT THE NHTSA NEEDS TO LOOK IN TO. FOR EXAMPLE : I DRIVE THE CAR 500 MILES AND THE OIL LIGHT COMES UP AND IS ASKING FOR 1QT OF OIL WHICH I THINK IS ABSOLUTELY NOT NORMAL . IVE CHANGE THE OIL IN OCTOBER AND IN 2 MONTHS DECEMBER I USE 5QT OF OIL TO REFILL OR TO ADD ON BECAUSE THE OIL LIGHT WAS TURNING ON . IVE TOOK THE CAR TO AUDI AND DID A FULL INSPECTION TO SEE IF I'M LOSING ANY OIL ANYWHERE AND THE RESULT WAS NEGATIVE. I'VE HERD THAT MY MODEL AUDI A4 2.0T 2011 HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE PISTONS RINGS OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT AND BECAUSE OF THAT HE OIL CONSUMPTION WAS VERY HIGH. BUT JUST ON SOME AUDI A4 2.0T 2011 MODELS NOT ALL . I THINK AND I CAN PROVE THAT MY CARE HAS THIS ISSUE AND NEEDS TO BE RECCAL BECAUSE THE OIL GOES IN THE ENVIRONMENT IN THE AIR WHICH IS A VERY BIG PROBLEM FOR THE QUALITY OF THE OXYGEN . I'M NOT SAYING THAT ONLY MY CAR BUT IF YOU GOOGLE MY MODEL YOU

20180808FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

HELLO. THIS MODEL OF AUDI A4 2.0T 2011 HASE A BIG PROBLEM WITH OIL CONSUMPTION WHICH I THINK IS A THING THAT THE NHTSA NEEDS TO LOOK IN TO. FOR EXAMPLE : I DRIVE THE CAR 500 MILES AND THE OIL LIGHT COMES UP AND IS ASKING FOR 1QT OF OIL WHICH I THINK IS ABSOLUTELY NOT NORMAL . IVE CHANGE THE OIL IN OCTOBER AND IN 2 MONTHS DECEMBER I USE 5QT OF OIL TO REFILL OR TO ADD ON BECAUSE THE OIL LIGHT WAS TURNING ON . IVE TOOK THE CAR TO AUDI AND DID A FULL INSPECTION TO SEE IF I'M LOSING ANY OIL ANYWHERE AND THE RESULT WAS NEGATIVE. I'VE HERD THAT MY MODEL AUDI A4 2.0T 2011 HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE PISTONS RINGS OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT AND BECAUSE OF THAT HE OIL CONSUMPTION WAS VERY HIGH. BUT JUST ON SOME AUDI A4 2.0T 2011 MODELS NOT ALL . I THINK AND I CAN PROVE THAT MY CARE HAS THIS ISSUE AND NEEDS TO BE RECCAL BECAUSE THE OIL GOES IN THE ENVIRONMENT IN THE AIR WHICH IS A VERY BIG PROBLEM FOR THE QUALITY OF THE OXYGEN . I'M NOT SAYING THAT ONLY MY CAR BUT IF YOU GOOGLE MY MODEL YOU

20180206ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 AUDI A4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION AND THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED CONSTANTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 89,000. *TR

Mileage: 89,000

20170927ENGINE

THIS PAST SUNDAY, MY AUDI SELF-ACCELERATED IN BUSY TRAFFIC. ONLY BECAUSE I DRIVE A MANUAL WAS I ABLE TO PREVENT AN ACCIDENT. I HAD THE CAR TOWED FROM SACRAMENTO CA TO AUDI OAKLAND. THEY DIAGNOSED IT SAYING THE PISTON BLEW THREW THE ENGINE, DEPRESSURIZING THE ENGINE. THEY CLAIM THE DON'T KNOW WHY AND HAVE FAILED TO CONTACT ME SINCE. I HAD TO CONTACT AUDI USA WHICH HASN'T BEEN RESPONSIVE. THIS WAS A CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE WHILE I WAS DRIVING THREE BOYS. NONETHELESS, AUDI OAKLAND--AND I HAD TO CALL THEM!--JUST TOLD ME ITS MY PROBLEM AND I NEED TO PAY $16K FOR A NEW ENGINE. THEY TOLD ME THIS IS AN ODD OCCURRENCE AND SINCE THERE'S NO WARRANTY, ITS NOT THEIR PROBLEM.

Mileage: 103,000

20170724SUSPENSION

FRONT LOWER REARWARD CONTROL ARMS MAKE SQEAKING NOISE VERY ANNOING

20170724EXTERIOR LIGHTING

FRONT LOWER REARWARD CONTROL ARMS MAKE SQEAKING NOISE VERY ANNOING

20170626STEERING

WHILE DRIVING ON I75 IN FLORIDA AT 70 MPH ON JUNE 18, 2017, THE STEERING SUDDENLY FAILED. I MANAGED TO KEEP CONTROL AND GET THE CAR HOME WITH STRONG PHYSICAL EFFORT IN KEEPING THE STEERING STRAIGHT. I TOOK CAR TO AUDI NAPLES ON MONDAY JUNE 19, 2017. I WAS TOLD THE ENTIRE RACK AND PINION SHAFT FAILED AND NEEDED COMPLETE REPLACEMENT. AUDI REPLACED THE RACK AND PINION SHAFT AND U CONNECTOR. THE CAR ONLY HAD 42, 800 MILES AND HAS BEEN MAINTAINED BY AUDI BY THE BOOK SINCE I BOUGHT IT NEW FROM AUDI.

Mileage: 42,800

20170421AIR BAGS

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 AUDI A4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 17V001000 (VISIBILITY, AIR BAGS ) AND 16V078000 (AIR BAGS ) HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PARTS WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL SEPTEMBER OF 2017. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

Compare 2011AUDIA4 AVANT to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2011 AUDI A4 AVANT have?
The 2011 AUDI A4 AVANT has 46 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 3 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2011 AUDI A4 AVANT?
The 2011 AUDI A4 AVANT 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 AVANT?
The most-complained component for the 2011 AUDI A4 AVANT is ENGINE with 17 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include UNKNOWN OR OTHER and POWER TRAIN.
Is the 2011 AUDI A4 AVANT 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 AVANT 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.