Research · Compact Cars · 2 NHTSA variants

2011 Audi A4Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 42 owner complaints for the 2011 Audi A4. Most complaints involve engine (23) and power train (7). The EPA rates it 24–25 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall.

Combined MPG
24–25mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
4of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
42
Top: engine
Fuel cost / yr
$3,200est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2011 Audi A4 as of Oct 27, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 27, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

42 complaints filed with NHTSA · Sep 2013 – Jul 2024
  1. Engine23
  2. Power train7
  3. Fuel/propulsion system6
  4. Steering4
  5. Electrical system3
  6. Suspension2
  7. Exterior lighting2
  8. Air bags2
  9. Seat belts1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each A4 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
199692
199799
1998258
1999190
200096
2001130
2002189
2003215
2004189
2005219
2006298
2008191
2009144
201064
201142
201245
2013111
201476
201544
201626
201783
20198
2020158
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 27, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Engine

23 reports1 fire
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 14, 2024EngineODI 11601913

Power train

7 reports
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 22, 2023Power train, Electrical system, EngineODI 11528374

Fuel/propulsion system

6 reports
“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.....”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 9, 2021Service brakes, Fuel/propulsion system, Forward collision avoidanceODI 11407333
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 27, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

4 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Compact Cars, Small Station Wagons
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Automatic (variable gear ratios) · Manual 6-spd · Automatic (S8)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 27, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
A4
Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
223025$3,200355
A4 quattro
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
213125$3,200355
A4 Avant quattro
Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
212924$3,300370
A4 quattro
Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
212924$3,300370
  • A4
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    22 city · 30 hwy · $3,200/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
  • A4 quattro
    Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    21 city · 31 hwy · $3,200/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
  • A4 Avant quattro
    Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    21 city · 29 hwy · $3,300/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
  • A4 quattro
    Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    21 city · 29 hwy · $3,300/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 27, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

3 tested variants
Overall rating
4/ 5
4 of 5
Audi A4 4 DR AWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
5 of 5
Rollover risk
9.9%
Overall
4 / 5
Audi A4 4 DR FWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
5 of 5
Rollover risk
9.9%
Overall
4 / 5
Audi A4 Avant SW AWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
5 of 5
Rollover risk
9.9%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 27, 2026Vehicle 534Vehicle 2Vehicle 4
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2011 A4 questions

How many recalls does the 2011 Audi A4 have?

0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Oct 27, 2026.

What are the most common 2011 Audi A4 problems?

Owners filed 42 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (23), power train (7), fuel/propulsion system (6). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2011 Audi A4 get?

The EPA rates the 2011 Audi A4 at 24–25 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

How safe is the 2011 Audi A4?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2011 Audi A4 4 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 27, 2026