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.
Safety recalls
Owner complaints by component
- Engine23
- Power train7
- Fuel/propulsion system6
- Steering4
- Electrical system3
- Suspension2
- Exterior lighting2
- Air bags2
- Seat belts1
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Complaints for each A4 model year we’ve synced.
View as table
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 92 |
| 1997 | 99 |
| 1998 | 258 |
| 1999 | 190 |
| 2000 | 96 |
| 2001 | 130 |
| 2002 | 189 |
| 2003 | 215 |
| 2004 | 189 |
| 2005 | 219 |
| 2006 | 298 |
| 2008 | 191 |
| 2009 | 144 |
| 2010 | 64 |
| 2011 | 42 |
| 2012 | 45 |
| 2013 | 111 |
| 2014 | 76 |
| 2015 | 44 |
| 2016 | 26 |
| 2017 | 83 |
| 2019 | 8 |
| 2020 | 158 |
- Crashes reported
- 0
- Fires reported
- 2
- Injuries reported
- 0
- Deaths reported
- 0
What owners report most
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.”
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.”
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.....”
Engines, transmissions & drive
- 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.
EPA fuel economy by version
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A4 Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 22 | 30 | 25 | $3,200 | 355 |
| A4 quattro Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive | 21 | 31 | 25 | $3,200 | 355 |
| A4 Avant quattro Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive | 21 | 29 | 24 | $3,300 | 370 |
| A4 quattro Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive | 21 | 29 | 24 | $3,300 | 370 |
- 25mpg comb.
- 25mpg comb.
- 24mpg comb.
- 24mpg comb.
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
- Frontal crash
- 4 of 5
- Side crash
- 5 of 5
- Side pole
- 5 of 5
- Rollover
- 5 of 5
- Rollover risk
- 9.9%
- Frontal crash
- 4 of 5
- Side crash
- 5 of 5
- Side pole
- 5 of 5
- Rollover
- 5 of 5
- Rollover risk
- 9.9%
- Frontal crash
- 4 of 5
- Side crash
- 5 of 5
- Side pole
- 5 of 5
- Rollover
- 5 of 5
- Rollover risk
- 9.9%
Maintenance basics
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat 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
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.