Audi owners have filed 9,238 complaints with NHTSA across 57 models. On average the car was 5.37 years old when the problem happened, and 29.7% of reports fall inside the first three years — while the factory warranty was still running.
What breaks on Audi
The systems Audi owners report most, and how often each failure ended in a crash.
| System | Complaints | Share of Audi | Ended in a crash |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 12.4% | 7.9% | |
| Electrical System | 10% | 0.4% | |
| Engine | 8.1% | 0.3% | |
| Power Train | 5.4% | 3% | |
| Exterior Lighting | 4.7% | 0.5% | |
| Unknown Or Other | 4.3% | 2.5% | |
| Steering | 3.7% | 3.2% | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 3.6% | 4.8% |
When Audi problems show up
| Measure | Value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Average age at failure | 5.37 years | How old the car was when the problem happened |
| Reported inside 3 years | 29.7% | Share of complaints filed while the factory warranty was likely still running |
| Complaints describing a crash | 317 | Of 9,238 total |
| Complaints describing a fire | 167 | Of 9,238 total |
A low average age does not automatically mean a fragile car: a brand with a young fleet on the road will always skew early. Read it next to the share reported inside three years.
Which Audi models draw the most complaints
Volume follows sales, so a bestseller will always top this list. The columns worth reading are age at failure and how many reports ended in a crash.
| Model | Complaints | Share of Audi | Avg age at failure | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A4 | 23.7% | 5.8 yrs | 80 | |
| A6 | 13.8% | 5.7 yrs | 45 | |
| Q5 | 11.4% | 5.0 yrs | 51 | |
| Q7 | 10.2% | 5.6 yrs | 27 | |
| A3 | 7% | 6.0 yrs | 18 | |
| S4 | 5.1% | 4.9 yrs | 13 | |
| TT | 2.9% | 6.3 yrs | 6 | |
| A5 | 2.5% | 5.1 yrs | 4 | |
| A4 ALLROAD | 2.4% | 3.6 yrs | 12 | |
| Q3 | 2% | 3.1 yrs | 6 | |
| A8 | 2% | 6.9 yrs | 5 | |
| Q8 | 1.9% | 2.6 yrs | 4 | |
| A3 CABRIOLET | 1.4% | 3.6 yrs | 1 | |
| A7 | 1.4% | 4.8 yrs | 5 | |
| S5 | 1.3% | 4.6 yrs | 3 |
Audi complaints by model year
A bad generation shows up here as a block of years, not as a single spike. Recent years look quiet simply because those cars are young and still under warranty.
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | — | — | |
| 2025 | 4 | — | |
| 2024 | 2 | 1 | |
| 2023 | 6 | 1 | |
| 2021 | 9 | 1 | |
| 2020 | 10 | 4 | |
| 2019 | 19 | 4 | |
| 2018 | 20 | 1 | |
| 2017 | 16 | 2 | |
| 2016 | 14 | 11 | |
| 2015 | 13 | 1 | |
| 2014 | 8 | 5 | |
| 2013 | 16 | 13 | |
| 2012 | 5 | 7 | |
| 2011 | 6 | 4 | |
| 2010 | 5 | 1 | |
| 2009 | 14 | 4 | |
| 2008 | 12 | 1 | |
| 2007 | 2 | 1 | |
| 2006 | 15 | 3 | |
| 2005 | 9 | 5 | |
| 2004 | 10 | 7 | |
| 2003 | 6 | 10 | |
| 2002 | 11 | 8 | |
| 2001 | 18 | 12 |
What Audi owners report
Grouped by the system owners named. Open any row for the full reports, in their own words — one per model so the same fault does not repeat.
Air Bags 1,150 Read
The contact owns a 2008 Audi A4. The contact received an unknown recall notice related to the air bags. The contact scheduled an appointment at a dealer and had the recall serviced. The contact then stated that while idle in the parking lot of a hospital, a speeding vehicle clipped the front end, driver's side of her vehicle, which caused the entire front bumper to detach from the vehicle. The driver also hit a gate, guardrail, and utility box in the parking lot. The air bags did not deploy upon impact. The contact was then treated at the hospital for an injury to her neck and left shoulder. The contact sustains severe headaches weeks after the accident. The contact received an X-ray and had been assigned to physical therapy for the next few months. The other driver was not injured as a result of the accident. A police report was filed. The vehicle was initially towed to an independent mechanic and was later towed to a storage unit. The contact family member, who is mechanically inclined, stated that the vehicle's air bag sensors were defective. The vehicle had yet to be diagnosed or repaired by dealer. The dealer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the manufacturer; the manufacturer gave the contact a case number. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000
On Tuesday, September 2nd, I was in a car accident on the freeway. A car jump out in front of me and did not go quickly enough, I hit my breaks, but still hit them going around 55-60 MPH. When the impact occurred, my car turned itself off and I saw smoke coming out of the dash / center area of the car. I was able to start my car and get it off of the freeway safely. My airbag did not deploy, and it appeared the charge went off. The airbag light is now illuminated on the dash. There are no open recalls on my car, and I am truly concerned there is an issue with the airbags and do not want anyone else to get hurt if their airbags do not go off. I spoke with the local dealership on Friday, and they recommended that I reach out directly to Audi. I contacted Audi, answered all of their questions, sent photos and the police report. This is the response I received from them today, 9/22: "Our engineer has completed the review of all the documentation you provided. Here is his assessment: Damage to this vehicle is to sheet metal and composite material components of the hood, fender, headlight, bumper cover, and radiator core support. The impact is offset to the right, outside the bumper reinforcement system with no apparent damage or longitudinal compression of the bumper deformation elements or frame long members. The progressive deformation of the components listed above absorbs crash energy over a longer period of time, lowering the vehicles rate of deceleration below
I got into a car accident that a ton of front end damage (the car was totaled) and none of the airbags deployed. I was alone in the car and wearing my seatbelt. I looked and found no noted recalls for the airbags in my specific car
Electrical System 926 Read
After run collant pump caught fire and damaged the engine wiring harness. I reported it to progressive insurance and they came and inspected it at a body shop. They concluded it was due to an open recall on the vehicle so insurance refuses to cover it. Had car towed to Audi dealership and they reported it to Audi USA. They came back and told me that because of the mileage and year of the vehicle that they wouldn't cover it
I am filing a complaint concerning serious safety risks associated with my 2020 Audi Q7 (VIN: [XXX] ) purchased as a Certified Pre-Owned vehicle from Audi Dominion San Antonio. It is currently under service at Audi Central Houston, where multiple concerning events occurred. Timeline and Issues: - Initial diagnosis identified a fire-damaged electrical harness, estimated at $1,400 for replacement. - After repair attempts, the vehicle began smoking, and the diagnosis expanded to include additional compromised electrical lines. The revised quote skyrocketed to $4,700 (later reduced to $3,100). - After nearly two months in service, I was informed that the AC compressor is now deemed "bad" due to debris from the harness, an issue not mentioned in previous inspections. Safety Concerns: 1. Inconsistent Diagnosis: There was no mention of compressor damage during initial assessments. This late-stage discovery indicates negligence or potential additional damage during servicing. 2. Risky AC Activation: A technician attempted to clean the compromised AC compressor and activated the system, a procedure that is dangerous given the debris. This could lead to refrigerant leaks and electrical shorts. 3. Conflicting Statements: Audi Central Houston claims the compressor was previously damaged but also attempted to restore it. Such contradictions raise serious concerns about service integrity. 4. Certified Pre-Owned Credibility: The emergence of these costly issues questions the reliabili
Jul 9 2024. Plug-in hybrid battery fire. Car plugged in at 11:10am with an empty battery. At 1:45pm we noticed white smoke emitting from the battery, (rear left near charge port). Immediately unplugged. Fire Department on scene, car pushed to street. Disconnected battery, observed heat and some black residue in the battery compartment, FD deemed it no longer an immediate threat, so they departed. At 3:02pm the battery ignited and quickly developed into fully involved car fire. FD returned at 3:08pm and extinguished the fire by 3:09. Filed an insurance claim. Total loss. AudiUSA has not answered phone calls, emails, messages. They assigned a rep to the incident but he has never made any contact, despite my attempts to reach him
Engine 751 Read
The contact owned a 2013 Audi A4 Allroad. The contact stated that while parked and occupied in the vehicle, after starting the vehicle, her friend heard a puff noise coming from under the vehicle. No warning light illuminated however, after starting the vehicle, the electronic power control illuminated. In addition, the contact's friend lifted the hood of the vehicle, and he noticed smoke and flames coming from the engine. No injuries were sustained. No medical attention was required. The fire was extinguished by the contact and her friend. A fire department arrived at the scene however the fire was already extinguished upon their arrival. The fire report was unknown. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to Accu-Tech Auto Body. The vehicle engine was destroyed. The vehicle was deemed a total loss by her insurance company. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was unknown
The contact owned a 2019 Audi E-Tron. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked in a garage, there was a sudden odor of smoke detected. The contact stated upon discovering the smoke, the contact noticed fumes and flames coming from the engine compartment and the rear undercarriage. The contact stated the vehicle was unoccupied at the time of the fire. The fire was extinguished by the Fire Department. A Fire report was filed. A Police report was not filed. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000
Audi 2020 A8L Engine Fire 3/6/2024 Confirmed by Fire Department, American Family Insurance Unclear if it has been inspected by the Audi U.S. No indication has been received. Incident occurred March 6th, 2024 at approximately 3pm. Operated vehicle in early morning to meet friends for coffee at a nearby coffee shop. Returned home, parked in home garage, turned engine off and went to my home office in lower floor. Wife came home after running errands, opened garage door and massive, thick black smoke escaped. Wife ran to front door and called for me to "come quickly." I grabbed the hose, connected it and sprayed front of car. By that time fire was arrived, fire from engine compartment was reaching four-feet high, as well as from passenger-side front wheel well and from rear of front hood at windshield area. CAR TOTALED. Significant fire damage to the Garage interior
Power Train 495 Read
I was driving my Audi when I got transmission malfunction light on along with suspension fault and epc light and check engine light all together and the car wouldn’t go faster than 20 mph. Causing someone to rear end me and them fleeing . So not only was my car hit because of this but I had no driver to hold responsible for the damage
On 10/27/25 as I was slowly pulling into a parking space, my Audi Q5 lurched forward and jumped the curb crashing into a tree. Happened too quickly to apply the brakes. No warning indications at the time of the incident. Car would not start and had to be towed to a repair shop. The insurance adjuster is evaluating the damage, probably the vehicle will be totaled. Luckily the tree stopped the car and nobody was in in front as the car jumped the curb
When vehicle is in drive or reverse, it rolls forward and backwards when no throttle is applied (as if in neutral), vehicle hit a structure because it rolled back at a rapid pace due to an incline. Audi needs to implement a feature to prevent the vehicle from rolling when at a near stop and the vehicle is in drive or reverse
Exterior Lighting 438 Read
The left headlight flickers and turns off. Changing the bulb did not fix the problem and neither did changing the ballast. I found that there was a settled class action lawsuit however they said that the lawsuit extended the warranty for headlights to 5 years. The lawsuit was settled in 2013 and my car is a 2006 model so I am not sure how it could ever help me
Dt: 2001, audi s4 was damaged upon delivery. Vehicle was taken back to the dealer to fix the problem, when the problem was fixed headlamps were sprayed with paint. Upon delivering the headlamps they were installed incorrectly, they were pointing down, and consumer couldn't see two feet in front of him. Consumer took the vehicle back again, and the headlamps were installed wrong again. When consumer took vehicle to another dealer, was told the headlamps were defective, and they would never work correctly. Consumer did have a crash in the winter of 2001, and there was still potential of a crash. Consumer statesdthat he still couldn't see at night. Consumer had numerous visits for this and other complaints
On my 2017 Audi Q7 with 93169 miles, I am getting the error message along with a warning lamp that states: "Front right side marker light defective." The light actually works however I am getting this message. If the light were to actually go out it would affect the safety of my vehicle. I hear this is a common issue with the 2017 Audi Q7s and is very costly to fix at the dealer because the entire headlight assembly is usually replaced by the dealer. My vehicle is available for inspection if needed
Unknown Or Other 400 Read
Component/System: Engine. The vehicle was destroyed by fire but the remains are available for inspection depending on insurance/salvage status. Safety risk: Around [XXX] on [XXX], my 2023 Audi Q5 began smoking as I was exiting the vehicle with my [XXX] daughter and then caught fire and was completely destroyed. This created an immediate risk of serious injury or death to me and my child. I live across from a park and there were many children and families nearby who were at risk as well. Dealer/service confirmation: I just learned of recall 15ZK (loose cylinder head cover screws/oil leak fire risk) after the fire. I never received a recall notice despite owning an affected vehicle. Inspections: The incident was responded to by Silver Spring/MCFRS Fire Station 19 along with local police on April 12. The vehicle has not yet been inspected by my insurance company. They are expected to send an inspector on April 13. Prior warning symptoms: I recently noticed a fuel/burning smell originating from the front of the vehicle. The smell was detectable from outside the car after driving but was not present inside the cabin. No warning lights appeared on the dashboard. The smell persisted for several days prior to the fire without resolving, consistent with the oil leak described in recall 15ZK. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
When putting the car in park, the car shot forward instead and when I tried to put it in reverse the car shot backward and I was unable to stop it
The reversing image occasionally appears white screen phenomenon During the process of reversing, the reversing screen suddenly turns white and cannot see anything behind, which brings danger to the driver and others, causing danger to life and property. Apparently the dealer didn't take this seriously
Steering 346 Read
On Thursday, October 30, 2025, when I got seated in my car, put my seat belts on, and put the car in reverse gear to slowly get out of my parking space, it kept on going in reverse and won’t stop with break I tried to change the parking mode or drive mode but the steering column would not take any command. After 350 feet driven in reverse, it went into a ditch where it tried to turn it and the car was still in reverse, climbing out of the ditch, damaging another section of the fence, till I could turn off the engine with the ignition switch. It looks that the gear was stuck in reverse and after engine cut off it went back in drive mode. In the meantime, all four sides of the car were damaged and scratched all over, and there was damage on the bottom. Apparently it is electronic malfunction when the gear got stuck in reverse. Thank God that I was not in a busy parking lot, otherwise would have damaged dozens of cars and hurt many innocent bystanders. Will keep you posted till the Audi repair shop gives me a diagnosis
When at highway speed, the vehicle veered hard to the left without any driver input, causing the car to cross several lanes of traffic and hit a concrete divider at ~65mph. The driver fractured her back, and one of three children in the car experienced injury. The vehicle was declared a total loss by insurance. The driver (my wife) indicated that a similar incident happened at low speed in a parking lot, but it resolved after shut down and restart of the engine. It is my understanding that the vehicle is currently either at or on the way to a Copart lot
I was rear-ended at a slow speed. I was stopped at the time. The driver who hit me was decelerating hard. Damaged to rear bumper. When I got back in the car, I realized that telescoping steering column had been pulled toward me. This would have been bad had I been shoved into the car in front of me and the airbags deployed too close to me. Luckily, this did not happen
Service Brakes, Hydraulic 334 Read
1) failure of front left (driver side) hydraulic brake hose at caliper end at inboard side of hose strain relief. The damage location appears to be where hose is subject to maximum stress and flexing when front wheels turn. Further inspection revealed concealed damage to right (passenger) front brake hose at the same location. 2) consequence was loss of all hydraulic braking when hose burst, resulting in minor accident. Damage to vehicles was minor because of good fortune to have failure at low speed--no injuries resulted. 3) front hydraulic brake hoses were replaced with new oem hoses supplied by audi dealer. Because both hoses exhibited similar wear, other audi a4 vehicles 10 years old and/or with 100,000+ miles may be subject to similar front brake hose failures
I was parked at a stop light facing down a slight hill. The car suddenly accelerated and crashed into the car in front of me. Afterwards, upon inspection, it is possible while at idle to depress the brake pedal with a little bit of pressure to the floor. My foot must have hit the accelerator while the brake was slowly being depressed. The harder I tried to brake the faster the car went. I visited the audi dealer and we tried this experiment in a similar model with the same result. The dealer says this is part of the design! It is not possible to do this in my other car or other models I have checked. I believe it is an extremely dangerous design and could have resulted in a very serious accident if there was no car just a few feet in front of me
Was driving my 2006 audi tt at 10-15mph to make right turn. I applied brake lightly to slow down car to make right turn. Brakes failed resulting in collision
Unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA. Percentages are shares of all 9,238 Audi complaints.
Audi against the rest
| Measure | Where Audi sits | Out of |
|---|---|---|
| By complaint volume | #23 | 29 brands with 3,000+ complaints |
| By age at failure (later is better) | #21 | 29 brands |
| Complaints ending in a crash | 3.4% | across all 9,238 reports |
Ranking by volume says more about how many cars a brand sells than about how they hold up. Age at failure is the fairer of the two.
Compare Audi with the rest
Audi problems by model
45 Audi models have owner complaints on file. Pick one for its worst years, failing systems and what owners actually wrote. Another 12 Audi models have no complaints on record at all.
Owners reported these. Find out if yours is one of them.
- Complaints matched to the exact production run, not just the model
- What the car is worth given what tends to fail on it
- The original window sticker and factory options
- Full research report as a PDF for the pre-purchase inspection
- No ads, on every page
- No ads, no tracking — and much more
How we count
Every figure here comes from complaints owners filed with NHTSA — 1,100,006 of them, covering 1,982 models built between 1981 and 2026.
A complaint is an unverified report: someone wrote down what happened to their car. It is not a confirmed defect and not a recall. What makes the volume useful is the pattern — when thousands of owners of the same build describe the same failure, that is a signal no marketing brochure will give you.
Two things we do that the source does not. First, we compute the age of the car at the moment of failure from the incident date and the model year. Second, we group complaints by the first 11 characters of the VIN — the production series — so a bad plant run does not disappear into a model-wide average.
Go deeper
Frequently asked questions
How reliable is Audi?
Owners have filed 9,238 complaints across 57 Audi models. On its own that number reflects how many Audi cars are on the road — compare the average age at failure (5.37 years) instead.
What breaks most often on a Audi?
The most reported system is Air Bags with 1,150 complaints.
Do Audi problems show up under warranty?
29.7% of Audi complaints describe something that happened in the first three years, while the factory warranty was likely still running.
Which Audi model has the most complaints?
See the model list above — each card shows its complaint count, and the model page breaks it down by year and by system.