Buying a used 2018 Audi S4? Check these 2 recalls first
Two separate high-severity recalls address the same hazard here: the passenger airbag can shut off, leaving a front passenger unprotected. Audi issued them as overlapping campaigns, so both need to be confirmed done. Neither is a stop-driving or park-outside item. Owners filed seven unverified NHTSA complaints with no crashes, fires or injuries reported. Engine dominates that list with four reports, with single filings for suspension, service brakes and structure, so the engine is the area worth extra scrutiny.
Before you buy
- Get the 17-character VIN from the seller and run it at nhtsa.gov/recalls. It shows which recalls are still unrepaired on that exact car.
- Confirm both passenger airbag campaigns were completed, not just one
- Have the engine scanned for stored fault codes and ask about oil consumption history
- Test the brakes hard on the drive and note any pull, pulsation or long pedal
- Open recalls are repaired free at any Audi dealer, whoever owns the car — an open recall is a to-do item, not a bill.
Recalls covering the 2018 Audi S4
| Recall | Area | Severity |
|---|---|---|
| Audi A4, A5, S4, S5 passenger airbag may shut off | AIR Bags | high |
| Audi passenger airbag may be switched off by faulty cable | Seats | high |
What owners have reported to NHTSA
7 complaints filed for this model year. Complaints are unverified owner reports, and popular models collect more of them simply because more are on the road.
| Problem area | Complaints | Recall in this area? |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 4 | None found |
| Suspension | 1 | None found |
| Brakes | 1 | None found |
| Structure | 1 | None found |
| Power Train | 1 | None found |
| Speed Control | 1 | None found |