Audi · Model Report
Showing safety data for the 2018 model year only.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2017-2020 A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, 2018-2019 RS5 Coupe, 2019 RS5 Sportback, 2018-2020 A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A5 Sportback, S4 Sedan, S5 Cabriolet, S5 Coupe, and Audi S5 Sportback vehicles. The cable connecting the seat heater to the Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS) may have a contact fault, causing the software to misdiagnose a malfunction and disable the passenger air bag.
I am reporting a serious vehicle safety incident involving my 2018 Audi A4. On XXX, while traveling from [XXX] to [XXX] with my [XXX] son in the vehicle, all four tire valve stems failed during a single interstate journey. The first failure occurred on the front-left tire, causing nearly instantaneous tire deflation. After an emergency repair, I continued driving, but the remaining three valve stems subsequently failed in succession. Each failure created a potentially dangerous situation involving sudden tire-pressure loss. A tire technician observed significant cracking and deterioration of the rubber valve stems. The remaining stems were reportedly so deteriorated that touching them could cause air leakage. Four brand-new tires had been installed by Audi Bethesda in [XXX] in XXX. The technician suggested that the valve stems appeared substantially older than the tires and might not have been replaced during that installation. I retained one of the failed valve stems, which has visible cracking at its base. I am particularly concerned that four separate valve stems failed during the same trip, repeatedly exposing my family, including my [XXX] child, to potentially catastrophic tire failures. I request that NHTSA document this incident and assess whether it indicates a broader vehicle equipment or tire valve stem safety concern. I can provide additional photographs of the failed component, repair documentation, and service records. Vehicle: 2018 Audi A4 Incident date: XXX Previous tire installation: Audi [XXX], XXX Number of failed valve stems: Four Reported injuries: None INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
No injuries · No fire · No crash
A vehicle diagnostic scan dated 04/15/2026 at approximately 88,502 miles showed a stored transmission electronics fault: P084100, described as “Transmission fluid pressure sensor/switch A range/performance,” with status listed as passive/sporadic. This indicates a transmission / powertrain control concern involving the transmission fluid pressure sensor, transmission electronics, wiring, control logic, pressure monitoring, or related powertrain components. The vehicle also has prior transmission/powertrain history, including a March 2023 transmission-pan-gasket concern documented in service records, so this later transmission electronics fault is being reported in that broader powertrain context. This is being reported as a safety concern because a transmission fluid pressure sensor or transmission-control fault can affect shifting, drivability, delayed engagement, slipping, harsh shifting, limp mode, reduced power, drivetrain damage, or loss of propulsion while driving. Even if the fault is intermittent, a transmission-control issue may create an unsafe condition if it occurs in traffic or during acceleration, merging, turning, or normal driving. No crash, fire, injury, or fatality occurred. The vehicle/component is available for inspection, and the diagnostic scan report, transmission-related records, service records, manufacturer communications, and related communications are available if requested.
No injuries · No fire · No crash
A vehicle diagnostic scan dated 04/15/2026 showed electrical communication faults involving vehicle control modules. The scan showed U014100, described as “Lost Communication With Body Control Module ‘A’,” with status listed as passive/sporadic. The scan also showed U112100, described as “Data bus message missing,” with status listed as active/static. This is being reported as a safety concern because body-control module, gateway, and data-bus communication faults can affect vehicle electrical functions, warning systems, access/locking systems, lighting or body-control functions, driver information, and other vehicle systems that rely on module communication. The concern is especially important because the vehicle has had multiple intermittent electrical/body-control symptoms, including fuel-door/tank-flap electrical faults and other reported intermittent vehicle electrical concerns. No crash, fire, injury, or fatality occurred. The vehicle/component is available for inspection, and the diagnostic scan report, electrical-system records, service communications, and related repair records are available if requested.
No injuries · No fire · No crash
An Audi dealer installed 245/40R18 93H tires on this 2018 Audi A4, while the vehicle placard/specification requires 245/40R18 97H. The lower load index reduces capacity from 1,609 lb per tire to 1,433 lb per tire, approximately 704 lb total across four tires. This creates a safety risk because load-rated tires affect vehicle stability, heat buildup, braking, steering/cornering, suspension loading, and tire failure/blowout risk. After discovering the mismatch, the concern was reported to the dealer and Audi, but the dealer stated the 93H tires were acceptable rather than providing a safety-based correction. No crash, fire, injury, or fatality occurred. This complaint is being submitted because the vehicle may have been operated with under-rated tires and because the issue can affect handling, braking, tire durability, suspension/wheel components, and safe vehicle control. Tire/repair-order records, door-jamb placard evidence, load-index comparison evidence, and dealer communications are available.
No injuries · No fire · No crash
The rear-view camera intermittently fails to engage when the vehicle is shifted into reverse. When the camera does display, the image sometimes shows horizontal glitch lines/artifacts. This affects backing visibility and parking safety and creates a risk of collision with pedestrians, objects, vehicles, or property. The concern was reported to Audi service along with other electrical/driver-assistance symptoms, suggesting a possible camera, wiring, module, signal-processing, or broader electrical fault. No crash, fire, injury, or fatality occurred. This complaint is being submitted because the rear camera/reverse display is a backing-safety system and the intermittent failure is unpredictable. The vehicle/component is available for inspection, and photo/video evidence and service communications are available.
No injuries · No fire · No crash