Audi A4 years to avoid
The Audi A4 years to avoid are 2006, 1998, 2003, 2005, 1999, 2020, 2007, 2004, 2002, 2008, 2001, 2009 — each drew complaint volumes well above the model's norm or has an open safety investigation. The 1995 is the cleanest year on record.
3,629
Total complaints
30
Recall campaigns
1995–2024
Years covered
12
Years to avoid
Complaints by model year
A4 years to avoid
| Year | Why | Complaints | vs avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | High complaint rate | 343 | |
| 1998 | High complaint rate | 321 | |
| 2003 | High complaint rate | 282 | |
| 2005 | High complaint rate | 267 | |
| 1999 | High complaint rate | 242 | |
| 2020 | High complaint rate | 226 | |
| 2007 | High complaint rate | 226 | |
| 2004 | High complaint rate | 225 | |
| 2002 | High complaint rate | 218 | |
| 2008 | High complaint rate | 204 | |
| 2001 | High complaint rate | 153 | |
| 2009 | High complaint rate | 150 |
Every A4 year
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 4 | 0 | |
| 2023 | 17 | 0 | |
| 2022 | 10 | 3 | |
| 2021 | 19 | 4 | |
| 2020avoid | 226 | 3 | |
| 2019 | 16 | 1 | |
| 2018 | 39 | 1 | |
| 2017 | 75 | 1 | |
| 2016 | 18 | 0 | |
| 2015 | 23 | 0 | |
| 2014 | 38 | 0 | |
| 2013 | 28 | 0 | |
| 2012 | 23 | 0 | |
| 2011 | 17 | 0 | |
| 2010 | 77 | 0 | |
| 2009avoid | 150 | 2 | |
| 2008avoid | 204 | 4 | |
| 2007avoid | 226 | 3 | |
| 2006avoid | 343 | 3 | |
| 2005avoid | 267 | 4 | |
| 2004avoid | 225 | 3 | |
| 2003avoid | 282 | 4 | |
| 2002avoid | 218 | 2 | |
| 2001avoid | 153 | 3 | |
| 2000 | 115 | 5 | |
| 1999avoid | 242 | 7 | |
| 1998avoid | 321 | 6 | |
| 1997 | 119 | 8 | |
| 1996 | 133 | 6 | |
| 1995 | 1 | 2 |
Common questions
What are the worst Audi A4 years?
Based on NHTSA complaint rates and open investigations, the A4 years to avoid are 2006, 1998, 2003, 2005, 1999, 2020, 2007, 2004, 2002, 2008, 2001, 2009. The cleanest year on record is 1995.
What is the best year for the Audi A4?
By complaint volume, 1995 has the cleanest NHTSA record among A4 years with enough data to compare.
How many recalls does the Audi A4 have?
Across all model years, the A4 has 30 distinct NHTSA recall campaigns and 3,629 consumer complaints on file.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.