VehicleVerdict

2020 Audi A4 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 226 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.4 times the median A4 year — the 2020 model ranks #6 of 30 A4 years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

Electrical System leads the complaint categories with 89 reports (39% of the total). In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

226

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

0

Investigations

1

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2020 compare to other A4 years?

A4 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2020 highlighted343 complaints1995: 1 complaints1996: 133 complaints1997: 119 complaints1998: 321 complaints1999: 242 complaints2000: 115 complaints2001: 153 complaints2002: 218 complaints2003: 282 complaints2004: 225 complaints2005: 267 complaints2006: 343 complaints2007: 226 complaints2008: 204 complaints2009: 150 complaints2010: 77 complaints2011: 17 complaints2012: 23 complaints2013: 28 complaints2014: 38 complaints2015: 23 complaints2016: 18 complaints2017: 75 complaints2018: 39 complaints2019: 16 complaints2020: 226 complaints2021: 19 complaints2022: 10 complaints2023: 17 complaints2024: 4 complaints
A4 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2020 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all A4 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2020 Audi A4 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System8939%
Driver Assistance7232%
Other5826%
Suspension21%
Brakes10%
Visibility & Wipers10%
Lighting10%
Seats10%
Tires & Wheels10%

Does the 2020 Audi A4 have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

22V034000Tires & WheelsJanuary 26, 2022 · 31,058 units

Defect

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Audi A5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, RS5 Sportback, S5 Sportback, 2020-2021 A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A6 Allroad, A6 Sedan, A7, A8, Q5, S4 Sedan, S5 Coupe, S5 Cabriolet, S6 Sedan, S7, S8, SQ5, 2021 Q5 Sportback, Q7, Q8, RS6 Avant, RS7, RSQ8, SQ5 Sportback, SQ7, and SQ8 vehicles. The rear axle alignment may not have been inspected after the repairs for Recall 21V-295 (42L1) were performed.

Consequence

Rear axle misalignment may cause premature or uneven tire wear, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect the rear axle, adjust the alignment as necessary, and replace any prematurely or unevenly worn tires, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 3, 2022. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 42L5.

21V874000AirbagsNovember 10, 2021 · 208,332 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

A disabled passenger air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the connecting cable and either the heating mat or entire seat cover, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 7, 2022. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 74E3. This recall is an expansion of Recall 19V-547 (74D9). Vehicles previously repaired under 19V-547 will need to return for the new remedy.

21V295000SuspensionApril 26, 2021 · 40,993 units

Defect

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 Q7, Q8, Q5 Sportback, SQ5 Sportback, RS6 Avant, RS7, RS Q8, 2020-2021 Audi S6 sedan, Q5, A8, S8, A7, A6 Allroad, A5 Cabriolet, A4 sedan, A4 Allroad, SQ5, S7, A6 sedan, S5 coupe, S4 sedan, S5 Cabriolet, A5 coupe, 2019-2021 RS5 coupe, A5 Sportback, S5 Sportback, RS5 Sportback vehicles. The lock nut on the trailing arm of the rear axle may break due to stress corrosion.

Consequence

A broken lock nut may misalign the rear axle, causing a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the lock nuts and, if necessary, the associated bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 4, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 42L1.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“The MMI or the entire system reboots wile driving, including times when backing up. Making the rearview camera to go blank and led to possible accident. I also rely on Navigation system to drive as there are numerous exits and turns for commute, but the system randomly reboots and turns the whole…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · May 1, 2025

“The MMI (display/menu) continuously reboots every few minutes, which disrupts GPS navigation and back-up camera. This causes distraction and poses a safety risk while driving. This is a common problem among similar Audi software users but has not been addressed by the dealership. No other warnings…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Driver Assistance · July 22, 2025

“MMI (infotainment), and the dashboard screen will turn off randomly and reboot. This is incredibly dangerous as it turns all sound off, and driving visuals like directions, and freezes or reboots, not where you last had it but from a different check point. Audi dealership said there was nothing…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · March 17, 2025

“The contact owns a 2020 Audi A4. The contact stated that while pulling out of a parking space, there was big rock next to the bumper on the front passenger's side of the vehicle and there was a scallop area with stones next to the passenger's side of the vehicle as well. The contact stated that she…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · June 6, 2021 · crash

“Since I purchase my vehicle I have had to continuously replace my tires on the front. Going through my carfax acct I came across some recalls that showed up that I had no idea of the car may had which was prior to purchase from the dealers. I would think that these issues were fixed prior to…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · March 3, 2026

2020 Audi A4 — common questions

Is the 2020 Audi A4 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 226 complaints put the 2020 model at #6 of 30 A4 years. It is one of the A4 years to avoid.

What are the most common 2020 A4 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (89 complaints), driver assistance (72 complaints), other (58 complaints).

Does the 2020 Audi A4 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2020 Audi A4. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Audi A4 years should you avoid?

Based on 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 record among A4 years belongs to 1995.

How safe is the 2020 Audi A4?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2020 Audi A4 earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.