2019 A4
5th generation (B9)
Excellent
Most reported problems
- Automatic emergency braking: hard braking with nothing ahead13%
- Engine failure13%
- Per 10k cars
- 4.5
- Complaints
- 15
- Recalls
- 1
Audi A4 Reliability Rankings: Years to Avoid and Best Years to Buy
NHTSA data as of Oct 15, 2026Published Oct 19, 2026
According to our reliability score system, the best Audi A4 years to buy are the 2011, 2012, 2015 to 2019 and 2021. The 2019 scores highest, at 87 out of 100.
No A4 year rates Avoid, but the 2000, 2003 and 2020 need a careful look. Owners of the 2000 most often report the ABS, mostly warning lights on the dash. On the 2003, the main complaint is the fuel pump, mostly stalling.
If you want a newer A4, look at the 2017 to 2019 and 2021 to 2023, which rate Good or Excellent. Be careful with the 2020. The 2024 has too little data to score. The 2025 is too new for a final score.
For an older A4, made before 2017, the 2007 to 2016 rate Good or Excellent. The 2000 to 2006 are the ones to check closely.
76
Good
Model score, all years
26
Model years tracked
3,221
Owner complaints
32
Recalls, all years
Avoid0 years
No A4 year is rated Avoid.
Not rated yet: 2025, too new for a final score. Not enough data to score: 2024.
Excellent 80+Good 70–79Caution 60–69Avoid under 60 Provisional, with 80% range 70 = average for a car of the same age
Best Years to Buy an Audi A4
Eight A4 years rate Excellent, scoring 80 or higher. The 2019 leads with 87.
87
2016 A4
4th generation (B8)
Excellent
Most reported problems
- Steering: locking up12%
- A/C: smoke or a burning smell8%
- Frame or structure: rust or corrosion8%
- Fuel pump: a leak8%
- Headlights: works on and off8%
- Piston rings failure8%
- Per 10k cars
- 11.2
- Complaints
- 26
- Recalls
- 3
2017 A4
5th generation (B9)
Excellent
Most reported problems
- Cooling system: a leak19%
- Passenger airbag sensor: works on and off11%
- Airbag warning light7%
- Automatic emergency braking: the system acting on its own6%
- Sunroof glass (shattered): shattering or cracking6%
- Tires: damage6%
- Per 10k cars
- 13.7
- Complaints
- 88
- Recalls
- 6
2012 A4
4th generation (B8)
Excellent
Most reported problems
- Dual-clutch transmission: harsh or delayed shifts12%
- Engine oil consumption: burning or using oil12%
- Timing chain or camshaft failure10%
- Cooling system: a leak9%
- Transmission: failure or loss of drive9%
- Piston rings: burning or using oil7%
- Per 10k cars
- 20.6
- Complaints
- 67
- Recalls
- 1
2021 A4
5th generation (B9)
Excellent
Most reported problems
- Instrument cluster: stopped working29%
- Unintended acceleration (cause not stated)14%
- Per 10k cars
- 6.6
- Complaints
- 14
- Recalls
- 4
2015 A4
4th generation (B8)
Excellent
Most reported problems
- Engine oil consumption: burning or using oil12%
- Steering failure12%
- Transmission: the car rolling away10%
- Airbags: no deployment in a crash8%
- Engine failure6%
- Cooling system: a leak4%
- Per 10k cars
- 12.8
- Complaints
- 49
- Recalls
- 4
2011 A4
4th generation (B8)
Excellent
Most reported problems
- Engine oil consumption: burning or using oil26%
- Dual-clutch transmission: failure or loss of drive20%
- Transmission: reduced power or limp mode16%
- Tire pressure monitoring: warning lights9%
- Engine failure: damage7%
- Piston rings: burning or using oil7%
- Per 10k cars
- 18.8
- Complaints
- 69
- Recalls
- 1
2018 A4
5th generation (B9)
Excellent
Most reported problems
- Automatic emergency braking: hard braking with nothing ahead8%
- Cooling system failure8%
- Rearview camera: works on and off6%
- Wiring, fuses or body control module: damage6%
- Screen and audio: works on and off5%
- AWD or rear differential failure3%
- Per 10k cars
- 12.1
- Complaints
- 62
- Recalls
- 4
Also rated Good: 2007–2010, 2013–2014, 2022–2023.
Audi A4 Years to Avoid
No A4 year rates Avoid. These four rate Caution, the lowest scores of all A4 years.
2000 A4
1st generation (B5)
Caution
Most reported problems
- ABS: warning lights27%
- Instrument cluster: stopped working19%
- Tires: damage15%
- Brakes: loss of braking10%
- Power windows or regulator: stopped working2%
- Frontal airbags: no deployment in a crash2%
- Per 10k cars
- 93.4
- Complaints
- 239
- Recalls
- 2
2002 A4
2nd generation (B6)
Caution
Most reported problems
- Ignition coils or spark plugs failure31%
- Headlights: works on and off9%
- Brakes: vibration or shudder5%
- Instrument cluster: stopped working4%
- Stall (cause not stated)4%
- Seats: vibration or shudder4%
- Per 10k cars
- 52.3
- Complaints
- 203
- Recalls
- 1
Audi extended the warranty on some 2002 A4s for a problem with the transmission.
Full 2002 report →2003 A4
2nd generation (B6)
Caution
Most reported problems
- Fuel pump: stalling19%
- Ignition coils or spark plugs: a loss of power11%
- Headlights: works on and off9%
- Transmission: harsh or delayed shifts8%
- Convertible top rear window: parts breaking or coming apart7%
- Transmission computer: harsh or delayed shifts5%
- Per 10k cars
- 43.6
- Complaints
- 210
- Recalls
- 3
Audi extended the warranty on some 2003 A4s for a problem with the transmission.
Full 2003 report →2020 A4
5th generation (B9)
Caution
Most reported problems
- Screen and audio: works on and off92%
- Phone and navigation: stopped working5%
- Instrument cluster: works on and off1%
- Per 10k cars
- 146.6
- Complaints
- 174
- Recalls
- 4
Audi extended the warranty on some 2020 A4s for problems with the air conditioning, fuel system and driver assistance systems.
Full 2020 report →Also rated Caution or Avoid: 2001, 2004–2006.
The Newest A4 Years: 2025
A final score needs 36 months of complaints. Until then we show what we know, and a provisional reading once there is enough data.
2025 A4
Too new1 complaint and 0 recalls so far.
Same generation as the 2023, which scored 78 (Good).
What we know so far →Audi A4 Reliability by Year
All model years, newest first. Tap a year for its full report, with the problems owners report, recalls, Audi programs and crash ratings.
| Year | Generation | Rating | Score | Vs average | Complaints | Per 10k cars | Recalls | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 5th generation (B9) | Not enough data | – | – | 1 | 9.8 | 0 | Report |
| 2024 | 5th generation (B9) | Not enough data | – | – | 6 | 7.0 | 0 | Report |
| 2023 | 5th generation (B9) | Good | 78 | 0.56× | 11 | 5.9 | 1 | Report |
| 2022 | 5th generation (B9) | Good | 75 | 0.55× | 8 | 7.5 | 3 | Report |
| 2021 | 5th generation (B9) | Excellent | 80 | 0.45× | 14 | 6.6 | 4 | Report |
| 2020 | 5th generation (B9) | Caution | 62 | 4.4× | 174 | 146.6 | 4 | Report |
| 2019 | 5th generation (B9) | Excellent | 87 | 0.25× | 15 | 4.5 | 1 | Report |
| 2018 | 5th generation (B9) | Excellent | 80 | 0.44× | 62 | 12.1 | 4 | Report |
| 2017 | 5th generation (B9)(first year) | Excellent | 85 | 0.39× | 88 | 13.7 | 6 | Report |
| 2016 | 4th generation (B8) | Excellent | 86 | 0.38× | 26 | 11.2 | 3 | Report |
| 2015 | 4th generation (B8) | Excellent | 80 | 0.35× | 49 | 12.8 | 4 | Report |
| 2014 | 4th generation (B8) | Good | 78 | 0.63× | 101 | 21.8 | 4 | Report |
| 2013 | 4th generation (B8) | Good | 74 | 0.89× | 157 | 31.6 | 4 | Report |
| 2012 | 4th generation (B8) | Excellent | 82 | 0.53× | 67 | 20.6 | 1 | Report |
| 2011 | 4th generation (B8) | Excellent | 80 | 0.62× | 69 | 18.8 | 1 | Report |
| 2010 | 4th generation (B8) | Good | 71 | 1.2× | 124 | 40.2 | 0 | Report |
| 2009 | 4th generation (B8)(first year) | Good | 74 | 0.68× | 144 | 25.1 | 6 | Report |
| 2008 | 3rd generation (B7) | Good | 77 | 0.49× | 195 | 17.8 | 6 | Report |
| 2007 | 3rd generation (B7) | Good | 76 | 0.57× | 232 | 22.4 | 5 | Report |
| 2006 | 3rd generation (B7)(first year) | Caution | 68 | 1.2× | 328 | 54.3 | 4 | Report |
| 2005 | 2nd generation (B6) | Caution | 67 | 1.3× | 262 | 48.4 | 3 | Report |
| 2004 | 2nd generation (B6) | Caution | 65 | 1.6× | 218 | 45.2 | 2 | Report |
| 2003 | 2nd generation (B6) | Caution | 65 | 1.6× | 210 | 43.6 | 3 | Report |
| 2002 | 2nd generation (B6)(first year) | Caution | 65 | 1.7× | 203 | 52.3 | 1 | Report |
| 2001 | 1st generation (B5) | Caution | 68 | 1.3× | 218 | 49.5 | 1 | Report |
| 2000 | 1st generation (B5) | Caution | 63 | 1.9× | 239 | 93.4 | 2 | Report |
Vs average: how this year's complaint rate compares with the average car of the same age. 1× is average, 2× is twice as many. Per 10k cars: complaints so far for every 10,000 cars Audi made for the U.S. that model year. The complaint count also includes owners who wrote in only about a recall notice, with no problem to report. The score leaves those out. Generations follow Audi's own model history.
How We Score Each Model Year
1
Count What Owners Report
Every complaint filed with NHTSA for the model year, plus its recalls. Recall-notice filings with no fault are left out.
2
Adjust for How Many Were Made
A popular car gets more complaints just because there are more of them. We divide by the number Audi made for that model year and compare with the average car of the same age.
3
Turn It Into a Score
70 is average. Twice the average rate of complaints costs 10 points, half the rate adds 10. Serious problems count more than everyday ones.
What to Do Next
Check a Model Year →Open the full report for one year: score, the problems owners report, recalls, coverage and crash ratings.Compare A4 Years →Put up to four model years side by side and see which one is more reliable.Find Warranty Extensions →Repairs the automaker may still pay for after the factory warranty ends, with its own documents.Look Up a VIN →Confirm the exact model year, engine and trim of the car you are looking at.