2019 Audi A4 Reliability Report

NHTSA data as of Oct 15, 2026Published Oct 19, 2026

Excellent

Ranks 1st of 24 A4 years we score.

Owner complaints: 15; 1 is a recall notice
Per 10,000 cars: 4.5; 30,924 made for the U.S.
Vs the average car: 0.25×; same age, 1× is average
Serious outcomes: 7; crash, fire, injury, stall or tow
Recalls: 1
NHTSA crash rating: Not rated; no overall rating

← 2018 A4 2020 A4 →

Should You Buy the 2019 Audi A4?

Yes. Our reliability score for the 2019 Audi A4 is 87 out of 100, which rates Excellent. Owners reported about a third as many problems as for the average car of the same age. It ranks 1st of the 24 A4 years we score.

The most reported problem is automatic emergency braking, mostly hard braking with nothing ahead (2 of 15 complaints). Owners also complain about the engine. 7 of the 15 complaints describe a serious outcome, such as a crash, a fire, an injury or stalling while driving.

It has 1 recall. Audi also offers three warranty extensions that may still apply, for problems with the air conditioning, fuel system and driver assistance systems. For comparison, the 2018 scores 80 and the 2020 scores 62.

Before you buy, check that the recalls were done, ask an Audi dealer about warranty extension AWA-21-01 and get an independent inspection. The full checklist is at the end of this page.

Pros

Excellent reliability score of 87
About a third of the problems of the average car its age
Recent complaints at or below average
No do-not-drive or park-outside recalls

Cons

Automatic emergency braking: hard braking with nothing ahead2 complaints
Engine failure2 complaints

How the 2019 A4 Earned Its Score

Every model year starts at 100. Each part takes points away when this year has more problems than the average car of the same age. How we score

Score breakdown
Item	Vs average	Points lost
Starting score		100
Serious problems	0.27×	−4
Everyday problems	0.20×	−1
Problems in the last two years	0.31×	−4
Recalls	0.44×	−4
Score		87

What Owners Report

We read all 15 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2019 Audi A4, one by one, and grouped them by the problem they describe. The most reported problems come first. A complaint that describes more than one problem is counted under each, so the counts add up to more than 15.

Automatic emergency braking: hard braking with nothing ahead
2 complaints (13%)
Hard braking with nothing ahead. Both describe a serious outcome, most often sudden braking.
Engine failure
2 complaints (13%)
A failure. Both describe a serious outcome.

Reported Once (13)

Show the 13 problems reported once

EVAP system: a bad smell
Airbag warning light
Brakes: locking up
Engine mounts: a leak
Fuel gauge or level sensor: wrong readings
Instrument cluster failure
Parking sensors: stopped working
Shift sensor failure
Surge charger failure
Phone and navigation failure
Turbocharger failure
Unintended acceleration (cause not stated)
Wiring, fuses or body control module: damage

How the 2019 Audi A4 Compares With Other Years

The other A4 years of the 5th generation (B9), 2017 to 2025, and the years just before and after it.

Year	Rating	Score	Vs average	Per 10k cars	Recalls	Most reported problem
2025	Not scored	–	–	9.8	0	–
2024	Not scored	–	–	7.0	0	Tires: damage
2023	Good	78	0.56×	5.9	1	Stall (cause not stated)
2022	Good	75	0.55×	7.5	3	–
2021	Excellent	80	0.45×	6.6	4	Instrument cluster: stopped working
2020	Caution	62	4.4×	146.6	4	Screen and audio: works on and off
2019 This year	Excellent	87	0.25×	4.5	1	Automatic emergency braking: hard braking with nothing ahead
2018	Excellent	80	0.44×	12.1	4	Automatic emergency braking: hard braking with nothing ahead
2017	Excellent	85	0.39×	13.7	6	Cooling system: a leak
2016	Excellent	86	0.38×	11.2	3	Steering: locking up

See every A4 year

2019 Audi A4 Recalls

One recall covers the 2019 Audi A4. It was issued in November 2021: “Disabled Passenger Air Bag.” A VIN check at NHTSA shows whether it is still open on a given car.

Disabled Passenger Air Bag
A disabled passenger air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
NHTSA 21V874000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Nov 10, 2021. By the fourth quarter of 2023, 77% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.

2019 Audi A4 Warranty Extensions and Programs

Audi has three warranty extensions for the 2019 Audi A4, separate from its recalls. They are for problems with the air conditioning, fuel system and driver assistance systems. Whether one applies to a car depends on its VIN, which an Audi dealer can check.

Warranty extensionAudi AWA-21-01
Air conditioning evaporator failure
The problem:
The air conditioning evaporator can fail. The bulletin does not describe the symptoms.
The fix:
An Audi dealer repairs or replaces a failed A/C evaporator, with any parts and labor needed.
Who qualifies:
Certain A4, S4 and Q7 from model year 2017 and A5, S5 and Q5 from 2018. The bulletin gives no last model year. Cars already repaired still qualify, but totaled cars do not.
Coverage:
10 years or 100,000 miles from the original in-service date, whichever comes first.
Audi's bulletin (PDF)
Warranty extensionAudi AWA-22-05
Faulty electric fuel pump
The problem:
The electric fuel pump can be faulty. The bulletin does not describe the symptoms.
The fix:
An Audi dealer repairs or replaces a faulty electric fuel pump, with any parts and labor needed.
Who qualifies:
Certain 2018 to 2021 S4, S5 and SQ5, 2019 to 2021 Q8 and A8, and 2020 and 2021 Q7. Cars already repaired still qualify, but totaled cars do not.
Coverage:
15 years or 150,000 miles from the original in-service date, whichever comes first.
Audi's bulletin (PDF)
Warranty extensionAudi AWA-24-04
Automatic emergency braking system faults
The problem:
The automatic emergency braking, or AEB, system can malfunction when its control unit, a camera, the LIDAR or a sensor fails.
The fix:
An Audi dealer repairs the AEB fault and Audi pays 75 percent of the cost. Damage from crashes, impacts, moved sensors or weather is not covered.
Who qualifies:
Certain Audis covered by the settlement, with a confirmed fault in the AEB control unit, cameras, LIDAR or sensors. If the new car warranty's time ran out by May 16, 2024, the extension's time limit was November 16, 2024.
Coverage:
Up to 12 months or 12,000 miles after the new car warranty ends. Ask an Audi dealer for the exact terms.
Audi's bulletin (PDF)

NHTSA Crash Test Ratings

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for this model year. See the 2019 A4 ratings on NHTSA.gov.

allroad AWD

OverallNot rated

Frontal crashNot rated

Side crash5/5

RolloverNot rated

S4 4-door AWD

OverallNot rated

Frontal crashNot rated

Side crashNot rated

Rollover5/5

Check Before You Buy

A checklist for the 2019 A4, from its recall, three Audi warranty extensions that may still apply and the problems owners report most.

Confirm the Recalls Were Done

Ask the seller for proof that each of these recalls was repaired.

Disabled Passenger Air Bag NHTSA 21V874000

Ask an Audi Dealer

Ask whether each of these warranty extensions applies to this VIN, and whether the work was done.

AWA-21-01: air conditioning evaporator failure
AWA-22-05: faulty electric fuel pump
AWA-24-04: automatic emergency braking system faults

On the Test Drive

Watch for sudden braking or steering with nothing ahead, and ask whether the driver-assist software updates were done.

Ask the Seller

Ask whether any of these were ever repaired, and ask to see the receipts.

Automatic emergency braking
Engine
Also ask for the service records, especially oil changes.

Before You Pay

Get an independent pre-purchase inspection from a mechanic you choose.
Decode the VIN to confirm the model year, engine and trim.
Check the title for salvage, flood or rebuilt branding.

What to do next

All A4 Years →Best years and years to avoid, side by side.Compare With Other Years →Put up to four model years side by side.Find Warranty Extensions →Repairs Audi may still cover for this year.Decode a VIN →Confirm the exact year, engine and trim of a car.