2020 Audi A4 Reliability Report
NHTSA data as of Oct 15, 2026Published Oct 19, 2026
Ranks 24th of 24 A4 years we score.
- Owner complaints
- 174
- 2 are recall notices
- Per 10,000 cars
- 146.6
- 11,729 made for the U.S.
- Vs the average car
- 4.4×
- same age, 1× is average
- Serious outcomes
- 20
- crash, fire, injury, stall or tow
- Recalls
- 4
- NHTSA crash rating
- 5★
- overall, out of 5
Should You Buy the 2020 Audi A4?
Only after careful checks. Our reliability score for the 2020 Audi A4 is 62 out of 100, which rates Caution. Owners reported about 4.4 times as many problems as for the average car of the same age. It ranks 24th of the 24 A4 years we score.
The most reported problem is the screen and audio, mostly works on and off (160 of 174 complaints). Owners also complain about phone and navigation features and the instrument cluster. 20 of the 174 complaints describe a serious outcome, such as a crash, a fire, an injury or stalling while driving.
It has 4 recalls. Audi also offers three warranty extensions that may still apply, for problems with the air conditioning, fuel system and driver assistance systems. NHTSA rates it 5 out of 5 stars overall in crash tests. For comparison, the 2019 scores 87 and the 2021 scores 80.
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
- Recent complaints at or below average
- No do-not-drive or park-outside recalls
- 5-star NHTSA overall crash rating
- 3 Audi warranty extensions may cover repairs
Cons
- About 4.4 times the problems of the average car its age
- Screen and audio: works on and off160 complaints
- Phone and navigation: stopped working9 complaints
- Instrument cluster: works on and off2 complaints
How the 2020 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
| Item | Vs average | Points lost |
|---|---|---|
| Starting score | 100 | |
| Serious problems | 1.9× | −15 |
| Everyday problems | 10× | −10 |
| Problems in the last two years | 0.59× | −7 |
| Recalls | 0.94× | −6 |
| Score | 62 |
What Owners Report
We read all 174 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2020 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 174.
Screen and audio: works on and off
160 complaints (92%)
Problems that come and go and a feature that stopped working. 3 of these 160 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often loss of visibility. In 34 complaints, the dealer could not find or fix the problem, and in 21 it came back after a repair.
Phone and navigation: stopped working
9 complaints (5%)
A feature that stopped working and a failure.
Instrument cluster: works on and off
2 complaints (1%)
Problems that come and go and a failure that needed a new part.
Reported Once (12)
Show the 12 problems reported once
- A/C failure
- Airbags: no deployment in a crash
- Uneven tire wear: early wear
- Brakes: early wear
- Ignition or power mode (won't shut off): not shutting off
- Oil pan: parts breaking or coming apart
- Parking sensors: works on and off
- Rearview camera: works on and off
- Seat belts: the system acting on its own
- Seats: parts breaking or coming apart
- Tires: parts breaking or coming apart
- Unexplained crash (cause not stated)
How the 2020 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 This year | Caution | 62 | 4.4× | 146.6 | 4 | Screen and audio: works on and off |
| 2019 | 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 |
2020 Audi A4 Recalls
Four recalls cover the 2020 Audi A4. The most recent was issued in January 2022: “Rear Axle May Be Misaligned.” A VIN check at NHTSA shows which are still open on a given car.
Rear Axle May Be Misaligned
Rear axle misalignment may cause premature or uneven tire wear, increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA 22V034000Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Jan 26, 2022. By the fourth quarter of 2023, 97% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Disabled Passenger Air Bag
A disabled passenger air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
NHTSA 21V874000Recall 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.
Rear Axle Lock Nuts May Break
A broken lock nut may misalign the rear axle, causing a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA 21V295000Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Apr 26, 2021. By the first quarter of 2023, 96% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Improper Deployment of Passenger Air Bag
In the event of a crash, the passenger air bag may not properly deploy and inflate, and small plastic parts may enter the cabin, increasing the risk of injury.
NHTSA 20V274000Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued May 13, 2020. By the first quarter of 2022, 95% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
2020 Audi A4 Warranty Extensions and Programs
Audi has three warranty extensions for the 2020 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.
- 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.
- 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.
NHTSA Crash Test Ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for this model year. See the 2020 A4 ratings on NHTSA.gov.
4-door AWD and 4-door FWD
allroad AWD
S4 4-door AWD
Check Before You Buy
A checklist for the 2020 A4, from its four recalls, 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.
- Rear Axle May Be Misaligned NHTSA 22V034000
- Disabled Passenger Air Bag NHTSA 21V874000
- Rear Axle Lock Nuts May Break NHTSA 21V295000
- Improper Deployment of Passenger Air Bag NHTSA 20V274000
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
- Test the screen, audio and phone connection for freezing or rebooting.
Ask the Seller
Ask whether any of these were ever repaired, and ask to see the receipts.
- Screen and audio
- Phone and navigation features
- Instrument cluster
- 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