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2020 Audi A4 problems, recalls and owner complaints
What the 2020 Audi A4 has been recalled for, how often it fails the UK MOT and what owners report, from official government data. Updated October 25, 2026.
- 3safety recalls
- 128owner complaints
- 1crash report
- 0fire reports
- 12%fail the UK MOT
The most complained-about Audi A4 year on file: 128 complaints, against an average of 41 for the other 11 model years.
Every Audi A4 model year with its number of owner complaints. Pick a year to compare.
What goes wrong with the 2020 Audi A4?
The components named most often in the 128 owner complaints. One complaint can name several, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
What symptoms do 2020 Audi A4 owners describe?
Found by reading the text of all 128 owner complaints. Tap a symptom for the answer, a real owner quote and any related recall.
Has the 2020 Audi A4 been recalled?
3 U.S. safety recalls. Repairs are free at a franchised dealer; some are done over the air.
Tires 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.
Risk: Rear axle misalignment may cause premature or uneven tire wear, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Seats 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.
Risk: A disabled passenger air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Suspension: Rear: Axle: Non-Powered Axle Assembly 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.
Risk: A broken lock nut may misalign the rear axle, causing a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Is the 2020 Audi A4 recalled in the UK or Europe?
Recalls issued by the UK's DVSA and through the EU's Safety Gate system that cover this model and build period. European models can differ from U.S. ones, and "years estimated" means the recall gave no build dates, so confirm your own car with your registration or VIN.
UK DVSAFollowing a previous campaign the toe and/or camber values on the rear axle may in certain circumstances incorrectly be changed without…FOLLOWING A PREVIOUS CAMPAIGN THE TOE AND/OR CAMBER VALUES ON THE REAR AXLE MAY IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES INCORRECTLY BE CHANGED WITHOUT THIS BEING NOTICED
Risk: Following a previous campaign the toe and/or camber values on the rear axle may in certain circumstances incorrectly be changed without this being noticed.
Fix: The wheel alignment must be checked and if necessary the suspension must be serviced on the affected vehicles.
UK DVSARear axle suspension links nuts do not meet specifications
Risk: One or more nuts which do not meet the specifications may have been fitted on the rear axle suspension links.
Fix: The affected nuts on the rear axle will be replaced on affected vehicles.
UK DVSASeat frame may not be bolted correctly to the rail on the driver and passenger sides
Risk: The seat frame may not have been bolted correctly to the seat rail on the driver and/or front passenger side
Fix: Check the affected seat frame connection and replace the frame if required.
UK DVSAMoisture may enter the belt driven starter-alternator
Risk: It is possible that moisture may enter the belt-driven starter-alternator.
Fix: The starter-alternator must be replaced on the affected vehicles.
UK DVSAMoisture may enter the belt-driven starter-alternator
Risk: It is possible that moisture may enter the belt-driven starter-alternator.
Fix: The starter-alternator must be replaced on the affected vehicles.
EU Safety GateAlteration of the rear axle’s toe and/or camber values lead to increased and uneven wear on the rear tyres, and if worn down to its…Alteration of the rear axle’s toe and/or camber values lead to increased and uneven wear on the rear tyres, and if worn down to its carcass may suffer a sudden loss of pressure. This can lead to loss of traction and may affect vehicle handling, increasing the risk of an accident.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
EU Safety GateThe vehicles are equipped with control software regarded as unauthorised by the competent authorities.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Importer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: 23/04/2021
EU Safety GateThe nuts on the eccentric bolt of the rear-axle spring-link control arm may break due to stress corrosion.As a result, the rear axle could move in the wrong direction, in an uncontrollable manner at high speeds.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
EU Safety GateThe screw connection attaching the seat frame to the seat rail may not be correctly executed.As a result, it may fail in the event of an accident, increasing the risk of injury.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
EU Safety GateMoisture can ingress into the belt starter generator, generating short-circuits.This can lead to local overheating of the component, increasing risk of fire.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
EU Safety GateMoisture can penetrate into the belt starter generator.This can result in a short circuit, leading to local overheating and increased risk of fire.Due to the permanent power supply of the starter generator, this can occur when the vehicle has already been parked for a while.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
How often does the 2020 Audi A4 fail its MOT?
Why they failed: the share of failed tests with at least one fault in each area (a test can fail on several). Cars first registered in 2020, tested in Great Britain in 2023; first registration is usually, but not always, the model year. Source: DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, Open Government Licence v3.0.
What do 2020 Audi A4 owners report?
12 of the 128 complaints, the most recent for the most-reported components, as the owners wrote them. NHTSA removes names and VINs; long reports are trimmed. CarHooq has not verified individual claims.
Date: [XXX] Time: Approximately [XXX] Location: Street in front of [XXX]. At approximately [XXX], my wife was seated and properly belted in the front passenger seat of our 2020 Audi A4. The vehicle was completely stationary and parked on the street, between a parked car in front of us and a garbage can behind us. There were no moving vehicles, pedestrians, impacts, or other apparent events occurring around the vehicle. Without warning, the passenger seatbelt suddenly and forcefully tightened across my wife’s abdomen. We heard a distinct electrical/motor sound as it tightened. The force was…
My 2020 Audi A4 has an open safety recall campaign. Audi Corporate and my local dealership are formally refusing to perform the recall remedy unless I pay over $2,000 out-of-pocket to replace a broken J949 SOS Telematics Module. The manufacturer claims the module is separate from the recall, but its total failure physically blocks their diagnostic tools from applying the mandatory safety update. Conditioning a federal safety recall on a customer-paid repair violates recall compliance regulations, and has left my automatic emergency crash reporting and vehicle communication systems completely…
The contact owns a 2020 Audi A4. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the message SOS module no longer connected was displayed on the instrument panel, and the vehicle failed to shut off. The contact believed that the failure was a safety issue due to the loss of communication, including the hands-free features, mobile phone connectivity, and the regular safety features failing to operate as needed. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to be diagnosed, and it was determined that the communication module failure was the same as the SOS module failure. The vehicle was not…
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 reselling. I recently had to pull over on the freeway due to the tire making noises then realized that the tire wear was uneven again but this time shredded apart. I could feel metal poking out which the tires hadn’t been on for long. The loss pressure warning light went off. I later found the missing tire…
MMI module keeps resetting. This causes sudden lost of navigation display and sudden lost of backup camera when reset happens while backing up. Release version: MHI3_US_AUG45S_P3243 Software version: 3243
The MMI system, which is the display in the car, keeps rebooting every few minutes. It is extremely distracting while driving. Also during parking or back up the parking assistance and backup camera would suddenly disappear because the system reboots. The rear cross traffic warning stops working during reboot as well.
The MMI system crashes and reboots after about 90 seconds. This affects all parking and collision sensors.
MMI (infotainment), and the dashboard screen will turn off randomly and reboot every 2 minutes. 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. It has happened while I have been backing up and backup camera has rebooted during backup. Parking Collision has also malfunctioned multiple times - but primary issue is the MMI rebooting even while driving on the freeway.
MMI screen keep turning on and off every minute. This MMI is a brain of audi which controls cameras, sensor for brake and collision, parking assistance, etc. This MMI malfunction has been a big issue and none of the dealer had a permanent solution for the fault. As this MMI function begin to get worse, it could shut off the remaining functions as odometer, speed meter.
MMI system in 2020 Audi A4 keeps blacking out and constantly rebooting while driving. This issue happens while going in reverse, which crashes the backup camera and triggers a safety warning in the car. It also happens while idling, which also triggers a safety warning in the car about the backup camera being inoperable.
MMI system shutting down randomly every 2 mins cameras and other safety features doesn’t work
The MMI or infotainment center turns off and reboots/kicks user out while the car is in motion and also while stopped. The MMI going off has cut out while backing up not allowing the rear camera to be used and has also not allowed the front and rear sensors to be used for parking/auto breaking. There seems to be a large portion of similar complaints and unknown fixes for 2020 models either exactly the same or similar. Personally have not had it inspected or attempted to fix outside the recommended soft reset, user account reset, and even unplugging battery to reset as well. No fix has been…
2020 Audi A4: questions owners ask
Is the 2020 Audi A4 reliable?
NHTSA data alone cannot rate reliability, but it shows what owners reported. Owners filed 128 complaints with NHTSA about the 2020 Audi A4; the most common categories were electrical system (91, 71.1%), back over prevention (43, 33.6%), forward collision avoidance (9, 7%). There are 3 safety recalls. 1 complaint mentions a crash.
What are the most common problems with the 2020 Audi A4?
Across 128 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the categories mentioned most often are electrical system (71.1% of complaints), back over prevention (33.6% of complaints), forward collision avoidance (7% of complaints), lane departure (4.7% of complaints), communication (1.6% of complaints). One complaint can name several components.
Does the 2020 Audi A4 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2020 Audi A4; the most recent (campaign 22V034000, 2022-01-26) concerns Tires. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Why does the infotainment screen freeze, reboot or go black in my 2020 Audi A4?
82 of the 128 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2020 Audi A4 (64.1%) describe the infotainment or touch screen freezing, rebooting or going black. One owner wrote: "Audi MMI system randomly goes dark and reboots during driving - this turns off the rear camera and any GPS system being used to navigate along with the sound system, etc." (NHTSA complaint 11678028, August 2025). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Why does the backup camera not work on my 2020 Audi A4?
14 of the 128 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2020 Audi A4 (10.9%) describe the rearview or backup camera failing or showing a blank screen. One owner wrote: "while driving, including backing up with the camera, the computer restarts itself. Navigation, warnings, and backup camera all restart for about 30 seconds. it has happened while depending on the backup camera. just goes black then restarts." (NHTSA complaint 11673692, July 2025). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Why does my 2020 Audi A4 stall, lose power or shut off while driving?
8 of the 128 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2020 Audi A4 (6.3%) describe the engine stalling, losing power or shutting off while driving. One owner wrote: "The MMI randomly shuts down repeatedly while driving. It will shut down and reset while driving every 5 minutes or so regardless of what is connected to the system." (NHTSA complaint 11670211, June 2025). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Check your own A4
Counts are a starting point, not a verdict: popular models collect more complaints because more of them are on the road, and NHTSA does not verify individual reports. To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls (U.S.) or your registration at check-vehicle-recalls.service.gov.uk (UK). Had a safety problem? Report it to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations and recalls.
Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation recall and complaint databases (public domain), DVSA anonymised MOT results (Open Government Licence v3.0), DVSA vehicle recalls (Open Government Licence v3.0), EU Safety Gate alerts (© European Union), retrieved October 25, 2026. Model year 2020 only.