2020 Audi A4 Reliability
The 2020 Audi A4 has 158 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on file with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and unknown or other. Compared with nearby A4 model years (2018–2022), it rates as a year to avoid: its complaint rate runs well above the A4's typical year, while the 2018 has a cleaner record.
By CarWhere Research · Updated 2026-11-04 · Source: NHTSA
158
NHTSA owner complaints
3
Recall campaigns
1
Complaints citing a crash
0
Complaints citing a fire
2020 Audi A4 complaints by component
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2020 model year, filed between 2022 and 2026. A complaint can name more than one component.
| Component | Complaints | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 111 | 70% |
| Unknown or other | 68 | 43% |
| Backup camera / back-over prevention | 55 | 35% |
| Forward collision avoidance | 11 | 7% |
| Lane departure | 7 | 4% |
| Communication | 2 | 1% |
| Suspension | 2 | 1% |
| Visibility / wipers | 2 | 1% |
2020 Audi A4 recalls
3 recall campaigns on NHTSA record for the 2020 model year, by the date NHTSA received the manufacturer's report. Recall repairs are free at a dealer.
| NHTSA campaign | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21V295000 | Apr 26, 2021 | 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… |
| 21V874000 | Nov 10, 2021 | 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… |
| 22V034000 | Jan 26, 2022 | 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… |
How the 2020 compares with nearby A4 years
Verdicts compare these A4 model years with each other.
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Most-reported area | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 52 | 4 | Unknown or other | Solid |
| 2019 | 8 | 1 | Electrical system | Too few reports |
| 2020 (this page) | 158 | 3 | Electrical system | Avoid |
| 2021 | 13 | 4 | Electrical system | Too few reports |
| 2022 | 7 | 3 | Unknown or other | Too few reports |
Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA and are not adjusted for how many of each year were sold, so they compare years of the same model rather than different models.
What to check on a used 2020 Audi A4
- Electrical: test every light, window, lock, the infotainment screen and the charging system; scan for stored fault codes.
- Backup camera: shift into reverse and make sure the image comes up quickly and clearly every time.
- Driver aids: ask about false automatic-braking events and check for warning messages on the dash.
- Suspension: listen for clunks over bumps, look for leaking struts and uneven tire wear.
- Recalls: confirm each of the 3 campaigns above was completed on this VIN; open recalls are repaired free at a dealer.
- History: run the VIN for salvage, theft and odometer records, and have an independent mechanic inspect the car before you pay.
Check this exact car
Any 2020 Audi A4 can be better or worse than its model year. The CarWhere Used Car Report checks one VIN for salvage records, salvage-auction records (with damage photos when the auction published them), stolen-vehicle records, the odometer trail and its listing and price history since 2015. Free preview first; the full report is $12.99, one time.
2020 Audi A4 reliability FAQ
Is the 2020 Audi A4 reliable?
The 2020 Audi A4 has 158 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on file with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and unknown or other. Compared with nearby A4 model years (2018–2022), it rates as a year to avoid: its complaint rate runs well above the A4's typical year, while the 2018 has a cleaner record.
What are the most common 2020 Audi A4 problems?
The most-reported problem areas in NHTSA owner complaints for the 2020 Audi A4 are electrical system (111), unknown or other (68), backup camera / back-over prevention (55), forward collision avoidance (11). One complaint can name more than one component.
Does the 2020 Audi A4 have recalls?
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2020 Audi A4, including 21V295000 (suspension — rear / axle / non-powered axle assembly) and 21V874000 (seats). Recall repairs are free at a dealer, and whether one was done is tracked by VIN.
How does the 2020 Audi A4 compare with the 2019 and 2021 models?
By NHTSA records, the 2019 has 8 complaints and 1 recall (too few reports); the 2021 has 13 complaints and 4 recalls (too few reports). The 2020 has 158 complaints and 3 recalls.
How do I check a specific used 2020 Audi A4?
Run its VIN. The CarWhere Used Car Report checks one VIN for salvage records, salvage-auction records (with damage photos when the auction published them), stolen-vehicle records, the odometer trail and its listing and price history since 2015, with a free preview first and the full report at $12.99, one time. Pair it with an independent pre-purchase inspection.
More Audi A4 research
Other Audi A4 model years:
Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation owner complaints (all body-style listings for the 2020 A4, de-duplicated by complaint number) and NHTSA recall campaigns, retrieved 2026-11-04.