Is the Audi A4 more reliable than the Volvo S60?

Based on our data, the Audi A4 is more reliable with an average score of 73/100 compared to 72/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.

Which has more recalls, the Audi A4 or the Volvo S60?

The Volvo S60 has more recalls (23) compared to the Audi A4 (16). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.

Which has fewer owner complaints, the Audi A4 or the Volvo S60?

Adjusted for sales volume, the Volvo S60 has a lower complaint rate at 1.9 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 2.8 for the Audi A4. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

Which is cheaper to maintain, the Audi A4 or the Volvo S60?

Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Audi A4 is cheaper to maintain at $739/year versus $750/year for the Volvo S60.

Is the Audi A4 or Volvo S60 safer?

Both the Audi A4 and Volvo S60 received the same NHTSA overall safety rating of 5/5 stars. Check the frontal, side, and rollover sub-ratings above for a more detailed comparison.

Last updated: 2026-07-17

Audi A4 vs Volvo S60: Reliability Compared

More Reliable

Audi A4

Good

Volvo S60

Good

Choosing between the Audi A4 and the Volvo S60? This page compares their reliability scores, NHTSA recall history, owner-reported complaints, and estimated annual repair costs so you can make a confident long-term ownership decision between these two midsize sedans.

Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Audi A4 currently leads with an average score of 73/100 compared to 72/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

How Do the Audi A4 and Volvo S60 Generations Compare?

As of 2026, the Audi A4 is in its sixth generation, introduced in 2024, following the fifth-generation B9 which ran from 2016 to 2023 with a facelift in 2020. The B9 was a mature platform by the end of its cycle, generally offering well-sorted reliability. The sixth generation is relatively new and might experience typical first-year issues as it settles into the market. The Volvo S60 is currently in its third generation, which debuted in 2019 and is expected to transition soon. This generation has been on the market for several years, suggesting that most initial issues have likely been resolved, providing a more reliable choice for those prioritizing dependability.

Verdict

The Audi A4 is more reliable than the Volvo S60, scoring 73/100 vs 72/100.

The Audi A4 and Volvo S60 both present similar reliability profiles, with the A4 slightly edging ahead with an average reliability score of 73/100 compared to the S60's 72/100. However, the A4 has faced fewer recalls, 16 over six years, against the S60's 23, which might suggest a slightly more stable long-term performance. Although the Volvo S60 has a lower owner complaint rate of 1.9 per 10,000 sold compared to the A4's 2.8, both vehicles have comparable estimated annual repair costs, with the A4 at $739 and the S60 at $750. Ultimately, while the Audi A4 has a slight advantage in reliability score and recall history, the Volvo S60's lower complaint rate could be a deciding factor for buyers prioritizing user satisfaction.

Key Differences

1Audi A4 costs $11 less per year to repair
2Audi A4 has 7 fewer total recalls
3Volvo S60 has 5% lower major repair risk

Category Scoreboard

4Audi A4

—

2Volvo S60

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint RateAnnual Repair CostRepair FrequencyMajor Repair RiskSafety Rating

Audi A4 vs Volvo S60: Which Is More Reliable?

Audi A4 vs Volvo S60 at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Audi A4	Volvo S60
Reliability Score	73/100	72/100
Years Tracked	6	6
Total Recalls	16	23
Complaints per 10k Sold	2.8	1.9
Annual Repair Cost	$739/yr	$750/yr
Repair Frequency	0.4/yr	0.5/yr
Major Repair Risk	13%	8%
Safety RatingNHTSA overall	2025 NHTSA	2025 NHTSA
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Year Wins	3	1

What Are the Common Problems With the Audi A4 and Volvo S60?

The Audi A4 exhibits a higher number of total complaints compared to the Volvo S60, with a significant concentration in the electrical system, accounting for 121 complaints, including 2 crash-linked incidents. In contrast, the Volvo S60 has fewer overall complaints, with the electrical system also being the most reported issue but at a lower frequency of 14 complaints, and no crash-linked reports in that category. Notably, the Audi A4 has a broader distribution of issues across categories like airbags and suspension, each with crash-linked incidents, whereas the Volvo S60's most severe area is the service brakes, with 2 of its 5 complaints linked to crashes. Despite the disparity in total complaints, both models share concerns in electrical systems, but the Audi A4's problem profile indicates more significant safety-related issues.

Audi A4 vs Volvo S60 common problem areas comparison
Component	Audi A4	Volvo S60
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	1.9Low	0.4Very Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	0.7Very Low	0.1Very Low
POWER TRAIN	0.1Very Low	0.1Very Low
BACK OVER PREVENTION	0.1Very Low	0.1Very Low
STEERING	—None	0.2Very Low
AIR BAGS	0.1Very Low	—None
SERVICE BRAKES	—None	0.1Very Low
TIRES	—None	0.1Very Low
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	—None	0.1Very Low
SEATS	—None	0.1Very Low
EXTERIOR LIGHTING	—None	0.1Very Low
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	—None	0.1Very Low
SUSPENSION	—None	—None

Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.

Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Audi A4 or Volvo S60?

Based on independent repair cost data, the Audi A4 and Volvo S60 have similar annual repair costs, with the Audi A4 at $739 and the Volvo S60 at $750. Over five years, this translates to a modest $55 difference in favor of the Audi. However, the Audi's repair frequency is slightly lower at 0.4 visits per year compared to the Volvo's 0.5 visits. More significantly, the Audi A4 carries a higher major repair risk at 13%, while the Volvo S60 is at 8%. For cost-conscious buyers, the Volvo S60 offers better value due to its lower major repair risk, despite its marginally higher annual repair cost.

How Does Audi A4 vs Volvo S60 Reliability Compare by Year?

Audi A4 vs Volvo S60 year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Audi A4	Volvo S60	Edge
2025	81/1000R / 0C	76/1003R / 0C	Audi A4
2023	77/1000R / 8C	70/1006R / 3C	Audi A4
2022	72/1004R / 3C	70/1004R / 14C	Audi A4
2020	65/1003R / 122C	72/1003R / 9C	Volvo S60

Best years to cross-shop: The 2025 Audi A4 scored 81/100 and the 2025 Volvo S60 scored 76/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the Audi A4 vs the Volvo S60?

If you prioritize a slightly higher reliability score and lower repair frequency, the Audi A4 could be your choice. With a reliability score of 73/100 and an annual repair frequency of 0.4, it edges out the Volvo S60 in these areas. Although the Audi has a higher number of owner complaints per 10,000 sold at 2.8 and a notable risk of major repairs at 13%, the overall ownership experience might be more predictable if you are prepared for occasional electrical and power train issues. Alternatively, if you are concerned about the risk of significant repairs, consider the Volvo S60. Despite its slightly lower reliability score of 72/100, it offers a reduced major repair risk of 8% and fewer owner complaints at 1.9 per 10,000 sold. While it has more recalls and a slightly higher estimated annual repair cost of $750, the lower risk of major repairs could provide peace of mind, especially if you value safety and are willing to manage issues with the steering and braking systems.

Audi A4 vs Volvo S60: Common Questions

Is the Audi A4 more reliable than the Volvo S60?: Based on our data, the Audi A4 is more reliable with an average score of 73/100 compared to 72/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
Which has more recalls, the Audi A4 or the Volvo S60?: The Volvo S60 has more recalls (23) compared to the Audi A4 (16). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.
Which has fewer owner complaints, the Audi A4 or the Volvo S60?: Adjusted for sales volume, the Volvo S60 has a lower complaint rate at 1.9 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 2.8 for the Audi A4. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
Which is cheaper to maintain, the Audi A4 or the Volvo S60?: Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Audi A4 is cheaper to maintain at $739/year versus $750/year for the Volvo S60.
Is the Audi A4 or Volvo S60 safer?: Both the Audi A4 and Volvo S60 received the same NHTSA overall safety rating of 5/5 stars. Check the frontal, side, and rollover sub-ratings above for a more detailed comparison.

More Audi A4 comparisons

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More Volvo S60 comparisons

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How We Calculate Reliability Scores

Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.

Key Ranking Factors

Complaint Severity

NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.

Repair Costs

Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.

Recall Impact

Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.

Issue Diversity

Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.

Scores are grouped into four tiers:

80–100: Excellent— Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
60–79: Good— Reliable with some minor concerns
40–59: Mixed— Notable issues, research before buying
0–39: Risky— Significant problems, proceed with caution

Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.

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