Last updated: 2026-10-10

Audi A4

Audi A4 Years to Avoid

6 scored model years (2018–2025) · model average 73/100

Skip the 2020 Audi A4. Owners report the MMI screen rebooting on its own and taking the backup camera and parking sensors with it. The 2023 model is the better buy, with no recalls and far fewer complaints.

Verdict

Avoid
2020 65/100
Buy
2023 77/100
Model average
73/100
See years to avoid ↓See best year ↓See all years ranked ↓

Audi A4 Years to Avoid

These model years score significantly below the Audi A4 average of 73/100.

#YearScoreRatingRecallsComplaintsTop Issue
1202065/100Good3122Electrical System (89)

Why These Years Should Be Avoided

65
GoodReliability score: 65 out of 100, rated Good

2020 Audi A4

Owners filed 122 complaints, far more than any other year tracked, mostly about the MMI screen going black and rebooting by itself, sometimes every minute or two. Each reboot drops the backup camera, parking sensors, and navigation. Dealers often find no fault codes, and replacing the MMI unit has not always stopped it.

3 recalls122 complaintsEst. repair:

Top issues: Electrical System (89), Unknown Or Other (28), Back Over Prevention (3), Lane Departure (1), Suspension (1)

View full 2020reliability report →

What Are Common Audi A4 Problems?

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

121 complaints

Most reported in 2020, 2018, 2023

2020: The MMI infotainment screen goes black and reboots on its own, sometimes every 1 to 2 minutes, while driving or parked.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

46 complaints

Most reported in 2020, 2018, 2022

2020: The center display crashes and restarts anywhere from every 30 seconds to every few minutes, and the restarts tend to get more frequent over time.

POWER TRAIN

6 complaints

Most reported in 2018, 2021

2018: All-wheel-drive problems lead this category.

BACK OVER PREVENTION

6 complaints

Most reported in 2020

2020: Reboots of the MMI screen cut out the backup camera and parking alerts while the car is reversing or pulling into a space.

AIR BAGS

6 complaints

Most reported in 2018

2018: Most complaints are about waiting for airbag recall repairs.

SUSPENSION

2 complaints

Most reported in 2021

2021: Neither report describes a worn or broken suspension part.

Best Audi A4 Year to Buy Instead

77
GoodReliability score: 77 out of 100, rated Good

2023 Audi A4

The 2023 model has no recalls and only 8 owner complaints, against 122 for 2020. Its complaints are few and spread across different areas. It has also been on the road long enough to judge, unlike 2025. A few owners report the car shutting off while driving, so ask about service history.

Score: 77/100 (Good)0 recalls8 complaints
View full 2023reliability report →
VIN History Report

Found a Safe Year? Check the Specific Car

Even the 2023 Audi A4 has 0 recalls on file. A VIN check confirms the recall work on the exact car and shows its accident, title, and service history.

No VIN? Just hit “Check VIN” to look one up.

  • Accidents
  • Open Recalls
  • Title History
  • Odometer Rollback

All Audi A4 Years by Generation

Audi A4 Reliability Scores by Year

Excellent Good Mixed Risky

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Audi A4 years should I avoid?
Avoid the 2020 model year. It is the only year the site analysis puts well below the model's own average. Owners report the MMI screen rebooting repeatedly, which cuts out the backup camera, parking sensors, and navigation.
What goes wrong with the 2020 Audi A4?
The infotainment screen goes black and restarts on its own, while driving or parked. Owners lose the camera while reversing, and driver assistance controls drop out too. Software updates often fail to help, and some cars still reboot after the MMI was replaced.
Is the 2025 Audi A4 a safe choice?
It has no recorded complaints or recalls, but that mostly reflects how little time it has had on the road. Complaints pile up with age. Treat 2025 as unproven and favor the 2023 model, which has a longer record.
Which Audi A4 years have transmission problems?
The data shows no clear transmission pattern by year. Power train complaints are few across all years, and all-wheel-drive faults lead them. One report describes a front differential failing and throwing debris into the transmission.
Does the recommended 2023 Audi A4 have any known issues?
Yes, a few. It has no recalls and 8 complaints, but some electrical reports describe the car shutting itself off while driving. Others mention safety sensor warnings lighting at once. Check service records and ask a dealer about any shutdown history.

How we score every Audi A4 model year

Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.

See incorrect data? Report an issue