Audi A4 2015-2025 (2015–2025)
Generation-specific owner insights from 35+ substantive owner discussions, with US complaint and recall records.
Should I buy a 2015–2025 A4?
514
US owner complaints (NHTSA), 2015–2025
14
recall campaigns
electrical system
most-complained area
What owners say about this generation
Our take, from owner reports
Owners of the 2015-2025 Audi A4 express a deeply divided sentiment.
10 problems reported (1 very frequent, 5 recurrent, 4 isolated) · high confidence
Problems owners report
- Very frequentExcessive oil consumption (1 quart per 500 miles or per week)
Many owners report burning oil rapidly, with one spending $3,500 on camshaft replacement with only partial improvement.
- RecurrentCatastrophic engine failure requiring full engine replacement
Multiple owners report the engine "offing itself" around 100,000-110,000 miles, with one needing a new engine and another reporting an exhaust valve failure.
- RecurrentTiming chain tensioner failure
Owners mention timing chain replacement as a common high-mileage necessity, with one reporting failure at 180,000 km.
+ 7 more issuesShow fewer
- RecurrentTurbo failure
Multiple owners report turbocharger failure, with one quoting $800 labor for replacement.
- RecurrentWater pump and thermostat failure
Listed as a proactive replacement item around 120,000-160,000 km.
- RecurrentSuspension component wear (control arms, bushings, shocks, struts)
Owners report needing front and rear suspension work, including CV axles and strut mounts.
- IsolatedMMI/infotainment screen failure
One owner reports the screen going black and not turning back on.
- IsolatedFuel pump issues
One owner reports replacing the fuel pump twice.
- IsolatedCV axle failure
One owner reports needing both front CV axles replaced.
- IsolatedCarbon buildup on intake valves
Mentioned as a required cleaning around 100,000 km.
The version owners recommend
Insufficient owner data available to declare a consensus. Some owners favor the Premium Plus trim for its features, and the 2018-2020 model years are recommended for their updated technology and adaptive cruise control. The 6-speed manual is mentioned as desirable but rare.
Competitors to consider
Owners compare it most often with the BMW 3 Series, Lexus ES 350, Subaru WRX, Volkswagen Jetta and Volkswagen Passat.
Is a 2015–2025 A4 right for you?
Get an answer for your year, mileage and budget.
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Overall sentiment
Owners of the 2015-2025 Audi A4 express a deeply divided sentiment. Many praise the car as fun to drive, comfortable, and reliable when properly maintained, with several reporting trouble-free ownership up to 110,000 miles or more. However, a significant number describe it as a "money pit" plagued by expensive repairs, particularly after 100,000 miles, with catastrophic engine failures, rapid oil consumption, and high maintenance costs being recurring complaints. Later model years (2018-2020) are generally viewed more favorably for features and performance, while the 2015 model year is seen as a gamble: rewarding for some, ruinous for others.
Positioning vs competitors
Owners who cross-shopped the 2015-2025 A4 against competitors note that it offers a sporty, refined driving experience with strong features (adaptive cruise control, B&O sound system, HUD) that often surpass similarly-aged BMWs and Mercedes. However, it is consistently described as less reliable than Japanese competitors like Lexus and Toyota, with one owner stating their new Camry "feels more like a luxury car than the Audi ever did." Against Subaru, the A4 is seen as more refined but more expensive to own. Some owners who moved from BMW to Audi report the Audi was more reliable and feature-rich, while others who moved from Audi to Toyota report relief from repair anxiety.
Recommended configurations
Owners advise seeking the Premium Plus trim for the best feature set, and targeting 2018-2020 model years for a balance of modern tech and reliability. For the 2015 model year, a manual transmission and Quattro AWD are mentioned as desirable but come with higher maintenance risks. Owners strongly recommend budgeting for immediate maintenance and having a pre-purchase inspection by a trusted mechanic.
General recommendations
This generation is best suited for buyers who enjoy the driving experience and are prepared for higher-than-average maintenance costs, especially on higher-mileage examples. Owners recommend avoiding the 2015 model year unless it has a full service history and money is set aside for potential timing chain, turbo, and oil consumption repairs. A pre-purchase inspection is considered mandatory. For those seeking worry-free ownership, multiple owners who left the brand suggest buying a Toyota or Lexus instead.
Remarks
The 2015 model year (B8.5 generation) dominates owner discussions, with very little data on later models (2019-2025). One owner notes that the 2020 A4's 45 TFSI engine (260 HP) is the same basic unit used in the Golf R at 333 HP, suggesting it is reliable at this power level. The manual transmission is rare and highly valued by enthusiasts. Analysis based on approximately 35 substantive owner discussions about this generation.
Complaints and recalls by model year
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Most-reported area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 6 | 0 | tires |
| 2023 | 1 | 1 | equipment |
| 2021 | 12 | 4 | electrical system |
| 2020 | 284 | 3 | electrical system |
| 2019 | 8 | 1 | electrical system |
| 2018 | 51 | 4 | unknown or other |
| 2017 | 82 | 1 | air bags |
| 2016 | 26 | 0 | engine |
| 2015 | 44 | 0 | engine |
Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Higher-selling years naturally accumulate more complaints.
Recall notices for this generation
2023 · air bags:sensor:occupant classification:front passengercampaign 24V251000
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2023 Audi S5 Cabriolet, A4 Allroad, Q5 Sportback, A3 Sedan, S5 Sportback, SQ7, TT Coupe, TT Roadster, RS5 Sportback, 2024 A8, E-Tron Quattro, E-Tron Sportback Quattro, Q8, RSQ8, 2023-2024 Q3, Q5, and Q7 vehicles. An electrical connection in the front passenger seat for the occupant detection system (ODS) control module may loosen and deactivate the front passenger air bag.
2021 · seat belts:rear/other:retractorcampaign 21V606000
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Volkswagen ID4, Audi A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A5 Sportback, A6 Allroad, A6 Sedan, A7, A8, E-Tron Quattro, E-Tron Sportback Quattro, Q3, Q5, Q5 Sportback, Q7, Q8, RS5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, RS6 Avant, RS7, RSQ8, S4 Sedan, S5 Cabriolet, S5 Coupe, S5 Sportback, S6 Sedan, S7, S8, SQ5, SQ5 Sportback, SQ7, SQ8, and 2021-2022 S3 Sedan vehicles. The rear seat belt automatic locking retractors may deactivate early, which can prevent the child restraint system from securing properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
2021 · tirescampaign 22V034000
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.
2021 · suspension:rear:axle:non-powered axle assemblycampaign 21V295000
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.
2021 · back over prevention:display functioncampaign 22V742000
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Audi A8, RS7, RS6 Avant, RS5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, Q8, Q7, Q5 Sportback, S4 Sedan, Q5, A7, A6, A6 Allroad, A5 Sportback, A5 Coupe, A5 Cabrioleet, A4 Sedan, A4 Allroad, E-Tron Sportback Quattro, SQ7, S5 Cabriolet, E-Tron Quattro, SQ8, SQ5 Sportback, SQ5, S8, S7, S6 Sedan, S5 Sportback, S5 Coupe, 2022 E-Tron GT, and 2021-2022 RSQ8 vehicles. Due to a software issue, a blank or black screen may be displayed instead of the rearview camera image when the vehicle is placed in reverse gear. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
2020 · tirescampaign 22V034000
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.
2020 · suspension:rear:axle:non-powered axle assemblycampaign 21V295000
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.
2020 · seatscampaign 21V874000
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.
2019 · seatscampaign 21V874000
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.
2018 · seatscampaign 21V874000
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.
2018 · structure:body:door:hinge and attachmentscampaign 17V675000
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Audi A4 Sedan and A4 allroad, and 2018 A5 Sportback vehicles. The aluminum trim on the front and rear doors can come loose from around the door speakers, leaving sharp edges exposed.
2018 · air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator modulecampaign 18V836000
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Audi A5 Sportback and 2017-2018 Audi A4 Allroad vehicles. A passenger air bag module mounting screw may not have been sufficiently tightened, possibly affecting the deployment of the air bag in the event of a crash.
1 more recall not shown. Check nhtsa.gov with your VIN for the full history.
Owner insights summarize real ownership discussions for this generation only. Complaint and recall data is public NHTSA (US) information. Always verify recalls against your VIN at nhtsa.gov.