2020 Audi A4: common problems and reliability

The 2020 Audi A4 has 278 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 3 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are electrical system and back over prevention. Owners most often flag oil consumption (burning a quart every 1,000 miles or less): frequency: recurrent. multiple owners report oil consumption issues, with one owner needing an oil consumption test after finding multiple leaks.

Safety record for the 2020 model year

278
Owner complaints
3
Recalls
2
Crash reports
0
Fire reports

Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2020 Audi A4 vehicles (US, public record).

Is 2020 a good year for the A4?

Across the 23 A4 model years we track, complaint volume runs from 8 (2019) to 673 (2007). With 278 complaints, the 2020 A4 sits abovethe model's median of 109.

These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.

Where owners report problems

electrical system
198
back over prevention
98
forward collision avoidance
20
lane departure
13
suspension
4

Recalls affecting the 2020 A4

tires

Campaign 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,…

suspension:rear:axle:non-powered axle assembly

Campaign 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,…

seats

Campaign 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…

What owners report on the 2016-2025 A4

Owners of the 2016-2025 Audi A4 express strong overall satisfaction, frequently praising the car’s reliability, comfortable and quiet cabin, good fuel economy (especially on the highway), and Quattro all-wheel drive. The 2016 model year is often singled out as

  • Oil consumption (burning a quart every 1,000 miles or less): Frequency: recurrent. Multiple owners report oil consumption issues, with one owner needing an oil consumption test after finding multiple leaks.
  • Timing chain replacement needed between 100,000-120,000 miles: Frequency: recurrent. Owners mention this as a known maintenance item costing around $4,000.
  • MMI system glitching: Frequency: isolated. One owner of a 2019 A4 reported MMI glitches that required software updates.
  • Temperature sensor failure: Frequency: isolated. One owner of a 2019 A4 reported an engine management light and fan running constantly due to a temperature sensor issue.
  • Clutch failure on high-mileage examples: Frequency: isolated. One owner reported a clutch burning out on a 2016 A4 with 65,000 miles shortly after purchase.

Owner insights for the 2016-2025 A4. Read the full 2016-2025 owner report.

Typical used price

Used A4 listings typically run $10,061–$18,889 across 2006 to 2024 model years.

Other A4 model years

Compare every A4 year side by side to see how 2020 ranks against the rest.

2019 A42018 A42017 A42016 A42015 A42014 A42013 A42012 A42011 A42009 A42008 A42007 A42006 A42005 A42004 A42003 A42002 A42001 A42000 A41999 A41997 A41996 A4

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