2020 Audi S4: common problems and reliability
· B9One of the weaker S4 years.
16 owner complaints, most about electrical system. 3 recalls.
Should I buy a 2020 S4?The 2020 Audi S4 has 16 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 3 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are electrical system and back over prevention. Owners most often flag catastrophic engine failure with low compression or cylinder 6 damage, often on tuned cars.
Safety record for the 2020 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2020 Audi S4 vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other S4 years only. How we score it
Is 2020 a good year for the S4?
Across the 18 S4 model years we track, complaint volume runs from 1 (2022) to 148 (2000). With 16 complaints, the 2020 S4 sits below the model's median of 22.
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
Recalls affecting the 2020 S4
tires
Campaign 22V034000Volkswagen 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.
suspension:rear:axle:non-powered axle assembly
Campaign 21V295000Volkswagen 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.
seats
Campaign 21V874000Volkswagen 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.
What owners report on the B9 S4
Owners of the B9 S4 generally describe it as a well-built, fun-to-drive, and solid car when properly maintained, with praise for its design, dynamic mode, and the strong low-RPM torque of the 3.0T engine.
- Very frequentRocker arm wear leading to engine failure, particularly on 2018 and early 2019 cars
- Very frequentCatastrophic engine failure with low compression or cylinder 6 damage, often on tuned cars
- RecurrentWater pump and thermostat failure, sometimes sending coolant into the vacuum system
- RecurrentPCV valve failure
- RecurrentCarbon buildup
Owner insights for the B9 S4. Read the full B9 owner report.
Typical used price
Used S4 listings typically run $18,495–$33,900 across 2010 to 2023 model years.
Other S4 model years
Compare every S4 year side by side to see how 2020 ranks against the rest.
Compare the S4 against its rivals
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