Owners have filed 34 complaints
about the 2020 Audi S4 with NHTSA between 2024 and 2025.
The largest single group is the electrical system.
Across this model's run it ranks 13 of 14 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 35
Against the median year of the Audi S4. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 0
0% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — not reported
Too few complaints recorded a mileage to measure this.
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Apr 2024peak 14Aug 2025
Recalls on the 2020 Audi S4
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 20220224,361 units in Canada
Suspension
Issue: On certain vehicles, the rear wheel alignment was not checked during recall 42L1 (Transport Canada Recall 2021-249). As a result, the steering could pull to one side or another and the tires could wear unevenly. If you continue to drive the vehicle in this condition, there may be reduced traction. Eventually, a tire could fail and lose air pressure. Safety Risk: A tire failure could cause a loss of control and increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Audi will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to inspect and adjust the rear wheel alignment, as necessary. Additionally, the dealer will inspect the rear tires for premature and uneven wear due to this issue, and replace them if necessary.
Recall 20212495,396 units in Canada
Suspension
Issue: On certain vehicles, the lock nuts for the rear trailing arm bolts may be defective. If a nut breaks, there could be sudden changes in rear wheel alignment. This can cause a loss of vehicle stability. Safety Risk: Reduced vehicle stability could cause a loss of control and increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Audi will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to replace the rear trailing arm lock nuts. If necessary, the associated bolt(s) will be replaced as well.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Woodbury, MN
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
My instrument cluster and its replacements have malfunctioned multiple times. The original instrument cluster/virtual cockpit failed to boot and had a black/blank screen on 4/19/2024 at 29,687 miles and was replaced on 5/15/2024 at 29,923 mi. That replacement one worked fine for a while and then did the same thing on 7/15/2024 at 33,655 miles and on 1/10/2025 at 42,532 miles. The instrument cluster was then replaced again on 2/10/2025 at 43,841 miles. That replacement unit took only a couple of days to act up again with the blank screen on startup on 2/13/2025 at 43,965 miles and once more on 8/1/2025 at 52,673 miles. I'm currently waiting to hear back from the dealer to get the instrument cluster replaced once again.
NHTSA complaint #11679321 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Smyrna, TN
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The Audi MMI malfunctions and reboots randomly while driving. Possibly being a software issue. There is a TSB code that the dealer used to reference for me ( TSB 2078437/1), but I cannot find it on the NHTSA website. The reboot issue shuts off all functions associated with it, including, but not limited to: navigation, rearview camera, and parking sensor use. This poses a risk since it can be distracting to pull back your navigation while driving or having your rearview camera cutoff mid mid-use. The issue does not appear as a warning lamp or any type of notification, and there are multiple reports of similar issues on online forums that have not been addressed.
NHTSA complaint #11676957 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lowell, AR
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The MMI reboots continuously throughout my drive - whether it is 1 minute or an hour. It does this without a Bluetooth connection or wired connection. There is no ability to use hands free calling, listen to the radio, use Apple car play, Bluetooth, navigation, back up camera, parking assistance… It is startling to have your camera black out on your as your backing up (may back up camera works for about 45 seconds before stopping) I have done a hard reset. This is a problem that I am reading over and over and over again on forums I live nearly 2 hours from a dealer who takes weeks to get into and looking at a huge bill Hoping there is a fix soon
NHTSA complaint #11675209 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Flushing, NY
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I am submitting a formal complaint regarding a persistent and dangerous issue with the MMI (Multi Media Interface) system in my 2020 Audi S4. Since February 2025, the system has been spontaneously rebooting both while the vehicle is idling and in motion. When this occurs, the screen goes black and critical safety systems such as the rearview camera, parking sensors, and navigation become unavailable. The system requires driver interaction to restore functionality once it restarts, creating a major distraction. These reboots now occur every few minutes, severely affecting both usability and safe operation of the vehicle. Initially, this issue happened infrequently (about once every two weeks), but over time it has become constant. Based on extensive online reports from other owners—including threads such as this one on AudiWorld: [XXX] appears to be a widespread defect affecting other Audi A4/S4 vehicles of the same year. This malfunction compromises several driver assistance and safety features, and I believe it presents a serious hazard, especially if it occurs during parking, reversing, or navigating unfamiliar areas. I urge NHTSA to investigate this matter and determine whether a recall or safety bulletin is appropriate. Thank you for your attention. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11674842 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Flushing, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I am submitting a formal complaint regarding a persistent and dangerous issue with the MMI (Multi Media Interface) system in my 2020 Audi S4. Since February 2025, the system has been spontaneously rebooting both while the vehicle is idling and in motion. When this occurs, the screen goes black and critical safety systems such as the rearview camera, parking sensors, and navigation become unavailable. The system requires driver interaction to restore functionality once it restarts, creating a major distraction. These reboots now occur every few minutes, severely affecting both usability and safe operation of the vehicle. Initially, this issue happened infrequently (about once every two weeks), but over time it has become constant. Based on extensive online reports from other owners—including threads such as this one on AudiWorld: [XXX] appears to be a widespread defect affecting other Audi A4/S4 vehicles of the same year. This malfunction compromises several driver assistance and safety features, and I believe it presents a serious hazard, especially if it occurs during parking, reversing, or navigating unfamiliar areas. I urge NHTSA to investigate this matter and determine whether a recall or safety bulletin is appropriate. Thank you for your attention. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11674842 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Flushing, NY
BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS
I am submitting a formal complaint regarding a persistent and dangerous issue with the MMI (Multi Media Interface) system in my 2020 Audi S4. Since February 2025, the system has been spontaneously rebooting both while the vehicle is idling and in motion. When this occurs, the screen goes black and critical safety systems such as the rearview camera, parking sensors, and navigation become unavailable. The system requires driver interaction to restore functionality once it restarts, creating a major distraction. These reboots now occur every few minutes, severely affecting both usability and safe operation of the vehicle. Initially, this issue happened infrequently (about once every two weeks), but over time it has become constant. Based on extensive online reports from other owners—including threads such as this one on AudiWorld: [XXX] appears to be a widespread defect affecting other Audi A4/S4 vehicles of the same year. This malfunction compromises several driver assistance and safety features, and I believe it presents a serious hazard, especially if it occurs during parking, reversing, or navigating unfamiliar areas. I urge NHTSA to investigate this matter and determine whether a recall or safety bulletin is appropriate. Thank you for your attention. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11674842 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lake Forest, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The main infotainment system is stuck restarting every 1-2 minutes. When the car is put into reverse, the rear back up camera will turn off while the vehicle is in motion and not resume.
NHTSA complaint #11674214 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Denver, CO
LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION
The vehicle software (known as Audi MMI) has been continuously rebooting every 30 seconds after the vehicle is started. This causes the entire dashboard (and entertainment screen) to repeatedly reboot which is very distracting while driving. While backing out of a parking spot, the MMI system rebooted which then disconnected my backup camera, blind spot warning, and rear collision warning systems which resulted in me almost hitting a car crossing behind me. There are zero messages anywhere in the car that an issue is present.
NHTSA complaint #11674215 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lake Forest, CA
BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS
The main infotainment system is stuck restarting every 1-2 minutes. When the car is put into reverse, the rear back up camera will turn off while the vehicle is in motion and not resume.
NHTSA complaint #11674214 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Denver, CO
BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS
The vehicle software (known as Audi MMI) has been continuously rebooting every 30 seconds after the vehicle is started. This causes the entire dashboard (and entertainment screen) to repeatedly reboot which is very distracting while driving. While backing out of a parking spot, the MMI system rebooted which then disconnected my backup camera, blind spot warning, and rear collision warning systems which resulted in me almost hitting a car crossing behind me. There are zero messages anywhere in the car that an issue is present.
NHTSA complaint #11674215 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lake Forest, CA
BACK OVER PREVENTION: REARVIEW SYSTEM BRAKING
The main infotainment system is stuck restarting every 1-2 minutes. When the car is put into reverse, the rear back up camera will turn off while the vehicle is in motion and not resume.
NHTSA complaint #11674214 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Denver, CO
BACK OVER PREVENTION: REARVIEW SYSTEM BRAKING
The vehicle software (known as Audi MMI) has been continuously rebooting every 30 seconds after the vehicle is started. This causes the entire dashboard (and entertainment screen) to repeatedly reboot which is very distracting while driving. While backing out of a parking spot, the MMI system rebooted which then disconnected my backup camera, blind spot warning, and rear collision warning systems which resulted in me almost hitting a car crossing behind me. There are zero messages anywhere in the car that an issue is present.
NHTSA complaint #11674215 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Piedmont, CA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The MMI (multimedia interface) screen goes dead and reboots frequently (every 2-5 minutes) while driving. It is extremely frustrating and distracting. In addition, when the screen blacks out while driving in reverse, the backup camera, back up sensors and cross traffic warning systems do not operate until the system reboots, which can take several minutes. This problem occurs constantly while driving and requires me to re-enter navigation destination while driving. Using CarPlay for navigation is also affected, as the system reboots whether or not I am using a secondary media source like CarPlay, and I have to re-enter the destination whenever the MMI reboots. Also the MMI needs me to re-enter user information on the screen with every failure in order to get the system running again, which is very distracting while driving. I am not even able to turn off the screen to avoid the distraction, as it will automatically fail and reboot while turned off. This will turn the screen back on in the start-up mode and cause the radio to turn on randomly. When this happens, the stereo volume will sometimes come back on, and other times it appears to be playing music and radio stations, but the volume control will not work. Then it will randomly come back on very loud. The distractions are unavoidable, as I would be happy to just leave the MMI system off, but it is not possible! Please require Audi to fix this problem!!! The dealer/manufacturer does not seem to be interested in fixing the issue, as is evidenced by the many complaints I have found on the NHTSA website.
NHTSA complaint #11671452 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Piedmont, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The MMI (multimedia interface) screen goes dead and reboots frequently (every 2-5 minutes) while driving. It is extremely frustrating and distracting. In addition, when the screen blacks out while driving in reverse, the backup camera, back up sensors and cross traffic warning systems do not operate until the system reboots, which can take several minutes. This problem occurs constantly while driving and requires me to re-enter navigation destination while driving. Using CarPlay for navigation is also affected, as the system reboots whether or not I am using a secondary media source like CarPlay, and I have to re-enter the destination whenever the MMI reboots. Also the MMI needs me to re-enter user information on the screen with every failure in order to get the system running again, which is very distracting while driving. I am not even able to turn off the screen to avoid the distraction, as it will automatically fail and reboot while turned off. This will turn the screen back on in the start-up mode and cause the radio to turn on randomly. When this happens, the stereo volume will sometimes come back on, and other times it appears to be playing music and radio stations, but the volume control will not work. Then it will randomly come back on very loud. The distractions are unavoidable, as I would be happy to just leave the MMI system off, but it is not possible! Please require Audi to fix this problem!!! The dealer/manufacturer does not seem to be interested in fixing the issue, as is evidenced by the many complaints I have found on the NHTSA website.
NHTSA complaint #11671452 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Piedmont, CA
BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS
The MMI (multimedia interface) screen goes dead and reboots frequently (every 2-5 minutes) while driving. It is extremely frustrating and distracting. In addition, when the screen blacks out while driving in reverse, the backup camera, back up sensors and cross traffic warning systems do not operate until the system reboots, which can take several minutes. This problem occurs constantly while driving and requires me to re-enter navigation destination while driving. Using CarPlay for navigation is also affected, as the system reboots whether or not I am using a secondary media source like CarPlay, and I have to re-enter the destination whenever the MMI reboots. Also the MMI needs me to re-enter user information on the screen with every failure in order to get the system running again, which is very distracting while driving. I am not even able to turn off the screen to avoid the distraction, as it will automatically fail and reboot while turned off. This will turn the screen back on in the start-up mode and cause the radio to turn on randomly. When this happens, the stereo volume will sometimes come back on, and other times it appears to be playing music and radio stations, but the volume control will not work. Then it will randomly come back on very loud. The distractions are unavoidable, as I would be happy to just leave the MMI system off, but it is not possible! Please require Audi to fix this problem!!! The dealer/manufacturer does not seem to be interested in fixing the issue, as is evidenced by the many complaints I have found on the NHTSA website.
NHTSA complaint #11671452 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fredericksburg, VA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The Multimedia Interface (MMI) Touchscreen Radio will constantly reboot while driving regardless of variables. Diagnosis’ have proven problem to be undeterminable, this is a serious safety concern as I have lost back up camera and other safety features while driving, while I await the system to reboot. This reboot has been occurring non-stop since January. My research online and in other forums has led to a substantial group of vehicle owners suffering from the same issues across their vehicles. Audi has made no effort to rectify with the dealership simply stating they can charge to diagnose or replace. If it was an isolated incident I would be understanding as Maintenance problems will arise, but to have a substantial population discussing this issue ad nauseum seems to be more widespread with no solutions.
NHTSA complaint #11668433 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fredericksburg, VA
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
The Multimedia Interface (MMI) Touchscreen Radio will constantly reboot while driving regardless of variables. Diagnosis’ have proven problem to be undeterminable, this is a serious safety concern as I have lost back up camera and other safety features while driving, while I await the system to reboot. This reboot has been occurring non-stop since January. My research online and in other forums has led to a substantial group of vehicle owners suffering from the same issues across their vehicles. Audi has made no effort to rectify with the dealership simply stating they can charge to diagnose or replace. If it was an isolated incident I would be understanding as Maintenance problems will arise, but to have a substantial population discussing this issue ad nauseum seems to be more widespread with no solutions.
NHTSA complaint #11668433 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fredericksburg, VA
BACK OVER PREVENTION: REARVIEW SYSTEM BRAKING
The Multimedia Interface (MMI) Touchscreen Radio will constantly reboot while driving regardless of variables. Diagnosis’ have proven problem to be undeterminable, this is a serious safety concern as I have lost back up camera and other safety features while driving, while I await the system to reboot. This reboot has been occurring non-stop since January. My research online and in other forums has led to a substantial group of vehicle owners suffering from the same issues across their vehicles. Audi has made no effort to rectify with the dealership simply stating they can charge to diagnose or replace. If it was an isolated incident I would be understanding as Maintenance problems will arise, but to have a substantial population discussing this issue ad nauseum seems to be more widespread with no solutions.
NHTSA complaint #11668433 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Simi Valley, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
My Audi has been having an ongoing issue with the MMI rebooting while i am driving. It takes away my ability to see the maps and or hear the map telling me which direction to go. It has not been inspected yet however it is a common issue with the 2020 Audi cars that can be replicated however it is not predictable.
NHTSA complaint #11667580 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Simi Valley, CA
BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS
My Audi has been having an ongoing issue with the MMI rebooting while i am driving. It takes away my ability to see the maps and or hear the map telling me which direction to go. It has not been inspected yet however it is a common issue with the 2020 Audi cars that can be replicated however it is not predictable.
NHTSA complaint #11667580 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hollis, NH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The main screen of the vehicle, which is called the MMI from what I understand, repeatedly shuts down and restarts while driving, up to 5 times or more per hour while driving. Sometimes this process can take 3 or more minutes. There appear to be hundreds of Audi customers that this affects according to my research. The dealership (Audi of Nashua) charged for a possible software update repair that did not work, and do not seem to be familiar with a fix other than a $5,000+ repair to replace expensive hardware components. This is a major safety issue because it is what controls the phone and GPS system, causing serious issues when trying to navigate in unfamiliar areas or when taking important phone calls from family members. It is a major distraction while driving and greatly increases the risk of accident.
NHTSA complaint #11664327 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Utica, NY
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The Audi MMI (Multi Media Interface) system plays a crucial role in enhancing safety features by providing a user-friendly interface for managing various driver assistance systems and safety-related functions. These include features like emergency calls, roadside assistance, and the integration of driver assistance systems like adaptive cruise control and collision avoidance assist.
NHTSA complaint #11663689 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Utica, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The Audi MMI (Multi Media Interface) system plays a crucial role in enhancing safety features by providing a user-friendly interface for managing various driver assistance systems and safety-related functions. These include features like emergency calls, roadside assistance, and the integration of driver assistance systems like adaptive cruise control and collision avoidance assist.
NHTSA complaint #11663689 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
West Greenwich, RI
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The MMI spontaneously reboots numerous times while driving. When the reboots happen, the screen goes black, and key systems such as the backup camera, rear obstacle detection, and navigation become unavailable until the reboot completes and the systems reload. Restoring functionality requires user input to get through the loading screens. The issue started in February 2025. I have attempted a factory reset (which did not solve the issue), and I have performed an OBD scan, which returned no fault codes. This appears to be a widespread issue based on the numerous reports found on user forums online, affecting the same model year vehicles (for multiple examples, refer to [XXX] ). It is also interesting that most of the users experiencing this issue also report it starting around the same time (Jan/Feb 2025), and they all have similar software versions, and likely production dates. This should be considered a safety issue, as the reboots can happen in the middle of a reverse parking maneuver, and they render the backup camera and obstacle detection sensors completely inoperative until the system reloads. They also impact safety on the highway, as the reboots completely disable the navigation screens and require multiple user inputs to restore, while driving. Relevant TSB numbers include: TSB 2067021, TSB 2076404, TSB 2069112." INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11662464 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
West Greenwich, RI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The MMI spontaneously reboots numerous times while driving. When the reboots happen, the screen goes black, and key systems such as the backup camera, rear obstacle detection, and navigation become unavailable until the reboot completes and the systems reload. Restoring functionality requires user input to get through the loading screens. The issue started in February 2025. I have attempted a factory reset (which did not solve the issue), and I have performed an OBD scan, which returned no fault codes. This appears to be a widespread issue based on the numerous reports found on user forums online, affecting the same model year vehicles (for multiple examples, refer to [XXX] ). It is also interesting that most of the users experiencing this issue also report it starting around the same time (Jan/Feb 2025), and they all have similar software versions, and likely production dates. This should be considered a safety issue, as the reboots can happen in the middle of a reverse parking maneuver, and they render the backup camera and obstacle detection sensors completely inoperative until the system reloads. They also impact safety on the highway, as the reboots completely disable the navigation screens and require multiple user inputs to restore, while driving. Relevant TSB numbers include: TSB 2067021, TSB 2076404, TSB 2069112." INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11662464 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.