Audi A4 Problems by Year

We compared every Audi A4 model year from 1996–2023 using 2,893 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, 27 recalls and federal defect investigations. The years to avoid are 2020, 2008, 1998, 2006 and 1999, which drew far more complaints than other A4 years at the same age. The best years are 2011, 2016 and 2012.

28model years
2,893complaints
27recalls
2020, 2008worst years
2011, 2016best years

Complaints by model year

’96’97’98’99’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’238998258190961311812101892192951961751206411192432191156451012811610
Owner complaints per model year, Audi A4. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).
YearComplaintsvs. typical*RecallsTop problemVerdict
202310−27%—ElectricalAverage
20226−68%3EngineGood
202111−65%4ElectricalGood
20201282.7×3ElectricalAvoid
201910−80%1ElectricalGood
201845−56%1ElectricalGood
201756−34%1EngineAverage
201611−85%—EngineGood
201519−81%—EngineGood
201432−69%—EngineGood
201324−76%—SteeringGood
201219−84%—EngineGood
201111−92%—EngineGood
201064−42%—EngineGood
20091201.2×2EngineAverage
20081751.4×4AirbagCaution
2007196−21%3AirbagAverage
20062952.4×3HeadlightAvoid
20052191.9×3HeadlightCaution
20041891.9×2Fuel SystemCaution
20032102.1×3Fuel SystemAvoid
20021812.0×1ElectricalAvoid
20011311.4×1ElectricalCaution
200096typical2BrakeAverage
19991902.1×4BrakeAvoid
19982582.8×4BrakeAvoid
199798typical6ElectricalAverage
199689typical4ElectricalAverage

* Complaints compared with the median A4 year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.

Most common Audi A4 problems

Latest Audi A4 recalls

Equipment › Electrical › Infotainment › Video (touch)screen/monitor/unit

NHTSA recall 22V-806 · Oct 26, 2022 · 6,076 vehicles

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021-2022 AUDI A8, A6 Allroad, E-TRON Quattro, 2022 S3, RSQ8, RS7, RS6 Avant, Q8, Q7, Q3, E-TRON Sportback Quattro, S5 Cabriolet, E-TRON GT, S5 Sportback, A7, A6, A5 Sportback, A5 Cabriolet, A4, A4 Allroad, A3, S8, SQ7, SQ8, S6, and S4 vehicles.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the infotainment main unit, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 6, 2022. Owners may contact Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 91Ei.

Back over prevention › Display function

NHTSA recall 22V-742 · Oct 5, 2022 · 170,296 vehicles

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,…

Remedy: Dealers will update the infotainment unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 25, 2022. Owners may contact Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834.

Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 22V-471 · Jul 1, 2022 · 28,624 vehicles

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 1998 Audi A8 and 1997-1998 Audi A4 vehicles equipped with Non-Azide Driver air bag Inflators (NADI) that do not contain phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver's air bag inflator with an alternative inflator of a different design, free of charge. Owner notification letters were sent September 21, 2021.

Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Engine control module (ECU/ECM)

NHTSA recall 22V-368 · May 23, 2022 · 72 vehicles

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2022 Audi A6 Sedan, A4 Sedan, Q5, and Q5 Sportback vehicles. The semiconductor inside the engine control unit may short-circuit and cause an engine stall.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the engine control unit, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 18, 2022. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 24iH.

Tires

NHTSA recall 22V-034 · Jan 26, 2022 · 31,058 vehicles

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,…

Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rear axle, adjust the alignment as necessary, and replace any prematurely or unevenly worn tires, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 3, 2022.

All 27 Audi A4 recalls by year →

Frequently asked questions

What years of the Audi A4 should you avoid?

2020, 2008, 1998, 2006, 1999 and 2003 — these years have the most complaints relative to other A4 years at the same age, led by electrical system problems in the 2020.

What is the best year for the Audi A4?

2011 has the fewest complaints compared with other A4 years at the same age, followed by 2016 and 2012. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.

What are the most common Audi A4 problems?

Across all years, owners report the most problems with the air bags (515), engine & cooling (479) and electrical system (468). Airbag complaints peak in the 2007 model year.

How many recalls has the Audi A4 had?

27 recalls across 1996–2023. The model year with the most is 1997. See all Audi A4 recalls by year.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.