Collision Avoidance complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise, lane keeping, backup camera).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Starting in around February the MMI (central computer system) system started rebooting at random times while the car was started. At first, I thought there must be something wrong with just my car. I took it into the dealer, and they said there was nothing they could do about it. I did some research and found many other people are having the same issues (thread has over 550 posts linked at the bottom) with the year model and they all started at the same time. I reached out to Audi International, and they say they've never heard of the issue, it's not widespread and to take it to the dealer (which is clearly a lie given the linked thread), when I took it to the dealer, they said Audi international needs to provide and update. …
The MMI (infotainment) system in my 2020 Audi A4 start to have intermittent reboot issue during normal driving starting earlier this year. It was working expected without reboot until that time. The MMI system reboot creates harzards and danger for drivers because during rebooting, the whole navigation system is not working neither did Carplay. What's even worse is that the back up camera and radar will also be disabled during rebooting. The rebooting time varies from 10s of seconds to minutes, with black screen and/or laggy, frozen screen. After rebooting, the system will have error prompt such as 'The selected user has not been used for a extended period of time' but the selected user has been using the vehicle all the time. …
The rear-view camera intermittently fails to engage when the vehicle is shifted into reverse. When the camera does display, the image sometimes shows horizontal glitch lines/artifacts. This affects backing visibility and parking safety and creates a risk of collision with pedestrians, objects, vehicles, or property. The concern was reported to Audi service along with other electrical/driver-assistance symptoms, suggesting a possible camera, wiring, module, signal-processing, or broader electrical fault. No crash, fire, injury, or fatality occurred. This complaint is being submitted because the rear camera/reverse display is a backing-safety system and the intermittent failure is unpredictable. The vehicle/component is available for inspection, and photo/video evidence and service communications are available.
The forward collision warning system (Audi PreSense) identified a shadow from an overpass as another car and alerted me to use the brakes. My car did figure out there was not another vehicle before performing an emergency brake. If the car had done an emergency brake I would have surly been rear ended on the highway. This is not the first time forward collision warning has activated due to a shadow on the road. I have not mentioned this to the dealer but have read of this happening to others that own Audi cars that use Audi PreSense. The Audi PreSense installed in my car utilizes the front facing camera only - there is not a forward facing radar system. There has never been a warning that that system is not functioning as intended.
Related recalls (2)
Back over prevention › Display function
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.
Back over prevention › Sensing system › Camera
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 Audi A8 and S8, 2022 Audi A5 Sportback, A4 Sedan, E-Tron GT, Q3, Q5, RS6 Avant, A3 Sedan, S5 Sportback, Q5 Sportback, Q7, Q8, RSQ8, SQ7, SQ8, and S3 Sedan vehicles.
Remedy: Dealers will update the infotainment unit parameters, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 9, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.
Frequently asked questions
Which Audi A4 years have collision avoidance problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2020 (49) and 2018 (6) model years. Collision Avoidance complaints make up 38% of all complaints for the 2020.
Is there a recall for Audi A4 collision avoidance problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 22V-742 (display function, Oct 5, 2022); 21V-825 (camera, Oct 20, 2021). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Audi A4 collision avoidance problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 62,000 miles; 50% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the warnings (50 mentions), followed by the rearview system braking (23).
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.