2020 Audi S4 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
60/100
#5 most-complained of 11 S4 years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2020 Audi S4 has a Complaint Index of 60 and ranks 5th worst among 11 model years, earning a Caution verdict. NHTSA lists 16 complaints, 88% tied to the Electrical System, and 3 recalls, with no crashes, fires, injuries, or deaths reported.
- Complaints
- 16
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes / fires
- 0 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 23
- 20 city / 27 hwy
Top 2020 Audi S4 problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System14 (88%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras9 (56%)
- Other5 (31%)
- Lane Departure1 (6%)
- Visibility & Wipers1 (6%)
What owners report
- The MMI infotainment screen randomly reboots while driving, sometimes taking a period of time to restart.
- During MMI reboots, backup cameras, parking sensors, and blind-spot monitors go offline until the system reloads.
- Some owners report the SOS, GPS, Bluetooth, and hands-free calling functions stop working due to a known module issue, with long waits for a replacement part.
- Owners describe the infotainment system rebooting repeatedly at short intervals after startup, distracting the driver.
- One owner reported the MMI system rebooted mid-maneuver while backing out of a parking spot, cutting out the backup camera and collision warning systems.
2020 Audi S4 recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 22V034000Jan 26, 2022Suspension, Wheels & Tires31,058 vehicles
Tires
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, 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.
Risk: Rear axle misalignment may cause premature or uneven tire wear, increasing the risk of a crash.
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. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 42L5.
- NHTSA 21V874000Nov 10, 2021Airbags208,332 vehicles
Air bags:sensor:occupant classification:front passenger
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 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.
Risk: A disabled passenger air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the connecting cable and either the heating mat or entire seat cover, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 7, 2022. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 74E3. This recall is an expansion of Recall 19V-547 (74D9). Vehicles previously repaired under 19V-547 will need to return for the new remedy.
- NHTSA 21V295000Apr 26, 2021Suspension, Wheels & Tires40,993 vehicles
Suspension:rear:axle:non-powered axle assembly
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, 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.
Risk: A broken lock nut may misalign the rear axle, causing a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the lock nuts and, if necessary, the associated bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 4, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 42L1.
2020 Audi S4 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 20 MPG
- Highway
- 27 MPG
- Combined
- 23 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,450
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2020 compared with other S4 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2020 Audi S4 reliable based on NHTSA data?
- NHTSA lists 16 complaints for the 2020 S4 with a Complaint Index of 60, giving it a Caution verdict. It ranks 5th worst out of 11 model years tracked for the S4.
- What is the most common problem with the 2020 Audi S4?
- The Electrical System is the top problem area, accounting for 88% of complaints, mostly related to the MMI infotainment system rebooting or losing functions like cameras and sensors.
- Does the 2020 Audi S4 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2020 S4, covering suspension/wheel components (twice) and an airbag seat-heating issue. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2020 Audi S4 compare to other S4 years?
- The 2020 model's Complaint Index of 60 is better than the 2010 (100), 2011 (80), and 2013 (90) model years, but worse than 2018 (40), 2019 (20), and 2021 (30), which have lower indexes.
- Did the 2020 Audi S4 have any crashes or fires reported?
- No. NHTSA reports zero crashes, zero fires, zero injuries, and zero deaths linked to the 2020 S4.