2020 Audi S4 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2020 Audi S4 has a complaint index of 73 and ranks 5th worst out of 16 model years, earning a Caution verdict. NHTSA lists 16 complaints, 88% tied to the electrical system, plus 3 recall campaigns.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 73/100
- #5 of 16 S4 years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 16
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 23
- 20 city / 27 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
Top 2020 Audi S4 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA 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%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- The SOS/infotainment module fails, disabling hands-free calling, GPS, and Bluetooth for extended periods.
- The MMI infotainment screen randomly shuts off and reboots, sometimes while driving at highway speed.
- When the MMI reboots, parking sensors, the backup camera, and navigation all lose function until the system reloads.
- Some owners report the MMI reboots repeatedly, roughly every 30 seconds, making the dashboard and entertainment screen unusable.
- Blind spot warning and rear collision sensors disconnect during MMI reboot events, including while backing out of parking spots.
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?
- NHTSA data gives the 2020 Audi S4 a complaint index of 73, the 5th worst of 16 model years tracked, resulting in a Caution verdict relative to other S4 years.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2020 Audi S4?
- Electrical system issues dominate, making up 88% of complaints, mostly involving the MMI infotainment system rebooting and disabling the backup camera and sensors.
- Does the 2020 Audi S4 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2020 Audi S4, covering suspension/wheel lock nuts, an airbag seat heating mat issue, and rear axle alignment/tire wear.
- What year Audi S4 should I avoid?
- Based on complaint index, 2010, 2005, 2011, and 2013 rank worse than 2020, with 2010 scoring highest at 100.
- How is the 2020 Audi S4's fuel economy?
- EPA rates the 2020 Audi S4 at 23 mpg combined (20 city / 27 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,450.