2020 Audi S4 Safety Report
2020 Audi S4 Safety Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2020 Audi S4
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2020 Audi S4. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | High (3) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | Low (16) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 0 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Electrical System | Compare electrical system issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2015 | Compare against the 2015 Audi S4 with 1 complaints and 1 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2018 | Check the 2018 Audi S4 before buying across this generation. |
Audi S4 Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Audi S4 years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Audi S4 | 2 | 4 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2019 Audi S4 | 2 | 1 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2018 Audi S4 | 7 | 2 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2015 Audi S4 | 1 | 1 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
2020 Audi S4 Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2020 Audi S4, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Electrical System
5 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System issues Audi onlyElectrical System,Unknown Or Other,Back Over Prevention
3 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System,Unknown Or Other,Back Over Prevention issues Audi onlyElectrical System,Back Over Prevention
3 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System,Back Over Prevention issues Audi onlyUnknown Or Other
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Audi onlyLane Departure,Back Over Prevention
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Lane Departure,Back Over Prevention issues Audi onlyElectrical System,Back Over Prevention,Forward Collision Avoidance
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System,Back Over Prevention,Forward Collision Avoidance issues Audi onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2020 Audi S4
Reliability Score
The 2020 Audi S4 receives a reliability score of 87 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates above-average reliability relative to comparable vehicles.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2020 Audi S4
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.
Known Issues for the 2020 Audi S4
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2020 Audi S4:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System Issues Multiple reports of electrical system issues, including back over prevention and forward collision avoidance malfunctions, have been noted. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Instrument Cluster And Mmi Malfunctions The instrument cluster and MMI system have shown multiple malfunctions, causing distractions and potential safety hazards. |
High | Common | 30k-60k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2020 Audi S4:
Issues with the electrical system, including back over prevention and forward collision avoidance, are common.
Malfunctions in the instrument cluster and MMI system are frequent, causing distractions and potential safety hazards.
Recall Details for the 2020 Audi S4
The following 3 recalls have been issued for the 2020 Audi S4 by NHTSA:
Summary: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Summary: 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.
Consequence: 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 reme...
Summary: 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.
Consequence: 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.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2020 Audi S4
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2020 Audi S4 with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
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 cluste...
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 dist...
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 f...
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 unavaila...
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 ...
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.
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 whi...
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 ...
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.
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 ...
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.
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 fact...
Audi MMI (infotainment) frequently resets during use of car. Spoke to tech at audi and they confirmed this is an issue on many 2020 audi A4 and S4 vehicles. The blind spot monitors, parking sensors, and backup cameras all disabled when this happens. It can happen at any time.
The primary infotainment/mmi screen randomly turns off and a system reboot occurs, which can take a period of time. This causes a loss of all parking sensors, rear view cameras, navigation etc. Dangerous when the system dies in the middle of a bustle parking lot or having to restart the system at high way speeds. Issues started suddenly around February. No fault codes in the car but problem persis...
The MMI system is frequently rebooting at random moments while driving.
SOS module. Audi had a service for the known problem internally (Service Action 90T2) then stopped it apparently but many of us still experiencing issues that were not able to get the part corrected. SOS, GPS, Bluetooth, all hands free does not work. 6 months plus of waiting for a $2k part on backorder because many of us having the issue.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2020 Audi S4
Has the 2020 AUDI S4 been recalled?
Yes, the 2020 AUDI S4 has 3 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2020 AUDI S4 have?
The 2020 AUDI S4 has 16 complaints filed with NHTSA. None of the complaints involved crashes. No injuries or deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2020 AUDI S4?
The 2020 AUDI S4 does not have an NHTSA safety rating on file. This can happen for newer model years, specialty vehicles, or models that have not been crash-tested.
What are the most common problems with the 2020 AUDI S4?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2020 AUDI S4 involve electrical system (5 complaints), electrical system,unknown or other,back over prevention (3 complaints), electrical system,back over prevention (3 complaints). Other affected components include unknown or other, lane departure,back over prevention, electrical system,back over prevention,forward collision avoidance.
How many crash reports does the 2020 AUDI S4 have?
There are no crash reports associated with the 2020 AUDI S4 in the NHTSA database.
How many fire reports does the 2020 AUDI S4 have?
There are no fire reports for the 2020 AUDI S4 in the NHTSA database.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2020 AUDI S4?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2020 AUDI S4.
How many injuries are reported for the 2020 AUDI S4?
No injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2020 AUDI S4.
Should I buy a 2020 AUDI S4?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2020 AUDI S4 is research thoroughly before purchasing. It has 16 complaints, 3 recalls. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2020 AUDI S4?
The components with the most failures on the 2020 AUDI S4 are: 1. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (5 complaints), 2. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,BACK OVER PREVENTION (3 complaints), 3. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,BACK OVER PREVENTION (3 complaints), 4. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (1 complaints), 5. LANE DEPARTURE,BACK OVER PREVENTION (1 complaints). ELECTRICAL SYSTEM is the single most-reported problem area with 5 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2020 AUDI S4?
Be cautious of potential electrical system issues and instrument cluster malfunctions, which can cause distractions and safety hazards. The 2020 AUDI S4 has 16 NHTSA complaints and 3 recalls on record.
How reliable is the 2020 AUDI S4?
The 2020 AUDI S4 receives a reliability score of 87/100, indicating above-average reliability. This is based on 16 owner complaints, 3 recalls, and 0 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Electrical System Issues and Instrument Cluster and MMI Malfunctions.
What are the known issues with the 2020 AUDI S4?
Known issues with the 2020 AUDI S4 include: Electrical System Issues, Instrument Cluster and MMI Malfunctions. These are based on patterns found across 16 NHTSA complaints. 3 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
Are there any recalls for the 2020 Audi S4?
No significant recalls have been reported for the 2020 Audi S4, but be aware of potential electrical system and instrument cluster issues.
What are the common issues with the electrical system?
Common issues include back over prevention and forward collision avoidance malfunctions.
How can I avoid distractions caused by the instrument cluster and MMI malfunctions?
Regularly check and maintain the instrument cluster and MMI system to minimize malfunctions and distractions.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be cautious of potential electrical system issues and instrument cluster malfunctions, which can cause distractions and safety hazards.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2020 Audi S4
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2020 Audi S4. The data includes 16 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 3 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-13