2020 Audi A4 recalls and problems

The 2020 Audi A4 has 3 safety recalls and 128 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Audi dealer.

Recalls
3
Complaints
128
Crashes / fires
1 / 0
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2020 Audi A4 vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2020 Audi A4 recalls

Recall 22V-034: Tires, Suspension

Reported Jan 26, 2022 · 31,058 vehicles affected · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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.

Recall 21V-874: Air Bags, Seats

Reported Nov 10, 2021 · 208,332 vehicles affected · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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.

Recall 21V-295: Suspension

Reported Apr 26, 2021 · 40,993 vehicles affected · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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 A4 problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Electrical System91
Unknown or Other58
Back Over Prevention57
Forward Collision Avoidance9
Lane Departure6
Suspension2
Communication2
Exterior Lighting1
Visibility/Wiper1
Service Brakes1
Wheels1
Seats1

Most reported parts

  • Back Over Prevention › Warnings — 36
  • Back Over Prevention › Rearview System Braking — 21
  • Forward Collision Avoidance › Warnings — 6
  • Lane Departure › Blind Spot Detection — 5
  • Forward Collision Avoidance › Automatic Emergency Braking — 2
  • Forward Collision Avoidance › Adaptive Cruise Control — 1
  • Lane Departure › Warning — 1
  • Communication › Manufacturer Telematics — 1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 26,000 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2020 Audi A4 complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Seat Belts · reported Oct 5, 2026
Date: [XXX] Time: Approximately [XXX] Location: Street in front of [XXX]. At approximately [XXX], my wife was seated and properly belted in the front passenger seat of our 2020 Audi A4. The vehicle was completely stationary and parked on the street, between a parked car in front of us and a garbage can behind us. There were no moving vehicles, pedestrians, impacts, or other apparent events occurring around the vehicle. Without warning, the passenger seatbelt suddenly and forcefully tightened across my wife’s abdomen. We heard a distinct electrical/motor sound as it tightened. The force was…
Electrical System · reported Aug 12, 2026
My 2020 Audi A4 has an open safety recall campaign. Audi Corporate and my local dealership are formally refusing to perform the recall remedy unless I pay over $2,000 out-of-pocket to replace a broken J949 SOS Telematics Module. The manufacturer claims the module is separate from the recall, but its total failure physically blocks their diagnostic tools from applying the mandatory safety update. Conditioning a federal safety recall on a customer-paid repair violates recall compliance regulations, and has left my automatic emergency crash reporting and vehicle communication systems completely…
Communication · at 26,000 miles · reported Aug 10, 2026
The contact owns a 2020 Audi A4. The contact stated that the emergency-call/communication system was inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be repaired under TSB: 91-20-29; however, the software update was unsuccessful due to the module. The dealer informed the contact that the module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact had not experienced a failure prior to the vehicle being taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 26,000. The VIN was not available.
Seats · reported Apr 24, 2026
A metal bracket on the back left side of the driver seat snapped suddenly while driving straight and at a constant speed. Since this part is broken the seat is no longer connected to the track in that corner. The car is drivable for me because I am tall and sit with the seat at its lowest height setting. When turning or breaking quickly the seat moves, and it would obviously be a safety issue if I get into an accident. If the seat is adjusted higher it is not supported in that corner and it leans back. Yesterday I dropped it off at the dealer service center and they said it is the seat frame.…
Suspension · reported Apr 3, 2026
Since I purchase my vehicle I have had to continuously replace my tires on the front. Going through my carfax acct I came across some recalls that showed up that I had no idea of the car may had which was prior to purchase from the dealers. I would think that these issues were fixed prior to reselling. I recently had to pull over on the freeway due to the tire making noises then realized that the tire wear was uneven again but this time shredded apart. I could feel metal poking out which the tires hadn’t been on for long. The loss pressure warning light went off. I later found the missing…

Other Audi A4 years

Compare all Audi A4 years · All Audi models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2020 Audi A4 have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2020 Audi A4: 22V-034 (tires, suspension), 21V-874 (air bags, seats), 21V-295 (suspension). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2020 Audi A4?

Owners report electrical system problems most often (91 reports), followed by unknown or other (58). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 26,000 miles.

Are Audi recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Audi dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.