Audi A4 years to avoid and best years
Newer Audi A4 years have fewer owner complaints per year than the older ones. 2017 has the most complaints per year, at 8 (82 complaints). From 2018 on, complaints per year fall. Among years old enough to compare, the fewest complaints per year are 2019 at 0 (from 5 complaints), 2024 at 1 (from 2 complaints), and 2020 at 1 (from 127 complaints). The 2025 Audi A4 is too early to compare, at 0 per year so far, from 0 complaints. On the 2017 Audi A4, 16 of 82 complaints name Engine.
Data as of .
2019
2024
2020
2025
Audi A4 reliability by year
Each year is complaints filed in that year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. A model year younger than 3 years is too early to compare, so it is left out of the years named as having the fewest or the most complaints. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market Audi A4. How we count.
By model year
| Year | Per year on the road | Complaints | Recalls | Most-filed complaint | Avg. combined MPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Too early | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 27 |
| 2024 Fewest | 1 | 2 | 0 | Electrical system, Air bags, Engine | 27.7 |
| 2023 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 27 |
| 2022 | 0 | 0 | 3 | — | 27.3 |
| 2021 → | 1 | 11 | 4 | Electrical system | 27 |
| 2020 → Fewest | 1 | 127 | 3 | Electrical system | 27.7 |
| 2019 → Fewest | 0 | 5 | 1 | Air bags | 27.3 |
| 2018 → | 1 | 42 | 1 | Electrical system, Structure, Unknown or other | 28.3 |
| 2017 → Most | 8 | 82 | 1 | Engine | 27.6 |
| 2016 → | 3 | 26 | 0 | Engine | 25.7 |
| 2015 → | 2 | 44 | 0 | Engine | 25.3 |
| 2014 → | 5 | 76 | 0 | Steering | 25 |
| 2013 → | 8 | 110 | 0 | Steering | 24.8 |
| 2012 → | 1 | 26 | 0 | Engine | 24.5 |
Years with a → link have a full model-year page.
What owners file about
Generations
- Body styles
- Sedan
- Oil
- 5W-30 full synthetic (common US fills) · 5.3 qt capacity
- Tire size
- 225/50R17 to 255/35R19 (trim-dependent)
Known issues for this generation
NHTSA campaign 17V-002 covers certain 2013-2016 Audi A4 and Allroad vehicles (with A5, Q5, and A6 in the same campaign) equipped with 2.0L Turbo FSI engines: an electric coolant pump can overheat if blocked with debris; dealers update software to cut pump power if the pump is blocked. Confirm open campaigns by VIN; multi-model unit counts are shared. A4 model-year recalls are often filed under trim/body strings rather than a single umbrella name.
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- Body styles
- Sedan
- Oil
- 0W-20 full synthetic (common US fills) · 5.7 qt capacity
- Tire size
- 225/50R17 to 245/40R18 (trim-dependent)
Known issues for this generation
NHTSA campaign 21V-874 covers certain 2017-2020 Audi A4 Sedan and A4 Allroad vehicles (with A5, S4, S5, and RS5 variants in the same campaign): the cable connecting the seat heater to the passenger occupant detection system may fail and disable the passenger air bag; dealers replace the connecting cable and either the heating mat or the entire seat cover. Confirm open campaigns by VIN; multi-model unit counts are shared.
Frequently asked questions
Which Audi A4 years have fewer owner complaints?
Among years old enough to compare, the fewest complaints per year are 2019 at 0 (from 5 complaints), 2024 at 1 (from 2 complaints), and 2020 at 1 (from 127 complaints).
Which Audi A4 year has the most owner complaints?
2017 has the most complaints per year, at 8 (82 complaints). On the 2017 Audi A4, 16 of 82 complaints name Engine.
How do Audi A4 owner complaints compare by year?
Newer Audi A4 years have fewer owner complaints per year than the older ones. From 2018 on, complaints per year fall.
Which Audi A4 years are too early to compare?
The 2025 Audi A4 is too early to compare, at 0 per year so far, from 0 complaints.
What oil does an Audi A4 take?
B8 (2012-2016) common US fills use 5W-30 full synthetic. B9 (2017-on) common US fills use 0W-20 full synthetic. Confirm the filler-cap grade and VW/Audi oil spec.
What does NHTSA campaign 17V-002 cover on B8 A4?
Certain 2013-2016 A4 and Allroad vehicles (with A5, Q5, and A6) with 2.0L Turbo FSI engines: an electric coolant pump can overheat if blocked with debris; dealers update software to cut pump power if blocked.
When did the B9 A4 generation start?
Model year 2017 on this site (after B8 2012-2016).