2020 Audi S4
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2020 Audi S4 has 34 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.0x the segment average of 34. The most common issue is electrical problems (41% of all complaints), specifically: 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 backor. There are 3 recalls issued for this model year.
34
Total Complaints
3
Recalls Issued
—/5
Safety Stars
1.0x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems(top 4 of 4)
ELECTRICAL
14 complaints- • 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 backor
- • The MMI system is frequently rebooting at random moments while driving.
- • 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 hi
“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 backor”
— NHTSA complaint filing
Recalls (3)
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.
Fuel Cost Calculator for 2020 Audi S4
Live EIA pricesBased on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.
5-Year Gas Price History
EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → todaySource: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.
Estimated Insurance Cost for 2020 Audi S4
How this estimate is calculated
Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.
Maintenance & Warranty
Recommended Audi S4 Service Intervals
Long-interval service (LongLife) uses fully-synthetic oil. Some engines have timing belts (check owner's manual).
"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.
Audi New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage
Corrosion coverage is unlimited miles for 12 years
These are the terms for a new Audi. If you're buying a used 2020 S4, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Audi dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.
Estimated Repair Costs
Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.
🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Based on 34 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐ELECTRICAL: 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 backor
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS: 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 hi
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐OTHER: 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 i
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐VISIBILITY: 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.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐RECALLS: Verify all 3 recalls have been completed — free at any Audi dealer
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Audi S4 — Year Comparison
How does 2020 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
NHTSA Safety Rating
No NHTSA safety rating available
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 34
- Recalls
- 3
- Fire reports
- 0
- Crash reports
- 0
- Injury reports
- 0
- Segment avg
- 34
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2020 Audi S4