Head-to-head reliability
AUDI A4 Allroad vs FORD F 150
How the AUDI A4 Allroad and FORD F 150 compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
AUDI A4 Allroad vs FORD F 150: The Audi averages 17.5 complaints per year with 15 recalls, while the Ford averages 1,162.1 complaints with 151 recalls. Ford reports 330 crash-related complaints and 297 injuries; Audi reports 4 and 1. Both have infotainment or transmission issues. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the AUDI A4 Allroad or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
AUDI A4 Allroad
The Audi A4 Allroad is a luxury wagon with a complex electronics suite. Over 10 years, it has averaged 17.5 complaints per year, with many owners reporting repeated infotainment reboots and occasional unintended emergency braking. Recalls cover airbags, tires, and door hinges. Overall, it's a low-volume complainer, but the issues that do appear can be costly and annoying.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup with a huge owner base, generating an average of 1,162 complaints per year. The most common reports involve transmission problems, electrical glitches, and lighting failures, with some crashes and injuries noted. Recalls are frequent, covering engines, seat belts, and airbags. It's a workhorse, but the sheer number of complaints suggests a higher likelihood of encountering problems.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | AUDI A4 Allroad | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 175 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 15 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 4 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 17.5 Better | 1162.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 1 Better | 297 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 1 |
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.
What actually goes wrong
The problems owners report
The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.
AUDI A4 Allroad
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM115
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER71
- 03BACK OVER PREVENTION55
- 04FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE12
- 05LANE DEPARTURE7
Owners frequently report the MMI infotainment system rebooting constantly, causing the screen to go blank. This can affect backup cameras and other driver aids, and repairs can cost over $1,000 with no guarantee of a fix.
Some owners say the emergency braking system can activate unexpectedly at low speeds or when stationary, with seat belt tensioning and a loud noise. This could startle a driver and potentially cause a rear-end collision.
Complaints about the MMI rebooting also appear under this category, meaning the rearview camera and parking sensors may fail when the screen goes black. This reduces visibility when reversing.
Many complaints duplicate the MMI reboot issue, indicating it's a widespread frustration. Owners report multiple dealer visits and no permanent solution, which can be a major ownership hassle.
“MMI Constant Rebooting - Follow up My 2020 Audi A4 Quattro's MMI system constantly reboots (~60 seconds), causing the screen to go black/blank. Component Failed: MIB3 infotainment software. This persistent issue leads to reboots and loss of digital display. S…”
“Shortly after my warranty expired last september ([XXX]) my 2020 Audi A4 Allroad started to experience random episodes of the car's main entertainment touch screen rebooting in the middle of the car being operated. This usually would only happen once or twice…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
Owners describe transmission issues like limp mode, getting stuck in 5th gear, and lead frame failures that can cause sudden loss of power. Some report near-collisions, and repairs may be costly.
The lead frame issue also appears here, along with other electrical glitches. A specific complaint mentions a rear window defroster short that caused the back window to shatter, which is a safety concern.
With 1,224 complaints, lighting problems are common. Owners may experience failing lights that reduce visibility, though specific failure patterns aren't detailed in the sample.
Engine complaints number 880, but the sample doesn't specify symptoms. Recalls include engine issues, so buyers should check for open recalls and listen for unusual noises.
“This lead frame issue is never ending. Well over a decade without a proper remedy. I’m very familiar with it. but this one nearly ended my life. After the near collision I called my mechanic and bought a new ford lead frame from a dealership. It’s doing fine…”
“My 2017 Ford F-150 V8 with the 6-speed automatic transmission has been experiencing a serious and recurring transmission malfunction. The truck has consistently, almost on a daily basis, gone into limp mode and become stuck in 5th gear. It also frequently fai…”
Official recalls
Safety recalls on record
Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.
AUDI A4 Allroad — 15 recalls
The defect: 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…
The risk: Rear axle misalignment may cause premature or uneven tire wear, increasing the risk of a crash.
The 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-…
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2023 Audi S5 Cabriolet, A4 Allroad, Q5 Sportback, A3 Sedan, S5 Sportback, SQ7, TT Coupe, TT Roadster, RS5 Sportback, 2024 A8, E-Tron Quattro, E-Tron Sportback Quattro, Q8, RSQ8, 2023-2024 Q3, Q5, and Q7 vehicles. An electrical conn…
The risk: A deactivated front passenger air bag will not deploy during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the passenger seat occupant detection system control module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 8, 2024. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for th…
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Audi A4 Sedan and A4 allroad, and 2018 A5 Sportback vehicles. The aluminum trim on the front and rear doors can come loose from around the door speakers, leaving sharp edges exposed.
The risk: The sharp edges of the speaker trim increase the risk of injury to vehicle occupants.
The fix: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the speaker cover aluminum trim, free of charge. The recall began March 13, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 70G6.
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Audi A5 Sportback and 2017-2018 Audi A4 Allroad vehicles. A passenger air bag module mounting screw may not have been sufficiently tightened, possibly affecting the deployment of the air bag in the event of a crash.
The risk: If the air bag does not deploy correctly in the event of a crash, it can increase the risk of an injury.
The fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the air bag mounting screw, tightening or replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began December 19, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Vo…
FORD F 150 — 151 recalls
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Ford F-150 and 2017-2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty pick-up trucks equipped with an engine block heater. Water and contaminants may get into the block heater cable's splice connector causin…
The risk: When the heater is plugged in, prolonged corrosion could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring which can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the block heater cable, free of charge. Once parts are available, Dealers will replace the engine block heater cable, free of charge. The recall began June 3, 2019. Owners may contact Ford…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Ford F-150 and 2017-2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty pick-up trucks equipped with an engine block heater and previously remedied under recall 18V894. During the previous repair, the block he…
The risk: A damaged cable could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring, increasing the risk of a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the engine block heater from being used. When replacement cables become available, a second notice will be mailed and dealers will replace the engine block heater cord, free of charge. The…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Ford F-150 Regular Cab and SuperCrew Cab vehicles. If a front seat belt pretensioner deploys as the result of a crash, the sparks may ignite materials such as carpeting or insulation within the B-pillar area.
The risk: A vehicle fire could result if materials ignite inside the vehicle.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will remove the B-pillar insulation material and wiring harness tape, and install heat resistant tape, free of charge. The recall began September 28, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Ford F-150, and 2017 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty trucks. The doors on these vehicles may have a bent or kinked actuation cable or the door latches may freeze after water gets into the latch. Either condition can result in the do…
The risk: A door that opens while driving can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the door latch actuation cables and repair if necessary, and install water shields over the door latches, free of charge. The recall began October 12, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer…
Buyer analysis
AUDI A4 Allroad or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Audi A4 Allroad has far fewer complaints per year (17.5 vs. 1,162.1), but its issues often center on persistent infotainment reboots and occasional unintended braking. The Ford F-150's higher volume means more reported problems, especially with transmissions and electrical systems, some leading to crashes. In practice, the Audi may be less troublesome overall, but the Ford's issues can be more severe and costly.
Key differences
- The Audi A4 Allroad averages 17.5 complaints per year, while the Ford F-150 averages 1,162.1, a massive difference in reported problem frequency.
- Audi owners frequently report MMI infotainment reboots that can blank the screen and affect backup cameras, while Ford owners report transmission limp mode and lead frame failures that can cause power loss.
- The Ford F-150 has 330 crash-related complaints and 297 injuries, compared to 4 crash-related and 1 injury for the Audi, indicating more severe outcomes in reported incidents.
- Both have numerous recalls, but the Ford's 151 recalls over 10 years suggest a broader range of safety fixes, including engines and seat belts.
- Test the MMI infotainment system thoroughly: check for reboots, screen blackouts, and ensure backup camera and sensors work consistently.
- During a test drive, be alert for any unexpected emergency braking or seat belt tensioning at low speeds, which some owners report.
- Scan for transmission trouble codes and test drive at highway speeds to check for limp mode or harsh shifting, especially in 2017 models with the 6-speed automatic.
- Inspect the rear window defroster and look for any signs of electrical shorts or previous window damage, as one owner reported the back window shattering.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on the NHTSA website using the VIN.
- For the Audi, test all infotainment and driver-assist features, including the backup camera and forward collision warning, over multiple start cycles.
- For the Ford, have a mechanic inspect the transmission and lead frame, and scan for stored codes like P0722.
- Take a lengthy test drive that includes highway speeds and stop-and-go traffic to replicate potential limp mode or unintended braking.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, especially any repairs related to infotainment (Audi) or transmission (Ford).
Year by year
Which model years to avoid
Complaints per model year for both vehicles — lower is better. The spikes are the years to scrutinize.
| Year | AUDI A4 Allroad | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 0 | 345 |
| 2024 | 4 | 638 |
| 2023 | 1 | 1527 |
| 2022 | 0 | 3493 |
| 2021 | 1 | 5349 |
| 2020 | 157 | 44 |
| 2019 | 3 | 52 |
| 2018 | 9 | 79 |
| 2017 | 0 | 59 |
Check the actual car
Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.
Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific AUDI A4 Allroad or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- AUDI A4 Allroad vs FORD F 150
- AUDI A4 Allroad total complaints
- 175
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- AUDI A4 Allroad total recalls
- 15
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- AUDI A4 Allroad avg complaints/year
- 17.5
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- AUDI A4 Allroad
- AUDI A4 Allroad top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN