Head-to-head reliability
AUDI S4 vs Toyota Camry
How the AUDI S4 and Toyota Camry compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
AUDI S4 vs Toyota Camry: The Audi S4 averages 2.8 complaints per year with 0 crash-related reports, while the Toyota Camry averages 205.6 complaints per year with 171 crash-related reports and 158 injuries. The S4 has 12 recalls versus 31 for the Camry. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the AUDI S4 or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
AUDI S4
The Audi S4 is a performance sedan that, based on NHTSA data, averages 2.8 complaints per year over a 10-year span, with no reported crashes, injuries, or deaths in those complaints. The most common owner complaints center on the MMI infotainment system rebooting or going dead, which can disable the backup camera and rear sensors. There are also reports of engine issues, including a specific knocking noise from internal components in some engines. Overall, the complaint volume is low, but the electrical and engine problems can be disruptive and costly if they occur.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a mainstream family sedan that, according to NHTSA data, averages 205.6 complaints per year over 10 years, with 171 crash-related reports, 158 injuries, and 1 death. Owners frequently report power train problems such as hesitation, shuddering, and ignition key stuck issues, as well as brake noises and electronic malfunctions. The high complaint volume and crash/injury counts suggest that while many issues may be minor, some can have serious safety consequences. Buyers should be aware that the Camry has a much higher rate of reported problems than the S4.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | AUDI S4 | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 28 Better | 2,056 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 12 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 171 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 2.8 Better | 205.6 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 158 |
| 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 S4
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM15
- 02BACK OVER PREVENTION9
- 03ENGINE6
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER6
- 05SERVICE BRAKES2
Owners report the MMI screen goes dead and reboots every 2-5 minutes while driving, which is distracting and can disable the backup camera and rear obstacle detection when reversing. This matters because it affects daily usability and safety features.
The same MMI reboots cause the backup camera and rear sensors to become unavailable during reverse maneuvers, increasing the risk of backing into something. This is a recurring complaint tied to the electrical system.
Some owners report a catastrophic engine failure with a knocking noise caused by loose rocker arm needle bearings, which can send metal shavings through the engine. This is a serious and expensive potential failure.
A small number of owners report brake issues, though details are limited in the sample. Buyers should still have the brakes inspected as part of any used-car check.
“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 cro…”
“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…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN385
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER323
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES285
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM237
Owners report intermittent ignition key stuck issues where the key cannot be removed even in Park, requiring battery disconnection. Others report hesitation and shuddering with the check engine light on, which can indicate transmission or engine problems.
Complaints include delayed throttle response and hesitation when accelerating, sometimes with the check engine light. These issues can affect drivability and may lead to costly repairs.
Owners report the electronic parking brake failing to disengage, requiring a tow, and clicking or vibrating noises from the brake pedal area that are attributed to the ABS system. These can be safety concerns if brakes do not function properly.
Multiple electronic systems, including stability control, power steering, blind spot monitoring, and lane keeping, can malfunction simultaneously. This broad electronic failure can compromise safety and is a significant concern.
“My 2023 Toyota Camry has developed an intermittent defect where the ignition key becomes stuck and cannot be removed even though the dashboard shows the vehicle is in Park. The only way to remove the key is to disconnect the vehicle's battery, which is not a…”
“The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was hesitating and shuddering, and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who diagnosed the vehicle…”
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 S4 — 12 recalls
The defect: 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 Passen…
The risk: A disabled passenger air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
The 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 fo…
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Volkswagen ID4, Audi A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A5 Sportback, A6 Allroad, A6 Sedan, A7, A8, E-Tron Quattro, E-Tron Sportback Quattro, Q3, Q5, Q5 Sportback, Q7, Q8, RS5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, RS6 Avant, RS7, R…
The risk: An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect, and replace as necessary, the middle-rear seat belt assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 27, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 and Audi custome…
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. (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,…
The risk: A broken lock nut may misalign the rear axle, causing a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash.
The 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 4…
Toyota Camry — 31 recalls
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The lug nuts that attach the wheels to the vehicle may be loose, which can result in wheel detachment.
The risk: A wheel that detaches from a moving vehicle can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Dealers will inspect and tighten the lug nuts, and replace any damaged components, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The second-row center and right-side seats may have insufficiently welded head restraint brackets. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle…
The risk: A head restraint bracket that is insufficiently welded may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the 60% rear seat-back frame sub-assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 19, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 24TB0…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Corolla, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Lexus ES350, Lexus RX350, Lexus RX450H, 2021 Sienna Hybrid, Lexus ES250, 2020-2022 Camry, Camry Hybrid, and ES300H vehicles. A short cir…
The risk: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the sensor as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed in February 2024. Some final remedy owner letters were mailed October 31, 2024. Letters will continue…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The second-row center and right-side seats may have insufficiently welded head restraint brackets. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle…
The risk: A head restraint bracket that is insufficiently welded may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the 60% rear seat-back frame sub-assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 19, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 24TB0…
Buyer analysis
AUDI S4 or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Audi S4 has far fewer complaints per year (2.8) compared to the Toyota Camry (205.6), and the S4 has zero reported crashes, injuries, or deaths in its complaints, while the Camry has 171 crash-related reports, 158 injuries, and 1 death. In practice, this means the S4 may have fewer overall problems, but the ones it does have—like MMI reboots and potential engine failure—can be serious. The Camry's much higher complaint volume suggests a wider range of issues that owners experience more frequently.
Key differences
- The Audi S4 averages 2.8 complaints per year, while the Toyota Camry averages 205.6 complaints per year, a massive difference in reported problem frequency.
- The S4 has no reported crashes, injuries, or deaths in its complaints, whereas the Camry has 171 crash-related reports, 158 injuries, and 1 death.
- S4 complaints focus on MMI infotainment reboots and a specific engine knocking issue, while Camry complaints cover power train hesitation, key stuck problems, brake noises, and multiple electronic malfunctions.
- The S4 has 12 recalls and the Camry has 31 recalls, indicating more recall activity for the Camry.
- During a test drive, check the MMI screen for reboots or blackouts, and test the backup camera and rear sensors to ensure they work consistently.
- Listen for any knocking noises from the engine, especially in models with the EA839 engine, and ask for maintenance records related to engine repairs.
- Test the ignition key removal in Park to ensure it does not stick, and check for any hesitation or shuddering during acceleration.
- Listen for clicking or vibrating noises from the brake pedal area and test the electronic parking brake to ensure it engages and disengages properly.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on the NHTSA website for the specific VIN.
- Have a pre-purchase inspection by a qualified mechanic familiar with the model, focusing on the areas mentioned in complaints.
- For the Audi S4, test all infotainment and driver-assistance features, and ask about any engine repairs or oil consumption issues.
- For the Toyota Camry, test the ignition key, brakes, and electronic systems, and ask about any transmission or engine repairs.
- Verify that all safety recalls have been addressed and ask for documentation of any recall work performed.
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 S4 | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 0 | 163 |
| 2024 | 0 | 50 |
| 2023 | 0 | 64 |
| 2022 | 0 | 61 |
| 2021 | 2 | 157 |
| 2020 | 16 | 274 |
| 2019 | 2 | 395 |
| 2018 | 7 | 744 |
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 S4 or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- AUDI S4 vs Toyota Camry
- AUDI S4 total complaints
- 28
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,056
- AUDI S4 total recalls
- 12
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- AUDI S4 avg complaints/year
- 2.8
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 205.6
- More reliable overall
- AUDI S4
- AUDI S4 top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN