AUDI Q4 Reliability by YearBest & worst years, problems & recalls — NHTSA data
Comparing used AUDI Q4 options? We analyzed 5 model years (2022–2026) using real NHTSA complaint and recall data so you can spot stronger years, avoid riskier ones, and know what to inspect before buying.
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- Accident & damage history
- Odometer rollback records
- Open recalls & title brands
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the AUDI Q4 has 29 owner complaints and 4 safety recalls across model years 2022–2026. The most reported issue area is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. 2024 drew the most complaints; 2025 drew the fewest.
- Make
- AUDI
- Model
- Q4
- Model years analyzed
- 2022–2026 (5 years)
- Total NHTSA complaints
- 29
- Safety recall campaigns
- 4
- Crash-related complaints
- 2
- Fire-related complaints
- 0
- Worst model year (by complaints)
- 2024 (25 complaints)
- Best model year (fewest complaints)
- 2025 (4 complaints)
- Top reported issue area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Reliability signal
- Good
By model year
AUDI Q4: which years to avoid & which to buy
Based on total NHTSA owner complaints per model year. Higher complaint counts indicate a riskier year to buy used — lower counts suggest a cleaner reliability record.
These years have the most owner complaints. Inspect carefully and always run a VIN check.
These years have the fewest owner complaints on record — lower risk starting points.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA NCAP crash test ratings
New Car Assessment ProgramNCAP crash tests measure how well a vehicle protects occupants in controlled frontal crash, side crash, and rollover scenarios. Stars are awarded per category (5 = safest). These laboratory results are independent of owner complaints and are performed by NHTSA engineers on new production vehicles.
NCAP crash test ratings for this model are not yet loaded or this vehicle was not tested in the years analyzed. NHTSA tests a subset of new vehicles each year. Check nhtsa.gov/ratings directly for the latest results.
What the complaint data suggests
GoodThe AUDI Q4 has 29 NHTSA complaints and 4 recalls on record. 2 complaints involve crash-related incidents. This data reflects owner-reported issues submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
- 29 total complaints filed with NHTSA
- 4 federal recall campaigns
- 2 crash-related complaints on record
- Review NHTSA complaint history for the most-reported components
- Check recall completion status at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Verify service records for frequently complained components
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with elevated complaint rates.
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with fewer reported issues.
- Run a VIN check on the specific vehicle you are considering
- Verify all open recalls are completed at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Request service records for the most-reported complaint components
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase
Problems by model year (best vs. worst)
Source: NHTSA public complaints database. Updated: Jul 2026
Safety recalls
NHTSA safety recalls
4 recalls foundSafety recalls are mandatory repair campaigns ordered by NHTSA when a vehicle defect poses an unreasonable risk to safety. Manufacturers are required to fix recalled vehicles free of charge. Always verify open recalls before buying a used car.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:CHARGING:CABLE/CORD:ONBOARD
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:LIGHTING CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
Source: NHTSA Recalls Database. Data covers model years 2022–2026. Always run a VIN-specific check below for the most up-to-date open recall status.
Common problems
What goes wrong most often
The vehicle systems owners complain about most, ranked from all 29 NHTSA complaints — these are the areas to inspect first on a used car.
Owner complaints
NHTSA complaint reports
29 totalThese are consumer-submitted safety complaints filed directly with NHTSA. Each complaint describes a real owner's experience. Complaints flagged as crash-related or fire-related are highlighted.
On three occasions, while in regenerative braking mode, my car failed to engage the brakes at low speeds. After pressing on the brake pedal for several seconds with no response, the wheels then locked completely - but only after the car had traveled had traveled around 30 feet. The dealer has inspected the car and has not been able to replicate the problem, so they say there is nothing they can do to correct it (although they are NOT saying that they don't believe me). There were no warning lights or messages about a failed system - the brakes just didn't work. This was very unnerving to me, and I don't see how I can drive the car without some corrective measures taken. I was fortunate that these incidents happened where no person or other car was nearby, but that was only luck. I reported the three incidents to the dealer, and brought the car in twice for them to inspect the car.
My Audi Q4 Etron has had this issue since it was new. The car has a sensor as part of the drivers seat. Once you sit in the seat the car turn on and you can start driving. The problem is if you make any movements, like turn to look back while your backing the car up or you reach over to pick up something off the passenger front seat the car will abruptly stop and turn off. It can take up to two minutes for the car to start again, twice i was left in the middle of a four lane intersection stranded. The second time it nearly caused an accident as multiple cares slammed their brakes. The dealership said that its a common complaint but there in nothing they can do, i was told to stay seated and to not move while driving. My wife also got stranded blocking an intersection and it also almost caused an accident, she was so scared that she will not drive the car or ride in it when im driving. Audi need to fix this before someone gets killed. I hope you can help.
On March 20, 2026, while my 2022 Audi Q4 e-tron (VIN: [XXX] ) was parked in my private garage at approximately 98% battery charge, I attempted to start the vehicle and experienced a complete electrical system failure. All electronic systems failed simultaneously, including: brake system (Brake System Failure warning displayed), parking brake sensor, traffic/charging system, power windows, and side view mirrors. The vehicle could not be placed into neutral. AAA was dispatched and the vehicle required a jump-start to the 12-volt auxiliary system before it could be moved. The vehicle was towed to Audi Beverly Hills for inspection. The dealership diagnosed the fault as: Control Module Main Processor Performance, Symptom Code 20079, per Technical Service Bulletin TSB 2074484/3. Per that TSB, the dealer was instructed by Audi of America to create a PSS (Pending Service Solution) record, erase the fault memory, and release the vehicle to me with no repair performed. The stated guidance from Audi of America to the dealer was to inform me that this is "an extremely infrequent fault" that is "being reviewed." No fix exists. No timeline for a fix has been provided. The vehicle was released to me with the underlying defect unresolved. This is a known, manufacturer-acknowledged defect with no current remedy. As a fully electric vehicle, the Q4 e-tron's braking and all safety systems are electronically dependent. A recurrence of this fault while driving presents an unreasonable safety risk. I am requesting NHTSA investigate whether TSB XXX /3 and Symptom Code 20079 warrant a formal safety recall. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
I am filing this complaint due to ongoing electronic and drivetrain malfunctions that may impact safe vehicle operation. AWD System Malfunction (Primary Safety Concern) The vehicle repeatedly displays four-wheel drive system malfunction warnings. I have brought the vehicle to the dealership three times for this same issue. The malfunction continues unresolved, raising concerns about traction, stability, and drivetrain reliability. Intermittent Entry Failure Biometric entry intermittently fails, forcing use of the key fob. This could delay access in emergency situations. Remote System Failures Remote vehicle functions (lock/unlock and climate control) operate inconsistently or fail entirely, often generating error messages. Audi has stated this is a system infrastructure issue with no current fix. Battery Power Inconsistency Although the battery indicates 100% charge, actual available power never reaches full output and drops shortly after driving. This creates uncertainty about vehicle performance and usable range. HUD Feature Does Not Perform as Advertised The head-up display does not show surrounding vehicle speeds as advertised, only colored indicators. This removes expected situational awareness information. Summary The vehicle exhibits repeated drivetrain warnings, electronic access failures, and inconsistent battery performance. These issues persist despite multiple service visits. I am requesting this complaint be formally recorded and investigated due to potential safety implications.
At least a dozen times, while accelerating from a complete stop, the car has experienced sudden unintended very hard braking without driver input. After very hard brake, car falls out of gear and needs to be restarted and put back in gear. -In clear, dry, temperate weather -Day and night -In drive and reverse -While accelerator engaged -Not touching brake pedal -No obstacles, pedestrians or vehicles present that would require braking -No warnings, alerts or messages on screen -Occurs randomly, nothing to indicate braking is needed -Most recent incident, on flat, familiar road, clear, temperate weather, no obstacles, car unexpectedly braked after accelerating from traffic light, fell out of gear and would not go back into gear for several minutes, resulting in near rear-end collision with multiple vehicles behind that did not expect sudden stop while accelerating. Eventually car would drive a short distance then hard brake, slip out of gear, not be able to drive. This was repeated 4 times before finally being able to drive without failure. -Audi inspected, could not reproduce the issue. It occurs very randomly, so it’s difficult to reproduce on demand. -No fault codes were found or stored -Dealer said without being able to reproduce it there was nothing to be done. I asked for TAC case to be opened for assistance. They strongly refused but eventually agreed. Case was opened but immediately rejected (within minutes). Later they said it was rejected for missing info, including location of incidents, which they never asked me for and I could have provided. Sudden random very hard braking and going into park while accelerating, then not being able to drive, with no warnings or fault codes, is a safety hazard.This has happened many times over a year. Other vehicles can crash into an unexpected stopped car in traffic. The last time I came within a millisecond of a major crash.
Car had electrical malfunction warning please contact costumer support and car died and zero damage to the body or the car. But the side air bags faulty went off. This car had a prior recall on file for same issues of car dying off and clerical problems. I got this car in September 2025 and had issue with it within the second month of having this car. I was not told there was a prior recall at all.
Read 14 more owner reports
I was stopped in line at a drive through. The car started rolling (electric cars should not do that) so I tapped the brakes. The car started accelerating and I started braking hard and the car just sped up. Auto braking and collision warning did not kick in. The car slammed into the car parked in front of me and drove it forward about 10 feet. The driver has soft tissue injuries as do I. In the past, it has also lost acceleration while driving did not respond to the gas pedal. I frequently get warnings that the safety features are temporarily not working.
When vehicle is energized and in Neutral "gear" the vehicle makes no sound. I understand that federal safety standards indicate that when in this status, the vehicle should generate a sound so pedestrians can hear it. The vehicle does NOT generate a Vehicle Sound malfunction alert when this occurs (and it should). This condition is reproducible all the time. The service manager at Audi Dallas witnessed this condition and verified that it also occurred on a similar vehicle he had on the lot. I called NHTSA several months ago to report this, but I cannot find a record of it online so am repeating the report. If you do have a record of it, this is a redundant report.
I am reporting multiple ongoing electrical system malfunctions on my 2024 Audi Q4 55 e-tron SUV that create a safety risk, including sudden loss of functionality and warnings instructing me to stop driving. These issues began approximately two months after I purchased the vehicle and continue to occur. The car has been at Audi Bellevue for the second times since 11/5/2025. The car with error was initially dropped off at the dealership on 09/27/2025. The vehicle repeatedly and sporadically displays the following warnings (even when at Audi dealership. “Electrical system". Malfunction! “Safety system: fault” See owners manual “Vehicle sound: malfunction” Pedestrians cannot hear vehicle. Please contact service (when the car is being driven) During some of these events, vehicle drivability is compromised, systems shut down unexpectedly, and the car instructs me to exit or stop driving. This creates a potential risk of loss of power while driving. The vehicle has been at Audi Bellevue now for approximately four weeks since 11/5/2025 attempting diagnosis and repair. I was informed that the dealership opened a TAC (technical assistance case) with Audi corporate, but they have not been able to resolve the issue. I was also told there is a related issue affecting the Audi e-tron GT and that the fix for that model cannot be applied to my Q4. My vehicle appears to be part of the national recall 25V125000 (Audi recall 93FR) covering the on-board charger/DC-DC converter (OCDC) that can fail and result in 12-volt battery depletion and loss of drive power. I have not been informed whether parts for this recall are available or whether my vehicle has been repaired under this recall. This is a safety-critical issue, and the repeated failures and warnings make the vehicle unreliable and potentially hazardous to drive. I am requesting that NHTSA document this defect and investigate whether other 2024 Audi Q4 e-tron SUVs are experiencing similar electrical failures.
Our Audi has 13k miles. We noticed large chunks of rubber pulling away on the treads with pieces large enough to put our finger into. The dealer says they have seen this problem before with this tire
The contact owns a 2024 Audi Q4 equipped with Bridgestone Tires, Tire Line: Alenza, Tire Size: 255/45/R20, DOT Number: (N/A). The contact stated that while her friend was driving at an undisclosed speed, the message "Tire Pressure Lost" was displayed. The friend pulled into a parking lot to inspect the vehicle and noticed a blowout with one of the tires. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not towed to a dealer to be diagnosed. The contact stated her friend waited for towing assistance. The contact stated that all four tires were replaced, and the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 114,630. The VIN was invalid.
The contact leased a 2024 Audi Q4 E-Tron. The contact stated after the dealer had delivered the brand-new vehicle to the contact, the contact became aware that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V125000 (Electrical System); prior to the lease agreement; however, the dealer failed to disclose the recall information to the contact, and the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle had failed to charge. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was informed that the failure could be related to the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 150. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2024 Audi Q4 E-Tron. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle in drive and reverse, the audible sound to alert pedestrians that the vehicle was in motion was intermittently inaudible. The contact stated that the sound was inoperable while the vehicle was in reverse, creating a back over hazard for pedestrians. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 1,100.
The contact owns a 2024 Audi Q4 E-Tron. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V125000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while idling and opening the front driver's side door to grab a parking lot ticket, the vehicle turned off. The contact stated that the vehicle was able to restart after several attempts. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle had temporarily failed to charge. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 1,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2024 Audi Q4 E-Tron. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V125000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2024 Audi Q4 E-Tron. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the message "Vehicle Sound Malfunction! Pedestrian Cannot Hear Vehicle. Please Contact Service" was displayed. The contact stated that the failure recurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed. The dealer informed the contact that the electric vehicle sound alert system was malfunctioning. The dealer informed the contact that the manufacturer's solution for the failure was pending. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 600.
The contact owns a 2024 Audi Q4 E-Tron. The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced several electrical failures and would not immediately start on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who performed software updates but the failures continued to occur. Later, while driving the vehicle had randomly shut off. The vehicle was towed to the dealer but the cause of the failures was not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 200.
The contact owned a 2024 Audi Q4 E-tron. The contact stated upon driving into the parking lot of an occupied charging station at 30-35 MPH and attempting to pull into the charging station, the vehicle accelerated unintendedly and spun several times. The contact stated that she depressed the brake pedal and attempted to steer the vehicle, but the vehicle failed to respond. The contact pressed the Push to Start button to stop the vehicle, but the passenger's side of the vehicle hit and knocked down a small tree, crashed into an embankment, and the vehicle stopped. The air bags did not deploy. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to exit the vehicle. There was no injury sustained. No police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to G & C Auto Body(3440 Stanley Blvd, Pleasanton, CA 94566) to be repaired. The dealer was notified of the failure and advised the contact to tow the vehicle to their location after the body repair because they would need to read the EDR to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired by G & C Auto Body and was deemed a total loss by the insurance company. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 5,000.
The contact owns a 2024 AUDI Q4 50 E-Tron. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle unexpectedly dialed emergency roadside assistance. The vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the SOS system control module. The contact was informed that a software update was required; however, the software update was not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 65.
have signed a lease on an Audi Q4 S line prestige and picked it up Saturday [XXX] afternoon, leaving the dealership the car had a yellow warning light, I texted sales team who said it’s ok. On the drive home (Oakland to West SJ), while driving on [XXX] (about 30 min in) the driver door opened while driving, I had to stop on side of freeway and close the door. 5 min later I got home, by then battery warning was red I stopped in my driveway and called dealership who asked me to drive car to service in Steven’s creek, however the car refused to go into gear and just stopped. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Showing 20 of 29 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database
Check the exact car
Before you buy, check the exact AUDI Q4
These pages show model-year patterns across 5 years. Enter a VIN to verify the exact vehicle's accident history, title brands, odometer records, and open recall status before purchase.
The basics
How to read this data
Complaints, recalls, investigations — here’s what each number actually tells you about a used AUDI Q4, in plain English.
What is an NHTSA Complaint?
An NHTSA safety complaint is a report filed directly by a vehicle owner or driver describing a safety-related issue. Anyone can submit a complaint at NHTSA.gov. The number of complaints is a signal of how common a problem is — but complaints per model-year matter more than raw totals, since popular vehicles naturally receive more reports. The AUDI Q4 has 29 complaints on record across 5 model years.
What is a Safety Recall?
A safety recall is a mandatory campaign issued by NHTSA when a vehicle component poses an unreasonable risk to safety or does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards. Unlike complaints (which are owner-reported), recalls are formally investigated and confirmed by regulators. Manufacturers must fix recalled vehicles free of charge. The AUDI Q4 has 4 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database.
What Are Crash Complaints?
Crash complaints are NHTSA filings where the owner indicates a crash occurred as part of the incident. 2 of the AUDI Q4's 29 complaints involved a crash. This metric is particularly important because it indicates how often defects resulted in actual collisions — a key safety signal beyond general reliability.
How Is the Reliability Verdict Calculated?
The reliability verdict (Good) is generated by analyzing the vehicle's total complaints, recall history, crash complaint ratio, fire complaint ratio, and top component failures relative to class averages. This verdict gives buyers a quick interpretation before they review year-level details and VIN-level history. It should be treated as one decision input, not a substitute for a VIN-specific report.
Why Do Newer Years Have Fewer Complaints?
Newer model years appear to have fewer complaints because there has been less time for owners to file them. Complaints accumulate over years of ownership. A 2020 model year vehicle will typically show fewer complaints than a 2015 model year even if it is less reliable — simply because fewer owners have had time to report issues. Focus on complaints per year of market presence when comparing across model years.
Fleet Data vs. Individual VIN
Everything on this page reflects aggregated data across all AUDI Q4 vehicles on the road — not any specific car. Two AUDI Q4 vehicles of the same year can have very different histories: one may have been in three accidents and have an open recall; another may be clean. A VIN check gives you the individual car's history: accidents, title brands, odometer records, service history, and real-time recall status.
What Are NHTSA Investigations?
When NHTSA receives a pattern of related safety complaints, it opens a formal investigation. A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first stage — NHTSA determines if a safety defect may exist. If evidence is strong, it escalates to an Engineering Analysis (EA), which can result in a mandatory recall. The AUDI Q4 has 0 investigations on record (0 active). Investigations listed above may have already led to the recalls shown on this page.
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By state
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AUDI Q4 reliability — frequently asked questions
Is the AUDI Q4 reliable?
Good. The AUDI Q4 has 29 NHTSA owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns across model years. A commonly reported issue area is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. Use year-level data as a pattern guide, then verify the exact car with a VIN check before purchase.
Which AUDI Q4 years to avoid?
Years with the most NHTSA complaints: 2024 (25 complaints), 2025 (4 complaints). Use these years as a shortlist for deeper inspection, and always run a VIN check on the exact vehicle before purchase.
What are the most common AUDI Q4 problems?
Top reported issues: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (18 complaints); SERVICE BRAKES (6 complaints); POWER TRAIN (3 complaints).
Does the AUDI Q4 have recalls?
Yes — 4 NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the AUDI Q4. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.