MODEL
Audi A4
NHTSA safety across every Audi A4 model year we cover.
Across the 7 model years of the Audi A4 we cover (2019 to 2025), the strongest crash-test showing is the 2025 at 95 on the NHTSA Safety Index, and the lowest is the 2021 at 89. 12 recalls have been issued across those years.
The Audi A4 is a compact luxury sedan that has anchored the entry-level premium segment for decades, competing against the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class. Aimed at professional buyers who want a refined, driver-focused daily vehicle with genuine prestige, the 2019 to 2025 A4 generation brings German engineering sensibility to a segment where safety expectations run high.
The Audi A4 earns serious respect in our safety analysis, posting a peak NHTSA Safety Index of 95 out of 100 for the 2024 model year, a score that lands firmly in the Exceptional band. Side and rollover protection are the standout strengths, both earning five stars in NHTSA testing across the best-performing years. Frontal protection sits at four out of five stars, which is solid but worth noting for buyers who prioritize that specific metric. Across the 2019 to 2025 coverage window, the A4 carries 12 recalls. That number is not alarming for a seven-year span in a technologically dense luxury vehicle, but shoppers should verify that any used example has had all outstanding recall work completed through NHTSA's free VIN lookup tool. Owner complaints total 143 across covered years, a modest figure for this segment. Within those complaints, four involve alleged crashes and two involve alleged injuries. All complaints are unverified allegations, but the low absolute count relative to the A4's sales volume suggests no glaring systemic pattern. The honest bottom line here is that the A4 is a genuinely strong safety performer, particularly in its most recent model years. The 2024 edition is the benchmark to beat within this generation. Buyers considering older examples should pay close attention to recall completion status before purchase.
WHAT REVIEWERS SAYReviewers generally praise the A4 for its polished, composed driving character and upscale interior quality, positioning it as one of the more refined and driver-satisfying options in the compact luxury sedan segment. Most find it a well-rounded choice, though some note that rivals have closed the gap in technology features and interior space in recent years.
- The 2024 A4 achieves the highest NHTSA Safety Index in this generation at 95 out of 100, placing it in the Exceptional band. If safety scores are a priority, the newest model years in this generation are the strongest choices.
- Frontal crash protection earns four out of five stars in NHTSA testing, one star below the perfect scores seen in side and rollover categories. Buyers with specific frontal-impact concerns should weigh this alongside IIHS results for a complete picture.
- Twelve recalls span the 2019 to 2025 model years. Any used A4 shopper should run a free VIN check at NHTSA.gov before purchase to confirm all recall repairs have been performed by an authorized dealer.
- Owner complaints across covered years total 143, including four alleged crashes and two alleged injuries. These are unverified allegations, but the relatively low complaint volume for a luxury sedan sold in meaningful numbers suggests no widespread, obvious safety pattern of concern.
Most-recalled year on record: 2021 Audi A4 with 4 recalls.