2020 AUDI A4 ALLROAD Electrical System Problems

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 during maybe an hour long car ride. Then this spring, starting in mid-March the car started to experience the MMI reboots more often, say 6-7 times over an hour long car ride. This started to happen more often, and then it would be around 4-5 times in a 20 minute car ride. I noticed that when this would happen, it would cause issues with the backup camera (the camera would stop function during the 60 second reboot. Also, if a parking sensor (or cross-traffic warning sensor, incorporated with the backup camera) was detecting something near the car during the reboot and the camera turning off, it would throw a safety system communication error on the Audi Virtual Dashboard. It was clearly a safety issue and it made maneuvering to park on a busy street very dangerous for folks outside the car and inside. I went to the dealership twice to get the MMI reboots fixed, and received two software updates and a 5F module replacement (quoted at $5k, Audi offered the part 90% off) - all three attempts resulted in the car with a MMI rebooting even faster. It now reboots and has the same issues as before with the car MMI rebooting between every 2-5 minutes during operation. You can find reports from numerous other 2020 Audi A4 owners with this same rebooting MMI issue here, many of whom have already submitted their own NHTSA safety problem reports in this long thread: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

The MMI (Information and entertainment system) 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 input to get through the loading screens. The issue started in March 2025. It seems there are numerous TSBs (filed with NHTSA) that point to available software updates that should be applied to address infotainment-related issues. This appears to be a widespread issue based on the numerous reports found on user forums online, affecting the same model year vehicles (for multiple examples, refer to [XXX] ). It is also interesting that most of the users experiencing this issue, also report it starting around the same time (Jan/Feb/Mar 2025), and they all have similar software versions, and likely production dates. This should be considered a safety issue, as the reboots can happen in the middle of a reverse parking maneuver, and they render the backup camera and obstacle detection sensors completely inoperative until the system reloads. They also impact safety on the highway, as the reboots completely disable the navigation screens, and require multiple user input to restore, while driving. This problem seems to be fixed by implementing TSB 2078437/1, Although I do take issue with Audi charging between 400-600 dollars to implement a safety fix to their faulty software. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Infotainment system began to randomly reboot after about 20min and then overtime every 2-3 minutes.

Audi mmi/infotainment reboots repeatedly while driving. It removes my attention from driving and is extremely distracting. Also fails when backing up and back up camera goes black. I have not taken to a dealer as this has been a frequent problem among other 2020 Audi owners.

Center console screen reboots at random intervals and as many as 10 times in 60 minutes. Complete reboot of the system renders backup camera and other surround view cameras inoperable.

Vehicle info system (MMI) unexpectedly and repeatedly reboots, affecting rear backup camera and parking assist radar functions at critical moments in addition to navigation and other vehicle functions. In addition to the safety issue with the rear camera and radar failing unexpectedly, the reboot creates distraction for the driver.

The MMI (the display with radio, carplay, cameras, warnings etc) restarts without any warning every 5-10 minutes. Does not seem to depend on if apple car play, bluetooth, backup camera etc is used at the time. In 2 cases this has happened while using the backup camera when going in reverse (and many more times when using for media play). This lead to the backup camera not showing and warnings about proximity to objects not working until it has completed the restart of the display (~60 seconds). I have not reported this to Audi but a simple web search shows that this is a common problem.

I own a 2020 Audi and have been experiencing a persistent and widespread issue with the MMI (Multi Media Interface) system. While driving, the MMI randomly shuts down and reboots multiple times during a single trip. This happens whether or not I have any devices connected via Bluetooth, USB, or Apple CarPlay. The shutdowns are completely unpredictable and can occur at any time, causing the loss of navigation, audio, backup camera, and parking sensors. Sometimes, I receive warnings about user profiles or that the sensors have stopped working. I have tried all recommended troubleshooting steps—hard resets, disconnecting all devices, disabling wireless charging, and even having the dealer perform software updates—but nothing has resolved the issue. I’ve also been quoted significant fees for diagnosis and updates, yet Audi has not provided a permanent solution. This problem started for me in early 2025 and has only gotten worse, with more frequent shutdowns that affect the safety and usability of my vehicle. From what I’ve seen in owner forums, I am not alone—many other 2020 Audi owners are dealing with the exact same problem. I believe this is a software issue affecting a large number of vehicles, and I urge the NHTSA to investigate for a possible recall or manufacturer fix.

The MMI (multimedia interface) 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 input to get through the loading screens. The process is extremely distracting to the driver and there is no way to prevent it from happening

The MMI system and all associated functions resets without warning mid drive. The Audi dealership has a bulletin that says a software update is the solution, but has made the problem worse - rather than intermittent resets (once every few days) the system now resets multiple times on short drives (5 times within 20 minutes). This turns off all navigation, radio, phone, CarPlay, Bluetooth, and camera functionality when it happens. Audi has said the only repair is to replace the entire computer module out of pocket - it is a known issue with this car.

2020 A4 Allroad MMI staring to crash/restart randomly during drive every 5-10min and sometimes back to back crashes for 3-4 times. During this time, no call can be made, no navigation, and no backup camera / backup warning/ backup cross traffic alarm. The issue emerged sometime in February or March 2025.

The auto uses the Audi MMI system which controls basic functions such as radio, navigation, etc. The MMI in our car has randomly been crashing, which most importantly shuts down navigation at VERY inopportune times! I have read about this in a number of forums, and have tried various ways of resetting the system, but the problem persists. The forums suggest this is a common issue with this generation MMI.

The MMI (multi-media interface) frequently reboots during driving, resulting in a black screen and the inoperability of key systems such as the backup camera, rear obstacle detection, navigation, and cell phone tethering (for hands-free operation). These reboots require user input, including entering a PIN to log into the user account (if set up) and repeatedly tapping on the MMI, which can be highly distracting while driving. By its very nature, the reboot catches the driver by surprise and requires diverting attention from driving.Typically, this user input is provided while stationary, immediately after starting the vehicle. The issue emerged sometime in February or March 2025. The vehicle was last serviced on April 17, 2025, at an Audi dealer. The dealer performed the recommended service. This issue constitutes a safety concern, as reboots can occur during reverse parking maneuvers, rendering the backup camera and obstacle detection sensors inoperable until the system reloads. Additionally, reboots completely disable the navigation screens and necessitate multiple user inputs to restore functionality, which can be hazardous while driving. Many states have enacted hands-free laws and requirements that mandate the use of dash-mounted systems to comply with these regulations. The reboots render such systems inoperative.

The MMI system sporadically and repeatedly reboots while driving. When this happens, I lose: radio/media, Bluetooth phone connection, SOS, navigation, adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, parking collision warning, automatic emergency braking and rear cross traffic warning among other things. This also causes a very large distraction and poses multiple safety issues. This problem has been going on for months. This is not the first problem with these systems. There was a recall (that got cancelled) a few years back around what Audi calls the "conbox". They did some sort of repair but the system has been crippled since. There have been connection issues, problems with map updates, and other failures since then. Diagnostics show multiple logged communication failures with this system. Any further diagnosis or repair, they want to charge thousands of dollars without any guarantee it will be fixed. I've gotten quotes of $4,500-5,000 for a module replacement, but they aren't even sure it will solve these problems. Since the problem started in warranty, I shouldn't be paying anything for these repairs. Dealer seems oblivious to the actual cause and wants to just milk me for cash. There is a growing number of owners with the same problem: [XXX] Due to the severity and number of occurrences, this should warrant a recall. Audi software is [XXX](and I'm a software engineer with 28+ years of experience, so I should know). The garbage they push on customers would have never passed review in any of my jobs. This is a severe safety issue and extremely poor customer service. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

The MMI (Multi-Media Interface) in this vehicle is experiencing frequent unexpected reboots while driving, leading to a complete loss of functionality in critical systems, including: - Backup Camera & Rear Obstacle Detection – These systems become inoperable when the MMI shuts down, particularly during reverse maneuvers, significantly increasing the risk of collisions. - Navigation & Hands-Free Communication – The system failure disables Audi navigation as well as Android Auto/Apple CarPlay, making it impossible to rely on real-time directions or safely use hands-free calls while driving. - Driver Distraction – Reboots require user interaction to restore functionality, often demanding multiple inputs on the MMI screen. This forces drivers to divert their attention from the road, creating a serious safety hazard. A software update was performed by my local Audi dealer, intended to resolve the issue. However, just a few days after the update, the MMI rebooted again while backing up the vehicle, rendering the sensors inoperable and leaving the car stuck mid-maneuver for approximately 30 seconds—an extremely dangerous situation. The continued failure of the MMI system during driving, particularly driving while relying on navigation guidance and during reversing maneuvers, poses a direct threat to vehicle safety. The fact that the reboot issue returned immediately after a software update further suggests an unresolved systemic problem. Immediate corrective action is necessary to prevent potential accidents caused by loss of visibility, obstacle detection, and driver distraction.

Vehicle radio/navigation interface (MMI) will spontaneously shutoff in all modes. Rear view camera and rear cross traffic visual is unavailable. Requires driver input to fix.

The MMI (multi-media interface) frequently reboots during driving, resulting in a black screen and the inoperability of key systems such as the backup camera, rear obstacle detection, navigation, and cell phone tethering (for hands-free operation). These reboots require user input, including entering a PIN to log into the user account (if set up) and repeatedly tapping on the MMI, which can be highly distracting while driving. By its very nature, the reboot catches the driver by surprise and requires diverting attention from driving.Typically, this user input is provided while stationary, immediately after starting the vehicle. The issue emerged sometime in February or March 2025. The vehicle had the software update done at Flemington Audi and problem still persists today. This issue constitutes a safety concern, as reboots can occur during reverse parking maneuvers, rendering the backup camera and obstacle detection sensors inoperable until the system reloads. Additionally, reboots completely disable the navigation screens and necessitate multiple user inputs to restore functionality, which can be hazardous while driving. Many states have enacted hands-free laws and requirements that mandate the use of dash-mounted systems to comply with these regulations. The reboots render such systems inoperative. Numerous reports on online user forums suggest that this issue is widespread and affects the same model year vehicles. For instance, see https://www.audiworld.com/forums/a4-...20-a4-3082501/. Several Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) indicate that available software updates should be applied to address infotainment-related issues. Relevant TSB numbers include: TSB 2067021, TSB 2076404, and TSB 2069112.

The MMI / Map Display will intermittently restart itself, sometimes as often as 5 minutes apart. Each time it reboots, there is a chance that manual intervention (PIN code entry or login) is required to get it working again. Until the PIN or password has been entered, maps and other core car features are unavailable. Having to deal with these reboots while driving is severely distracting - losing directions while driving is disorienting and has sent me down wrong turns in the past. If the MMI asks for a PIN or password after reboot, one has to stop looking at the road for however long it takes to enter that. The problem hasn't been confirmed by a dealer or service center, but there are several posts online where ~a hundred people are running into the same software issue, on the same car, that started at around the same time. The vehicle/component has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives, or others. The dealership wanted to charge me a diagnostic fee to begin taking a look at it, and others haven't had luck getting the problem fixed for that fee. Other symptoms of the problem include a sluggish volume knob response, and CarPlay navigation being sluggish and the car's displayed position jumping back and forth. This problem happens at all speeds, on all types of roads, even at rest. The fact that it started happening on many different cars of the same model year at around the same time implies that it's likely a software issue.

The MMI (multi-media interface) frequently reboots during driving, resulting in a black screen and the inoperability of key systems such as the backup camera, rear obstacle detection, navigation, and cell phone tethering (for hands-free operation). These reboots require user input, including entering a PIN to log into the user account (if set up) and repeatedly tapping on the MMI, which can be highly distracting while driving. By its very nature, the reboot catches the driver by surprise and requires diverting attention from driving.Typically, this user input is provided while stationary, immediately after starting the vehicle. The issue emerged sometime in February or March 2025. The vehicle was last serviced on February 7, 2025, at an Audi dealer. The dealer performed the recommended 50,000-mile service and did not identify any abnormalities related to the MMI during the multi-point vehicle inspection. This issue constitutes a safety concern, as reboots can occur during reverse parking maneuvers, rendering the backup camera and obstacle detection sensors inoperable until the system reloads. Additionally, reboots completely disable the navigation screens and necessitate multiple user inputs to restore functionality, which can be hazardous while driving. Many states have enacted hands-free laws and requirements that mandate the use of dash-mounted systems to comply with these regulations. The reboots render such systems inoperative. Numerous reports on online user forums suggest that this issue is widespread and affects the same model year vehicles. For instance, see https://www.audiworld.com/forums/a4-b9-platform-discussion-212/mib3-2020-mmi-rebooting-spontaneously-2020-a4-3082501/. Several Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) indicate that available software updates should be applied to address infotainment-related issues. Relevant TSB numbers include: TSB 2067021, TSB 2076404, and TSB 2069112.

The SOS a system has again failed in the car. When this happens, the navigation and the emergency contact button doesn’t work and the cell phone is no longer paired to the car. The module is currently installed in the car. It could be available for inspection if needed. This is a safety issue because the SOS safety button no longer works. Also, the cell phone is no longer useable in the car hands free and this is not safe in emergency. The phone cannot be paired to the car by manually trying to do so. The car no longer recognizes the cell phone. Car will again go in for service on March 3, 2023. My car had this problem before and the SOS module was replaced approx 14 months ago. No one has yet inspected the car. The car is going in for diagnostic service for this very issue at the Audi dealership on Friday March 3, 2023. The message that I received suddenly yesterday while driving was: “No data connection could be established. Please check the network coverage.” Failures to this module result in an unsafe vehicle. Thank you!