2020 Audi A4 Electrical System

The SOS Emergency Call system error warning appears every time I start the car. This system no longer functions in the car. An independent mechanic ran the diagnostic and said it could not be cleared. If I were to be in an accident, I would not be able to use this essential safety feature. Additionally, the MMI system that is used for making hands-free calls, mapping directions, and reading texts aloud randomly shuts off every 3-5 minutes. It says it is initializing, and you must hit three buttons to have it come back on. If I'm using maps or making a call, and this system shuts down, it becomes a distraction while driving. The dealership said it is a problem with this component overheating and restarting.

The MMI Radio 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 WHILE DRIVING. The issue started in February 2025. I see numerous other Audi owners that have the same software and operating systems complaining about this. It seems Audi changed something that caused the connectivity to fail. Dealers I called have no clue. Seems that it needs to have a software update. Someone wrote that the were able to get it fixed by updating 3 components from System 32 to system 35.

The MMI randomly restarts, starting in March of 2025. This includes when you are reversing, and there is no camera mid-reverse, along with a complete screen shut down. There will be a clicking sound, then a restart on the MMI at any point, typically multiple times while driving. Then it will log you out, have multiple pop-ups, and say technical error at times (then reboot again). It is available for inspection, yes. The highest risk and safety hazard is mid-reversing anywhere (grocery parking lots, garages with cement columns, humans walking behind). It is also quite distracting while driving. My specific dealership didn’t fully test drive the car to recreate it and came back inconclusive, but many others are having this issue occurring at the same time with dealerships reproducing it. By Audi, it has been looked at. There were no warning signs, symptoms, or messages prior to this occurring in March of this year. See this issue occurring at the same time for the same model as Audi has not been helpful in correcting: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

While backing up in reverse, the MMI screen/system will crash and reboot, and the backup camera will stop functioning. This will trigger an instrument panel safety alert and tone from the vehicle that the backup camera is not functioning (the MMI/entertainment screen will be blank). The system will then reboot. This issue also occurs while driving. The effect is random, and can happen multiple times during a short drive, or just once. Each time the system crashes, the screen goes blank, and then the system will reboot and restart a few moments later. This issue surfaced in March 2025. A local Audi dealer could not replicate the issue, but seemed to understand or be familiar with what I described. After a software update of the MMI system, the issue was not resolved. They have recommended a $4,000 part replacement that they cannot confirm will address or resolve the issue. This is unsafe. This can occur while driving in reverse. This issue affects what I believe to be a government mandated safety feature — the backup camera). So far, I have not found any information that suggests Audi is taking this issue seriously.

AUDI MMI (Multimedia Infotainment system) is frequently malfunctioning without any indicators and immediately rebooting. This disrupts and distracts the driver, as it can happen randomly at any point of the drive. As not only does the reboot take several minutes, taking down all NAV/SOUND that was previously on, it requires user input to clear the error window that appears after the reboot. At times, the error windows even requires user input of a PIN mid drive in order to regain full access to the MMI. This issue is reproducable and various forums and other users have identified the common variable of all of us being son VERY old MMI software version and all occuring on MY2020 A4/A5 vehicles. Myself an other driver complaints know our MMI software version is on CL32 (Version 3243 or 3281) yet, the latest software version is already on CL35. This issue has started appear most frequently in Feb/March 2025, which is consistent with other user's complaints. The vehicle has been inspected and there are no issues with battery, engine, or otherwise. I have tried various debug including complete factory reset of MMI and not using any bluetooth connection, but issue still appears. Independent mechanic also belives it is a software issue. There has been various TSBs issued as an overall fix to the MMI (newest being 2076404_3 in 2025) via software update. However, even though these are highly impacted issues to the vehicle and pose as a danger to the driver, AUDI dealership is requiring diagnostics service fee for an intermittent and reproducable issue in addition to a large fee for the work. It is a software update as the fix supposedly, yet they will charge $1k for this to be done, and it is unclear if it will fix the issue as they may claim it is a 1 off user, despite multiple complaints from many drivers. This is not a comfort issue but is a safety issue since it requires active engagement from the driver, it is a dangerous and distracting issue.

Audi mmi keeps turning off even when driving. Wu e I drive it turns off multiple times leaving me with no connection to the car info system.

MMI shuts off while driving every day. My car started doing an annoying thing where while driving the MMI randomly shuts off and reboots. I’ve tried everything I can think of to both replicate it and stop it but nothing has worked. I typically have my iPhone plugged in and Apple CarPlay on with Google maps running. It does it when I have it that way, it does it when I don’t have my phone connected either. I also can’t predict when it’ll do it. When it reboots I sometimes get “The selected user has not been used in this vehicle for an extended period of time. Please enter the myAudi user information again. This requires you to switch to the guest user.” When I switch to guest it does the same thing.

Emergency Call SOS module function is inoperative. Cannot use the SOS function and hands-free cell phone use through Bluetooth is also inoperative. Went to dealer on 8/31/22 for repair/replacement of module as instructed in Audi Service Action 90T2. I was told the repair is covered by the vehicle warranty. Part is still back-ordered (as of 11/25.2022) and no one can tell me when, or if, it will be available. No ETA as of today. In the meantime I am driving an unsafe vehicle, with no SOS call function, and no hands-free cell phone feature available.