The vehicle intermittently gives a false proximity/collision warning while stationary or while maneuvering at low speed. The sensors beep and display a warning on the screen as if an object is about to hit the vehicle, even when nothing around the vehicle has changed and no object is present. This appears to involve the parking/proximity warning system, sensor system, control module, wiring, calibration, or broader electrical/driver-assistance system. This is being reported as a safety concern because false collision/proximity warnings can distract the driver, reduce trust in the vehicle’s warning systems, cause unnecessary braking or hesitation, and may indicate a malfunction in the systems used for parking, low-speed maneuvering, and obstacle detection. No crash, fire, injury, or fatality occurred. The vehicle/component is available for inspection, and service communications, issue lists, photos/video if available, and related electrical/driver-assistance records are available if requested.
Audi A4 collision warning problems
13 of the 2,899 owner complaints about the Audi A4 describe false forward collision warnings, most of them for the 2020 model year.
- owner complaints
- 13
- worst model year
- 2020
By model year
- 20209
- 20183
- 20061
Often reported together
Backup camera 5Screen failure 4Hesitation 1Headlights 1Adaptive cruise 1
What owners say
I am reporting recurring safety-related defects on my 2018 Audi A4 involving Automatic Emergency Braking, Forward Collision Warning, Audi pre sense/front-collision functionality, and related electrical/driver-assistance reliability. The AEB/forward-collision system has shown two unsafe intermittent behaviors. At times it has failed to activate as expected when crash-mitigation assistance appeared reasonably available. At other times it has unexpectedly warned, jolted, or applied braking when there was no apparent vehicle, object, pedestrian, or hazard close to the car. Unexpected braking or false intervention can startle the driver, create rear-end collision risk, and reduce confidence in the system. Failure to activate can also increase forward-collision risk. The system was not intentionally disabled by me, and I am not aware of any driver-caused obstruction, modification, or normal explanation. The condition is intermittent and may not appear during a brief service visit or basic fault-code scan. This concern was reported through Audi/dealer service channels, including a documented repair request identifying the AEB system as malfunctioning and failing to activate as designed. A later dealer communication stated that there were no stored AEB faults and later clarified that no work was done on the AEB system, no inspection or verification of AEB operation was performed, and confirmation of operation would require an additional estimate. I am reporting unresolved safety status because intermittent active-safety failures or false interventions may not store permanent DTCs, and lack of stored faults is not complete safety verification. I have not received final written safety closure confirming inspection, calibration review, road-test verification, factory scan/freeze-frame review, module communication review, and technical verification. No crash, fire, injury, or fatality is being reported. The vehicle is available for inspection if requested.
Multimedia Infotainment system spontaneously reboots causing loss of cameras andcollision avoidance features and requires the driver to re-enter log-in information such as PIN #'s. This is a known software fault that should likely be elevated to recall status.
I have started experiencing issues with the MMI (infotainment system) system rebooting every few minutes. It was very sporadic at first, but now it is at the point where I frequently don't have time to get into the system before it starts the reboot cycle again. When this happens, the screen will go blank for several seconds. Then a message will show for several seconds saying that the system is loading. The system will then try to guide me through several prompts to try to log back into the car's MMI system. Even if I choose "Guest User" I am shown multiple prompts before I get into the system and can use the functions located in the MMI. This can and does happen while driving, while parked, and while backing up. This reboot sequence makes all of the safety features, including collision avoidance and the backup camera inaccessible during this time. Sometimes, the system reboots before I have time to even back out of my driveway. Frequently, I don't have time to sign in or work through the prompts to get to the working system before it starts rebooting again. This issue started in February, 2025, but it was infrequent then. Over the past month, the issue has been persistent with the system rebooting every 5 minutes or less. This is very distracting while trying to drive and takes the driver's attention away from driving. As stated before, it also makes the safety features of the vehicle inaccessible - such as collision avoidance and backup camera.
Audi MMI (computer that controls radio, backup cameras and sensors) is rebooting constantly without warning. When this occurs and the driver is in reverse, the camera shuts down, as do the backup related safety systems, collision warning, rear cross traffic etc.
The MMI system in the car spontaneously reboots, every 2-5 minutes. During reboot, the screen goes black and systems such as the backup camera, rear cross traffic detection, rear collision warning, and navigation are lost until the reboot completes and the user has to cycle thru multiple input & loading screens to get back to full functionality. Given the length of time the reboot requires, often the screen gets back to usability, only to reboot again less than a minute later. The reboots are random and occur whether the radio is off, radio playing; bluetooth connected, not connected; android auto running/not running; car moving, car parked; engine off, engine on; cold weather/hot weather; wet weather/dry weather. 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.
Continuously reboot of MMI system which impacts use and utility of main screen inclusive of backup camera, parking, collision warning, etc..
MMI continously shuts off then back on automatically for the duration of my drives. since it is random, it has occured while on the highway where my collision warning does not intervene because the MMI is off. it puts me and others at risk since without warning it shuts off and takes 20-30sec to come back on but only for a few mins until it happens again. I have called the Audi experience who told me to go to the dealer; others i know with the same system have done so to no resolve. I do not want to spend $ on an update that will not resolve the problem. this started on 7/14/25 and without warning, the MMI screen turns off. my fear is that it coincidentally happens at a time when it may be needed and cause a wreck or worse fatal
The Audi MMI (Multi Media Interface) system will continually shut down and Reset/reboot while driving. It will happen sometimes 3-4 time within a 20 minute drive. The MMI plays a crucial role in enhancing safety features by providing a user-friendly interface for managing various driver assistance systems and safety-related functions. These include features like emergency calls, roadside assistance, and the integration of driver assistance systems like adaptive cruise control and collision avoidance assist.
MMI (Infotainment system) shuts down periodically while vehicle is being driven or is idling in Park. Radio, navigation, etc., are affected. Also, the vehicles' collision warning system shuts down at the same time. Generally, the system will reboot itself within a few minutes. There is no real pattern to this issue as it may occur several times during a short trip in the car. The next day it may not happen at all. I contacted Audi dealer who stated they are not familiar with this issue and knew of no fixes.
Related recalls
Back over prevention: display function
- What is wrong
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Audi A8, RS7, RS6 Avant, RS5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, Q8, Q7, Q5 Sportback, S4 Sedan, Q5, A7, A6, A6 Allroad, A5 Sportback, A5 Coupe, A5 Cabrioleet, A4 Sedan, A4 Allroad, E-Tron Sportback Quattro, SQ7, S5 Cabriolet, E-Tron Quattro, SQ8, SQ5 Sportback, SQ5, S8, S7, S6 Sedan, S5 Sportback, S5 Coupe, 2022 E-Tron GT, and 2021-2022 RSQ8 vehicles. Due to a software issue, a blank or black screen may be displayed instead of the rearview camera image when the vehicle is placed in reverse gear. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
- Risk
- A blank rearview camera display can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will update the infotainment unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 25, 2022. Owners may contact Audi's customer service at 1‑800‑253‑2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 91DZ.
Recall number 22V742000 · Recall details
Back over prevention: sensing system: camera
- What is wrong
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 Audi A8 and S8, 2022 Audi A5 Sportback, A4 Sedan, E-Tron GT, Q3, Q5, RS6 Avant, A3 Sedan, S5 Sportback, Q5 Sportback, Q7, Q8, RSQ8, SQ7, SQ8, and S3 Sedan vehicles. A software error may prevent the rear-view image from initially displaying when the vehicle begins to reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
- Risk
- A rear-view camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will update the infotainment unit parameters, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 9, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1‑800‑253‑2834. Audi's number for this recall is 91CR.
Recall number 21V825000 · Recall details
Questions about the Audi A4 collision warning
Which Audi A4 years have false forward collision warnings problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2020 (9 complaints), 2018 (3 complaints) and 2006 (1 complaints).
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