NHTSA Complaint #11659915 — 2020 AUDI A4

The Multimedia Interface (MMI) infotainment system in my 2020 Audi A4 frequently and unexpectedly reboots during driving. Each reboot causes the display to go black, disabling essential safety features including the backup camera, rear obstacle sensors, navigation, and hands-free phone connectivity until the system fully reloads. Restoring operation requires manual interaction, such as entering a PIN and repeatedly using the touchscreen, which distracts the driver and creates unsafe conditions. This malfunction significantly jeopardizes safety, particularly while driving in reverse, as the abrupt loss of the backup camera and obstacle detection sensors occurs without warning, substantially increasing the risk of collision or pedestrian accidents. Additionally, during normal driving, the sudden reboots disable navigation guidance and hands-free phone operation, which are essential for compliance with state laws regarding distraction-free driving. The need for manual input to restore these functionalities causes further driver distraction, compounding the potential for hazardous situations. The issue initially appeared sporadically over a year ago but increased dramatically around February 2025, now occurring as often as every few minutes. Performing a factory reset provided no improvement. Many owners report identical problems on forums like AudiWorld and Reddit, specifically mentioning the early-2025 onset and similar software versions. Several related Technical Service Bulletins, including TSB 2067021, TSB 2076404, and TSB 2069112, suggest software updates to address infotainment malfunctions. My vehicle underwent scheduled maintenance at an authorized Audi dealer in December 2024; no MMI abnormalities were reported then. Due to the sudden and unexpected nature of these system reboots and the disabling of critical safety and compliance functions, this defect should be recognized as a significant safety risk requiring immediate corrective action from Audi.