Major Problems with Audi S4 Derived from Complaints & Recalls

Learn about the common problems with a used Audi S4 to avoid purchasing a bad year of the model.

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Best and Worst Years for Audi S4

Explore the chart showing how many complaints have been filed for each year of Audi S4.

Model Year	Complaints
2018 S4	3
2014 S4	12
2013 S4	28
2012 S4	22
2011 S4	25
2010 S4	57
2008 S4	4
2007 S4	9
2006 S4	30
2005 S4	43
2004 S4	29
2002 S4	22
2001 S4	85
2000 S4	141

Worst 3 Audi S4 complaints

2007 Audi S4 CALIPER Victims: 2 Mileage: 13000 miles

2000 Audi S4 FRONTAL Victims: 2 Mileage: 46500 miles

Browse Audi S4 complaints by category

Problems with POWER TRAIN, INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL and EXTERIOR LIGHTING are the most frequent issues recorded by the NHTSA from Audi S4 owners.

Problem Category	Number of Problems
POWER TRAIN while driving a sudden brake followed by a quick acceleration leads to bucking with acceleration and the engine remaining revved...	87 ~ 59594 miles
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM tl*the contact owns a 2002 audi s4. the instrumental panel does not display any information. the cluster symbols are broken.	64 ~ 68056 miles
EXTERIOR LIGHTING condensation build-up in headlight housing on various audi vehicles that does not dissipate regardless of weather or duration of hid	57 ~ 48553 miles
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM the vehicle will not start. not with the "key" or the button starter. audi service claims its the battery but...	46 ~ 46805 miles
TIRES hankook tires ventus s1 noble 2 splitting outside sidewall caused to depressure tire which caused to crack tire on the...	29 ~ 9379 miles
STEERING tl*the contact owns a 2014 audi s4. the contact stated that while driving at approximately 40 mph the steering wheel...	27 ~ 22478 miles
AIR BAGS the passenger airbag off indicator light is on. checked with audi and they are saying the passenger occupant detection system	23 ~ 10176 miles
ENGINE carbon build up...	19 ~ 57507 miles
SIDEWALL > TIRES hankook tires ventus s1 noble 2 splitting outside sidewall caused to depressure tire which caused to crack tire on the...	18 ~ 5833 miles
CONTROL MODULE > ANTI-THEFT > IGNITION audi of america has not taken security systems on the audi s4's seriously. they have been massive known thefts in...	16 ~ 3431 miles
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING this has been a known issue to many 2010 audi s4 owners. many of them reported a waterpump failure basically...	15 ~ 38804 miles
CONTROL UNIT/MODULE > ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP > SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC abs controller on a 2000 audi s4 failed after 58k miles. the brake fluid pump and abs controller unit are...	15 ~ 54679 miles
ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP > SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 1) car is 2001 audi s4 avant. car was running for approximately 15 minutes and was idling at top of...	14 ~ 35739 miles
ENGINE > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING front headlights (both sides) flicker(blink) but not all the time. when they flicker i turn them off and then turn...	12 ~ 57054 miles
UNKNOWN OR OTHER stepped in my car to go out started car as i pushed the clutch down. clutch pedal snapped to the...	11 ~ 58726 miles
COOLING SYSTEM > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING i am writing to complain about a design flaw that has been identified in the waterpump used in the 2010...	10 ~ 20220 miles
CONTROL UNIT/MODULE > ANTILOCK > SERVICE BRAKES, AIR abs control module needed to be replaced in 2000 audi s4 after numerous false dashboard warning light indications were intermittently	9 ~ 63393 miles
ROTOR > DISC > FOUNDATION COMPONENTS i purchased my audo s4 avant new on nov. 10 2001. it has 26 000 miles on it. there have...	8 ~ 18053 miles
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM after 2 engine oil leaks in 2.5 years i smelled gas fumes in the cabin numerous times scheduled an appt...	7 ~ 56500 miles
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL very abruptly shifts up or down launching the car forward without warning ...	7 ~ 35901 miles
HEADLIGHTS > EXTERIOR LIGHTING car has a problem with its headlights completely covered with condensation inside therefore cutting on the amount of light from	7 ~ 14571 miles
SERVICE BRAKES brakes light came on and pads are worn and rotors are warped at only 16 000 miles. had the audi...	6 ~ 30272 miles
FRONTAL > AIR BAGS in august 2006 while driving my 2005 audi s4 convertible on a busy street in bloomington indiana at 45-50 mph...	5 ~ 33000 miles
ABS WARNING LIGHT > ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP > SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC abs failure: bosch 5.3 abs module found in vw audi & porsche fail within the first 60k miles. abs modules...	5 ~ 36784 miles
DISC > FOUNDATION COMPONENTS > SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC car shimmies at highway speeds under braking. auto gallery 21301 ventura blvd. woodland hills ca 91364 machined the front rotors...	5 ~ 22118 miles
MANUAL TRANSMISSION > POWER TRAIN i have a 2004 audi s4 that had catastrophic failure at only 40 000 miles due to defective parts. the...	4 ~ 39000 miles
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC in august 2006 while driving my 2005 audi s4 convertible on a busy street in bloomington indiana at 45-50 mph...	4 ~ 88225 miles
VISIBILITY hid xenon headlights randomly flicker and shut off during driving. it's getting worse. dealers "never found" problem which recurs continually...	4 ~ 40625 miles
POWER ADJUST > FRONT ASSEMBLY > SEATS drive's seat experienced a rocking motion when vehicle accelerated.consumer suspected possible seat frame damage.*ak...	4 ~ 2873 miles
SEATS heated seat element burned or melted the seat while the car was off overnight. passenger seat leather is now separated	3 ~ 41767 miles
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL 2014 audi s4 has dangerous steering behavior. the steering slips at the center position will not go straight on the...	3 ~ 31146 miles
TREAD/BELT > TIRES yokohama yk520 335/45r/17 tires... driving along with my 2001 audi s4 and started noticing a wobble or shimmy in the...	3 ~ 29000 miles
RECLINER > FRONT ASSEMBLY > SEATS driver's seat rock back and forth when braking or accelerating. seat frame has already been replaced twice and it started...	3 ~ 29333 miles
RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC. > ELECTRICAL > EQUIPMENT sun roof leaks / door locks broke and radio needs replacing. *ak...	3
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY 2014 audi s4 has dangerous steering behavior. the steering slips at the center position will not go straight on the...	2 ~ 26755 miles
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE front headlights (both sides) flicker(blink) but not all the time. when they flicker i turn them off and then turn...	2 ~ 36500 miles
SEAT BELTS rear seat belt buckle has interior defects after 33 000 miles. car is outside of warranty due to year of...	2 ~ 65925 miles
EQUIPMENT i bought my car with 36 xxx miles on it. the center lcd screen does not work. the car is...	2 ~ 72627 miles
BUCKLE ASSEMBLY > FRONT > SEAT BELTS my 2007 audi rs-4 quattro sedan had a brake malfunction of some sort that caused the front wheels to lock...	2 ~ 24000 miles
HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM > STEERING i leased on brand new 2006 audi s4 on july 29 2006. in december 14 2006 this car developed a...	2 ~ 2250 miles
ABS WARNING LIGHT > ANTILOCK > SERVICE BRAKES, AIR abs failure on 2000 s4 with only 60 000 miles. the abs failure light comes on randomly while driving. i...	2 ~ 67000 miles
12V/24V/48V BATTERY > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM like many other people who own an audi s4 with 50 000 miles i am having brake light issues. only...	2 ~ 57500 miles
ELECTRICAL > EQUIPMENT 2000 audi s4 abs computer module is defective. code 01203. the abs and brake light flash and beep all of...	2
INTERIOR > REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES > VISIBILITY tl*the contact owns a 2004 audi s4. when the weather was cold and the contact took his foot off of...	2 ~ 2500 miles
FAN > COOLING SYSTEM > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING tl*the contact owns a 2004 audi s4. when the weather was cold and the contact took his foot off of...	2 ~ 2500 miles
EXTERNAL > WARNINGS > BACK OVER PREVENTION audis stolen in nj ny pa va .......... all over east coast in populated areas audis get stolen like in...	2
PADS > DISC > FOUNDATION COMPONENTS i purchased my audo s4 avant new on nov. 10 2001. it has 26 000 miles on it. there have...	2 ~ 3000 miles
DOOR > BODY > STRUCTURE sun roof leaks / door locks broke and radio needs replacing. *ak...	2
CONVENTIONAL > PARKING BRAKE my wife returned from buying presents and stopped the vehicle in the driveway. she engaged the handbrake and waited one...	2
TURBO/SUPERCHARGER > GASOLINE > ENGINE chronic problem with blown turbos. audi has made engineering changes to the tubros without notifiying customers of impending failures. they...	2
BODY > STRUCTURE there are two large "underride guard" panels on the underside of the vehicle that are fastened by small loose-fitting plastic...	1 ~ 5800 miles
VISIBILITY/WIPER driver headlight dipped info on dash. headlight turns off or flickers till it turns off and must turn all lights...	1 ~ 95000 miles
WHEELS while driving to new york city from north carolina on interstate 95 i encountered heavy traffic around silver spring md....	1 ~ 100336 miles
SUSPENSION i recently purchased a brand new 2011 audi s4 sedan and had a suspension and/or alignment issue which caused the...	1 ~ 27000 miles
STRUCTURE 2004 audi s4 convertible - 40k - rear window of convertible top has separated from top - appears to be...	1 ~ 40000 miles
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC communication failure from the abs module it causes the abs light to stay lit and the brake light flashes when...	1 ~ 119562 miles
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION > POWER TRAIN front headlights (both sides) flicker(blink) but not all the time. when they flicker i turn them off and then turn...	1 ~ 50000 miles
CALIPER > DISC > FOUNDATION COMPONENTS my 2007 audi rs-4 quattro sedan had a brake malfunction of some sort that caused the front wheels to lock...	1 ~ 13000 miles
POWER ASSIST > SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC brake booster check valve fails causing vac hose feeding to booster unit to become totally separated from valve. result is	1 ~ 82100 miles
FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS > WIRING > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM in august 2006 while driving my 2005 audi s4 convertible on a busy street in bloomington indiana at 45-50 mph...	1 ~ 10000 miles
BELL HOUSING > CLUTCH ASSEMBLY > POWER TRAIN i leased on brand new 2006 audi s4 on july 29 2006. in december 14 2006 this car developed a...	1 ~ 4500 miles
PUMP > HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST > STEERING power coupling on power steering motor failed resulting in loss of steering as i was driving....dealer later informed me that	1 ~ 22500 miles
HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS > VACUUM > POWER ASSIST the brakes boost/vacuum assist line check valve cracks apart into two pieces. this causes the total loss of the power...	1 ~ 38750 miles
BRAKE LIGHTS > EXTERIOR LIGHTING like many other people who own an audi s4 with 50 000 miles i am having brake light issues. only...	1 ~ 56000 miles
HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS > HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST > STEERING like many other people who own an audi s4 with 50 000 miles i am having brake light issues. only...	1 ~ 56000 miles
PEDAL/HAND LEVER(MOTORCYCLE) > CLUTCH ASSEMBLY > POWER TRAIN like many other people who own an audi s4 with 50 000 miles i am having brake light issues. only...	1 ~ 56000 miles
DIFFERENTIAL PROPORTIONAL VALVE > FOUNDATION COMPONENTS > SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC many audi and vw models manufactured starting in the later '90s and continuing to present use the bosch 5.3 abs...	1 ~ 61500 miles
STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR > STEERING a frontal collision with another vehicle at 50 mph. upon impact driver's air bag did not deploy and the steering...	1 ~ 71000 miles
ACCELERATOR PEDAL > VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL tl*the contact owns a 2004 audi s4. when the weather was cold and the contact took his foot off of...	1 ~ 5000 miles
FUEL GAUGE SYSTEM > STORAGE > FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER the problem i am experiencing is analogous to a recall already announced for the audi a6: nhtsa recall no. 00v-147...	1
WHEEL BEARING > FRONT > SUSPENSION normal day to day driving has produced failure of two sets of front wheel bearings on this car. the original...	1 ~ 62000 miles
LATCH > DOORS > LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES my audi s4 was almost stolen in nj right by route 9 in fort lee. the drivers side door handle...	1
CATALYTIC CONVERTOR > EMISSION CONTROL > EXHAUST SYSTEM dt: there was a cam adjuster from where the oil leak was coming from. noticed this on august 8 2003....	1 ~ 29477 miles
FRONT > SUSPENSION thunking noise in front suspension for last two years when i get on the gas or on the brakes. two...	1 ~ 18000 miles
SEAT HEATER/COOLER > FRONT ASSEMBLY > SEATS i feel there is a design flaw in the electrical front seats in the b5 chassis a4/s4 (1996-2001 a4 and...	1
GASOLINE > ENGINE > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING i just did an oil change myself on the car and i noticed. (before the change) that the whole bottom...	1
ANTI-THEFT DEVICE > COLUMN LOCKING > STEERING the door locks and alarm system failed when my car was stolen from the ikea parking lot in elizabeth new...	1
SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY > VISIBILITY sun roof leaks / door locks broke and radio needs replacing. *ak...	1
SWITCH > HEADLIGHTS > EXTERIOR LIGHTING passenger side xenon headlight switches itself off frequently. four attempts to fix the problem have not helped.*ak...	1
INTERIOR/UNDER DASH > WIRING > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM dt: instrument panel was damaged upon delivery of vehicle was replaced by dealership consumer complained numerous times about electrical problems...	1 ~ 20000 miles

FAQ

What year Audi S4 is the most reliable?

Speaking of the models produced in the last 14 years, Audi S4 models of 2018, 2008, 2007 year of manufacture have had the least number of complaints.

What year was a bad year for Audi S4?

Audi S4 models of 2000 and 2001 are probably the years to be avoided like the plague due to a higher than an average number of issues reported.

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