Audi S4 Problems by Year

We compared every Audi S4 model year from 1995–2021 using 555 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, 14 recalls and federal defect investigations. The years to avoid are 2010, 2000, 2001 and 2005, which drew far more complaints than other S4 years at the same age. The best years are 2009, 2008 and 2007.

18model years
555complaints
14recalls
2010, 2000worst years
2009, 2008best years

Complaints by model year

’95’00’01’02’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’18’20’211143872229433013460262233177162
Owner complaints per model year, Audi S4. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).
YearComplaintsvs. typical*RecallsTop problemVerdict
20212−71%4ElectricalGood
202016typical3ElectricalAverage
20187−63%2EngineGood
201417−27%1SteeringAverage
2013331.3×1SteeringAverage
201222typical1TransmissionAverage
201126typical1TransmissionAverage
2010602.3×—TransmissionAvoid
20090−92%2—Good
20084−84%2AirbagGood
200713−76%2AirbagGood
200630typical2HeadlightAverage
2005431.5×2HeadlightCaution
200429typical1EngineAverage
200222typical1ElectricalAverage
2001873.5×1ElectricalAvoid
20001435.6×1ElectricalAvoid
19951−88%2Fuel SystemGood

* Complaints compared with the median S4 year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.

Most common Audi S4 problems

Latest Audi S4 recalls

Back over prevention › Display function

NHTSA recall 22V-742 · Oct 5, 2022 · 170,296 vehicles

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,…

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.

Tires

NHTSA recall 22V-034 · Jan 26, 2022 · 31,058 vehicles

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Audi A5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, RS5 Sportback, S5 Sportback, 2020-2021 A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A6 Allroad, A6 Sedan, A7, A8, Q5, S4 Sedan, S5 Coupe, S5 Cabriolet, S6 Sedan, S7, S8, SQ5, 2021 Q5 Sportback, Q7, Q8, RS6 Avant, RS7, RSQ8,…

Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rear axle, adjust the alignment as necessary, and replace any prematurely or unevenly worn tires, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 3, 2022.

Air bags › Sensor › Occupant classification › Front passenger

NHTSA recall 21V-874 · Nov 10, 2021 · 208,332 vehicles

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2017-2020 A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, 2018-2019 RS5 Coupe, 2019 RS5 Sportback, 2018-2020 A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A5 Sportback, S4 Sedan, S5 Cabriolet, S5 Coupe, and Audi S5 Sportback vehicles.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the connecting cable and either the heating mat or entire seat cover, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 7, 2022.

Seat belts › Rear/other › Retractor

NHTSA recall 21V-606 · Aug 5, 2021 · 45,496 vehicles

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Volkswagen ID4, Audi A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A5 Sportback, A6 Allroad, A6 Sedan, A7, A8, E-Tron Quattro, E-Tron Sportback Quattro, Q3, Q5, Q5 Sportback, Q7, Q8, RS5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, RS6 Avant, RS7, RSQ8, S4 Sedan, S5 Cabriolet,…

Remedy: Dealers will inspect, and replace as necessary, the middle-rear seat belt assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 27, 2021.

Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 21V-470 · Jun 23, 2021 · 62,812 vehicles

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2000-2001 Audi TT Coupe, TT Roadster, 2000-2002 A4, and S4 vehicles equipped with Non-Azide Driver Air Bag Inflators (NADI) that do not contain phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver frontal airbag inflator with an alternative inflator, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 2, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.

All 14 Audi S4 recalls by year →

Frequently asked questions

What years of the Audi S4 should you avoid?

2010, 2000, 2001 and 2005 — these years have the most complaints relative to other S4 years at the same age, led by transmission & drivetrain problems in the 2010.

What is the best year for the Audi S4?

2009 has the fewest complaints compared with other S4 years at the same age, followed by 2008 and 2007. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.

What are the most common Audi S4 problems?

Across all years, owners report the most problems with the electrical system (148), transmission & drivetrain (102) and engine & cooling (68). Electrical complaints peak in the 2000 model year.

How many recalls has the Audi S4 had?

14 recalls across 1995–2021. The model year with the most is 2021. See all Audi S4 recalls by year.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.