Most common 2013 Audi S4 problems
Share of the 33 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Audi S4 complaints by model year
Best S4 years: 2009, 2008, 2007. Years to avoid: 2010, 2000, 2001, 2005. Compare all years →
2013 Audi S4 recalls (1)
Air bags
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Audi A4 and S4 vehicles manufactured February 16, 2012, to October 21, 2014, and 2013-2015 Audi Allroad vehicles manufactured March 12, 2012, to October 21, 2014.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and Audi dealers will update the air bag control unit software, free of charge. The recall began on November 14, 2014. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-822-2834.
What 2013 Audi S4 owners say
Steering
My 2013 Audi S4 is experiencing a steering issue where it has 'on center floating'. Basically the steering wheel feels like there are notches to the steering when the wheel is centered. I have experienced this issue many times, especially when it is cold out, but have not been able to reproduce the issue at an Audi dealership. Based on the research I have done, this is a common issue on the 2013 Audi S4 but Audi is not acknowledging the issue. The issue had been so bad that it posed a saftey risk when driving in snow. The resolution seems to be the latest steering rack that is available, but the dealership, and Audi of America, refuse to replace it unitl the dealer is able to reproduce the issue.
Steering wheel slips causing the vehicle to veer right or left without movement of the steering wheel. Constant adjustments must be made just to keep the car aligned in a straight position. Gets worse when going around long turns. Very scary and unrealiable to drive. Would never let anyone I cared about drive the car. What a waste of 70K. Dealership claims they have never heard of the problem yet it is all over the internet with common problems and some people getting it fixed while others cant. Scared to drive the car above 35mph. Terrible steering issue.
Transmission & drivetrain
Transmission fail while driving and stationary at traffic light. Main DTC: P179F00 - Drive sensor position: malfunction Additional DTC: P179E00 - Drive sensor position: electrical malfunction ABS: 00473 Parking brake: U111300 TCM: 01315 This situation occurred 3 times in the past 3 weeks while driving or being stationary at a traffic light. Event triggers loud warning sounds, red flashing lights/icons in dashboard, total loss of power while engine still running. At this time, this problem creates highly dangerous driving conditions with random total loss of power. The situation is temporarily remedied if engine is shut off and restarted.
At times Vehicle suddenly loses power and displays "transmission malfunction:you may continue driving" but then fails to accelerate to or maintain highway speeds. Other times when vehicle is stopped in traffic the transmission delays engaging when pressing in the accelerator and thus causes an unexpected delay to movement or if on an incline will roll backwards.
Engine & cooling
Transmission shifts harshly and makes noise during shifts. Was told the mechatronics need replacement. Sometimes when accelerating the car will jolt as if it it loses power momentarily. When merging into traffic in could be dangerous.
Lost all coolant due to radiator leak from road hazard damage caused by bad design of front lower grill. It has no protective mesh and clear openings for rocks to protrude. I found this on Audi forum two people now on the vairious boards have thought they lost their water pump, but in fact have had holes punched in their intercooling radiators by errant road debris which strikes the radiator at highway speeds and perforates it. Since the engine and supercharger cooling systems share the same overflow container, but are seperate loops, it's only a matter of time before both systems have lost all coolant liquid, due to the one way valve system, the heating and cooling of the coolant and the shared overflow tank. This is not covered by Audi warranty, and is considered wear and tear. …
2013 Audi S4 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0L 6-cyl supercharged | 7-speed dual-clutch | AWD | 18 / 28 / 21 |
| 3.0L 6-cyl supercharged | 6-speed manual | AWD | 17 / 26 / 20 |
EPA ratings. Class: Compact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2013 Audi S4 a good car?
Based on 33 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2013 S4 rates average: 1.3× as many complaints as a typical year of the S4 at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2013 Audi S4?
The steering — 19 complaints, 58% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the transmission & drivetrain (9) and engine & cooling (4).
How many recalls does the 2013 Audi S4 have?
There is 1 recall for the 2013 Audi S4, the most recent from October 24, 2014 (air bags). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Audi S4?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2009, 2008 and 2007. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2010, 2000, 2001 and 2005. See the full Audi S4 years comparison.
At what mileage do 2013 Audi S4 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 5,000 miles; 93% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.