Transmission complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
My 2014 Audi S4 has a epc light that keeps turning on while driving that car. The epc light will put the car into limp mode and will have a rough idle and can barley drive. When that light turns on you have to pull over immediately and restart the car to continue driving and is a complete safety hazard because it will happen when you are on the freeway. The light mainly turns on when you are trying to get up to speeds of the flow of traffic. I have taken it to the dealer many times to get this issue resolved and they keep saying there is no issue with the car what's so ever. I decided to try to figure out what was wrong with the car myself because the dealer was no help. When I look it up hundreds of forums show up talking about it and no one can figure out what is going on with the car and everyone is having the same issue and how the dealer is no help at all. …
While traveling at 75mph, uphill, in 100f weather the fuel low pressure fuel system developed a vapor bubble that stalled the low pressure fuel pump and starved the motor for fuel. The car stalled on the freeway and would intermittently restart until the low pressure fuel pump failed. The repair required additional valves and hoses he added to the low pressure fuel system to compensate for the poor vapor management design. The car had to be towed to a dealership where the appropriate fix and TSB was executed. Total cost was ~$2200, $715 of that total cost were the new valves and hoses that should have been part of the initial design.
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.
"Takata recall" I was driving my car when I got the 'gearbox malfunction" on my dash and a check engine light. It then said that reverse was not available. The car went limp and when shifting into 2nd gear from 1st gear would rev to very high rpms and then finally shift. I would not go above 40 MPH and was slow to move from a stop. I took it to the Audi dealership and they told me it was the mechatronic unit. I was informed that it cost $5,400.00 dollars for them to replace the unit. I am just baffled as to why a car that is only 6 years in age and has only 86,000 miles on it has an electrical part that is going out so soon. Audi claims to make the best dsg transmission in the european platform, yet many have had this issue with the mechatronic unit and yet Audi hasnt chosen to warrany it or even give the option to cover the drivetrain as a whole. …
A gearbox malfunction (with codes p179e and p179f) May cause the car enter one of the "limp mode" states, which can cut engine power from the transmission. A message on the dash May say "gearbox malfunction" with a message if the car is driveable or must be brought to the repair shop. In some cases, this loss of power can make things difficult to pull over safely, as the stall can happen in an intersection, or in stop and go traffic on the freeway. Audi has recognized this problem in the form of a TSB (2032211), however, all cars with this particular transmission May experience a similar issue, at any time, despite following manufacturer service intervals. The issue May appear to be intermittent and May not enter full limp mode until many miles later. My initial encounter with questionable transmission behavior was about 10-15K miles prior. …
Driving under normal conditions (~30 MPH, city street) and the dsg auto transmission slipped from gear and gave a warning that there was a malfunction, no reverse gear available. After driving to the nearest parking lot to stop and try to diagnose, found research that stated the mechatronic unit in these transmissions are prone to fail. It appears that I lost half of my gearbox. R, 2, 3, 4, 6. After the car was able to sit overnight, the issue appeared to go away by itself, but a few days later, the issue happened again. I was driving about 45 MPH on a city road. Same exact issue, lost half of the gearbox. I then got home and immediately ordered parts to attempt to rectify and prevent any further damage from happening to the trans. And then again, just the next day, it happened again. This time while driving ~70 MPH on the highway. …
I was exiting off of the interstate and the car began to sputter. I had to cut 3 cars off to pull onto to the shoulder, where the car continued to lose power and eventually died. A gearbox malfunction warning light came on, but said it was still safe to drive. I was able to get me car into park and start . After sitting for a few minutes I went on my way, however, the car sputtered again out of 1st gear but smoothed out once I got going. The light remained on the remainder of the trip but didnt come back on the next morning. I called Audi USA to explain what happened and they acted like they never heard of such a thing happening and said it was okay to drive. I have only had this car for 6 months and that gearbox malfunction has now happened 3 times, the latest of which almost caused an accident. …
Frequently asked questions
Which Audi S4 years have transmission problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2010 (42), 2011 (22), 2012 (14), 2013 (9) and 2004 (5) model years. Transmission complaints make up 70% of all complaints for the 2010.
Is there a recall for Audi S4 transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for any Audi S4 model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Audi S4 transmission problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 61,000 miles; 33% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the manual transmission (5 mentions), followed by the clutch assembly › pedal/hand lever(motorcycle) (1).
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.