How Reliable is the Audi S4?

The 3 Most Common S4 Problems

We've pulled together a list of the most widespread problems that S4 owners have to deal with.

Takata Recalls

A large number of Audi vehicles have been recalled because they contain dangerous airbag inflators made by Takata. The shrapnel-hurling inflators have been recalled in over 37 million vehicles (and counting).

Start-Stop Defects

There are multiple problems with Audi's start-stop technology that outweigh the modest fuel efficiency gains. Owners complain that the system will shut off the power steering and brake systems at dangerous times and cause the accelerat The …

DSG Transmission Shifting

Audi's DSG transmissions have multiple problems resulting in violent shaking as it shifts between gears. A class-action lawsuit says the problem is expecially prevelant while accelerating or slowing down through 2nd, 3rd, and 4th gear. Audi…

What S4 Owners Complain About

Sometimes it helps just to tally up the complaints and see where the biggest stacks are. Use this information to learn about troublespots or to run for the hills.

Worst Issues

2005 S4 engine rattle on startup 2 (100%)
2014 S4 bucking 2 (100%)
2011 S4 transmission failure 2 (100%)
2013 S4 steering pull 2 (100%)
2014 S4 premature brake wear 1 (50%)

Worst Topics

Transmission 8 (100%)
Engine 7 (88%)
Steering 4 (50%)
Brakes 3 (38%)
Electrical 3 (38%)

Worst Years

2012 13 (100%)
2014 8 (62%)
2005 5 (38%)
2011 5 (38%)
2010 3 (23%)

Full Lists on CarComplaints.com

S4 Generations

Generations are groups of model years where few, if any, changes were made to the vehicle which means their model years tend to break in similar ways. The S4 has 6 generations available in North American markets.

6th Generation S4 (2018–2021)

PainRank^™: N/A
Complaints: 0
Reliability: N/A

5th Generation S4 (2009–2017)

PainRank^™: 1.83
Complaints: 31
Reliability: 31st out of 66

4th Generation S4 (2006–2008)

PainRank^™: 0.34
Complaints: 2
Reliability: 13th out of 66

3rd Generation S4 (2003–2005)

PainRank^™: 1.47
Complaints: 6
Reliability: 26th out of 66

2nd Generation S4 (2000–2002)

PainRank^™: N/A
Complaints: 0
Reliability: N/A

1st Generation S4 (1992–1994)

PainRank^™: N/A
Complaints: 0
Reliability: N/A

By the Numbers

39 complaints
Running tally of owner grievances filed to CarComplaints.com.
882 service bulletins
Documenting the process of troubleshooting common problems.
9 recall campaigns
Time-sensitive, free repairs for widespread safety problems.

Timeline of Recent S4 News

For the third time in three months Audi has been sued for failing to do something about their dangerous start-stop defects. It's almost as if owners don't appreciate suddenly losing access to their power steering and brakes while slowing down or not knowing whether their vehicle will accelerate through a busy intersection.
Posted on
September 6, 2020
Tagged
#lawsuit
Source
carcomplaints.com
Start-stop technology shuts off the engine when the vehicle comes to a complete stop in order to save on fuel consumption and emissions. That's a good thing. But it also disables the power steering and brakes way too early. And it is a little slow to re-engage those systems when the vehicle starts moving again. That's a really bad thing.
Posted on
July 13, 2020
Tagged
#lawsuit
Source
carcomplaints.com
<a hr
ef="http://www.audicomplaints.com/trends/takata/">Takata is a nightmare we just can’t wake up from. It’s been almost five years since the first recall, yet here we are staring down the barrel of another recall expansion for exploding inflators.
Posted on
January 25, 2018
Tagged
#recall
Source
carcomplaints.com
The l
ead plaintiff in Anzhelya Makaryan, et. al., v. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. says a design defect in Audi's start-stop system allows vehicles to rollaway.
Posted on
August 17, 2017
Tagged
#lawsuit
Source
carcomplaints.com
Step
aside, diesel owners – a new class-action lawsuit with up to 100 plaintiffs says Audi also installed "defeat devices" on gas engines to mask CO2 emissions.
Posted on
May 7, 2017
Tagged
#lawsuit
Source
carcomplaints.com

See All S4 News