Audi S4 Problems by Year

Source: NHTSA · Updated Aug 26, 2026 · 560 owner complaints analyzed

Years with far more complaints than usual:

NHTSA has 560 owner complaints and 15 safety recalls on file for the Audi S4, across 23 model years (1995–2022). The 2000 model year has the most complaints (143). The most reported problem area overall is electrical system.

Audi S4
Audi_S4_(B9)_FL in Stuttgart-Vaihingen. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: Alexander Migl, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Peak: 2000, with 143 complaints
1995: 119951996: 02000: 14320001432001: 872002: 2220022003: 12004: 2920042005: 432006: 3020062007: 132008: 420082009: 02010: 6020102011: 262012: 2220122013: 332014: 1720142015: 12018: 720182019: 22020: 1620202021: 22022: 12022

n = 560 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Audi S4 years to avoid? What the complaint data shows

These model years drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical S4 year: 2000, 2001, 2005, 2010, 2013. Look at what owners reported before buying one, and check the VIN for open recalls.

Model years with the most complaints

  1. 2000 S4: 143 complaints, 1 recall
  2. 2001 S4: 87 complaints, 1 recall
  3. 2010 S4: 60 complaints, 0 recalls

Model years with the fewest complaints

  1. 1995 S4: 1 complaint, 2 recalls
  2. 2003 S4: 1 complaint, 1 recall
  3. 2015 S4: 1 complaint, 1 recall

Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how long each year has been on the road, so newer and less popular years naturally have fewer complaints. Use them to spot problem patterns, not as a safety ranking.

Most common Audi S4 problems (all years)

Problem areaComplaintsModel yearsCrashes
Electrical System problems149152
Power Train problems103120
Exterior Lighting6561
Tires4830
Service Brakes, Hydraulic4565
Engine and Engine Cooling4260
Steering3692
Air Bags3387
Engine28100
Back Over Prevention1130
Seats1140
Service Brakes, Air1010
Fuel/propulsion System930
Vehicle Speed Control871
Service Brakes752
Visibility740
Equipment530
Seat Belts541
Structure440
Suspension440
Electronic Stability Control (esc)330
Fuel System, Gasoline330
Equipment Adaptive/mobility220
Lane Departure220
Parking Brake222
Visibility/wiper220
Forward Collision Avoidance110
Fuel System, Other110
Latches/locks/linkages110
Service Brakes, Electric110
Wheels110

All Audi S4 model years

Model yearComplaintsRecallsCrash ratingTop problemCompared with other years
2022 S411—Electrical System
2021 S424—Electrical System
2020 S4163—Electrical SystemAbout as many complaints as other years
2019 S421—Engine
2018 S472—Engine
2015 S4115★Engine
2014 S41715★SteeringAbout as many complaints as other years
2013 S43315★SteeringFar more complaints than other years
2012 S42214★Power TrainMore complaints than other years
2011 S42614★Power TrainMore complaints than other years
2010 S4600—Power TrainFar more complaints than other years
2009 S402——
2008 S442—Air Bags
2007 S4132—Air BagsFewer complaints than other years
2006 S4302—Exterior LightingMore complaints than other years
2005 S4432—Exterior LightingFar more complaints than other years
2004 S4291—Engine and Engine CoolingMore complaints than other years
2003 S411—Power Train
2002 S4221—Electrical SystemMore complaints than other years
2001 S4871—Electrical SystemFar more complaints than other years
2000 S41431—Electrical SystemFar more complaints than other years
1996 S401——
1995 S412—Fuel System, Gasoline

More from Audi: all Audi models · Audi VIN decoder

Frequently asked questions

Which Audi S4 years should you stay away from?

By NHTSA complaints, 2000 (143), 2001 (87), 2005 (43), 2010 (60), 2013 (33) drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical S4 year. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints.

What is the biggest problem with the Audi S4?

Electrical System, with 149 complaints across 15 model years.

How many recalls does the Audi S4 have?

15 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.