Audi S4 Electrical System Problems
Owners have filed 149 complaints with NHTSA about electrical system problems on the Audi S4 across 15 model years. The 2000 model year has the most (49). The words owners use most often: “instrument cluster” (26% of reports).
- 149electrical system complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 2mention a crash
- 0mention an injury
- 1related recalls
- $1,350typical repair cost reported by owners
- 41%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Instrument cluster: mentioned in 38 of 149 complaints (26%)
- Safety information: mentioned in 15 of 149 complaints (10%)
- Gearbox malfunction: mentioned in 9 of 149 complaints (6%)
- Center display: mentioned in 9 of 149 complaints (6%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical electrical system repair on the Audi S4 at $1,350, and half of them between $1,050 and $1,900.
Based on 8 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2007–2025), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do electrical system problems happen?
Based on 96 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 149 complaints, 2 mention a crash, 1 a fire.
Audi S4 electrical system complaints by model year
| Model year | Electrical System complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 S4 | 1 | 100% | — |
| 2021 S4 | 1 | 50% | 31,000 |
| 2020 S4 | 14 | 88% | — |
| 2014 S4 | 1 | 6% | 100,000 |
| 2013 S4 | 2 | 6% | 1,000 |
| 2012 S4 | 3 | 14% | 69,000 |
| 2011 S4 | 2 | 8% | 56,000 |
| 2010 S4 | 6 | 10% | 67,388 |
| 2007 S4 | 2 | 15% | 105,714 |
| 2006 S4 | 4 | 13% | 50,000 |
| 2005 S4 | 5 | 12% | 65,000 |
| 2004 S4 | 2 | 7% | 79,000 |
| 2002 S4 | 10 | 45% | 57,000 |
| 2001 S4 | 47 | 54% | 70,000 |
| 2000 S4 | 49 | 34% | 65,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (1)
Electrical system:ignition:switch
Model years: 1995, 1996
Problem: Defective ignition switches were improperly manufactured and can cause some electrical accessories to malfunction.
Risk: Some electrical accessories, such as, turn signals, windshield wipers, lamps, power wind0ws and air conditioners can malfunction when the car is started.
Fix: Dealers will replace the ignition switch.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owns a 2021 Audi S4. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced a loss of automotive power. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The message "Drive System Malfunction - Please Contact Service" was displayed. In addition, the vehicle…
My instrument cluster and its replacements have malfunctioned multiple times. The original instrument cluster/virtual cockpit failed to boot and had a black/blank screen on 4/19/2024 at 29,687 miles and was replaced on 5/15/2024 at 29,923 mi. That replacement one worked fine for a while and then…
The Audi MMI malfunctions and reboots randomly while driving. Possibly being a software issue. There is a TSB code that the dealer used to reference for me ( TSB 2078437/1), but I cannot find it on the NHTSA website. The reboot issue shuts off all functions associated with it, including, but not…
I am submitting a formal complaint regarding a persistent and dangerous issue with the MMI (Multi Media Interface) system in my 2020 Audi S4. Since February 2025, the system has been spontaneously rebooting both while the vehicle is idling and in motion. When this occurs, the screen goes black and…
2022 Audi S4- letter from lawyer representing consumer in reference to the Ohio Lemon Law. Consumer is requesting refund of purchase price of vehicle. Purchase agreement and repair invoices attached.
Frequently asked questions
Do all Audi S4s have electrical system problems?
No. NHTSA has 149 owner complaints about electrical system for the Audi S4. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Audi S4 electrical system?
Yes: 1 safety recall list electrical system. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix electrical system problems on the Audi S4?
Owners report a typical cost of $1,350 (half paid between $1,050 and $1,900), from 8 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about electrical system problems on the Audi S4?
The most frequent phrase is “instrument cluster”, in 38 of 149 complaints, followed by “safety information” (15).
Other Audi S4 problems
- Power Train problems (103)
See all Audi S4 problems.