What's Wrong with the Audi S4?

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).
Continue reading article "Takata Recalls"
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 …
Continue reading article "Start-Stop Defects"
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…
Continue reading article "DSG Transmission Shifting"

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

engine rattle on startup in the 2005 S4
2 complaints
bucking in the 2014 S4
2 complaints
transmission failure in the 2011 S4
2 complaints
steering pull in the 2013 S4
2 complaints
premature brake wear in the 2014 S4
1 complaints

What Breaks the Most

Transmission
8 complaints
Engine
7 complaints
Steering
4 complaints
Brakes
3 complaints
Electrical
3 complaints

Years to Avoid

2012
13 complaints
2014
8 complaints
2005
5 complaints
2011
5 complaints
2010
3 complaints

Full Lists on CarComplaints.com

6th Generation S4
Years
2018–2021
Reliability
N/A
PainRank^™
N/A
Complaints
0
Learn more about the 6th Generation S4
5th Generation S4
Years
2009–2017
Reliability
31st out of 39
PainRank^™
1.83
Complaints
31
Learn more about the 5th Generation S4
4th Generation S4
Years
2006–2008
Reliability
13th out of 39
PainRank^™
0.34
Complaints
2
Learn more about the 4th Generation S4
3rd Generation S4
Years
2003–2005
Reliability
26th out of 39
PainRank^™
1.47
Complaints
6
Learn more about the 3rd Generation S4
2nd Generation S4
Years
2000–2002
Reliability
26th out of 39
PainRank^™
N/A
Complaints
0
Learn more about the 2nd Generation S4
1st Generation S4
Years
1992–1994
Reliability
26th out of 39
PainRank^™
N/A
Complaints
0
Learn more about the 1st Generation S4

S4 Key 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.

S4 Class-Action Lawsuits

The S4 has been named as a class vehicle in the following lawsuits.

Dusanjh v. Audi AG, et al.
1. Case Filed
  September 2020
  The Audi Start-Stop system allegedly requires expensive repairs, car rentals, towing charges, time off work and other costs, while customers allegedly lose money as the vehicles lose their values.
Problem
Start-Stop Defects
Class Vehicles
2017-2020 A3
2017-2020 A4
2017-2020 A5
2017-2020 A6
2017-2020 A7
2017-2020 A8
2017-2020 S3
2017-2020 S4
2017-2020 S6
2017-2020 S8
2017-2020 Q5
2017-2020 Q7
2017-2020 Q8
2017-2020 SQ5
2017-2020 TT
2017-2020 TTS
Location
British Columbia
Mandani, et al., v. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., et al.
1. Case Filed
  May 2019
  The class action says the DSG transmissions cause sudden rough shaking and violent jerking when drivers accelerate and shift into 2nd, 3rd or 4th gear. The lawsuit also alleges the vehicles shudder and judder when a driver slows down
Problem
DSG Transmission Shifting
Class Vehicles
2010-2014 S4
2010-2014 S5
2010-2014 S6
2010-2014 S7
2010-2014 RS5
Location
California
Anzhelya Makaryan, et. al., v. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc
2:2017cv05086
1. Case Filed
  July 2017
  An Audi timing chain lawsuit alleges Audi and Volkswagen vehicles have defects that cause the timing chains to suddenly fail without warning, causing the engines to fail.
2. Dismissed
  October 2017
  The case was voluntarily dismissed in November 2017 after a motion to dismiss by Audi was filed earlier that same month.
Problem
Start-Stop Defects
Class Vehicles
2013-2017 A3
2013-2017 A4
2013-2017 A5
2013-2017 A6
2013-2017 A7
2013-2017 A8
2013-2017 S3
2013-2017 S4
2013-2017 S5
2013-2017 S6
2013-2017 S7
2013-2017 S8
2013-2017 RS 5
2013-2017 RS 7
2013-2017 allroad
2013-2017 Q3
2013-2017 Q5
2013-2017 Q7
2013-2017 SQ5
2013-2017 TT
2013-2017 TTS
2013-2017 TT RS
2013-2017 R8
Location
California

Recent S4 News

There's a lot of news out there, but not all of it matters. We try to boil down it to the most important bits about things that actually help you with your car problem. Interested in getting these stories in an email? Signup for free email alerts over at CarComplaints.com.

There's growing concern that more than 46,000 Audi vehicles can end up with misaligned rear axles.
The automaker recalled the vehicles after discovering a certain batch of lock nuts on the axle's trailing arm are more suceptible to snap because of corrosion.…
keep reading article "Audi Recalls 46,000 Vehicles With Potentially Misaligned Rear Axles"
Posted on
May 6, 2021
Source
carcomplaints.com
Tagged
#recall
Another Audi start-stop lawsuit has been dismissed
after the judge ruled that the owner's manual clearly states the Start-Stop system may turn off the engine before the car comes to a complete stop. Is that all it takes to win in court? Be prepared for your next owner's manual to say "cars might catch on fire due to thermodynamics" just to cover all the bases.…
keep reading article "A Judge Just Ruled That Audi's Start-System Operates As Intended"
Posted on
March 15, 2021
Source
carcomplaints.com
Tagged
#lawsuit
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.…
keep reading article "Canada Joins the Lawsuit Party Against Audi's Defective Start-Stop System"
Posted on
September 6, 2020
Source
carcomplaints.com
Tagged
#lawsuit
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.…
keep reading article "Defects in Audi's Start-Stop Technology Make it Dangerous to Drive"
Posted on
July 13, 2020
Source
carcomplaints.com
Tagged
#lawsuit
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.
This latest round of recalls affects over 10,000 A4, A6, S4, and S6. David Woods of CarComplaints.com has the full breakdown of which model years and in what zones.…
keep reading article "New Year, New Takata Recalls"
Posted on
January 25, 2018
Source
carcomplaints.com
Tagged
#recall
The lead 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.
The rollaways happen because the start-stop system won't deactivate if the driver takes off their seat belt for any reason while the vehicle is stopped.
To make matters worse if that the system won't work even if the driver re-buckled their seat belts.
keep reading article "Does Audi's Start-Stop Technology Allow Vehicles to Accidentally Roll Away?"
Posted on
August 17, 2017
Source
carcomplaints.com
Tagged
#lawsuit
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.
The lawsuit says illegal CO2 defeat devices were installed on Audi vehicles equipped with 8HP55 “AL 551” and DL 501-7Q “DL 501” transmissions, with the AL 551 transmissions manufactured by ZF Friedrichshafen.…
keep reading article "Again? Lawsuit Says Audi Installed Defeat Devices on Gas Engines Too"
Posted on
May 7, 2017
Source
carcomplaints.com
Tagged
#lawsuit

See All S4 News

Audi S4 Reliability Problems

3 Common Audi S4 Problems

Takata Recalls

Start-Stop Defects

DSG Transmission Shifting

What S4 Owners Complain About

Worst Issues

What Breaks the Most

Years to Avoid

S4 Generations

6th Generation S4

5th Generation S4

4th Generation S4

3rd Generation S4

2nd Generation S4

1st Generation S4

S4 Key Numbers

39 complaints

882 service bulletins

9 recall campaigns

S4 Class-Action Lawsuits

Dusanjh v. Audi AG, et al.

Case Filed

Mandani, et al., v. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., et al.

Case Filed

Anzhelya Makaryan, et. al., v. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc

Case Filed

Dismissed

Recent S4 News

There's growing concern that more than 46,000 Audi vehicles can end up with misaligned rear axles.

Another Audi start-stop lawsuit has been dismissed

For the third time in three months Audi has been sued for failing to do something about their dangerous start-stop defects.

Start-stop technology shuts off the engine when the vehicle comes to a complete stop in order to save on fuel consumption and emissions.

Takata is a nightmare we just can’t wake up from.

The lead 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.

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.

Other Audi Models