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Audi S4

Model years 1989–2025 in the US safety record. Years that drew the most complaints: 2000, 2001, 2010. Fewest complaints: 1995, 2003, 2015.

589owner complaints
16recall campaigns
11,028service bulletins
36model years on record

Complaints by model year

Each bar is one model year. Highlighted: 2000. The most recent years are still collecting complaints.

’90’93’96’00’03’06’09’12’15’18’21’24143’90’93’96’00’03’06’09’12’15’18’21’24143

NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026

New York safety inspections

Share of first inspections failed on safety, by model year. Older cars fail more as miles build up, so compare each year with the average car of the same year. Best against its own year: 2022.

0.0%1.1%2.1%’00’02’05’07’10’12’14’16’19’21’22’23’240.0%0.0%1.1%2.1%’00’04’07’11’14’18’21’22’240.0%

NY DMV Vehicle Inspections, initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count

Year by year

Model yearComplaintsRecallsBulletinsCrashes · fires
2025002230 · 0
2024 S4004540 · 0
2023 S4005490 · 0
2022 S4115720 · 0
2021 S4246830 · 0
2020 S41736800 · 0
2019 S4216400 · 0
2018 S4726270 · 0
2017 S4002860 · 0
2016004070 · 0
2015 S4115900 · 0
2014 S41716450 · 0
2013 S43317990 · 0
2012 S42217180 · 2
2011 S42617020 · 0
2010 S4Most complaints6006352 · 0
2009 S4022260 · 0
2008423120 · 0
2007 S41322471 · 1
2006 S43022310 · 0
2005 S44322132 · 0
2004 S42911210 · 1
2003 S411990 · 0
2002 S4221860 · 0
2001 S4Most complaints871754 · 0
2000 S4Most complaints1431766 · 0
199900350 · 0
199800320 · 0
199601160 · 0
1995 S412150 · 0
1994 S472160 · 0
1993 S416260 · 0
1992 S45260 · 0
19910160 · 0
19900100 · 0
19890100 · 0

A model year gets its own page when it has enough data for at least three sections

Most common problems

  • Electrical system150
  • Power train104
  • Exterior lighting65
  • Tires48
  • Service brakes, hydraulic48
  • Engine and engine cooling43
  • Steering36
  • Air bags33

NHTSA ODI complaints, all model years

Fatal crashes in the US

From 2020 to 2023, 28 S4 vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died, and 19 people died inside them. These are counts, not crash rates: a model with more cars on the road shows up more often, and people killed outside the vehicle are not counted here.

Model yearVehicles in fatal crashesDeaths in the vehicleRolled over
2021100
2020110
2019320
2018520
2016111
2015510
2014310
2012240
2011220
2010120
2007110
2005110
2002100
2000110

NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain) · how we count

Crash-test ratings by year

NHTSA 5-star results for 12 model-year variants; 4 of 6 rated variants score five stars overall. Rollover risk is the estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

YearVariantOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
20252025 Audi S4 4 DR AWD———★★★★★9.9 %
20242024 Audi S4 4 DR AWD———★★★★★9.9 %
20212021 Audi S4 4 DR AWD———★★★★★9.9 %
20202020 Audi S4 4 DR AWD———★★★★★9.9 %
20192019 Audi S4 4 DR AWD———★★★★★9.9 %
20182018 Audi S4 4 DR AWD———★★★★★9.9 %
20162016 Audi S4 4 DR AWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★9.9 %
20152015 Audi S4 4 DR AWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★9.9 %
20142014 Audi S4 4 DR AWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★9.9 %
20132013 Audi S4 4 DR AWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★9.9 %
20122012 Audi S4 4 DR AWD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★★9.9 %
20112011 Audi S4 4 DR AWD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★★9.9 %

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), api.nhtsa.gov · US federal work, public domain

Fuel consumption by year

Official Canadian test results for 23 model years, best variant per year. Combined consumption ranges from 9.7–14.5 L/100 km.

YearVariantEngineTransmissionCityHighwayCombinedCO₂ g/km
2025S4 quattro · Compact · Premium gasoline3.0 L, 6 cyl.AS811.08.19.7228
2024S4 quattro · Compact · Premium gasoline3.0 L, 6 cyl.AS811.18.19.7228
2023S4 Sedan quattro · Compact · Premium gasoline3.0 L, 6 cyl.AS811.18.09.7226
2022S4 Sedan quattro · Compact · Premium gasoline3.0 L, 6 cyl.AS811.18.09.7227
2021S4 Sedan quattro · Compact · Premium gasoline3.0 L, 6 cyl.AS811.58.510.1237
2020S4 · Compact · Premium gasoline3.0 L, 6 cyl.AS811.88.910.5245
2019S4 · Compact · Premium gasoline3.0 L, 6 cyl.AS811.38.09.8230
2018S4 · Compact · Premium gasoline3.0 L, 6 cyl.AM811.58.09.9232
2016S4 quattro · Compact · Premium gasoline3.0 L, 6 cyl.AM713.08.511.0257
2015S4 · Compact · Premium gasoline3.0 L, 6 cyl.AM713.08.511.0253
2014S4 · Compact · Premium gasoline3.0 L, 6 cyl.A713.29.211.4262
2013S4 · Compact · Premium gasoline3.0 L, 6 cyl.AM713.29.111.4262
2012S4 · Compact · Premium gasoline3.0 L, 6 cyl.AS713.69.411.7269
2011S4 · Compact · Premium gasoline3.0 L, 6 cyl.AS713.69.411.7269
2010S4 · Compact · Premium gasoline3.0 L, 6 cyl.AS713.69.411.7269
2008S4 · Compact · Premium gasoline4.2 L, 8 cyl.AS617.111.214.5334
2007S4 · Compact · Premium gasoline4.2 L, 8 cyl.AS617.111.214.5334
2006S4 · Compact · Premium gasoline4.2 L, 8 cyl.AS617.011.114.3329
2005S4 · Compact · Premium gasoline4.2 L, 8 cyl.AS615.010.713.1301
2004S4 · Compact · Premium gasoline4.2 L, 8 cyl.AS615.010.713.1301
2002S4 quattro · Compact · Premium gasoline2.7 L, 6 cyl.AS515.310.713.3306
2001S4 quattro · Compact · Premium gasoline2.7 L, 6 cyl.A515.210.513.1301
2000S4 quattro · Compact · Premium gasoline2.7 L, 6 cyl.A515.210.613.2304

Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada

In New Zealand

1,657 S4 cars are on the New Zealand register; 56% arrived as used imports.

Model yearRegisteredSold new in NZUsed imports
202413130
202313130
202224231
202117152
202015114
201924149
2018663135
20171518863
201649389
2015442024
2014833942
2013672442
20121203880
201114033104
201020249146
200917732142
2008743
2007381225
2006621249
2005992865
20041225660
2003461825
2002220
200121181
200025212
199925210
1998412
1994110

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0

In the Netherlands

1,075 S4 cars are on Dutch roads; 87% arrived later as imports, and 107 still have a recall open. Open a year for APK defects, odometer checks and colours.

First registeredOn the roadImportedMedian list price
20189995%€106,257
201714584%€101,585
20163591%€96,442
20153485%€90,488
20144591%€86,403
20134994%€86,081
20127790%€85,625
20115283%€91,508
20108487%€89,662
200915391%€90,480
20063093%€84,811
20058299%€81,532
200410877%€85,149
20038266%€83,083

RDW Open Data: registered vehicles (CC0) · list price is the manufacturer's catalogue price when new

In Finland

195 S4 cars were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026: 99% petrol, 1% diesel. Mileage is the odometer reading at the last inspection.

First registeredIn useAverage mileage
2018793,000 km
201716136,000 km
20129200,000 km
201114211,000 km
201039219,000 km
200962231,000 km
20069254,000 km
20056294,000 km
20049244,000 km
200310250,000 km
20007251,000 km
19997275,000 km

Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency), open data on vehicles in use, 30 Jun 2026 · CC BY 4.0

Road collisions in Great Britain

From 2021 to 2025, 182 S4 cars were involved in road collisions in Great Britain that injured someone and were reported to the police. 7 of those collisions were fatal and 43 caused serious injuries. As with any count, models with more cars on British roads appear more often.

YearCars in injury collisionsFatalSerious
202535111
20243739
20233916
20223819
20213318

Department for Transport, STATS19 road safety data 2021–2025 · Open Government Licence v3.0 · how we count

In the United Kingdom

9,108 S4 cars were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, by year of manufacture.

BuiltLicensedOff the road (SORN)
20251—
2024110—
20231961
2022191—
20211481
20206609
20192171
20181,34127
20171,94838
2016901
20154065
201438619
201337924
201234637
201141155
201050595
200931067
20084512
200714785
2006237158
2005275218
2004361372
2003110169
200202
20011926
200097143
1999106214
199865154
199712

Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124) · Open Government Licence v3.0

MOT test results in Great Britain

1,824 S4 cars took their annual MOT test in 2023; 84% passed first time, against 73% for all cars of the same ages. Older cars fail more often, so compare a year with the same year of other cars.

First registeredTestsPassed first timeAll cars that yearAverage mileage
202070391%88%31,200 mi
201920490%86%36,100 mi
201116778%63%89,600 mi
201018577%60%99,500 mi
200914081%59%96,800 mi
200614574%56%101,300 mi
200512979%56%105,000 mi
200415175%56%103,500 mi

Why they fail

Share of all first tests that ended in a fail because of each part of the car (one test can fail on several).

AreaS4All cars, same ages
Tyres6.1%6.1%
Suspension3.9%8.5%
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment3.8%11.3%
Noise, emissions and leaks2.0%3.1%
Body, chassis, structure1.7%3.6%
Brakes1.5%6.7%
Visibility1.3%4.8%
Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems0.9%1.2%

DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023 (Department for Transport) · Open Government Licence v3.0 · first tests of cars only; a fix made at the test station within the hour still counts as a fail

New registrations in Europe

19,281 new Audi S4 cars registered in the EU, Norway and Iceland between 2010 and 2022, from the European Environment Agency's CO₂ monitoring of every new car. In 2022 the largest markets were Germany (756), Italy (40), France (23).

YearNew carsLargest marketsMass kgCO₂ g/kmPower kW
2022877Germany, Italy, France1,907192 (WLTP)251
2021445Germany, France, Italy1,905191 (WLTP)251
20202,077Germany, United Kingdom, France1,892187 (WLTP)255
20191,000Germany, United Kingdom, France1,888188 (WLTP)255
20182,915United Kingdom, Germany, Italy1,736177 (NEDC)260
20173,879United Kingdom, Germany, France1,737173 (NEDC)261
2016533Germany, United Kingdom, France1,754—257
2015823United Kingdom, Germany, Italy1,812—245
2014963United Kingdom, Germany, Spain1,810—245
20131,032United Kingdom, Germany, France1,812—245
2012805United Kingdom, Italy, France1,805—245
20111,609United Kingdom, Germany, Italy1,787—245
20102,323United Kingdom, Germany, Italy1,789——

Averages are weighted by registrations; CO₂ is the type-approval value (NEDC until the WLTP switch). European Environment Agency, CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars · re-use permitted with acknowledgement

Real-world fuel consumption

912 Audi S4 cars registered in Europe between 2021 and 2024 report their fuel use through the on-board meter. Diesel hybrid versions average 8.2 l/100 km on the road, against 7.3 l/100 km in the official WLTP test — 13% more.

FuelCarsOn the roadWLTPDifferenceAverage distance so far
Diesel hybrid9128.27.3+13%41,000 km

Litres per 100 km: total fuel used divided by total distance driven, from the car's own fuel consumption meter (OBFCM), collected in 2024 by the manufacturers, mostly remotely, and by national authorities. WLTP figures are the type-approval CO₂ values converted to litres. Hybrids, including mild hybrids, do not plug in; plug-in hybrid figures include the distance driven on electricity. European Environment Agency, Real-world CO₂ emissions from cars and vans · CC BY 4.0

What it costs in fuel

On real-world figures the Audi S4 uses 8.2 litres per 100 km, so 15,000 km a year takes about 1,240 litres: £2,464 at this week's average price in United Kingdom, its largest market in Europe.

CountryDiesel hybridPetrol per litreDiesel per litre
United Kingdom£2,464£1.75£1.99
Germany€2,801€2.18€2.27
Italy€2,774€2.02€2.24
France€2,899€2.23€2.35
Austria€2,635€1.82€2.13
United States$2,049$1.13$1.66

Fuel for 15,000 km (9,300 miles) a year at real-world consumption. Pump prices with taxes, week of 19 October 2026: European Commission Weekly Oil Bulletin, UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, US Energy Information Administration. Non-euro EU prices are in euros as the Bulletin publishes them.

Work it out for your driving

Compare running costs of other models

EU safety alerts

Safety Gate, the European Union's rapid alert system, names the S4 in 2 alerts. European versions can differ from the North American car.

A12/00788/23 · Injuries14 Apr 2023 · A4, S4, A4 Cabriolet, S4 Cabriolet, RS4, RS4 Cabriolet, A6, S6, A6 Allroad Quattro, RS6

The airbag may deteriorate over time and if deployed, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator body to burst and metal fragments could pass through the cushion material causing injury to occupants. The product does not comply with the Regulation on t…

A12/0382/19 · Fire8 Mar 2019 · A4, A5, A6, A7, A8, S4, S5, Q7

In certain vehicles, fuel can leak onto the engine fuel rail. Fuel leakage close to a source of ignition may increase the risk of the vehicle catching fire.

Safety Gate (European Commission) · CC0

Recalls

16 campaigns cover the S4; the latest 12 are below.

22V806000 · Equipment26 Oct 2022 · 2022

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021-2022 AUDI A8, A6 Allroad, E-TRON Quattro, 2022 S3, RSQ8, RS7, RS6 Avant, Q8, Q7, Q3, E-TRON Sportback Quattro, S5 Cabriolet, E-TRON GT, S5 Sportback, A7, A6, A5 Sportback, A5 Cabriolet, A4, A4 Allroad, A3, S8, SQ7, SQ8, S6, and S4 vehicles. The infotainment main unit may become damaged internally when the vehicle is shut off, resulting in an inoperative rearview camera display the next time the vehicle is started. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

22V742000 · Back over prevention5 Oct 2022 · 2021

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Audi A8, RS7, RS6 Avant, RS5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, Q8, Q7, Q5 Sportback, S4 Sedan, Q5, A7, A6, A6 Allroad, A5 Sportback, A5 Coupe, A5 Cabrioleet, A4 Sedan, A4 Allroad, E-Tron Sportback Quattro, SQ7, S5 Cabriolet, E-Tron Quattro, SQ8, SQ5 Sportback, SQ5, S8, S7, S6 Sedan, S5 Sportback, S5 Coupe, 2022 E-Tron GT, and 2021-2022 RSQ8 vehicles. Due to a software issue, a blank or black screen may be displayed instead of the rearview camera image when the vehicle is placed in reverse gear. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

22V034000 · Tires26 Jan 2022 · 2020, 2021

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Audi A5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, RS5 Sportback, S5 Sportback, 2020-2021 A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A6 Allroad, A6 Sedan, A7, A8, Q5, S4 Sedan, S5 Coupe, S5 Cabriolet, S6 Sedan, S7, S8, SQ5, 2021 Q5 Sportback, Q7, Q8, RS6 Avant, RS7, RSQ8, SQ5 Sportback, SQ7, and SQ8 vehicles. The rear axle alignment may not have been inspected after the repairs for Recall 21V-295 (42L1) were performed.

21V874000 · Air bags10 Nov 2021 · 2018, 2019, 2020

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2017-2020 A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, 2018-2019 RS5 Coupe, 2019 RS5 Sportback, 2018-2020 A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A5 Sportback, S4 Sedan, S5 Cabriolet, S5 Coupe, and Audi S5 Sportback vehicles. The cable connecting the seat heater to the Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS) may have a contact fault, causing the software to misdiagnose a malfunction and disable the passenger air bag.

21V606000 · Seat belts5 Aug 2021 · 2021

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Volkswagen ID4, Audi A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A5 Sportback, A6 Allroad, A6 Sedan, A7, A8, E-Tron Quattro, E-Tron Sportback Quattro, Q3, Q5, Q5 Sportback, Q7, Q8, RS5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, RS6 Avant, RS7, RSQ8, S4 Sedan, S5 Cabriolet, S5 Coupe, S5 Sportback, S6 Sedan, S7, S8, SQ5, SQ5 Sportback, SQ7, SQ8, and 2021-2022 S3 Sedan vehicles. The rear seat belt automatic locking retractors may deactivate early, which can prevent the child restraint system from securing properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

21V470000 · Air bags23 Jun 2021 · 2000, 2001, 2002

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2000-2001 Audi TT Coupe, TT Roadster, 2000-2002 A4, and S4 vehicles equipped with Non-Azide Driver Air Bag Inflators (NADI) that do not contain phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. Due to a manufacturing issue, the NADI inflators may absorb moisture, possibly causing the air bag to deploy improperly in the event of a crash.

21V295000 · Suspension26 Apr 2021 · 2020, 2021

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 Q7, Q8, Q5 Sportback, SQ5 Sportback, RS6 Avant, RS7, RS Q8, 2020-2021 Audi S6 sedan, Q5, A8, S8, A7, A6 Allroad, A5 Cabriolet, A4 sedan, A4 Allroad, SQ5, S7, A6 sedan, S5 coupe, S4 sedan, S5 Cabriolet, A5 coupe, 2019-2021 RS5 coupe, A5 Sportback, S5 Sportback, RS5 Sportback vehicles. The lock nut on the trailing arm of the rear axle may break due to stress corrosion.

19V547000 · Air bags24 Jul 2019 · 2018

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Audi RS5 Sportback, 2018 S5 Cabriolet, S5 Sportback, S5 Coupe, S4 Sedan, A5 Cabriolet, A5 Sportback, A5 Coupe, and 2017-2018 A4 Sedan and A4 Allroad vehicles. Oxidation on the Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS) connecting cable may cause the software to misdiagnose a malfunction and disable the passenger air bag.

18V427000 · Air bags22 Jun 2018 · 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2005-2008 Audi A4 Sedan, A4 Avant, S4 Avant and S4 Sedan, 2007-2008 RS4 Sedan, 2004 RS4 Cabriolet, 2007-2009 A4 Cabriolet and S4 Cabriolet, 2005-2011 A6 Sedan, 2006-2011 A6 Avant, and 2007-2011 S6 Sedan vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

17V032000 · Air bags11 Jan 2017 · 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2009 Audi A4 Cabriolet, S4 Cabriolet, A6 Avant, A6 Sedan and S6 Sedan vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Additionally, unless included in "Zone B" above, Volkswagen is recalling certain 2005-2008 Audi A4 Avant, A4 Sedan, A6 Sedan, S4 Avant and S4 Sedan vehicles, 2007-2008 A4 Cabriolet, RS4 Sedan, S4 Cabriolet and S6 Sedan vehicles, and 2006-2008 A6 Avant and 2008 RS4 Cabriolet vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

15V019000 · Fuel system, gasoline20 Jan 2015 · 2011, 2012

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Audi S4, S5, Q7, 2012 Audi A6, Volkswagen Touareg Hybrid, and 2012-2013 Audi A7 vehicles. In the affected vehicles the fuel injection system may experience a fuel leak.

14V667000 · Air bags24 Oct 2014 · 2013, 2014, 2015

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Audi A4 and S4 vehicles manufactured February 16, 2012, to October 21, 2014, and 2013-2015 Audi Allroad vehicles manufactured March 12, 2012, to October 21, 2014. Due to an improper algorithm in the air bag control module, if a crash necessitates deployment of the side air bags, a second impact to the front of the vehicle may not command the front air bags to also deploy.

NHTSA recalls