U.S. public vehicle records

Audi S4 brakes problems

103 complaint narratives mention brakes terms.

Key facts

588 owner complaints analyzed

16 distinct recall campaigns

55,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 1989 to 2022 model years. Data updated: 2026-10-01 (October 1, 2026). 377 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Braking behavior evidence

103 of 588 complaints match this topic (17.5%). The keyword filter can include complaints that mention a transmission without reporting its failure. View matching rules.

Owner report 834585 · 1999-02-08 (February 8, 1999)

WHILE DRIVING THERE WAS A LOT OF VIBRATION IN FRONT END. ABS BRAKES WERE NOT FUNCTIONING/LOCKED UP, CAUSING VEHICLE TO VIBRATE. ALSO, FRONT LEFT WHEEL HAD SMOKE COMING FROM IT. DEALER HAD TO REPLACE ALL BRAKE ROTORS AND REAR CALIPERS. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 834585 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10182337 · 2007-02-12 (February 12, 2007)

THERE IS A SEVERE SAFETY PROBLEM ASSOCIATED WITH THE AUDI 94S4, OTHER MODEL YEAR S CARS AND OTHER AUDI CARS WITH THE 100 BODY. WHEN THE PLASTIC PART THAT CONNECTS THE THROTTLE BODY TO THE THROTTLE CABLE BREAKS, THE ENGINE GOES UP TO 7000 RPM (OVER RED LINE). IF IN HEAVILY CONGESTED TRAFFIC AS I WAS, THE OWNER RISKS HIS LIFE OR HIS ENGINE. SINCE I DECIDED MY LIFE AND THAT OF MY PASSENGERS WAS MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE ENGINE, I LET THE ENGINE RACE AND USED THE BRAKE TO CONTROL SPEED UNTIL I COULD SAFELY GET OFF THE BELTWAY AND ONTO A SIDE R…

Owner-reported narrative. 165,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10182337 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 885304 · 2001-04-06 (April 6, 2001)

BRAKES ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY. DEALER HAS REDONE BRAKES TWICE.*AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 885304 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10025342 · 2003-07-03 (July 3, 2003)

THUNKING NOISE IN FRONT SUSPENSION FOR LAST TWO YEARS WHEN I GET ON THE GAS OR ON THE BRAKES. TWO SEPARATE DEALERS TOOK THE CAR FOR A ROAD TEST AND SAID IT WAS FINE. IT HAS GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY LOUDER AND MORE NOTICEABLE. I AM WORRIED THAT THIS COULD BE LEADING UP TO A FAILURE OF THE SUSPENSION OR STEERING.*AK

Owner-reported narrative. 18,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10025342 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10056399 · 2004-02-03 (February 3, 2004)

ABS CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED IN 2000 AUDI S4 AFTER NUMEROUS FALSE DASHBOARD WARNING LIGHT INDICATIONS WERE INTERMITTENTLY DISPLAYED WILL DRIVING. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. 84,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10056399 at NHTSA ↗

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.

Data completeness

588 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.

64.1%Usable mileage377 / 588 records

97.6%Valid incident date574 / 588 records

100.0%Valid filing date588 / 588 records

97.6%Ordered incident and filing dates574 / 588 records

Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.

Problems by model year

Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.

From model yearThrough model year

Component complaint heatmap
Component	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014	2015	2018	2019	2020	2021	2022
Power Train	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	4270.0% ODI 10551886 · 35,000 mi THE TRANSMISSION BEGINS TO JERK AND SLAM CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE JUST PRIOR TO STOPPING IN STOP/GO TRAFFIC. NOTICED THAT THIS HAPPENS ONLY AFTER DRIVING IN STOP/GO SITUATIONS AND USUALLY AROUND 5MPH. ALSO CLANKS/JERKS WHILE IN REVERSE. DEALER KEEPS SAYING THEY CANNOT REPRODUCE. *TR Look up ODI 10551886 at NHTSA ↗	2284.6% ODI 10481521 · 8,860 mi THIS ISSUE CONCERNS MY AUDI 2011 S4, A CAR THAT I TOOK DELIVERY ON IN APRIL, 2011. I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR SINCE THE DELIVERY, HOWEVER, IT IS A SAFETY CONCERN THAT HAS CAUSED THIS SPECIFIC FILING. THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE WITH THE DSG TRANSMISSION. ON OCCASION, THE CAR WILL STRUGGLE AND "BUCK" IN LOW GEARS AT A VERY SLOW SPEED (OR FROMA COMPLETE STOP) UPON ACCELERATION. THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN OFTEN BUT IT HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES SINCE TAKING DELIVERY. I HAVE TRIED ADDRESSING THE PROBLEM WITH AUDI CORAL SPRINGS IN THE P… Look up ODI 10481521 at NHTSA ↗	1463.6% ODI 10695462 I OWN A 2012 AUDI S4 WITH A 7 SPEED DSG TRANSMISSION AND NOTICE HARD SHIFTING IN 1-2 AND 2-1 AND ALSO INTO REVERSE AND DRIVE. I HAVE READ ABOUT THIS BEING A MECHTRONICS UNIT OR WHOLE REPLACEMENT OF THE TRANSMISSION CAN BE NEEDED. AFTER BRINGING THE CAR INTO AUDI 4 TIMES WITH THESE ISSUES THEY FINALLY SAID THAT I NEED TO REPLACE THE TCU AND UPDATE SOFTWARE ON THE ECU. I ASKED IF THIS WILL FIX THE ISSUE AND THEY SAID THAT THIS REPAIR WILL BE THE FIRST IN AN ORDER OF PARTS TO BE REPLACED TO HOPEFULLY FIX THE PROBLEM. NEXT WOULD BE THE MECHTRONICS … Look up ODI 10695462 at NHTSA ↗	927.3% ODI 10618528 · 25,000 mi THIS VEHICLE IS KNOWN FOR HAVING A FAULTY MECHATRONICS UNIT. THE MECHATRONICS UNIT DOES NOT WORK CORRECTLY, AND CAUSES JERKING AND INSTABILITY TO THE DSG TRANSMISSION. I HAVE ALMOST REAR ENDED OTHER VEHICLES AT RED LIGHTS BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION WILL JERK FORWARD UNEXPECTEDLY AND LUNGE ME FORWARD TOWARD THE VEHICLE AHEAD. THIS IS NOT ONLY AN ISSUE THAT A PRESTIGIOUS NAME LIKE AUDI SHOULD NOT HAVE, BUT IT IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE. AUDI OF AMERICA IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM, BUT CHOOSES TO IGNORE IT FOR THE SAKE OF NOT HAVING TO COVER REPAIRS FO… Look up ODI 10618528 at NHTSA ↗	317.6% ODI 10916285 · 10,000 mi WHILE DRIVING, A SUDDEN BRAKE FOLLOWED BY A QUICK ACCELERATION LEADS TO BUCKING WITH ACCELERATION AND THE ENGINE REMAINING REVVED UP. WITH BRAKING, THE CAR LUNGES FORWARD. THE ONLY WAY TO CHANGE IT IS BY SHUTTING THE CAR OFF ENTIRELY. HAS OCCURRED AT LEAST 7 TIMES IN PASSED 2.5 YEARS. RESEARCH INDICATES A FAULTY MECHATRONICS UNIT, BUT 2 NY DEALERSHIPS CONTINUE TO STATE NO ISSUE. Look up ODI 10916285 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	114.3% ODI 11051028 · 1,300 mi WHEN DRIVING IN MANUAL MODE AND TRANSITION FROM ON THE THROTTLE TO OFF-THROTTLE, THERE IS A 1-2 SECOND DELAY BEFORE THE ENGINE STOPS ACCELERATING AND TRANSITIONS TO DECELERATION. ESPECIALLY IN FIRST GEAR, THIS MEANS THAT THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO ACCELERATE FOR THAT PERIOD OF TIME. I DROVE ANOTHER MODEL OF AUDI WITH THE SAME ENGINE/TRANSMISSION (2018 S5) AND IT EXHIBITS THE SAME BEHAVIOR. SINCE THE CAR DOES NOT HAVE A PHYSICAL THROTTLE CABLE, THIS WOULD SEEM TO BE CAUSED BY THE THROTTLE NOT CLOSING AS COMMANDED BY THE ECU OR THERE BEING A DEL… Look up ODI 11051028 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Electrical System	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	610.0% ODI 10618337 · 63,000 mi PULLED OUT OF PARKING LOT AND RECEIVED A GEARBOX MALFUNCTION WARNING ALONG WITH A TPMS MALFUNCTION. WARNING ON DASH INDICATED THAT I COULD CONTINUE DRIVING. I DROVE VEHICLE FOR APPROXIMATELY ANOTHER MILE AND WHILE GOING THRU A ROUNDABOUT, THE CAR SHUT OFF. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND GET THE VEHICLE STARTED AGAIN. I CONTINUED THE REST OF THE WAY HOME FOR ABOUT 2 MORE MILES. THE MECHATRONIC UNIT WAS DETERMINED TO BE FAULTY AND WAS REPLACED. *TR Look up ODI 10618337 at NHTSA ↗	27.7% ODI 10767556 · 50,000 mi AFTER TURNING MY CAR ON A GEARBOX MALFUNCTION WARNING APPEARED BUT SAID I COULD CONTINUE DRIVING. AFTER DRIVING THE MESSAGE AND SERVICE LIGHT EVENTUALLY WENT OFF WITH EVERYTHING GOING BACK TO NORMAL. THE CAR APPEARS TO HAVE A VERY COMMON MECHATRONIC UNIT ISSUE THAT IS PART OF THE FAULTY DSG THAT AUDI HAS PUT IN THE B8 S4 MODEL. Look up ODI 10767556 at NHTSA ↗	313.6% ODI 11044900 I HAVE A COMPLAINT AUDI S4 AND OTHER AUDI CARS HAVE THE SAME ISSUE AS I'M HAVING YOU CAN BE DRIVING ON THE MAIN ROAD OR ON THE HIGHWAY AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR LOSES POWER AND EXCELLERATION . I FOUND THAT AS A PROBLEM TO THE SAFETY OF ME AND THE OTHER PEOPLE THAT HAVE THE SAME CAR MODEL. Look up ODI 11044900 at NHTSA ↗	26.1% ODI 10515323 · 1,000 mi THE VEHICLE WILL NOT START. NOT WITH THE "KEY" OR THE BUTTON STARTER. AUDI SERVICE CLAIMS ITS THE BATTERY BUT WHEN THE ROADSIDE SERVICE SHOWS UP ITS NOT THE BATTERY, SO NOW A TOW TRUCK HAS TO BE CALLED. THIS CAN HAPPEN AT ANYTIME AND ANY PLACE. AUDI DENIES IT IS A COMPUTER ISSUE BUT YET THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUTS DOWN AND NOTHING IS AVAILABLE - ELECTRONICALLY OR MORE IMPORTANTLY MANUALLY. DON'T BE OUT LATE AT NIGHT OR YOU MIGHT BE A VICTIM TO MORE THAN A BROKEN DOWN VEHICLE. BY THE WAY THIS VEHICLE IS LESS THAN ONE MONTH OLD. *TR Look up ODI 10515323 at NHTSA ↗	15.9% ODI 11399328 · 100,000 mi MY 2014 AUDI S4 HAS A EPC LIGHT THAT KEEPS TURNING ON WHILE DRIVING THAT CAR. THE EPC LIGHT WILL PUT THE CAR INTO LIMP MODE AND WILL HAVE A ROUGH IDLE AND CAN BARLEY DRIVE. WHEN THAT LIGHT TURNS ON YOU HAVE TO PULL OVER IMMEDIATELY AND RESTART THE CAR TO CONTINUE DRIVING AND IS A COMPLETE SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE IT WILL HAPPEN WHEN YOU ARE ON THE FREEWAY. THE LIGHT MAINLY TURNS ON WHEN YOU ARE TRYING TO GET UP TO SPEEDS OF THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER MANY TIMES TO GET THIS ISSUE RESOLVED AND THEY KEEP SAYING THERE IS NO ISS… Look up ODI 11399328 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	1487.5% ODI 11584272 SOS module. Audi had a service for the known problem internally (Service Action 90T2) then stopped it apparently but many of us still experiencing issues that were not able to get the part corrected. SOS, GPS, Bluetooth, all hands free does not work. 6 months plus of waiting for a $2k part on backorder because many of us having the issue. Look up ODI 11584272 at NHTSA ↗	150.0% ODI 11689741 · 31,000 mi 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 hesitated to restart and shift into gear as intended. The contact stated that the failure had progressed over time. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing a pending software service update; however, the repairs w… Look up ODI 11689741 at NHTSA ↗	1100.0% ODI 11522822 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. Look up ODI 11522822 at NHTSA ↗
Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Exterior Lighting	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	23.3% ODI 10418207 CONDENSATION BUILD-UP IN HEADLIGHT HOUSING ON VARIOUS AUDI VEHICLES THAT DOES NOT DISSIPATE REGARDLESS OF WEATHER OR DURATION OF HID LIGHTS BEING ON. *TR Look up ODI 10418207 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Steering	125.0% ODI 10435277 · 31,000 mi MY VEHICLE HAS INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS WITH THE POWER STEERING FAILURE. THE STEERING WHEEL GOES FROM PRACTICALLY FROZEN TO BEING LOOSE WITHOUT WARNING. THIS CAN CAUSE DRIVING OFF THE ROAD, INTO TRAFFIC, CRASH, ETC. DEALERSHIP, DELTA AUDI, GRAND RAPIDS, MI, CANNOT REPLICATE AND REFUSE TO DRIVE SIMILAR TO THE CONDITIONS IT FAILS, FOR LACK OF STAFF AND RESOURCES. AUDI OF AMERICA AND "STATE REPRESENTATIVE" AND "END OF THE LINE" DECISION MAKER RYAN CONLIN [phone removed], STATES HE WILL OFFER NO FURTHER RESOLVE. HE REFUSES TO PUT IN WRITING EFFOR… Look up ODI 10435277 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	11.7% ODI 10358825 · 5,800 mi 2010 AUDI S4 WATER PUMP FAILURE -- THIS COMPLAINT IS IDENTICAL TO THE PREVIOUS TWO COMPLAINTS SURROUNDING THIS MODEL'S WATER PUMP FAILURE. IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT A NEAR FULL LOSS OF STEERING DIRECTLY RELATED TO THIS FAILURE OCCURRED AT THE SAME TIME. IN MY CASE THE CAR HAS BEEN REPAIRED, HOWEVER LIKE OTHERS WHO HAVE DETAILED THEIR EXPERIENCES, AUDI HAS NOT ACKNOWLEDGED THIS IS A SYSTEMIC ISSUE FOR THIS MODEL, NOR IS THE REPAIR SATISFACTORY AS THE DISTINCT ODOR OF G-12 (G-30 IN EUROPE) IS PRESENT. THOUGH THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE FIRST, IT IS … Look up ODI 10358825 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	1957.6% ODI 10495010 · 1,500 mi MY 2013 AUDI S4 EXHIBITS AN ALARMING TENDENCY TO WEAVE FROM SIDE TO SIDE WITHOUT A STEERING INPUT. THIS OCCURS WITHOUT A CHANGE IN STEERING WHEEL POSITION, VEHICLE SPEED, OR CHANGE IN ROAD SURFACE OR PREVAILING WIND DIRECTION. IT IS MORE PRONOUNCED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND WHEN WHEEL IS CENTERED AT 12 O'CLOCK BUT DOES OCCUR AT ALL SPEEDS AND STEERING VECTORS. AUDI DEALERSHIP NOTES THE PROBLEM AND BLAMES THE NEW ELECTRIC STEERING SYSTEM BUT STATES IT IS A "CHARACTERISTIC" OF THE SYSTEM AND IS NOT A DEFECT. I DISAGREE AND FEEL ANY DIRECTION CHAN… Look up ODI 10495010 at NHTSA ↗	635.3% ODI 10681722 · 5,900 mi TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 AUDI S4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE STOP CAR STEERING SYSTEM DEFAULT WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,900. Look up ODI 10681722 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Tires	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Air Bags	375.0% ODI 10946737 TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 AUDI S4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V382000 (AIR BAGS) AND 16V079000 (AIR BAGS). THE PARTS TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. Look up ODI 10946737 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	15.9% ODI 11164618 THE PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF INDICATOR LIGHT IS ON. CHECKED WITH AUDI AND THEY ARE SAYING THE PASSENGER OCCUPANT DETECTION SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. EAXCT SAME ISSUE AS THE AUDI RECALL 74D5 Look up ODI 11164618 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Engine	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	46.7% ODI 10639545 · 57,000 mi WITHOUT WARNING MY 2010 AUDI S4 OVER HEATED WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM THE STORE ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT. LUCKILY MY CHILDREN WERE NOT WITH ME BECAUSE I HAD TO PULL OFF ON THE SIDE OF A BUSY ROAD UNTIL THE ENGINE COOLED DOWN. FROM WHAT I GATHERED ON THE INTERNET SEVERAL HUNDRED AUDI'S HAD THE SAME ISSUE BUT NO RECALL WAS ISSUED. ONLY A TSB (TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN) WAS ISSUED. AUDI MAKES THE CUSTOMER PAY THE BILL, EVEN THOUGH THEY REPLACED THE PLASTIC THERMOSTAT WITH AN ALUMINUM ONE AND SOMETIMES THE WATER PUMP. BAD CUSTOMER SERVICE IF YOU ASK ME. … Look up ODI 10639545 at NHTSA ↗	519.2% ODI 10641193 · 48,500 mi THERE IS A WELL KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE AUDI 3.OT ENGINE'S PLASTIC THERMOSTAT FAILING! I WAS DRIVING AND THE THERMOSTAT FAILED CAUSING THE ENGINE TEMP TO SKYROCKET TO "H"! I DROVE HOME BECAUSE I WAS CLOSE ENOUGH WITH THE HEATER ON HIGH. THEY FLATBEDED MY CAR ON 9/29/14 FROM MY DRIVEWAY TO THE AUDI DEALERSHIP. DEALERSHIP DETERMINED IT WAS A FAILED THERMOSTAT AND REPLACED IT WITH ANOTHER "PLASTIC THEMOSTAT." THE SECOND THERMOSTAT FAILED 2 DAYS LATER. I JUST TOOK THE CAR TO THE AUDI DEALERSHIP AGAIN THIS MORNING 10/3/14 TO HAVE IT REPLACED AGAIN! THI… Look up ODI 10641193 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	412.1% ODI 10494645 · 1,529 mi LOST ALL COOLANT DUE TO RADIATOR LEAK FROM ROAD HAZARD DAMAGE CAUSED BY BAD DESIGN OF FRONT LOWER GRILL. IT HAS NO PROTECTIVE MESH AND CLEAR OPENINGS FOR ROCKS TO PROTRUDE. I FOUND THIS ON AUDI FORUM TWO PEOPLE NOW ON THE VAIRIOUS BOARDS HAVE THOUGHT THEY LOST THEIR WATER PUMP, BUT IN FACT HAVE HAD HOLES PUNCHED IN THEIR INTERCOOLING RADIATORS BY ERRANT ROAD DEBRIS WHICH STRIKES THE RADIATOR AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND PERFORATES IT. SINCE THE ENGINE AND SUPERCHARGER COOLING SYSTEMS SHARE THE SAME OVERFLOW CONTAINER, BUT ARE SEPERATE LOOPS, IT'S … Look up ODI 10494645 at NHTSA ↗	317.6% ODI 11096865 · 90,010 mi CARBON BUILD UP Look up ODI 11096865 at NHTSA ↗	1100.0% ODI 11501592 The R&R valve/oil separator unit failed on my 2015 Audi S4 at approximately 71,000 miles. This unit, when fails, can mix the oil and anti-freeze which can seize the engine. I was able to catch the problem before engine failure. Minneapolis Audi repaired the vehicle this week, 1/10/23. There were NO warning indicators except noise. Various media sources have stated that this is a known engine failure concern between 60-90K miles for this engine. Audi does not recognize this as a safety or warranty concern. Look up ODI 11501592 at NHTSA ↗	457.1% ODI 11051028 · 1,300 mi WHEN DRIVING IN MANUAL MODE AND TRANSITION FROM ON THE THROTTLE TO OFF-THROTTLE, THERE IS A 1-2 SECOND DELAY BEFORE THE ENGINE STOPS ACCELERATING AND TRANSITIONS TO DECELERATION. ESPECIALLY IN FIRST GEAR, THIS MEANS THAT THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO ACCELERATE FOR THAT PERIOD OF TIME. I DROVE ANOTHER MODEL OF AUDI WITH THE SAME ENGINE/TRANSMISSION (2018 S5) AND IT EXHIBITS THE SAME BEHAVIOR. SINCE THE CAR DOES NOT HAVE A PHYSICAL THROTTLE CABLE, THIS WOULD SEEM TO BE CAUSED BY THE THROTTLE NOT CLOSING AS COMMANDED BY THE ECU OR THERE BEING A DEL… Look up ODI 11051028 at NHTSA ↗	150.0% ODI 11646713 I don't know because dealer will not allow me to inspect engine or send me a response to what caused failure. Seems by the sounds coming from the top end of the motor most likely cause is that rocker arm (or possibly a valve train)component failed, noise coming from top end. Of course the failure was just after the 50k warranty by about 17 k miles. So roughly 66-67 k miles. The original estimate was a new long block at approx. 31k cost to me. Eventually after complaining significantly it was settled at 14k plus tax. Look up ODI 11646713 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.

Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.

Failure mileage by component

Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.

Component failure mileage distribution
Component	Mileage range (25th–75th percentile)	Median	Usable records	Examples
Power Train	42,000–79,000 mi	62,148 mi	89	ODI 10443757 · 55,000 mi I OWN A 2004, AUDI, S4 WHICH I PURCHASED USED FROM MY BROTHER, WHO BOUGHT IT NEW. I BOUGHT THIS CAR FROM HIM WITH 45,000 MILES ON IT. AT 55,000 MILES THE CAR HAD CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE. 5,000 MILES OVER THE WARRANTY PERIOD! THE MECHANIC THAT IS REPAIRING THE DAMAGE SAID IF ONE MORE COMPONENT WOULD HAVE BROKE IT COULD HAVE CAUSED ME TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASH. THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REMOVED FROM THE VEHICLE TO BE REPAIRED. I CONTACTED AUDI OF U.S.A. TO,1. ALERT THEM OF THIS PROBLEM AND POSSIBLE SAFETY ISSUE, 2. … Look up ODI 10443757 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10622265 · 80,000 mi AUDI CLAIMS THAT THE TIMING CHAIN ON THOSE VEHICLES ARE LIFETIME AND DOES NOT NEED TO BE SERVICE. UNFORTUNATE THE TIMING CHANGE TENSIONERS ARE MADE OF PLASTIC WHICH THE WEAR OUT AT ABOUT 50K MILES, CAUSING A START UP RATTLE AND EVENTUALLY ENGINE EXPLOSION FROM THE CHAIN COMING OF THE GUIDES AND DESTROYING THE ENTIRE ENGINE AND CAUSING A MASSIVE ACCIDENT AT HIGH SPEED. HUNDREDS OF PROBLEMS LIKE THIS ONE ARE REPORTED ONLINE FROM THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE EVEN YOUTUBE VIDEOS. NOT TO MENTION THAT EVERY TIME YOU BRING YOUR VEHICLE AND COMPLAINT TO AUDI … Look up ODI 10622265 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10606837 · 100,336 mi WHILE DRIVING TO NEW YORK CITY FROM NORTH CAROLINA ON INTERSTATE 95, I ENCOUNTERED HEAVY TRAFFIC AROUND SILVER SPRING, MD. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES OF DRIVING IN SLOW-MOVING TRAFFIC, THE CLUTCH PEDAL FAILED TO RETURN FROM ITS ENGAGED POSITION AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. WITH THE ENGINE OFF, I MANUALLY PULLED AND RETURNED THE CLUTCH PEDAL BACK TO ITS RELEASED POSITION. I THEN PROCEEDED TO RESTART THE ENGINE AND PRESSED THE CLUTCH PEDAL. AGAIN, THE CLUTCH PEDAL REMAINED STUCK IN THE ENGAGED POSITION. MOMENTS LATER SMOKE BECAME TO APPEAR FROM U… Look up ODI 10606837 at NHTSA ↗
Electrical System	50,000–73,428 mi	63,102 mi	37	ODI 10236699 · 122,000 mi I DRIVE A 2000 AUDI S4. TODAY THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER STOPPED WORKING WHILE I WAS DRIVING. DUE TO THIS I WAS UNABLE TO KNOW HOW FAST I WAS GOING OR READ ANY OF THE VEHICLE SAFETY WARNINGS, WHICH MY VEHICLE'S DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM DISPLAYS ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. WHILE SPEAKING WITH THE AUDI DEALERSHIP I WAS INFORMED THAT THIS IS NOT AN UNCOMMON PROBLEM. I BELIEVE THIS TO BE AN UNSAFE VEHICLE FLAW THAT MUST BE CORRECTED. TR Look up ODI 10236699 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10244257 · 60,000 mi PIXELS ON MY INSTRUMENT CLUSTER BEGAN TO GET SCRAMBLED THE CAR WAS SERVICED LAST MONTH AND BECAUSE I COULD NOT READ THE WARNING LIGHT INDICATING LOW OIL MY MOTOR WAS NEARLY BLOWN. ALL WARNING LIGHTS COME ACROSS THAT PART OF THE CLUSTER AND NO WARNING IS VIEWABLE. TR Look up ODI 10244257 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10244366 · 40,000 mi INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILURE. I HAVE NO WAY TO VIEW THE IMPORTANT VEHICLE INFORMATION ON MY CLUSTER AS THE PIXELS IN THE DISPLAY HAVE FAILED AND ARE NOW UNREADABLE, TEMP, ENGINE ISSUES ETC ALL APPEAR ON THIS SCREEN AND ARE UNREADABLE. *TR Look up ODI 10244366 at NHTSA ↗
Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel	50,000–92,750 mi	76,500 mi	52	ODI 10204354 · 92,000 mi TLTHE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 AUDI S4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO VIEW THE WARNING INDICATORS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE HEAT FROM THE VEHICLE CAUSED THE FAILURE. AS OF SEPTEMBER 28, 2007, THE DEALER HAD NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 105,000. Look up ODI 10204354 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10204367 · 46,000 mi TLTHE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 AUDI S4. THE CENTER PIXEL DISPLAY ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DOES NOT PROPERLY DISPLAY ALL OF ITS FEATURES. THE DISPLAY BEGAN MALFUNCTIONING AT APPROXIMATELY 30,000 MILES AND HAS BEEN OCCURRING EVER SINCE. THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THE CONTACT NEVER NOTIFIED THE DEALER OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 76,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,000. Look up ODI 10204367 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10204488 · 78,000 mi BAD INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DISPLAY GOING BAD..CAN'T SEE ANY WARNING SYMBOLS IF THEY WERE TO SHOW. *JB Look up ODI 10204488 at NHTSA ↗
Exterior Lighting	39,750–67,750 mi	52,050 mi	48	ODI 10471969 · 19,955 mi THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER ON ALL THE AUDI S4S AND ALSO ON VW LOOSE PIXELS ON THE DASH AND IT GOES OUT, IT IS A HAZARD BECAUSE THIS IS A GAUGE THAT DOES A SYSTEM CHECK EVERY TIME YOU START THE VEHICLE, THE CAR TELLS THE DRIVER IF THERE ARE BRAKE PROBLEMS, ENGINE PROBLEMS, ALSO IF LIGHTS ARE OUT I.E. BRAKE LIGHTS TURN SIGNALS, AND ALSO FLUID STATUS OF THE CAR. WHEN THIS INSTRUMENT CLUSTER GOES OUT OR AS AUDI CALLS IT LOSES PIXELS, THE DRIVER DOES NOT KNOW THE STATUS OF THE CAR WHICH COULD CAUSE SAFETY AND HARM TO THE OPERATOR. IT HAS BEEN DOCUMENTED… Look up ODI 10471969 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10212985 · 5,000 mi TLTHE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 AUDI S4. WHEN THE WEATHER WAS COLD AND THE CONTACT TOOK HIS FOOT OFF OF THE ACCELERATOR, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN. THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS ABOUT 75,000 MILES AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS LESS THAN 5,000 MILES. UPDATED 01/24/08. LJ THE BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD COME ON AND GO OFF. THE REAR VIEW MIRROR FELL OFF. THE COOLING FAN WOULD STAY ON AT ALL TIMES. THE DEALER REPLACED A FAULTY FAN MODULE. UPDATED Look up ODI 10212985 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10747523 · 79,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 AUDI S4. WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, THE LOW BEAM HEAD LAMPS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE WITHOUT WARNING. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO THE HEAD LAMP BULBS, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE WIRING WAS BURNED AND DAMAGED. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000. Look up ODI 10747523 at NHTSA ↗
Steering	3,550–40,498 mi	7,700 mi	30	ODI 10451955 · 112,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 AUDI S4. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 25 MPH WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED AND BECAME STIFF AND HARD TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHO CONFIRMED THERE WAS A PUNCTURED HOSE CAUSING THE STEERING TO FAIL. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED ON A SEPARATE OCCASION THAT HE HEARD A SQUEALING NOISE AFTER THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE BRAKES TO MALFUNCTION WHEN THEY WERE APPLIED. THE DEALER STATED THE BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE.… Look up ODI 10451955 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11023457 · 95,000 mi I WAS ON MY WAY TO SUBSTITUTE TEACH AT AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN SANTA CRUZ, CA AND SO WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF A LOT OF EARLY TRAFFIC AT A LEFT TURN SIGNAL WHEN I HEARD A VERY STRANGE RUMBLE. I THOUGHT IT WAS ANOTHER CAR AS MY CAR HAD JUST BEEN IN FOR A 95,000 MILE SERVICE A FEW WEEKS EARLIER. HOWEVER, PART WAY THROUGH THE TURN I WAS ALMOST UNABLE TO STEER THE CAR. I HAD TO FIGHT THE CAR TO KEEP IT FROM HITTING A BICYCLIST AND TO GET IT OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE IT THEN STOPPED STEERING AND DIED. AT THAT POINT IT WAS BLOCKING TWO CARS IN A … Look up ODI 11023457 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10606837 · 100,336 mi WHILE DRIVING TO NEW YORK CITY FROM NORTH CAROLINA ON INTERSTATE 95, I ENCOUNTERED HEAVY TRAFFIC AROUND SILVER SPRING, MD. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES OF DRIVING IN SLOW-MOVING TRAFFIC, THE CLUTCH PEDAL FAILED TO RETURN FROM ITS ENGAGED POSITION AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. WITH THE ENGINE OFF, I MANUALLY PULLED AND RETURNED THE CLUTCH PEDAL BACK TO ITS RELEASED POSITION. I THEN PROCEEDED TO RESTART THE ENGINE AND PRESSED THE CLUTCH PEDAL. AGAIN, THE CLUTCH PEDAL REMAINED STUCK IN THE ENGAGED POSITION. MOMENTS LATER SMOKE BECAME TO APPEAR FROM U… Look up ODI 10606837 at NHTSA ↗
Tires	Too few reports for a range	87,000 mi	3 (sparse)	ODI 10312747 · 80,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 AUDI S4 WITH BRIDGE STONE BLIZZARD WS- 60 TIRES 235/45/R17. HE STATED WHEN DRIVING OVER 50 MPH THE TIRES DO NOT GRIP AND LOSE TRACTION. BRIDGESTONE WAS CONTACTED AND THEY STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT HELP HIM .THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN OCCURRING EVER SINCE HE PURCHASED THE TIRES. HE HAD REPLACED THEM 2 TIMES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80000. Look up ODI 10312747 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10379917 · 87,000 mi YOKOHAMA YK520 335/45R/17 TIRES... DRIVING ALONG WITH MY 2001 AUDI S4 AND STARTED NOTICING A WOBBLE OR SHIMMY IN THE STEERING WHEEL. KEPT GETTING WORSE. THE TIRES HAVE LESS THAN 20K MILES ON THEM SO I THOUGH I NEEDED AN ALIGNMENT. (ENTIRE FRONT SUSPENSION HAS BEEN UPGRADED).. I TOOK THE TIRES OFF TO MAKE SURE I DIDN;T HAVE A BENT RIM AND NOTICED BOTH FRONT TIRES WERE WORN OUT/CUT ON THE OUTER CORNER/LIP OF THE TIRES. I FIRST THOUGHT IT WAS CAUSED BY THE CONTROL ARMS. MY MECHANIC LOOKED AT THEM AND TOLD ME THAT THE BELTS HAD SEPARATED ON BOT… Look up ODI 10379917 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11114564 · 105,000 mi HANKOOK TIRES, VENTUS S1 NOBLE 2 SPLITTING OUTSIDE SIDEWALL, CAUSED TO DEPRESSURE TIRE, WHICH CAUSED TO CRACK TIRE ON THE INNER SIDEWALL SUBSEQUENTLY LED TO MANUFACTURER CLAIM BLAME ON MY VEHICLE. THE TIRE MODEL IS UNDER A RECALL, BUT IN DIFFERENT SIZE, BUT IDENTICAL WALLS, MANUFACTURING PROCESS. MY VEHICLE'S TIRE SIZE 235/40/R18. RECALLED: VENTUS S1 NOBLE2 '245/45R18 96W', '245/40R19 94W', '275/35R19 96W PROPER TIRE PRESSURE WAS MAINTAINED AND CHECKED WEEKLY FOR 3YEARS, SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. Look up ODI 11114564 at NHTSA ↗
Air Bags	13,500–61,500 mi	24,000 mi	6	ODI 10108897 · 71,000 mi A FRONTAL COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE AT 50 MPH. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY, AND THE STEERING WHEEL CAME OFF THE STEERING COLUMN. NEITHER THE DRIVER NOR THE ONE PASSENGER WAS INJURED. BOTH PARTIES WERE WEARING SEAT BELTS.AK AK Look up ODI 10108897 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10267398 · 102,000 mi COLD START ON A COLD JANUARY MORNING (5 DEGREES F); UPON STARTING THE CAR THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND WOULD NOT SHUT OFF. RESEARCH (DISCUSSIONS WITH THE DEALER AND AIR BAG REPAIR BUSINESSES) INDICATE THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON DEFECT FOR AUDI S4, MODEL YEAR 2001 AND THAT TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM THE AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE (COMPUTER) WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED AT AN EXORBITANT COST. AIRBAG SYSTEM IS COMPLETELY INOPERABLE WITH THE WARNING LIGHT IN A LIT STATE. ON LINE AUDI FORUMS INDICATE THAT THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM ON THESE CARS. TR Look up ODI 10267398 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10199548 · 15,000 mi I HAVE AN AUDI S4 CONVERTIBLE THAT HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP MULTIPLE TIMES FOR THE SAME SAFETY ISSUE. THE AIRBAG SYSTEM HAS BEEN DEFECTIVE AND THE REPAIRS DO NOT SEEM TO BE TAKING HOLD WHEN THEY DO THEM. SO FAR THERE FORTUNATELY HAS NOT BEEN A NEED TO USE THE AIRBAG SYSTEM, HOWEVER ITS UNAVAILABILITY IS A MAJOR CAUSE FOR CONCERN. TR Look up ODI 10199548 at NHTSA ↗
Engine	49,074–92,508 mi	77,683 mi	20	ODI 10622265 · 80,000 mi AUDI CLAIMS THAT THE TIMING CHAIN ON THOSE VEHICLES ARE LIFETIME AND DOES NOT NEED TO BE SERVICE. UNFORTUNATE THE TIMING CHANGE TENSIONERS ARE MADE OF PLASTIC WHICH THE WEAR OUT AT ABOUT 50K MILES, CAUSING A START UP RATTLE AND EVENTUALLY ENGINE EXPLOSION FROM THE CHAIN COMING OF THE GUIDES AND DESTROYING THE ENTIRE ENGINE AND CAUSING A MASSIVE ACCIDENT AT HIGH SPEED. HUNDREDS OF PROBLEMS LIKE THIS ONE ARE REPORTED ONLINE FROM THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE EVEN YOUTUBE VIDEOS. NOT TO MENTION THAT EVERY TIME YOU BRING YOUR VEHICLE AND COMPLAINT TO AUDI … Look up ODI 10622265 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10666999 · 111 mi ON SATURDAY MORNING 12/15/2014 START MY CARD AND HEARD A RATTLE NOISE ON THE ENGINE, FIRST TIME IT MAKE THAT NOISE SINCE I BOUGHT IT. ON MY WAY TO WORK I STARTED HEARING THE RATTLE NOISE AGAIN BUT THIS TIME IT WAS LOUDER I WAS DRIVING AROUND 40 MPH WHEN THIS HAPPENED. THE CAR STARTED VIBRATING AND KEPT MAKING THE RATTLE NOISE ON THE ENGINE. I JUST BOUGHT THIS CAR NOT EVEN A WEEK AGO, AND ALREADY STARTED HAVING ENGINE PROBLEMS. I TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC AND FOUND OUT THE ENGINE MIGHT NEED TO BE REPLACE SOON, SINCE THAT'S A COMMON PROBLEM WIT… Look up ODI 10666999 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11036013 · 102,000 mi AFTER ENGINE COOLS DOWN, TIMING CHAIN RATTLE CAN BE HEARD UPON STARTING THE CAR. CHAIN RATTLE MEANS THAT PLASTIC GUIDES OR ADJUSTERS ARE WORN, AND MIGHT GO ANY SECOND. SPOKE WITH AUDI REP ONLINE, WHICH ADVISES ME THAT THIS IS NORMAL, AND EXPECTED. KNOWING BASICS OF ENGINES AND TRANSMISSION, I DIDN'T BELIEVE THAT SOMETHING IS "LIFE TIME" AND IS NOT SERVICEABLE, ESPECIALLY IF IT'S PLASTIC (WHICH TENDS TO SHRINK AND EXPAND DEPENDING ON TEMPERATURES, AND THEN HAS FRACTURES WHICH SNAPS). TWO DIFFERENT INDEPENDENT LICENSED AUDI SHOPS CONFIRMED THAT T… Look up ODI 11036013 at NHTSA ↗

Complaint and recall timeline

Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.

ComponentPeriod

Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.

Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples

Monthly complaint and recall timeline
Month	Complaints	Campaigns announced	Examples
2024-11	1	None	ODI 11627233 At times Vehicle suddenly loses power and displays “transmission malfunction:you may continue driving” but then fails to accelerate to or maintain highway speeds. Other times when vehicle is stopped in traffic the transmission delays engaging when pressing in the accelerator and thus causes an unexpected delay to movement or if on an incline will roll backwards. Look up ODI 11627233 at NHTSA ↗
2024-12	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-01	1	None	ODI 11638289 Engine mount failure at 60,000 miles Look up ODI 11638289 at NHTSA ↗
2025-02	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-03	2	None	ODI 11648098 My 2018 Audi S4 has a catastrophic engine failure issue and this is common with the EA839 engine. There is a knocking in the motor that is caused by internal engine parts (rocker arms needle bearings) becoming loose and dislodged. The metal shavings travel in the motor oil and destroy the engine from the inside. Hendrick Audi northlake examined the car on February 26, and recommended a new engine be installed at a cost of $32,000. I contacted Audi customer care and they reviewed the case only to offer me no assistance with the new engine expens… Look up ODI 11648098 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11646713 I don't know because dealer will not allow me to inspect engine or send me a response to what caused failure. Seems by the sounds coming from the top end of the motor most likely cause is that rocker arm (or possibly a valve train)component failed, noise coming from top end. Of course the failure was just after the 50k warranty by about 17 k miles. So roughly 66-67 k miles. The original estimate was a new long block at approx. 31k cost to me. Eventually after complaining significantly it was settled at 14k plus tax. Look up ODI 11646713 at NHTSA ↗
2025-04	1	None	ODI 11657693 The MMI system is frequently rebooting at random moments while driving. Look up ODI 11657693 at NHTSA ↗
2025-05	4	None	ODI 11660299 The primary infotainment/mmi screen randomly turns off and a system reboot occurs, which can take a period of time. This causes a loss of all parking sensors, rear view cameras, navigation etc. Dangerous when the system dies in the middle of a bustle parking lot or having to restart the system at high way speeds. Issues started suddenly around February. No fault codes in the car but problem persists. Look up ODI 11660299 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11660771 Audi MMI (infotainment) frequently resets during use of car. Spoke to tech at audi and they confirmed this is an issue on many 2020 audi A4 and S4 vehicles. The blind spot monitors, parking sensors, and backup cameras all disabled when this happens. It can happen at any time. Look up ODI 11660771 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11662464 The MMI spontaneously reboots numerous times while driving. When the reboots happen, the screen goes black, and key systems such as the backup camera, rear obstacle detection, and navigation become unavailable until the reboot completes and the systems reload. Restoring functionality requires user input to get through the loading screens. The issue started in February 2025. I have attempted a factory reset (which did not solve the issue), and I have performed an OBD scan, which returned no fault codes. This appears to be a widespread issue base… Look up ODI 11662464 at NHTSA ↗
2025-06	4	None	ODI 11665383 Water pump defect for the 3.0L ea839 turbo engine found across many Porsche and Audi models. Defect causes damage to vacuum lines, thermostat, and can eventually lead to engine failure if not resolved. No way of knowing this is happening until you start to lose coolant (which will throw an engine code), but by that point the damage is done. There was a recall for the previous generation vehicle water pumps. Look up ODI 11665383 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11664327 The main screen of the vehicle, which is called the MMI from what I understand, repeatedly shuts down and restarts while driving, up to 5 times or more per hour while driving. Sometimes this process can take 3 or more minutes. There appear to be hundreds of Audi customers that this affects according to my research. The dealership (Audi of Nashua) charged for a possible software update repair that did not work, and do not seem to be familiar with a fix other than a $5,000+ repair to replace expensive hardware components. This is a major safety i… Look up ODI 11664327 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11667580 My Audi has been having an ongoing issue with the MMI rebooting while i am driving. It takes away my ability to see the maps and or hear the map telling me which direction to go. It has not been inspected yet however it is a common issue with the 2020 Audi cars that can be replicated however it is not predictable. Look up ODI 11667580 at NHTSA ↗
2025-07	6	None	ODI 11671452 The MMI (multimedia interface) screen goes dead and reboots frequently (every 2-5 minutes) while driving. It is extremely frustrating and distracting. In addition, when the screen blacks out while driving in reverse, the backup camera, back up sensors and cross traffic warning systems do not operate until the system reboots, which can take several minutes. This problem occurs constantly while driving and requires me to re-enter navigation destination while driving. Using CarPlay for navigation is also affected, as the system reboots whe… Look up ODI 11671452 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11674214 The main infotainment system is stuck restarting every 1-2 minutes. When the car is put into reverse, the rear back up camera will turn off while the vehicle is in motion and not resume. Look up ODI 11674214 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11674215 The vehicle software (known as Audi MMI) has been continuously rebooting every 30 seconds after the vehicle is started. This causes the entire dashboard (and entertainment screen) to repeatedly reboot which is very distracting while driving. While backing out of a parking spot, the MMI system rebooted which then disconnected my backup camera, blind spot warning, and rear collision warning systems which resulted in me almost hitting a car crossing behind me. There are zero messages anywhere in the car that an issue is present. Look up ODI 11674215 at NHTSA ↗
2025-08	1	None	ODI 11679321 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 did the same thing on 7/15/2024 at 33,655 miles and on 1/10/2025 at 42,532 miles. The instrument cluster was then replaced again on 2/10/2025 at 43,841 miles. That replacement unit took only a couple of days to act up again with the blank screen on star… Look up ODI 11679321 at NHTSA ↗
2025-09	2	None	ODI 11688973 Unknown Look up ODI 11688973 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11689741 · 31,000 mi 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 hesitated to restart and shift into gear as intended. The contact stated that the failure had progressed over time. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing a pending software service update; however, the repairs w… Look up ODI 11689741 at NHTSA ↗
2025-10	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-11	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-12	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-01	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-02	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-03	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-04	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-05	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-06	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-07	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-08	1	None	ODI 11759753 Transmission fail while driving and stationary at traffic light. Main DTC: P179F00 - Drive sensor position: malfunction Additional DTC: P179E00 - Drive sensor position: electrical malfunction ABS: 00473 Parking brake: U111300 TCM: 01315 This situation occurred 3 times in the past 3 weeks while driving or being stationary at a traffic light. Event triggers loud warning sounds, red flashing lights/icons in dashboard, total loss of power while engine still running. At this time, this problem creates highly dangerous driving conditions with rand… Look up ODI 11759753 at NHTSA ↗
2026-09	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-10 (partial)	0	None	No examples available for this selection.

Emerging complaint spikes

Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.

This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.

No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.

Equal-age model-year comparison

Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.

Observation windowFirst model yearSecond model year

2021: 1 complaints · 2022: 0 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model year	Through age 0	Through age 1	Through age 2
2021	0	0	1
2022	0	0	0

Date coverage across each selected cohort

Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
Year	Incident dates used	Filing date fallbacks	Excluded dates
2021	2	0	0
2022	0	0	1

Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.

Components reported together

Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.

Component co-occurrence matrix
Component	Power Train	Electrical System	Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel	Exterior Lighting	Steering	Tires	Air Bags	Engine
Power Train	—	11 ODI 10750270 · 73,428 mi THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, EPC LIGHT, AND STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM LIGHT ILLUMINATE ON THE DASHBOARD. THE ENGINE GOES INTO WHAT COULD BE DESCRIBED AS SAFE MODE. REGARDLESS OF HOW FAR DOWN YOU PUSH ON THE ACCELERATOR, THE VEHICLE WILL BE SLOW TO ACCELERATE AND AT SPEEDS AT OR ABOVE 75 MPH MAY NOT ACCELERATE OR EVEN MAINTAIN HIGHWAY SPEED. I HAVE TAKEN MY VEHICLE TO TWO DIFFERENT AUDI DEALERSHIPS. AUDI SENT ONE TECHNICAL FIELD MANAGER TO INSPECT MY VEHICLE. I HAVE COMPLETED NUMEROUS REPAIRS AT THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE DEALERSHIPS. NONE OF THE … Look up ODI 10750270 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10618337 · 63,000 mi PULLED OUT OF PARKING LOT AND RECEIVED A GEARBOX MALFUNCTION WARNING ALONG WITH A TPMS MALFUNCTION. WARNING ON DASH INDICATED THAT I COULD CONTINUE DRIVING. I DROVE VEHICLE FOR APPROXIMATELY ANOTHER MILE AND WHILE GOING THRU A ROUNDABOUT, THE CAR SHUT OFF. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND GET THE VEHICLE STARTED AGAIN. I CONTINUED THE REST OF THE WAY HOME FOR ABOUT 2 MORE MILES. THE MECHATRONIC UNIT WAS DETERMINED TO BE FAULTY AND WAS REPLACED. *TR Look up ODI 10618337 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10971272 · 63,102 mi WHEN DRIVING IN REGULAR DRIVE BOX INDICATOR COMES ON. SAYING GEARBOX MALFUNCTION LIMITED FUNCTION. I ONLY HAVE 63125 MILES AND KEEP MY CAR MAINTENANCE. Look up ODI 10971272 at NHTSA ↗	0	1 ODI 10971272 · 63,102 mi WHEN DRIVING IN REGULAR DRIVE BOX INDICATOR COMES ON. SAYING GEARBOX MALFUNCTION LIMITED FUNCTION. I ONLY HAVE 63125 MILES AND KEEP MY CAR MAINTENANCE. Look up ODI 10971272 at NHTSA ↗	1 ODI 10606837 · 100,336 mi WHILE DRIVING TO NEW YORK CITY FROM NORTH CAROLINA ON INTERSTATE 95, I ENCOUNTERED HEAVY TRAFFIC AROUND SILVER SPRING, MD. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES OF DRIVING IN SLOW-MOVING TRAFFIC, THE CLUTCH PEDAL FAILED TO RETURN FROM ITS ENGAGED POSITION AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. WITH THE ENGINE OFF, I MANUALLY PULLED AND RETURNED THE CLUTCH PEDAL BACK TO ITS RELEASED POSITION. I THEN PROCEEDED TO RESTART THE ENGINE AND PRESSED THE CLUTCH PEDAL. AGAIN, THE CLUTCH PEDAL REMAINED STUCK IN THE ENGAGED POSITION. MOMENTS LATER SMOKE BECAME TO APPEAR FROM U… Look up ODI 10606837 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	11 ODI 10622265 · 80,000 mi AUDI CLAIMS THAT THE TIMING CHAIN ON THOSE VEHICLES ARE LIFETIME AND DOES NOT NEED TO BE SERVICE. UNFORTUNATE THE TIMING CHANGE TENSIONERS ARE MADE OF PLASTIC WHICH THE WEAR OUT AT ABOUT 50K MILES, CAUSING A START UP RATTLE AND EVENTUALLY ENGINE EXPLOSION FROM THE CHAIN COMING OF THE GUIDES AND DESTROYING THE ENTIRE ENGINE AND CAUSING A MASSIVE ACCIDENT AT HIGH SPEED. HUNDREDS OF PROBLEMS LIKE THIS ONE ARE REPORTED ONLINE FROM THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE EVEN YOUTUBE VIDEOS. NOT TO MENTION THAT EVERY TIME YOU BRING YOUR VEHICLE AND COMPLAINT TO AUDI … Look up ODI 10622265 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10606837 · 100,336 mi WHILE DRIVING TO NEW YORK CITY FROM NORTH CAROLINA ON INTERSTATE 95, I ENCOUNTERED HEAVY TRAFFIC AROUND SILVER SPRING, MD. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES OF DRIVING IN SLOW-MOVING TRAFFIC, THE CLUTCH PEDAL FAILED TO RETURN FROM ITS ENGAGED POSITION AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. WITH THE ENGINE OFF, I MANUALLY PULLED AND RETURNED THE CLUTCH PEDAL BACK TO ITS RELEASED POSITION. I THEN PROCEEDED TO RESTART THE ENGINE AND PRESSED THE CLUTCH PEDAL. AGAIN, THE CLUTCH PEDAL REMAINED STUCK IN THE ENGAGED POSITION. MOMENTS LATER SMOKE BECAME TO APPEAR FROM U… Look up ODI 10606837 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11688973 Unknown Look up ODI 11688973 at NHTSA ↗
Electrical System	11 ODI 10750270 · 73,428 mi THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, EPC LIGHT, AND STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM LIGHT ILLUMINATE ON THE DASHBOARD. THE ENGINE GOES INTO WHAT COULD BE DESCRIBED AS SAFE MODE. REGARDLESS OF HOW FAR DOWN YOU PUSH ON THE ACCELERATOR, THE VEHICLE WILL BE SLOW TO ACCELERATE AND AT SPEEDS AT OR ABOVE 75 MPH MAY NOT ACCELERATE OR EVEN MAINTAIN HIGHWAY SPEED. I HAVE TAKEN MY VEHICLE TO TWO DIFFERENT AUDI DEALERSHIPS. AUDI SENT ONE TECHNICAL FIELD MANAGER TO INSPECT MY VEHICLE. I HAVE COMPLETED NUMEROUS REPAIRS AT THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE DEALERSHIPS. NONE OF THE … Look up ODI 10750270 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10618337 · 63,000 mi PULLED OUT OF PARKING LOT AND RECEIVED A GEARBOX MALFUNCTION WARNING ALONG WITH A TPMS MALFUNCTION. WARNING ON DASH INDICATED THAT I COULD CONTINUE DRIVING. I DROVE VEHICLE FOR APPROXIMATELY ANOTHER MILE AND WHILE GOING THRU A ROUNDABOUT, THE CAR SHUT OFF. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND GET THE VEHICLE STARTED AGAIN. I CONTINUED THE REST OF THE WAY HOME FOR ABOUT 2 MORE MILES. THE MECHATRONIC UNIT WAS DETERMINED TO BE FAULTY AND WAS REPLACED. *TR Look up ODI 10618337 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10971272 · 63,102 mi WHEN DRIVING IN REGULAR DRIVE BOX INDICATOR COMES ON. SAYING GEARBOX MALFUNCTION LIMITED FUNCTION. I ONLY HAVE 63125 MILES AND KEEP MY CAR MAINTENANCE. Look up ODI 10971272 at NHTSA ↗	—	1 ODI 10209271 MY GAUGE CLUSTER, THE CENTER DISPLAY IS MISSING A THOUSAND PIXELS AND YOU CANT READ THE IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION ON THE CENTER DISPLAY AND MY RADIO KEEPS CUTTING IN AND OUT AND I FEEL IT COULD CAUSE A FIRE. *TR Look up ODI 10209271 at NHTSA ↗	9 ODI 10471969 · 19,955 mi THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER ON ALL THE AUDI S4S AND ALSO ON VW LOOSE PIXELS ON THE DASH AND IT GOES OUT, IT IS A HAZARD BECAUSE THIS IS A GAUGE THAT DOES A SYSTEM CHECK EVERY TIME YOU START THE VEHICLE, THE CAR TELLS THE DRIVER IF THERE ARE BRAKE PROBLEMS, ENGINE PROBLEMS, ALSO IF LIGHTS ARE OUT I.E. BRAKE LIGHTS TURN SIGNALS, AND ALSO FLUID STATUS OF THE CAR. WHEN THIS INSTRUMENT CLUSTER GOES OUT OR AS AUDI CALLS IT LOSES PIXELS, THE DRIVER DOES NOT KNOW THE STATUS OF THE CAR WHICH COULD CAUSE SAFETY AND HARM TO THE OPERATOR. IT HAS BEEN DOCUMENTED… Look up ODI 10471969 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10747523 · 79,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 AUDI S4. WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, THE LOW BEAM HEAD LAMPS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE WITHOUT WARNING. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO THE HEAD LAMP BULBS, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE WIRING WAS BURNED AND DAMAGED. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000. Look up ODI 10747523 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10865507 XENON HEADLAMPS WIRING ALL CORRODED AND BARE WITH NO INSULATION LEFT. CHECK WITH AUDI AND THEY SAID OUR VEHICLE AND VIN IS NOT PART OF ANY RECALL. YET RCORRD-05V096-4498 IN YOUR DATABASE SHOWS A MOFIFICATION LETTER FROM VW TO INCLUDE OUR VIN. THERE IS NO RECORD ACCORDING TO AUDI SERVICE SHOPS THAT SHOW ANY RECALL WORK DONE TO OUR HEADLIGHTS. I HAVE ATTACHED A PICTURE THAT SHOWS THE DETERIATION OF THE ELECTRICAL WIRING AND HEADLAMPS TO OUR 2004 AUDI S4. WOULD APPRECIATE SOME ASSISTANCE TO HAVING OUR HEADLAMPS REPLACED FOR SAFETY REASONS. Look up ODI 10865507 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	0	2 ODI 10515323 · 1,000 mi THE VEHICLE WILL NOT START. NOT WITH THE "KEY" OR THE BUTTON STARTER. AUDI SERVICE CLAIMS ITS THE BATTERY BUT WHEN THE ROADSIDE SERVICE SHOWS UP ITS NOT THE BATTERY, SO NOW A TOW TRUCK HAS TO BE CALLED. THIS CAN HAPPEN AT ANYTIME AND ANY PLACE. AUDI DENIES IT IS A COMPUTER ISSUE BUT YET THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUTS DOWN AND NOTHING IS AVAILABLE - ELECTRONICALLY OR MORE IMPORTANTLY MANUALLY. DON'T BE OUT LATE AT NIGHT OR YOU MIGHT BE A VICTIM TO MORE THAN A BROKEN DOWN VEHICLE. BY THE WAY THIS VEHICLE IS LESS THAN ONE MONTH OLD. *TR Look up ODI 10515323 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11399328 · 100,000 mi MY 2014 AUDI S4 HAS A EPC LIGHT THAT KEEPS TURNING ON WHILE DRIVING THAT CAR. THE EPC LIGHT WILL PUT THE CAR INTO LIMP MODE AND WILL HAVE A ROUGH IDLE AND CAN BARLEY DRIVE. WHEN THAT LIGHT TURNS ON YOU HAVE TO PULL OVER IMMEDIATELY AND RESTART THE CAR TO CONTINUE DRIVING AND IS A COMPLETE SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE IT WILL HAPPEN WHEN YOU ARE ON THE FREEWAY. THE LIGHT MAINLY TURNS ON WHEN YOU ARE TRYING TO GET UP TO SPEEDS OF THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER MANY TIMES TO GET THIS ISSUE RESOLVED AND THEY KEEP SAYING THERE IS NO ISS… Look up ODI 11399328 at NHTSA ↗
Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel	0	1 ODI 10209271 MY GAUGE CLUSTER, THE CENTER DISPLAY IS MISSING A THOUSAND PIXELS AND YOU CANT READ THE IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION ON THE CENTER DISPLAY AND MY RADIO KEEPS CUTTING IN AND OUT AND I FEEL IT COULD CAUSE A FIRE. *TR Look up ODI 10209271 at NHTSA ↗	—	0	0	0	0	0
Exterior Lighting	1 ODI 10971272 · 63,102 mi WHEN DRIVING IN REGULAR DRIVE BOX INDICATOR COMES ON. SAYING GEARBOX MALFUNCTION LIMITED FUNCTION. I ONLY HAVE 63125 MILES AND KEEP MY CAR MAINTENANCE. Look up ODI 10971272 at NHTSA ↗	9 ODI 10471969 · 19,955 mi THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER ON ALL THE AUDI S4S AND ALSO ON VW LOOSE PIXELS ON THE DASH AND IT GOES OUT, IT IS A HAZARD BECAUSE THIS IS A GAUGE THAT DOES A SYSTEM CHECK EVERY TIME YOU START THE VEHICLE, THE CAR TELLS THE DRIVER IF THERE ARE BRAKE PROBLEMS, ENGINE PROBLEMS, ALSO IF LIGHTS ARE OUT I.E. BRAKE LIGHTS TURN SIGNALS, AND ALSO FLUID STATUS OF THE CAR. WHEN THIS INSTRUMENT CLUSTER GOES OUT OR AS AUDI CALLS IT LOSES PIXELS, THE DRIVER DOES NOT KNOW THE STATUS OF THE CAR WHICH COULD CAUSE SAFETY AND HARM TO THE OPERATOR. IT HAS BEEN DOCUMENTED… Look up ODI 10471969 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10747523 · 79,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 AUDI S4. WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, THE LOW BEAM HEAD LAMPS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE WITHOUT WARNING. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO THE HEAD LAMP BULBS, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE WIRING WAS BURNED AND DAMAGED. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000. Look up ODI 10747523 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10865507 XENON HEADLAMPS WIRING ALL CORRODED AND BARE WITH NO INSULATION LEFT. CHECK WITH AUDI AND THEY SAID OUR VEHICLE AND VIN IS NOT PART OF ANY RECALL. YET RCORRD-05V096-4498 IN YOUR DATABASE SHOWS A MOFIFICATION LETTER FROM VW TO INCLUDE OUR VIN. THERE IS NO RECORD ACCORDING TO AUDI SERVICE SHOPS THAT SHOW ANY RECALL WORK DONE TO OUR HEADLIGHTS. I HAVE ATTACHED A PICTURE THAT SHOWS THE DETERIATION OF THE ELECTRICAL WIRING AND HEADLAMPS TO OUR 2004 AUDI S4. WOULD APPRECIATE SOME ASSISTANCE TO HAVING OUR HEADLAMPS REPLACED FOR SAFETY REASONS. Look up ODI 10865507 at NHTSA ↗	0	—	0	0	0	0
Steering	1 ODI 10606837 · 100,336 mi WHILE DRIVING TO NEW YORK CITY FROM NORTH CAROLINA ON INTERSTATE 95, I ENCOUNTERED HEAVY TRAFFIC AROUND SILVER SPRING, MD. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES OF DRIVING IN SLOW-MOVING TRAFFIC, THE CLUTCH PEDAL FAILED TO RETURN FROM ITS ENGAGED POSITION AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. WITH THE ENGINE OFF, I MANUALLY PULLED AND RETURNED THE CLUTCH PEDAL BACK TO ITS RELEASED POSITION. I THEN PROCEEDED TO RESTART THE ENGINE AND PRESSED THE CLUTCH PEDAL. AGAIN, THE CLUTCH PEDAL REMAINED STUCK IN THE ENGAGED POSITION. MOMENTS LATER SMOKE BECAME TO APPEAR FROM U… Look up ODI 10606837 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	0	—	0	0	1 ODI 10606837 · 100,336 mi WHILE DRIVING TO NEW YORK CITY FROM NORTH CAROLINA ON INTERSTATE 95, I ENCOUNTERED HEAVY TRAFFIC AROUND SILVER SPRING, MD. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES OF DRIVING IN SLOW-MOVING TRAFFIC, THE CLUTCH PEDAL FAILED TO RETURN FROM ITS ENGAGED POSITION AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. WITH THE ENGINE OFF, I MANUALLY PULLED AND RETURNED THE CLUTCH PEDAL BACK TO ITS RELEASED POSITION. I THEN PROCEEDED TO RESTART THE ENGINE AND PRESSED THE CLUTCH PEDAL. AGAIN, THE CLUTCH PEDAL REMAINED STUCK IN THE ENGAGED POSITION. MOMENTS LATER SMOKE BECAME TO APPEAR FROM U… Look up ODI 10606837 at NHTSA ↗
Tires	0	0	0	0	0	—	0	0
Air Bags	0	0	0	0	0	0	—	0
Engine	11 ODI 10622265 · 80,000 mi AUDI CLAIMS THAT THE TIMING CHAIN ON THOSE VEHICLES ARE LIFETIME AND DOES NOT NEED TO BE SERVICE. UNFORTUNATE THE TIMING CHANGE TENSIONERS ARE MADE OF PLASTIC WHICH THE WEAR OUT AT ABOUT 50K MILES, CAUSING A START UP RATTLE AND EVENTUALLY ENGINE EXPLOSION FROM THE CHAIN COMING OF THE GUIDES AND DESTROYING THE ENTIRE ENGINE AND CAUSING A MASSIVE ACCIDENT AT HIGH SPEED. HUNDREDS OF PROBLEMS LIKE THIS ONE ARE REPORTED ONLINE FROM THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE EVEN YOUTUBE VIDEOS. NOT TO MENTION THAT EVERY TIME YOU BRING YOUR VEHICLE AND COMPLAINT TO AUDI … Look up ODI 10622265 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10606837 · 100,336 mi WHILE DRIVING TO NEW YORK CITY FROM NORTH CAROLINA ON INTERSTATE 95, I ENCOUNTERED HEAVY TRAFFIC AROUND SILVER SPRING, MD. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES OF DRIVING IN SLOW-MOVING TRAFFIC, THE CLUTCH PEDAL FAILED TO RETURN FROM ITS ENGAGED POSITION AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. WITH THE ENGINE OFF, I MANUALLY PULLED AND RETURNED THE CLUTCH PEDAL BACK TO ITS RELEASED POSITION. I THEN PROCEEDED TO RESTART THE ENGINE AND PRESSED THE CLUTCH PEDAL. AGAIN, THE CLUTCH PEDAL REMAINED STUCK IN THE ENGAGED POSITION. MOMENTS LATER SMOKE BECAME TO APPEAR FROM U… Look up ODI 10606837 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11688973 Unknown Look up ODI 11688973 at NHTSA ↗	2 ODI 10515323 · 1,000 mi THE VEHICLE WILL NOT START. NOT WITH THE "KEY" OR THE BUTTON STARTER. AUDI SERVICE CLAIMS ITS THE BATTERY BUT WHEN THE ROADSIDE SERVICE SHOWS UP ITS NOT THE BATTERY, SO NOW A TOW TRUCK HAS TO BE CALLED. THIS CAN HAPPEN AT ANYTIME AND ANY PLACE. AUDI DENIES IT IS A COMPUTER ISSUE BUT YET THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUTS DOWN AND NOTHING IS AVAILABLE - ELECTRONICALLY OR MORE IMPORTANTLY MANUALLY. DON'T BE OUT LATE AT NIGHT OR YOU MIGHT BE A VICTIM TO MORE THAN A BROKEN DOWN VEHICLE. BY THE WAY THIS VEHICLE IS LESS THAN ONE MONTH OLD. *TR Look up ODI 10515323 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11399328 · 100,000 mi MY 2014 AUDI S4 HAS A EPC LIGHT THAT KEEPS TURNING ON WHILE DRIVING THAT CAR. THE EPC LIGHT WILL PUT THE CAR INTO LIMP MODE AND WILL HAVE A ROUGH IDLE AND CAN BARLEY DRIVE. WHEN THAT LIGHT TURNS ON YOU HAVE TO PULL OVER IMMEDIATELY AND RESTART THE CAR TO CONTINUE DRIVING AND IS A COMPLETE SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE IT WILL HAPPEN WHEN YOU ARE ON THE FREEWAY. THE LIGHT MAINLY TURNS ON WHEN YOU ARE TRYING TO GET UP TO SPEEDS OF THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER MANY TIMES TO GET THIS ISSUE RESOLVED AND THEY KEEP SAYING THERE IS NO ISS… Look up ODI 11399328 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	1 ODI 10606837 · 100,336 mi WHILE DRIVING TO NEW YORK CITY FROM NORTH CAROLINA ON INTERSTATE 95, I ENCOUNTERED HEAVY TRAFFIC AROUND SILVER SPRING, MD. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES OF DRIVING IN SLOW-MOVING TRAFFIC, THE CLUTCH PEDAL FAILED TO RETURN FROM ITS ENGAGED POSITION AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. WITH THE ENGINE OFF, I MANUALLY PULLED AND RETURNED THE CLUTCH PEDAL BACK TO ITS RELEASED POSITION. I THEN PROCEEDED TO RESTART THE ENGINE AND PRESSED THE CLUTCH PEDAL. AGAIN, THE CLUTCH PEDAL REMAINED STUCK IN THE ENGAGED POSITION. MOMENTS LATER SMOKE BECAME TO APPEAR FROM U… Look up ODI 10606837 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	—

Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.

Recurring narrative patterns

Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.

Search patterns

8 patterns with matching reports.

Hard or delayed shifting

31 mentions · 5.3% of complaints

Median mileage: 64,000 mi (29 usable records).

ODI 721566

EXPERIENCED A GRINDING NOISE AND VIBRATION IN THE TRANSMISSION WHILE ACCELERATING ONTO HIGHWAY FROM A STOP, SHIFTING FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR AT APPROX. 4500 RPM. AFTER THIS INCIDENT, THE TRANSMISISON GRINDED WHEN SHIFTING FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR ALL THE TIME ABOVE 3500 RPM. I CONTACTED THE DEALER AND HAD TO WAIT A WEEK FOR THEM TO SEE MY CAR. THEY KEPT THE CAR FOR A DAY TO "DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM." THEY TOLD ME THAT 2ND GEAR WAS "SHOT" DUE TO "SHIFTING AT HIGH RPMS" OR FROM "HARD SHIFTING" AND THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REBUILT. I SAID THAT THI…

Look up ODI 721566 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10551886 · 35,000 mi

THE TRANSMISSION BEGINS TO JERK AND SLAM CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE JUST PRIOR TO STOPPING IN STOP/GO TRAFFIC. NOTICED THAT THIS HAPPENS ONLY AFTER DRIVING IN STOP/GO SITUATIONS AND USUALLY AROUND 5MPH. ALSO CLANKS/JERKS WHILE IN REVERSE. DEALER KEEPS SAYING THEY CANNOT REPRODUCE. *TR

Look up ODI 10551886 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10561980 · 20,304 mi

MECHATRONICS UNIT FAILURE IN DSG TRANSMISSION. HARD SHIFTS FROM 1ST TO 2ND AND 2ND TO 1ST WHILE STOPPING. (VEHICLE MAKES LOUD DRIVETRAIN BANG NOISE, SHAKES AND STOPS ABRUPTLY WHEN SLOWING DOWN AND TRYING TO COME TO A STOP, ALMOST AS IF YOU SLOWED DOWN TO 5-10MPH AND THEN SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES.) *TR

Look up ODI 10561980 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

Warning lights and dashboard alerts

29 mentions · 4.9% of complaints

Median mileage: 61,000 mi (23 usable records).

ODI 10056399 · 84,000 mi

ABS CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED IN 2000 AUDI S4 AFTER NUMEROUS FALSE DASHBOARD WARNING LIGHT INDICATIONS WERE INTERMITTENTLY DISPLAYED WILL DRIVING. *AK

Look up ODI 10056399 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10081818

PROBLEMS WITH ABS CONTROLLER ON 2000 AUDI S4.*MR ABS WARNING LIGHT WAS INTERMITTENTLY ON. *LA

Look up ODI 10081818 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10090981 · 64,800 mi

OUT OF THE BLUE, WITH 64,000 MILES ON THE CAR, THE ABS WARNING LIGHT AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHT COME ON, FOLLOWED BY 3 LOUD BEEPS. WHEN THE BEEPS STOP, THE ABS WARNING LIGHT STAYS ON, THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT BLINKS CONTINUALLY. SINCE THE FIRST INCIDENT, THIS NOW HAPPENS EVERY TIME I DRIVE THE CAR. SOMETIMES THE LIGHTS WILL GO OUT AND STAY OUT FOR 5-10 MINUTES, FOR THE WHOLE THING TO START OVER AGAIN. WHEN THESE LIGHTS ARE ON, THE ABS DOES NOT WORK. I HAD A PANIC STOP TO AVOID A DEER AND THE REAR WHEELS LOCKED UP. THE CAR SKIDDED BUT I DID NOT C…

Look up ODI 10090981 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(warning light\w*|check engine|dashboard warning\w*|malfunction indicator)\b

Steering assistance concerns

13 mentions · 2.2% of complaints

Median mileage: 10,000 mi (11 usable records).

ODI 10116441 · 56,000 mi

LIKE MANY OTHER PEOPLE WHO OWN AN AUDI S4 WITH 50,000 MILES, I AM HAVING BRAKE LIGHT ISSUES. ONLY MINE ARE MUCH MORE SEVERE THAT WHAT I HAVE READ THUS FAR. I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR IT'S 60000, AND HAD THE MECHANIC CHECK THE BRAKE LIGHT. LEADING UP TO THE REPAIR, I HAD BEEN *LOSING BRAKE FLUID* ALMOST MONTHLY. THIS SHOULD NEVER HAPPEN, FOR ANY REASON. BUT, MY MECHANIC TOOK THREE HOURS AND DISCOVERED THAT THE BATTERY WAS LEAKING SULFURIC ACID ONTO MY BRAKE LINE, MY POWER STEERING LINE, AND MY CLUTCH LINE. HE STATED, "ONLY A MECHANICAL MORON WOULD HOU…

Look up ODI 10116441 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10178832 · 22,500 mi

POWER COUPLING ON POWER STEERING MOTOR FAILED RESULTING IN LOSS OF STEERING AS I WAS DRIVING....DEALER LATER INFORMED ME THAT THIS WAS A DEFECT THAT HAD BEEN CORRECTED BUT I DID NOT SEE A RECALL POSTED. *NM

Look up ODI 10178832 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10446471

2004 AUDI S4. CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE FAILED WHILE DRIVING, ENGINE, POWER BRAKES AND STEERING LOCKED UP *TGW THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER, THE VEHICLE HAD SUFFERED CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE, WHICH WAS MOST LIKELY DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE TIMING CHAIN OR ADJUSTERS. THE CONSUMER WAS QUOTED A PRICE OF $24,000 FOR THE REPAIRS. THE CONSUMER HAS SINCE LEARNED IT WAS A RELATIVELY COMMON PROBLEM FOR HIS MODEL AND YEAR. THE SPECIFIC MECHANICAL FLAW SEEMED TO BE THAT THE TIMING CHAIN COORDINATED THE ACTION BETWEEN THE PISTONS AND THE VALVES. T…

Look up ODI 10446471 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(power steer\w*|steering assist\w*|steering lock\w*|steering wheel lock\w*)\b

Stalling or loss of power

11 mentions · 1.9% of complaints

Median mileage: 70,000 mi (9 usable records).

ODI 10256054 · 70,000 mi

1) THERE IS NO TRIGGERING EVENT LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE. IT JUST APPEARS OVER TIME. 2) THE LCD SCREEN IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER HAS LINES OF PIXELS THAT DO NOT LIGHT UP. THIS IS CONSTANT, WITH MORE LINES OF PIXELS GOING OUT AND PERMANENTLY STAYING OUT OVER TIME. AS A CONSEQUENCE, IMPORTANT WARNING MESSAGES ARE NOT DISPLAYED OR READABLE; SUCH AS WORN OUT BRAKE PADS, FUEL LOW WARNING, WASHER FLUID LOW WARNING, ETC. IF THESE WARNINGS ARE NOT DISPLAYED, THE VEHICLE MAY RUN OUT OF GAS WITHOUT WARNING AND STALL WHILE OPERATING, OR BRAKES MAY W…

Look up ODI 10256054 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 11036013 · 102,000 mi

AFTER ENGINE COOLS DOWN, TIMING CHAIN RATTLE CAN BE HEARD UPON STARTING THE CAR. CHAIN RATTLE MEANS THAT PLASTIC GUIDES OR ADJUSTERS ARE WORN, AND MIGHT GO ANY SECOND. SPOKE WITH AUDI REP ONLINE, WHICH ADVISES ME THAT THIS IS NORMAL, AND EXPECTED. KNOWING BASICS OF ENGINES AND TRANSMISSION, I DIDN'T BELIEVE THAT SOMETHING IS "LIFE TIME" AND IS NOT SERVICEABLE, ESPECIALLY IF IT'S PLASTIC (WHICH TENDS TO SHRINK AND EXPAND DEPENDING ON TEMPERATURES, AND THEN HAS FRACTURES WHICH SNAPS). TWO DIFFERENT INDEPENDENT LICENSED AUDI SHOPS CONFIRMED THAT T…

Look up ODI 11036013 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10606837 · 100,336 mi

WHILE DRIVING TO NEW YORK CITY FROM NORTH CAROLINA ON INTERSTATE 95, I ENCOUNTERED HEAVY TRAFFIC AROUND SILVER SPRING, MD. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES OF DRIVING IN SLOW-MOVING TRAFFIC, THE CLUTCH PEDAL FAILED TO RETURN FROM ITS ENGAGED POSITION AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. WITH THE ENGINE OFF, I MANUALLY PULLED AND RETURNED THE CLUTCH PEDAL BACK TO ITS RELEASED POSITION. I THEN PROCEEDED TO RESTART THE ENGINE AND PRESSED THE CLUTCH PEDAL. AGAIN, THE CLUTCH PEDAL REMAINED STUCK IN THE ENGAGED POSITION. MOMENTS LATER SMOKE BECAME TO APPEAR FROM U…

Look up ODI 10606837 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(stall\w*|loss of power|lost power|engine shut\w* off)\b

Brake response concerns

6 mentions · 1.0% of complaints

Median mileage: 19,000 mi (4 usable records).

ODI 10108453 · 13,000 mi

PURCHASED MY 2000 AUDI S4 FROM THE ORIGINAL OWNER- THE CAR HAD 10K MILES ON IT AND YES, IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. AT ABOUT 13.5K MILES I NOTICED THAT I HAD TROUBLE STOPPING ONE EVENING- ALMOST REAR ENDING SOMEONE IN THE PROCESS BECAUSE MY BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. PARKED THE CAR THAT NIGHT-AND THEN ABOUT 4 HOURS LATER, ON MY WAY HOME...SAME SYMPTOMS AS MENTIONED BEFORE, EXCEPT NOW MY ABS LIGHT WAS ON. EXT MOURNING...MOVED CAR OUT OF DRIVEWAY AND NOTICED A OIL PUDDLE FROM THE LEFT FRONT DRIVERS SIDE ENGINE AREA. I BEGAN TO SEARC…

Look up ODI 10108453 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10206108

2000 AUDI S4 WITH UNREADABLE GAUGE AND WARNING LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. CONSUMER STATES THIS HAS GOTTEN WORSE AND THEY ARE NOT READABLE AT ALL. HIS BRAKE PEDAL WAS SOFT AND THE WARNING LIGHT WAS UNREADABLE. *KB WHILE DRIVING, THERE WAS A LOUD BEEP FOLLOWED BY A CONSTANT FLASHING OF A BLURRY DISPLAY WHICH THE CONSUMER COULD NOT READ. THE CONSUMER LATER DISCOVERED THE FLASHING LIGHT WAS SUPPOSE TO SHOW THE BRAKE LEVEL SIGNAL/PAD SIGNAL LEVEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE ABS PUMP HAD FAILED.

Look up ODI 10206108 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10148597 · 25,000 mi

1) CAR IS 2001 AUDI S4 AVANT. CAR WAS RUNNING FOR APPROXIMATELY 15 MINUTES, AND WAS IDLING AT TOP OF DRIVEWAY FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES WITH PARKING BRAKE ENGAGED WHILE OTHER CAR IN FRONT WAS BEING MOVED. UPON RELEASE OF PARKING BRAKE REGULAR BRAKES FAILED, RESULTING IN CAR ROLLING DOWNHILL, ABOUT 30 FEET, FROM A STANDING START AND COLLIDING WITH A PARKED CAR. BRAKE PEDAL SHOWED NO RESISTANCE OTHER THAN MILD SPRING PUSH-BACK, AND WAS PUSHED DOWN TO FLOOR. A BRAKE PEDAL WAS PUMPED WITH NO RESULT. SAME BRAKE CONDITIONS WERE REPEATED IMMEDIATE…

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Matching rule

Fuel smell or leak mentions

5 mentions · 0.9% of complaints

Median mileage: 24,250 mi (2 usable records).

ODI 713460

THE FUEL LINE WAS FOUND TO BE LEAKING GASOLINE RATHER HEAVILY. THE LEAK OCCURED IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE EXHAUST AND TURBOCHARGER. THE FAILED FULE LINE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPLACED IN JANUARY 1997 AT ABOUT 61,622 MILES FOR THE SAME FAILURE. THE CAR WAS EXAMINED BY DEALER PERSONNEL FOR COMPLAINTS OF GASOLINE SMELL AND LEAKING FUEL LINE ON TWO PRIOR OCCASIONS IN 1996. THE INITIAL FAILURE WAS REPAIRED UNDER AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. THE SECOND FAILURE (1999) WAS REPAIRED AT THE MANUFACTURER'S EXPENSE, AS I UNDERSTAND IT.

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ODI 860435

WHILE TRAVELING SMELLED FUEL INSIDE VEHICLE. DEALER STATED FUEL LINE HAD A LEAK. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

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ODI 867828

RECALL OOV068000; KY CONSUMER CONTACTED T MANUFACTURER, MANUFACTURER STATED THIS VEHICLE NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. CONSUMER NOTED IN COLD WEATHER FUEL LEAKS AT THE LINE, LINES ARE VERY WET. ALSO, A GAS SMELL IN PASSENGER'S COMPARTMENT. *AK

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Matching rule

\b(fuel leak\w*|gas leak\w*|gas(?:oline)? smell|smell\w* (?:of )?(?:fuel|gas))\b

Oil consumption or dilution

2 mentions · 0.3% of complaints

Median mileage: 76,000 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 11044873

THE COMPLAINT IS ABOUT THE MOTORS LOSING OIL EVERY 1000 MILES A 1QT IS NEED EACH TIME. THE ENGINE IS CAUSED AND BURNS OIL FAST TO THE MOTOR TO LOSE OIL MORE RAPIDLY. NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. MY MOTOR IS LOSING OIL! AND SO DO OTHER MODELS HAVENING THIS PROBLEMS ISNT GOOD.

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ODI 10785293 · 76,000 mi

ENGINE - EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION (1QT REFILL IS REQUIRE FOR EVERY 750MILES). DSG TRANSMISSION ' GETTING GEARBOX MALFUNCTION, YOU CAN CONTINUE TO DRIVE ON DASHBOARD. THIS IS DUE TO P179E - DRIVE RANGE SENSOR ELECTRICAL ERROR.

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Matching rule

\b(oil consumption|burn\w* oil|consum\w* oil|oil dilution|gas(?:oline)? in (?:the )?oil)\b

Battery drain and no-start mentions

1 mentions · 0.2% of complaints

Median mileage: 31,992 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 10261478 · 31,992 mi

2004 AUDI S4, BUILD DATE 09/03 : 1. 24 AUG 06- 16,500 MILES- A/C STOPPED WORKING- REPLACED ENTIRE A/C SYSTEM (COMPRESSOR, HOSES, PIPES, DRIER, RESTRICTOR) UNDER WARRANTY. 2. 10 APR 07- 23,253 MILES- CAR WON?T START- STARTER REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. PEALING SHIFT KNOB (CHROME SURROUND WAS PEALING AND THE EDGES WERE LIKE A RAZOR BLADE), REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. CENTER CONSOLE LATCH BROKEN- REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. 3. 22 FEB 08- 31,992 MILES- ENGINE REPLACED DUE TO FAULTY VALVE SEAT. SEAT BROKE ALLOWING VALVE TO BE SUCKED INTO CYLINDER AND …

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Matching rule