Audi S4 Reliability
721 NHTSA complaints (1992–2022). Complaint rate: 141.0 per 1,000 vehicles.
Which Years to Buy & Avoid
Years auto-clustered by complaint volume relative to this model's median.
Bottom line: Avoid the 2000–2001 Audi S4. The 2021 models had significantly fewer reported issues. Most common issue across all years: POWER TRAIN.
Avoid These Years
Average
Better Years
A model's reputation is just the start.
Even within the “good” years, individual cars can have hidden accidents, title issues, or odometer rollbacks. Check the actual VIN before you buy — full history report for $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).
Complaints by Model Year
NHTSA complaint count per model year
Common Audi S4 Problems
Most reported component complaints to NHTSA
| Component | Complaints | Crash % |
|---|---|---|
| POWER TRAIN | 94 | 0.0% |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 66 | 0.0% |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL | 64 | 0.0% |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 57 | 0.0% |
| STEERING | 30 | 0.0% |
| TIRES | 29 | 0.0% |
| AIR BAGS | 28 | 7.1% |
| ENGINE | 28 | 0.0% |
| TIRES:SIDEWALL | 20 | 0.0% |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 18 | 0.0% |
Year-by-Year Breakdown
NHTSA complaint count per model year — click any year for full problems & recalls breakdown.
| Year | Generation | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1992GOOD | — | 5 | 0 | — | View 1992View→ |
| 1993GOOD | — | 18 | 0 | — | View 1993View→ |
| 1994GOOD | — | 8 | 0 | — | View 1994View→ |
| 2000AVOID | — | 171 | 9 | — | View 2000View→ |
| 2001AVOID | — | 92 | 5 | — | View 2001View→ |
| 2002 | — | 31 | 0 | — | View 2002View→ |
| 2004 | — | 37 | 0 | 2 | View 2004View→ |
| 2005AVOID | — | 54 | 4 | — | View 2005View→ |
| 2006 | — | 37 | 0 | — | View 2006View→ |
| 2007 | — | 21 | 3 | 4 | View 2007View→ |
| 2008GOOD | — | 4 | 0 | — | View 2008View→ |
| 2010AVOID | — | 73 | 2 | — | View 2010View→ |
| 2011 | — | 34 | 0 | — | View 2011View→ |
| 2012 | — | 27 | 0 | 2 | View 2012View→ |
| 2013 | — | 34 | 0 | — | View 2013View→ |
| 2014 | — | 23 | 0 | — | View 2014View→ |
| 2018GOOD | — | 9 | 0 | — | View 2018View→ |
| 2019GOOD | — | 3 | 0 | — | View 2019View→ |
| 2020 | — | 34 | 0 | — | View 2020View→ |
| 2021GOOD | — | 2 | 0 | — | View 2021View→ |
See also: Audi S4accident & safety statistics from our vehicle history database.
Buying a Audi S4?
Check the specific VIN for hidden accidents, title issues, and full vehicle history — just $4.99.
Check VIN Free