RoadVitals

1993 Audi S4

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
16
Latest Nov 7, 2018
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest Mar 6, 2000
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
1
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains 16 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1993 Audi S4, most frequently naming the fuel system, brakes and driver assistance categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 6 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Fuel system1168.8%
  • Brakes212.5%
  • Driver assistance212.5%
  • Suspension16.3%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
00V068000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

Mar 6, 2000
3,000 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. A FUEL FEED LINE CONNECTING THE FUEL FILTER TO THE ENGINE CAN PREMATURELY AGE AND SHRINK THROUGH EXPOSURE TO HIGH UNDER HOOD TEMPERATURE CAUSED BY THE TURBOCHARGER.
The risk: THIS CAN RESULT IN FUEL SEEPAGE AT THE CONNECTION.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENTIRE FUEL FEED LINE FROM THE FUEL FILTER TO THE ENGINE WITH A FUEL LINE OF SHRINKAGE-PROOF MATERIAL.
VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INCManufacturer number KYView on NHTSA.gov
97V172000

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE

Oct 6, 1997
54,800 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME AIR BAG SENSORS DO NOT COMPLY WITH AUDI'S DURABILITY STANDARDS OVER THE LIFETIME OF THE VEHICLE.
The risk: IN THE EVENT THE SENSOR SHOULD MALFUNCTION, THE AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEM CAN INADVERTENTLY DEPLOY. DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEM WITHOUT WARNING COULD CAUSE A DRIVER TO LOSE VEHICLE CONTROL.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AIR BAG SENSOR CONTROL MODULE.
VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INCView on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

PE99065ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

FUEL SUPPLY LINE LEAK

Opened Oct 28, 1999
Closed Mar 31, 2000

There is no summary currently available

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGESLed to recall 00V068000

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 16
Fuel system
Filed Nov 7, 2018

THIS WAS A CONSUMER CALL RECEIVED BY REGIONAL OFFICE STAFF, AND IS BEING RELAYED. VEHICLE HAS AN ACTIVE FUEL SYSTEM RECALL, AND DEALER IN SALT LAKE CITY, UT SCHEDULED REPAIR, BUT CANCELLED THE REPAIR APPOINTMENT DUE TO NOT HAVING PROPER BILLING CODE TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE REPAIR BY THE MANUFACTURER. PLEASE CONTACT CONSUMER DIRECTLY FOR FURTHER DETAILS AND TO ASSIST HIM IN RESOLVING THIS ISSUE.

NHTSA ID
11149954
Incident
Nov 7, 2018
Driver assistanceFuel system
Filed May 10, 2010

I OWN TWO OF THE ORIGINAL AUDI S4'S, BOTH 1993 MODELS. MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING ONE OF THESE CARS IN 2007 AND THE THROTTLE STUCK OPEN SO THAT THE ENGINE RACED UNCONTROLLABLY. SHE WAS ABLE TO PUT THE CLUTCH IN AND STOP THE CAR AND TURN THE ENGINE OFF. THEN SHE HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE NEAREST REPAIR SHOP. IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT A PLASTIC PART ON THE TIP OF THE THROTTLE CAM HAD BROKEN OFF AND AS A RESULT THE THROTTLE CABLING MECHANISM STUCK IN THE PARTIALLY "OPEN" POSITION. I HAD THE THROTTLE CAM REPLACED WITH AN ALL STAINLESS STEEL CAM WHICH CANNOT BREAK DOWN AS A RESULT OF HEAT, AS PLASTIC OR A SIMILAR PRODUCT CAN DO. I HAD OEM CAMS REPLACED IN BOTH S4'S. AUDI DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM IN OCTOBER 2007. I HAVE RECOMMENDED TO AUDI THAT ALL 1992-1997 S4 AND S6 MODELS BE RECALLED AND THAT ALL THROTTLE CAMS BE REPLACED WITH AN ALL STAINLESS STEEL CAM (FOR EXAMPLE, ONE FABRICATED BY 034 MOTORSPORT IN FREMONT, CA.) AT LEAST ONE OTHER INSTANCE OF UNINTENDED ACCELERATION, DUE TO FAILURE OF THE OEM THROTTLE CAM, HAS BEEN REPORTED ON THE "WEB" -- IN FACT THAT REPORT LED ME TO 034 MOTORSPORT'S SOLUTION. I KNOW I NEVER RECEIVED, FROM AUDI, A NOTICE OF THIS POTENTIAL PROBLEM. DATE SHOWN BELOW IS APPROXIMATE. I WOULD HAVE TO FIND THE TOWING BILL TO BE PRECISE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10329785
Incident
Oct 1, 2007
Mileage
118,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Apr 13, 2010

I RUN A SMALL REPAIR SHOP AND HAVE SEEN A NUMBER OF AUDI VEHICLES FROM 1986 TO 1998 WHICH HAVE STEEL GASOLINE LINES THAT COLLECT ROAD SALT AND RUST IN THE RUBBER SUPPORT GROMMETS ATTACHED TO THE CHASSIS. THE RUST CAUSES A PINHOLE LEAK WHICH THEN BEGINS TO SPRAY GASOLINE ON THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. I HAVE SEEN 5 OR 6 VEHICLES LIKE THIS IN THE PAST 5 YEARS AND SAW ANOTHER ONE LAST WEEK. *TR

NHTSA ID
10325567
Incident
Apr 8, 2010
Driver assistance
Filed Feb 12, 2007

PLASTIC THROTTLE CABLE PIECE BROKE RESULTING IN STUCK THROTTLE CONDITION. FOR AN ACCOUNT OF THE INCIDENT ALONG WITH PHOTOS SEE THE URL BELOW. *NM HTTP://WWW.S-CARS.ORG/POSTNUKE/MODULES.PHP?OP=MODLOAD&NAME=NEWS&FILE=ARTICLE&SID=183

NHTSA ID
10182362
Incident
Aug 25, 2005
Mileage
125,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Dec 5, 2002

I HAD PREVIOUSLY CONTACTED NHSTA REGARDING FUEL LINE LEAKS IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT OF THE EALRY S4 AND S6 MODELS. THIS RESULTED IN THE "KY" RECALL CAMPAIGN. MORE RECENTLY, SOME OWNERS HAVE BEEN DISCOVERING LEAKS IN THE FUEL LINES GOING FROM THE REAR OF THE CAR TO THE FRONT. THESE LEAKS OCCUR AT THE POINT WHERE THE FUEL LINE GOES THROUGH RUBBER ISOLATION/MOUNTING BLOCKS. MOISTURE ACCUMULATES AT THESE POINTS AND CORRODES THE FUEL LINE RESULTING IN LEAKS. I DISCOVERED THIS ON MY OWN CAR IN EARLY 2002 AND I KEEP HEARING FROM MORE AND MORE PEOPLE FINDING THE SAME THING. THESE CARS HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY GOOD IN OTHER AREAS BUT THE FUEL SYSTEM PLUMING LEAVES MUCH TO BE DESIRED. DT

NHTSA ID
770485
Incident
Feb 10, 2002
Suspension
Filed Aug 22, 2001

WHILE DRIVING DURING A RAINSTORM THE REAR END BROKE HARD TO THE RIGHT SENDING THE VEHICLE INTO A COUNTERCLOCKWISE SPIN, AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE HIT A LAMPOST.NLM

NHTSA ID
785469
Incident
Apr 6, 2001
Fuel system
Filed Apr 10, 2000

FUEL LINE FAILED WHERE BRAIDED LINE MEETS SOLID BRASS LINE. HAS HAPPENED IN MANY OTHER CARS OF THIS MODEL RELATIVE TO THE TOTAL NUMBER SOLD.

NHTSA ID
721260
Incident
Apr 1, 2000
Fuel system
Filed Oct 27, 1999

FAILURE IS WHERE HOSE FROM FILTER IS PRESS FIT TO METAL FUEL LINE

NHTSA ID
713966
Incident
Feb 28, 1998

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

SM 44-2017 EN

EQUIPMENT

This special notice is to inform dealers to return all part numbers listed in the document and order the superseded part numbers going forward.

ATE-17-05

EQUIPMENT

Due to increasing requests for high voltage personal protective equipment (HVE PPE) for dealer technicians working with high voltage vehicles (Hybrid, Plugin Hybrid, Electric Vehicle), the Volkswagen Tools and Equipment Team has identified two US based suppliers to support dealers in USA and Canada.

SB-01-15-29

ENGINE

AUDI: ENGINE, ON SOME VEHICLES, WOULD RUN IRREGULARLY OR HAVE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) ON OR POSSIBLE FILTER ELEMENT FOR CAMSHAFT ADJUSTMENT VALVE CAN LOOSEN AND IN OIL CIRCUIT, THERE IS NO DAMAGE FROM LOOSENED PARTICLES. MODEL ALL. ALL YEARS. *PE

AUD4927ENG

Due to new Minnesota state regulations regarding biofuels, biodiesel blends of B5 or less may not be available in the State of Minnesota.

Update91i8

Google Maps Street View (NVLW))

20056243

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

HEADLIGHT AIMING, USING HELLA UNIVERSAL BEAMSETTER. *KB

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Audi S4 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026000—
2025000—
2024000—
2023000—
2022110—
2021240—
2020163041.2
2019210—
2018720—
2017000—
2016000—
2015110—
2014171031.6
2013321033.0
2012221040.2
2011261038.1
2010600036.5
2009020—
2008420—
2007132048.4
2006302040.3
2005432045.0
2004291034.7
2003110—
2002221032.7
2001871039.2
20001431039.6
1999000—
1998000—
1996010—
1995121—
1994721—
1993Viewing162145.8
1992521—
1991010—
1990010—
1989010—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.