RoadVitals

1994 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.
7
Latest Feb 12, 2007
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 7 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1994 Audi S4, most frequently naming the fuel system, brakes and engine categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 16 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 system675.0%
  • Brakes112.5%
  • Engine112.5%

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
96V017000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

Jan 29, 1996
24,000 units potentially affected
The defect: DEFECTIVE IGNITION SWITCHES WERE IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED AND CAN CAUSE SOME ELECTRICAL ACCESSORIES TO MALFUNCTION.
The risk: SOME ELECTRICAL ACCESSORIES, SUCH AS, TURN SIGNALS, WINDSHIELD WIPERS, LAMPS, POWER WIND0WS AND AIR CONDITIONERS CAN MALFUNCTION WHEN THE CAR IS STARTED.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.
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

EngineFuel system
Filed Feb 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 ROAD. ONCE THERE, I SAW THAT MY EXHAUST MANIFOLD HAD GOTTEN CHERRY RED WITH AND COULD HAVE CAUSED A FIRE. THESE CARS NEED IMMEDIATE RECALL AS A SAFETY MEASURE AND THE PART REPLACED WITH METAL. FAILURE WAS WITHOUT WARNING, CAR''S SPEED BEGAN TO INCREASE WITHOUT WARNING AND THROTTLE PRESSURE HAD NO IMPACT WHATSOEVER. LESS SKILLFUL PERSON WOULD HAVE PANICKED AND CAUSED SEVERE PILE-UP IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. MANY OTHER AUDI OWNERS HAVE REPORTED THE PROBLEM ON THE VARIOUS COMPUTER LISTS AND WEB SITES USED BY AUDI OWNERS. CALL OR WRITE FOR DETAILS. AUDI DEALER WAS UNCONCERNED ABOUT PROBLEM AND PART IS NOT LISTED NOR CAN BE PURCHASED SEPARATELY. MUST PURCHASE ENTIRE THROTTLE BODY AT COST OF OVER $800. *NM

NHTSA ID
10182337
Incident
Jan 16, 2007
Mileage
165,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Apr 6, 2001

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

NHTSA ID
885304
Incident
Apr 1, 2001
Fuel system
Filed Aug 15, 2000

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

NHTSA ID
867828
Fuel system
Filed May 18, 2000

INTERMITTENT FUEL LINE LEAK NEAR EXHAUST MANIFOLD AND TURBOCHARGER. *AK

NHTSA ID
722885
Incident
Feb 1, 2000
Fuel system
Filed Apr 17, 2000

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

NHTSA ID
860435
Fuel system
Filed Mar 20, 2000

FUEL SUPPLY LINE LEAKS. *AK

NHTSA ID
720379
Incident
Mar 1, 2000
Fuel system
Filed Oct 18, 1999

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.

NHTSA ID
713460
Incident
Jun 12, 1999

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.

A191562 2025303-

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Supersedes Technical Service Bulletin Group 19 number 15-61 dated July 7, 2015. Discontinuation and mixing of Audi-approved engine coolants. G11, G12, and G12+ coolants have been replaced by an improved version. G12++ coolant (for service available) has been introduced in MY 2005 for all engines. G13 has been introduced in MY 2008 as factory filling and service.

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.

Edition92

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

Idenifying and mixing factory fill engine coolants

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—
1994Viewing721—
1993162145.8
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.