RoadVitals

2012 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.
22
Latest Sep 27, 2019
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.
1
Latest Jan 20, 2015
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.
0
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.
2

Overview

Our database contains 22 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2012 Audi S4, most frequently naming the powertrain (other), fuel system and electrical categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 784 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

  • Powertrain (other)1456.0%
  • Fuel system520.0%
  • Electrical312.0%
  • Brakes28.0%
  • Driver assistance14.0%

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

1 campaign 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
15V019000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:FUEL RAIL

Jan 20, 2015
26,008 units potentially affected
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Audi S4, S5, Q7, 2012 Audi A6, Volkswagen Touareg Hybrid, and 2012-2013 Audi A7 vehicles. In the affected vehicles the fuel injection system may experience a fuel leak.
The risk: A fuel leak in the injection system in the presence of an ignition source, increases the risk of a fire.
The remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel rails and corresponding seals, free of charge. The recall began on March 17, 2015. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-822-2834 or Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 24AP for Audi customers and 24BK for Volkswagen customers.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.Manufacturer number Audi: 24AP/VW: 24BKView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 22
Powertrain (other)
Filed Sep 27, 2019

CIRCUIT BOARD ON THE MECHATRONICS UNIT FAILED AND CAR IS UNDER 100K MILES. SUDDEN SHAKING AND BANGING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN GIVING IT GAS ABOVE 30. FREQUENT JOLTS, DANGEROUS TO DRIVE...

NHTSA ID
11258596
Incident
Sep 26, 2019
Mileage
98,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Aug 24, 2019

THE DSG TRANSMISSION IN MY AUDI S4 EXPERIENCES ABRUPT JERKING FROM 2ND TO 1ST GREAT WHILE DECELERATING. IT ALSO JERKS AND FEELS LIKE IT IS BEING HIT WHILE SHIFTING FROM 1ST TO 2ND WHEN ACCELERATING NORMALLY.

NHTSA ID
11246180
Incident
Aug 13, 2018
Mileage
64,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jul 31, 2019

FUEL INJECTOR LEAKING AND NEEDS REPLACED. MY CAR WAS NEVER ON THE RECALL LIST. SITTING AT AUDI DEALER NOW.

NHTSA ID
11240976
Incident
Jul 26, 2019
Mileage
105,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jan 29, 2019

THE GEARBOX MALFUNCTION SCREEN ON THE DASH SHOWED UP OUT OF NOWHERE THEN FOLLOWED BY A PARKING BRAKE MALFUNCTION THEN THE CAR GOES INTO NEUTRAL AND JUST SITS THERE REVVING THE ENGINE. I TRY TO PUT IT IN NEUTRAL THEN DRIVE BUT THE LEVER GETS STUCK AND I CANT MOVE TO DRIVE. THIS FIRST HAPPEN IN THE HIGHWAY AND I COULDN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT AND I KNOW THIS CAR HAS HIGH MILEAGE BUT LOOKING AT IT THIS TRANSMISSION HAS PROBLEMS ALL THE WAY TO THE 2016 MODELS. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO BE LOOKED AT BECAUSE THIS IS A POTENTIAL HAZARD AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS

NHTSA ID
11172981
Incident
Dec 24, 2018
Mileage
107,592 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Sep 17, 2018

WHILE DRIVING TODAY ON THE HIGHWAY MY 2012 AUDI S4 EXPERIENCED THE COMMON DSG GEARBOX MALFUNCTION ALERT ALONG WOTH THE TPMS FAULT LIGHT. ON THE HIGHWAY LOOSING ALL POWER AND CAUSING THE VEHICLE SLOW DRASTICALLY WHILE IN TRAFFIC NEARLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. THE AMOUNT OF COMPLAINTS ON THIS SAME ISSUE IS ASTONISHING THAT AUDI HAS NOT TAKING CARE IF THIS YET. THIS MALFUNCTION CAN CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT, ITS TIME TO RECALL THE DSG TRANSMISSION AND FIX THE ISSUE!!!!!! AS WELL AS REIMBURSEMENT FOR ALL THE PEOPLE WHO SPEND THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TRYING TO DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE, AUDI WILL TRY TO MAKE YOU PAY UPWARDS OF $5,000 TO $10,000 IN REPAIRS RATHER THAN DO THE RIGHT THING AND FIX THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID
11130019
Incident
Sep 17, 2018
Mileage
102,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Sep 6, 2018
Fire reported

COOLANT PUMP BLEW OUT CAUSING THE ENGINE TO OVERHEAT.

NHTSA ID
11127920
Incident
Sep 4, 2018
Mileage
70,000 mi
ElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed May 18, 2018

WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC, MY CAR DROPPED INTO LOWER GEARS AND STOPPED MOVING, AND TWO ERROR CODES POPPED UP "GEARBOX MALFUNCTION" AND "TPMS MALFUNCTION". LOOKING THIS UP ONLINE AND DISCUSSING WITH MY MECHANIC, THIS IS SOMETHING HAPPENING IN A LOT OF THE CARS THAT ARE THIS MAKE & MODEL AND HAVE THE SAME TRANSMISSION.

NHTSA ID
11096667
Incident
May 18, 2018
Mileage
67,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed May 9, 2018
Fire reported

MY COOLANT PUMP WENT OUT AND OVERHEATED THE CAR. THE COOLANT LEAKED OUT. MY CAR ONLY HAS 60K MILES ON IT. AUDI RECENTLY RECALLED COOLANT PUMPS FOR THIS VERY REASON ON THE A4, A5, A6 BUT HAVENT MADE THE RECALL FOR THE S CLASS. PLEASE BE ADVISED THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE AND PLACED ME AND FAMILY IN HARMS WAY.

NHTSA ID
11092654
Incident
Apr 28, 2018
Mileage
60,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

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

TSB_2082846_1

This bulletin provides a statement regarding the bottleneck of supply for VW approved oil types VW 504.00 and VW 507.00.

TSB_2073282_1

STRUCTURE:BODY

This bulletin provides information when there is a film/visible rings on the clear glass cover of the headlight when the dipped beam is switched on.

TSB_2059335_7

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This bulletin provides information when there are noises from the area around the instrument cluster.

TSB_2074729_3

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This bulletin provides informationwhen noises/vibration are detected from front of vehicle in dynamic mode.

TSB_2082048_1

POWER TRAIN

This bulleitn provides information when there are running problems/restricted functions, 0B5 gearbox.

TSB_2082102_1

POWER TRAIN

This bulletin provides information when there is restricted function with DTC P141D (8940), 0B5 gearbox.

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
2012Viewing221040.2
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—
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.