RoadVitals

2014 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.
17
Latest Apr 16, 2024
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 Oct 24, 2014
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.
0

Overview

Our database contains 17 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2014 Audi S4, most frequently naming the steering, engine and fuel system categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 713 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

  • Steering630.0%
  • Engine315.0%
  • Fuel system315.0%
  • Powertrain (other)315.0%
  • Airbags15.0%
  • Brakes15.0%
  • Other / unspecified15.0%
  • Driver assistance15.0%

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

AIR BAGS

Oct 24, 2014
101,938 units potentially affected
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Audi A4 and S4 vehicles manufactured February 16, 2012, to October 21, 2014, and 2013-2015 Audi Allroad vehicles manufactured March 12, 2012, to October 21, 2014. Due to an improper algorithm in the air bag control module, if a crash necessitates deployment of the side air bags, a second impact to the front of the vehicle may not command the front air bags to also deploy.
The risk: If the front air bags do not deploy in the event of a secondary impact to the front of the vehicle, there is an increased risk of occupant injury.
The remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and Audi dealers will update the air bag control unit software, free of charge. The recall began on November 14, 2014. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-822-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69K5.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.Manufacturer number 69K5View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Steering
Filed Apr 16, 2024

The contact owns a 2014 Audi S4. The contact stated that while driving at 70 MPH, he observed multiple unknown warning lights illuminated. The EPC warning light was also illuminated. The contact stated that the “Do Not Drive" message was displayed. Additionally, the contact stated that the steering wheel was stiff and failed to steer as intended. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the electronic steering module and rack needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 61,000.

NHTSA ID
11583356
Incident
Nov 1, 2023
Mileage
61,000 mi
ElectricalEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Mar 5, 2021

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 ISSUE WITH THE CAR WHAT'S SO EVER. I DECIDED TO TRY TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR MYSELF BECAUSE THE DEALER WAS NO HELP. WHEN I LOOK IT UP HUNDREDS OF FORUMS SHOW UP TALKING ABOUT IT AND NO ONE CAN FIGURE OUT WHAT IS GOING ON WITH THE CAR AND EVERYONE IS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE AND HOW THE DEALER IS NO HELP AT ALL. ONE PERSON SAID THEY TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THERE WAS A FAULTY WIRE ON THE ECU. I THINK ITS THE ECU FAILING AND DOESN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO.

NHTSA ID
11399328
Incident
Jan 23, 2021
Mileage
100,000 mi
Steering
Filed Nov 26, 2020

THE VEHICLE EXHIBITS "NOTCHY" STEERING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, PARTICULARLY IN COLD WEATHER. AT OR ABOVE APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL TRIES TO "BOUNCE" LEFT AND RIGHT RATHER THAN MAINTAINING CENTER--EVEN WHEN TRAVELING ON A STRAIGHT, FRESHLY-PAVED SECTION OF INTERSTATE. THE DRIVER HAS TO CONSTANTLY ADJUST THE WHEEL TO KEEP THE CAR TRAVELING STRAIGHT. THE STEERING FUNCTIONS NORMALLY OTHERWISE, AND THE PROBLEM DOES NOT MANIFEST ITSELF AT LOW SPEEDS. I BEGAN TO NOTICE THE PROBLEM AROUND AUGUST OF 2020. OTHER OWNERS OF THE SAME VEHICLE HAVE REPORTED SIMILAR PROBLEMS: HTTPS://WWW.AUDIZINE.COM/FORUM/SHOWTHREAD.PHP/690756-NOTCHY-STEERING.

NHTSA ID
11376444
Incident
Aug 1, 2020
Mileage
90,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jun 14, 2020

I HAVE ENCOUNTERED THE PROBLEM OF AIR BUBBLE FORMATION IN MY FUEL SYSTEM (CODE 16903) WHEN READING CODES IN MY CAR. I THOUGHT IT WAS JUST A FUEL PUMP ISSUE SO I REPLACED IT. I THEN REALIZED IT WASN'T JUST A PUMP ISSUE AS THE CAR KEPT READING THOSE CODES AND KEPT STOPPING. I TALKED TO A LOCAL AUDI DEALERSHIP AND SAID I WOULD HAVE TO GET THE FUEL PUMP VAPOR EXTENSION. WHEN ASKED THEY SAID THAT IT'S ONLY A TSB NOT A RECALL DUE TO IT NOT BEING A SAFETY ISSUE. NOW YOU TELL ME, MY CAR WENT INTO LIMP MODE AND STOPPED ONCE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY, AND 3 TIMES IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC 2 WEEKS LATER. I BELIEVE IT'S A SAFETY PROBLEM AS ANYONE COULD'VE RAN INTO ME AND CAUSED BIGGER PROBLEMS. I DON'T THINK I SHOULD PAY 800 DOLLARS FOR MY SAFETY. THAT PIECE SHOULD'VE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY FROM THE BEGINNING. FROM MY PERSPECTIVE AND THE EVENTS THAT UNFOLDED, THIS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM AND MY CAR NEEDS TO BE FIXED ACCORDINGLY.

NHTSA ID
11328789
Incident
May 29, 2020
Mileage
62,600 mi
Steering
Filed Mar 2, 2020

WHILE DRIVING, STEERING CAN BECOME NOTCHY. STEERING INPUTS ARE NOT ALWAYS 100% TRANSFERRED TO THE FRONT WHEELS. THERE CAN BE A "DEAD SPOT" IN THE STEERING. THE CAR DOES NOT ALWAYS FOLLOW THE INTENDED PATH. THE PROBLEM COMES AND GOES, AND SEEMS TO BE EXACERBATED IN COLDER WEATHER.

NHTSA ID
11315652
Incident
Mar 2, 2020
Mileage
74,000 mi
EngineFuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Jun 17, 2019

WHILE TRAVELING AT 75MPH, UPHILL, IN 100F WEATHER THE FUEL LOW PRESSURE FUEL SYSTEM DEVELOPED A VAPOR BUBBLE THAT STALLED THE LOW PRESSURE FUEL PUMP AND STARVED THE MOTOR FOR FUEL. THE CAR STALLED ON THE FREEWAY AND WOULD INTERMITTENTLY RESTART UNTIL THE LOW PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FAILED. THE REPAIR REQUIRED ADDITIONAL VALVES AND HOSES HE ADDED TO THE LOW PRESSURE FUEL SYSTEM TO COMPENSATE FOR THE POOR VAPOR MANAGEMENT DESIGN. THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP WHERE THE APPROPRIATE FIX AND TSB WAS EXECUTED. TOTAL COST WAS ~$2200, $715 OF THAT TOTAL COST WERE THE NEW VALVES AND HOSES THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN PART OF THE INITIAL DESIGN.

NHTSA ID
11220686
Incident
Jun 12, 2019
Mileage
58,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jan 2, 2019

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

NHTSA ID
11164618
Incident
Dec 9, 2018
Filed Aug 28, 2018

THE ENGINE MOUNTS HAVE GONE BAD. THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THEY ARE LEAKING AND THUS HAVE FAILED. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THIS MODEL AND SEVERAL OTHER MODELS. THE ENGINE MOUNTS FAIL AT AROUND 50000 MILES. I'VE NEVER HEARD OF ENGINE MOUNTS GOING BAD THIS EARLY IN A CARS LIFE. MAYBE AFTER 100000 MILES I WOULD EXPECT FOR THE ENGINE MOUNTS TO FAIL BUT NOT AT 50000 MILES. MANY AUDI OWNERS HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS ISSUE ON FORUMS AND AUDI GROUPS ONLINE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND AUDI IS NOT DOING ANYTHING ABOUT THIS. THEY ARE LEAVING THEIR CUSTOMERS TO FIX A PROBLEM WHICH SHOULD NOT EXIST.

NHTSA ID
11123120
Incident
Jul 10, 2018

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_2028902_5

POWER TRAIN

This bulletin provides informaiton when the transmission warning message appears in the cluster; P074100 stored in the TCM.

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_2082323_1

ENGINE

This bulletin provides informaiton when the engine is not running smoothly, misfiring.

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
2014Viewing171031.6
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
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.