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Audi S4 — Years to Avoid

Reliability breakdown of every Audi S4 model year. Based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, and safety investigations.

Model Years
37
Years to Avoid
2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2013, 2012, 2011
Best Years
1998, 1996, 1995, 1994, 1993, 1992, 1991, 1990, 1989
2026
0 complaints0 recalls3 TSBs
2025
0 complaints0 recalls539 TSBs
2024Avoid
0 complaints0 recalls794 TSBs
2023Avoid
0 complaints0 recalls851 TSBs
2022Avoid
1 complaints1 recalls870 TSBs
2021Avoid
2 complaints4 recalls969 TSBs
2020Avoid
35 complaints3 recalls942 TSBs
2019Avoid
3 complaints1 recalls837 TSBs
2018Avoid
9 complaints2 recalls797 TSBs
2017
0 complaints0 recalls286 TSBs
2016
0 complaints0 recalls521 TSBs
2015
1 complaints1 recalls690 TSBs
2014
23 complaints1 recalls725 TSBs
2013Avoid
35 complaints1 recalls878 TSBs
2012Avoid
27 complaints1 recalls796 TSBs
2011Avoid
34 complaints1 recalls776 TSBs
2010
73 complaints0 recalls681 TSBs
2009
0 complaints2 recalls226 TSBs
2008
4 complaints2 recalls312 TSBs
2007
21 complaints2 recalls247 TSBs
2006
37 complaints2 recalls231 TSBs
2005
54 complaints2 recalls213 TSBs
2004
37 complaints1 recalls121 TSBs
2003
1 complaints1 recalls99 TSBs
2002
31 complaints1 recalls86 TSBs
2001
92 complaints1 recalls75 TSBs
2000
171 complaints1 recalls76 TSBs
1999
0 complaints0 recalls35 TSBs
1998Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls32 TSBs
1996Best Year
0 complaints1 recalls16 TSBs
1995Best Year
1 complaints2 recalls1 invest.15 TSBs
1994Best Year
8 complaints2 recalls1 invest.16 TSBs
1993Best Year
18 complaints2 recalls1 invest.6 TSBs
1992Best Year
5 complaints2 recalls1 invest.6 TSBs
1991Best Year
0 complaints1 recalls6 TSBs
1990Best Year
0 complaints1 recalls
1989Best Year
0 complaints1 recalls

How we calculate this

Each year receives a composite risk score based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, safety investigations, and technical service bulletins. Years scoring more than 2x the model's average are flagged as “years to avoid.” Years in the lowest risk bracket are marked as “best years.” All data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Which Audi S4 Years Should You Avoid?

Based on federal safety data, the 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2013, 2012, 2011 Audi S4 are the most problematic years, with significantly higher rates of owner complaints, recalls, and safety investigations compared to other model years.

If you're shopping for a used Audi S4, consider the 1998, 1996, 1995, 1994, 1993, 1992, 1991, 1990, 1989 model years — these have the fewest reported issues relative to other years.

37 model years analyzed