2001 Audi S4: problems, recalls and reliability
1 recall and 87 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (53% of complaints); the 2002 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jun 2021
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 87 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“I just happened to look up recalls and saw the complaints on the audi s4 2001. I noticed my car wasn't the only one where the instrument cluster has lost pixels and ends up unreadable for all warnings and manufacturer programmed safety warnings. It has been like this for years and did ask my dealer how much it would cost to fix it and it was insane. It is a real safety issue. Audi should be responsible for fixing it. I didn't realize other audi's were having the same issue. Maybe if more people complain, audi will be forced to fix it.”Owner report · Electrical System · Dec 2013
“Cold start on a cold january morning (5 degrees f); upon starting the car the air bag warning light came on and would not shut off. Research (discussions with the dealer and air bag repair businesses) indicate that this is a very common defect for audi s4, model year 2001 and that to repair the problem the air bag control module (computer) would need to be replaced at an exorbitant cost. Airbag system is completely inoperable with the warning light in a lit state. On line audi forums indicate that this is a huge problem on these cars. *tr”Owner report · Air Bags · Jan 2009
“1) there is no triggering event leading up to the failure. It just appears over time. 2) the lcd screen in the instrument cluster has lines of pixels that do not light up. This is constant, with more lines of pixels going out and permanently staying out over time. As a consequence, important warning messages are not displayed or readable; such as worn out brake pads, fuel low warning, washer fluid low warning, etc. If these warnings are not displayed, the vehicle may run out of gas without warning and stall while operating, or brakes may wear down to the point of losing effectiveness without warning, or be left without washer fluid without warning. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Jan 2009
Show 7 more owner reports
“Information display on instrument cluster is failing; pixels no longer operate rendering the display useless. Display is used to inform the driver of vital safety information but with failed display the important safety information cannot be read! *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Dec 2008
“1. Purchased a 2001 s4 2. The auto check system in the instrument cluster does not work especially when warm. Critical safety information is no longer displayed. 3. Was quoted obscene amounts by audi dealers to replace entire instrument cluster. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Jul 2008
“I both own a 2001 audi a4 and 2001 audi s4.. On both the red lcd instrument cluster screen has failed to the point where nothing on that screen is legible. The screen is designed to show mileage, speed warning, run time and other functions. The pixels have ceased to function to the point beyond recognition. I share this problem with a very large group of audi owners of the same and/or similar model. This group of people expands internationally and audi clearly knows that this is a prone to failure part. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Jun 2008
“The b5 (2000-2002) audi s4, lcds on gauge cluster which display valuable safety information, is faulty on every s4 I've ever seen. Everyone on every forum I frequent, they all have the same problem. This is a problem and needs to be recalled. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Nov 2007
“Tl*the contact owns a 2001 audi s4. When the vehicle was started, the contact was unable to see the entire instrument panel display. While driving 40 mph, the instrument panel eventually appeared in full view. The failure later recurred. The vehicle has not been taken to the dealer. The current mileage was 83,000 and failure mileage was 78,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Nov 2007
“Tl*the contact owns a 2001 audi s4. The contact stated that the pixels on the instrumental panel failed, which prevents him from reading the auto check system. The current and failure mileages were 7,200.”Owner report · Electrical System · Oct 2007
“Information display on instrument cluster is failing; pixels no longer operate rendering the display useless. Display is used to inform the driver of vital safety information but with failed display the important safety information cannot be read! *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Oct 2007
When filing, owners marked a crash in 4 of these complaints and injuries in 0 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 1 campaign
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2000-2001 Audi TT Coupe, TT Roadster, 2000-2002 A4, and S4 vehicles equipped with Non-Azide Driver Air Bag Inflators (NADI) that do not contain phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. Due to a manufacturing issue, the NADI inflators may absorb moisture, possibly causing the air bag to deploy improperly in the event of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver frontal airbag inflator with an alternative inflator, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 2, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69CJ.
How other years compare
Check your exact S4 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2001 Audi S4 reliable?
NHTSA has 87 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 2001 Audi S4. The most complained-about area is electrical system (53% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2001 Audi S4 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 60,000 miles or less.
Does the 2001 Audi S4 have open recalls?
1 recall campaign has been issued, the latest concerning air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.