2010 Audi S4: problems, recalls and reliability
0 recalls and 60 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is power train (63% of complaints); the 2009 and 2011 and 2012 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly
0
recalls
60
owner complaints
0
fire reports
58,950
typical failure mileage, mi
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
No fire reportsNo recall campaignsOne of the most complained-about S4 years (#2 of 16, age-adjusted)Weak spot: power train (63%)
Common problems
Computed from 60 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
Power Train (transmission, axles, driveline)63% · 37 complaints
Engine And Engine Cooling (engine, radiator, overheating)19% · 11 complaints
Electrical System (battery, wiring, electronics)8% · 5 complaints
Engine (engine mechanics)5% · 3 complaints
Service Brakes (brakes)3% · 2 complaints
Exterior Lighting (headlights, taillights)2% · 1 complaint
“Car slammed into different gear, wasn't able to shift into 2nd and threw gearbox malfunction and tpms errors. Thankfully I was near home and able to make it there without an accident or being stranded, but my car is now immobile. I spoke with audi and they said it will likely be a $4k repair (mechatronics unit). After researching this more, it seems to be a common problem with these cars. It can happen at any time and can be extremely dangerous. There's also a pending class action lawsuit to get audi to do the right thing and recall these cars and fix them.”Owner report · Power Train · Apr 2020
“My car flashed gearbox malfunction while driving down interstate I-264 in louisville ky. Car seamed fine for about 2 miles and then suddenly went limp and I had no gears. Had to hit flashers and coast into median. Was almost hit by semi truck. Repair shop could not find anything wrong. Happened again 1 day after getting it back from shop. Taking it to audi now. I have read that this is a common problem.”Owner report · Power Train · Oct 2019
“The whole car jerked when going to 2nd gear and then thetpms, no reverse, and gear malfunction lights comes on. 2nd, 4th, 6th, and reverse gear are gone. Restarting the car cleared the warning and drove fine for 10 miles before it happens again. Try restarting again to clear the warning but light will come back on when going to 2nd or reverse.”Owner report · Power Train · Jul 2019
Show 7 more owner reports
“Vehicle was in motion, the mechatronics unit on my car is failing and just many many other vehicles of the same make, model, and year. The vehicle can stop engaging gears at any speed and can be very dangerous at any speed, especially on the highway”Owner report · Electrical System · May 2019
“Gearbox failure seems to be common issue on the 2010 model. Seems a replacement mechatronics unit or full transmission will need to be done to resolve the issue.”Owner report · Power Train · Dec 2018
“Vehicle was at a stop at a traffic light with brake engaged and vehicle suddenly engaged into gear and tried to surge forward. Had to put the transmission into neutral to disengage gear. In other instances, vehicle will slam into gear abruptly when accelerating from a full stop, and also lunges forward unpredictably. These incidents are all related to a failing automatic dsg transmission.”Owner report · Power Train · Aug 2018
“Vehicle's transmission became non-operational while driving on the highway. This was due to multiple failed sensors in the "s tronic transmission integrated sensors" module. Early sensor failure has been a known issue as audi issued tsb 35 12 08 2032211/1 on december 21, 2012 (only 3 years after original model production began) outlining the problem. The failure causes an obvious safety hazard and no recall has been issued.”Owner report · Power Train · Sep 2017
“My s4 threw the "gearbox malfunction, reverse disabled" as well as a tpms error code while in traffic, and went into limp mode and would not allow me to accelerate. Very dangerous, and inconvenient. Limped home at very slow speed while transmission clunked and struggled to change gears. The code has gone away since I restarted the vehicle, and now it lunges forward when you're coming to a stop, which makes you feel like you've been hit from behind. Taking off from a stop is bouncy and super jerky. If I hesitate before accelerating from a stop, it will sometimes go smoothly. The engine rpm's surge while coasting to a stop, or going down, hill especially with foot off the pedal.”Owner report · Power Train · May 2017
“When driving in regular drive box indicator comes on. Saying gearbox malfunction limited function. I only have 63125 miles and keep my car maintenance.”Owner report · Electrical System · Apr 2017
“One week after purchasing car, car exhibiting symptoms of mechatronics unit failure (bang/jerk when stopping, rpm jumpy in 1/2nd gear, reverse is jumpy).”Owner report · Power Train · Mar 2017
When filing, owners marked a crash in 2 of these complaints and injuries in 0 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
How other years compare
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Is the 2010 Audi S4 reliable?
NHTSA has 60 owner complaints and 0 recall campaigns on record for the 2010 Audi S4. The most complained-about area is power train (63% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2010 Audi S4 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 58,950 miles or less.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.