2011 Audi S4: problems, recalls and reliability
1 recall and 26 owner complaints on record; most reports concern power train; the 2009 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jan 2015
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 26 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Car has developed a transmission problem in the mechatronic unit. Car gives a gearbox malfunction display in the car. Reverse will not working and the car will repeatedly go into neutral at any speed. Sometimes then it will jerk back into gear very violently.”Owner report · Power Train · Apr 2021
“This vehicle is known for the transmission issues that can be extremely dangerous at times due to the vehicle making sudden and unexpected movements.”Owner report · Power Train · May 2019
“My car is having jerky shifting whenever the vehicle is driver, especially once the engine gets hot. I have had felt the car jerk forward a countless amount of times and have gotten whiplash a couple times where I've been in pain. Transmission on my audi s4 is giving the same issues as many others have encountered on audizine.com and audiworld.com, with the same symptoms. Audi needs to rectify this issue and do a recall on all b8/b8.5 s4 vehicles!”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Mar 2018
Show 7 more owner reports
“Driving on the highway at 25 mph, car randomly shows 'gearbox malfunction' and 'tpms' simultaneously. Car drove in limp mode for a few minutes until I was able to come to a standstill and put it in park and turn it back on to drive. 'tmps' sign is still showing. Possibility of being a mechatronic issue, which is very well known as an issue with the 2010+ audi s4s.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Feb 2018
“My 2011 s4 started getting the "transmission malfunction continue driving" light at about 40,612 miles. At the same time my vehicle would jerk when stopping and acceleration. When shifting down the gears make a clunking noise specially from 3rd and 2nd gear. I was able to use my extended warranty that I bought because audi didn't want to cover my vehicle. Audi service advisors recommend changing the mechatronic and circuit board but my warranty only authorized the circuit board. My vehicle still jerks when stopping as it downshifts and when I accelerate from a stop.”Owner report · Power Train · Mar 2017
“Dsg mechatronic failure. Was replaced under cpo warranty. However problem persists. While driving car goes into neutral with tpms + gearbox malfunction. This is a known problem with audi s4 2010 and 2011.”Owner report · Electrical System · Apr 2016
“This vehicle suffers from a faulty mechatronics unit, causing the car to mis-shift and surge while driving, or fail to move forward when stopped in traffic in "d" drive, due to parking brake drive-select malfunctions. In these cases the car must be turned off, in traffic in order to move forward again. This technique has worked so far but I am afraid this will not work eventually, and become a safety issue on the roadway.”Owner report · Power Train · Jan 2016
“Engine - excessive oil consumption (1qt refill is require for every 750miles). Dsg transmission ' getting gearbox malfunction, you can continue to drive on dashboard. This is due to p179e - drive range sensor electrical error.”Owner report · Engine · Oct 2015
“After turning my car on a gearbox malfunction warning appeared but said I could continue driving. After driving the message and service light eventually went off with everything going back to normal. The car appears to have a very common mechatronic unit issue that is part of the faulty dsg that audi has put in the b8 s4 model.”Owner report · Power Train · Sep 2015
“I was cruising at approx. 55mph on my way to work. I had no symptoms of anything prior to the transmission failure. Suddenly the car started vibrating and decelerating as if I had a flat tire. I made an emergency merge into the center median and was luckily nobody rear ended me. After inspection of my tires which were ok I got back in car. D or r would not work. The car would not move.”Owner report · Power Train · Jan 2015
When filing, owners marked a crash in 0 of these complaints and injuries in 1 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 1 campaign
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.
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.
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 2011 Audi S4 reliable?
NHTSA has 26 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 2011 Audi S4. The most complained-about area is power train.
Does the 2011 Audi S4 have open recalls?
1 recall campaign has been issued, the latest concerning fuel system, gasoline:fuel injection system:fuel rail. 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.