2014 Audi S4: problems, recalls and reliability
1 recall and 17 owner complaints on record; most reports concern steering.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Oct 2014
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 17 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Steering · Nov 2023
“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.”Owner report · Steering · Aug 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.”Owner report · Steering · Mar 2020
Show 6 more owner reports
“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.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Jun 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”Owner report · Air Bags · Dec 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.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jul 2018
“Tl*the contact owns a 2014 audi s4. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 40 mph, the steering wheel seized and the stop car steering system default warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed that the steering module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 5,900.”Owner report · Steering · Jan 2015
“While driving, a sudden brake followed by a quick acceleration leads to bucking with acceleration and the engine remaining revved up. With braking, the car lunges forward. The only way to change it is by shutting the car off entirely. Has occurred at least 7 times in passed 2.5 years. Research indicates a faulty mechatronics unit, but 2 ny dealerships continue to state no issue.”Owner report · Power Train · Oct 2014
“For the passed 2.5 years, the heating system smells, burns my eyes, gives me a headache, and makes me nauseated. Repeated visits to different audi dealerships with no change. Issue remains, dealerships state no issue. I was told that exhaust is probably entering via the air system.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jun 2014
Recalls - 1 campaign
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.
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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2014 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
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 2014 Audi S4 reliable?
NHTSA has 17 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 2014 Audi S4. The most complained-about area is steering.
Does the 2014 Audi S4 have open recalls?
1 recall campaign has been issued, the latest concerning air bags. 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.