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2010 Audi S4Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 60 owner complaints about the 2010 Audi S4, most often about the power train. It has no vehicle safety recalls on record.

2010 Audi S4
39
CarFlaw IndexUse caution1.6× the S4 median · #3 of 14 years by complaints
Safety recalls0None on recordOwner complaints602 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage63kPower train, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through September 22, 2025. Updated daily. Photo: Calreyn88, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Complaints by system

Where the 2010 Audi S4 has problems

60 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Power train420
Engine and engine cooling110
Electrical system60
Engine40
Service brakes22
Vehicle speed control20
Exterior lighting20
Fuel/propulsion system10
Steering10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

0 recalls

2010 Audi S4 recalls and how many were fixed

No vehicle safety recalls are on record for this model year.

Mileage at failure

When do power train problems start?

63kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 39 power train complaints. 90% were reported before 100,000 miles.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
1under 30k miles35under 100k miles4100k miles or more
Best & worst years

2010 vs. every other S4 year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the S4 median. How we score

'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'18'19'20'21'22
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

2010 Audi S4 safety ratings

2010 Audi S4 4-DR. w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

2010 Audi S4 frontal crash test, NHTSA
Frontal crashNot rated
2010 Audi S4 side barrier test, NHTSA
Side barrierNot rated
  • Rollover: 5 stars (9.9% risk)
  • Stability control: Standard
  • Forward collision warning: Optional
  • Lane departure warning: No
In owners' words

What S4 owners report

Recent power train complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

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…
Complaint 11320125 · Apr 3, 2020 · 102,998 miles
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…
Complaint 11270568 · Oct 23, 2019 · 99,000 miles
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…
Complaint 11232383 · Jul 16, 2019 · 72,000 miles

Own a 2010 S4?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.