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2011 Audi S4Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 26 owner complaints about the 2011 Audi S4, most often about the power train. It is covered by 1 safety recall, and for recall 15V-019 the manufacturer reports only 92% of affected cars repaired.

2011 Audi S4
59
CarFlaw IndexSolid year32% below the S4 median · #8 of 14 years by complaints
Safety recalls1Lowest repair rate 92%Owner complaints261 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage62kPower train, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through April 9, 2021. Updated daily. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain.

Complaints by system

Where the 2011 Audi S4 has problems

26 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 train220
Engine50
Electrical system20
Electronic stability control (ESC)10
Suspension10
Vehicle speed control10

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

1 recall

2011 Audi S4 recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

92%repaired · 2016 Q2

Fuel injection system: fuel rail

Recall 15V-019 · Jan 20, 2015 · 26,008 vehicles · 23,994 repaired

Risk. A fuel leak in the injection system in the presence of an ignition source, increases the risk of a fire.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Audi.

Mileage at failure

When do power train problems start?

62kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 22 power train complaints. 95% were reported before 100,000 miles.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
3under 30k miles21under 100k miles1100k miles or more
Best & worst years

2011 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

2011 Audi S4 safety ratings

2011 Audi S4 4 DR AWD in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

★★★★★Overall rating
  • Rollover: 5 stars (9.9% risk)
  • Stability control: Standard
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
In owners' words

What S4 owners report

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

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.
Complaint 11407302 · Apr 9, 2021 · 70,177 miles
THIS VEHICLE IS KNOWN FOR THE TRANSMISSION ISSUES THAT CAN BE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AT TIMES DUE TO THE VEHICLE MAKING SUDDEN AND UNEXPECTED MOVEMENTS.
Complaint 11265330 · Oct 1, 2019 · 20 miles
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…
Complaint 11071676 · Feb 8, 2018 · 40,612 miles

Own a 2011 S4?

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