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2012 Audi S4Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 22 owner complaints about the 2012 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.

2012 Audi S4
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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls1Lowest repair rate 92%Owner complaints222 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage76kPower train, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through September 27, 2019. Updated daily. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain.

Complaints by system

Where the 2012 Audi S4 has problems

22 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 train140
Fuel/propulsion system52
Electrical system30
Service brakes20
Vehicle speed control10

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

1 recall

2012 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.

Best & worst years

2012 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

2012 Audi S4 safety ratings

2012 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.

CIRCUIT BOARD ON THE MECHATRONICS UNIT FAILED AND CAR IS UNDER 100K MILES. SUDDEN SHAKING AND BANGING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN GIVING IT GAS ABOVE 30. FREQUENT JOLTS, DANGEROUS TO DRIVE...
Complaint 11258596 · Sep 27, 2019 · 98,000 miles
THE DSG TRANSMISSION IN MY AUDI S4 EXPERIENCES ABRUPT JERKING FROM 2ND TO 1ST GREAT WHILE DECELERATING. IT ALSO JERKS AND FEELS LIKE IT IS BEING HIT WHILE SHIFTING FROM 1ST TO 2ND WHEN ACCELERATING NORMALLY.
Complaint 11246180 · Aug 24, 2019 · 64,000 miles
THE GEARBOX MALFUNCTION SCREEN ON THE DASH SHOWED UP OUT OF NOWHERE THEN FOLLOWED BY A PARKING BRAKE MALFUNCTION THEN THE CAR GOES INTO NEUTRAL AND JUST SITS THERE REVVING THE ENGINE. I TRY TO PUT IT IN NEUTRAL THEN DRIVE BUT THE LEVER GETS STUCK AND I CANT MOVE TO DRIVE. THIS FIRST HAPPEN IN THE…
Complaint 11172981 · Jan 29, 2019 · 107,592 miles

Own a 2012 S4?

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