2001 Audi S4 Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2001 Audi S4 report the same problem again and again: the pixel display in the center of the instrument cluster fades, loses lines and eventually becomes unreadable, which owners say hides warning messages. A second theme is coolant finding its way into the engine oil. Remaining reports are scattered and cover the driver's seat rocking, theft of the car despite the factory alarm, and air bag warning lights.

1. 1
   Electrical system

   Instrument cluster display loses pixels

   • 31 complaints (36%)
   • median 71,500 mi at 6.7 yrs old (26 state mileage)
   • filed 2007–2015

   The center digital display in the gauge cluster develops missing or faded pixel lines, and owners say it gets worse over time until the readouts and warning messages can no longer be read. Some report it is worse in hot or cold weather, and several say the dealer quoted replacement of the whole cluster rather than a separate display. Complaints describe the warnings shown there, such as low oil, low fuel, worn brake pads or washer fluid, as the reason owners consider this a priority repair. Reported from very low mileage (about 7,200 miles) up to roughly 120,000 miles, often worsening in hot or cold weather.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: With the key on, look at every line of the center display in daylight and after the car has sat in the sun or cold, and ask the seller whether the cluster has been repaired or replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My vehicles instrument cluster does not work! It is clearly stated in the user manual that it should be replaced because it is for my convenience and safety to prevent considerable damage to my vehicle due to certain malfunctions. I would say that 90% of Audi owners I know, constantly complain about their instrument clusters either fading or going completely out. Something needs to be done about this. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10204496, filed 2007-09, 122,675 miles

   “I own a 2001 Audi S4. The center display on the gauge cluster is failing due to missing pixels. The center display normally displays critical safety information regarding failing engine and body components. It is always missing pixels, and is never clear enough to read properly. Recently, I developed an oil leak and the center display wasn't clear enough to see the low oil warning light. As a result I was stranded in sub-zero temperatures without transportation. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10255747, filed 2009-01, 118,000 miles
2. 2
   Engine cooling

   Coolant mixing into engine oil

   • 8 complaints (9%)
   • median 48,000 mi at 5.5 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2006–2007

   Complaints describe a slow loss of coolant with no visible external leak, followed by finding coolant or water in the engine oil. Owners say the low-oil and low-coolant warnings appeared, and that dealers inspected the car but could not identify a cause or propose a fix. Several express concern that continued coolant contamination accelerates wear on engine components. Mostly reported between roughly 44,000 and 62,000 miles, with some reports under 50,000.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Check the coolant level and the oil on the dipstick and filler cap for a milky or frothy appearance, and ask whether head gasket or oil cooler work has been done.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Coolant in oil. Can't trace it down, have had 5 rear main seals replaced, had the external oil filter parts replaced and still coolant is finding it's way into the motor, causing the motor to prematurely wear. Audi knows about the issue they have brought engines back to germany for review, but have yet come out with what is happening. What can we fix to stop this. I'm not looking for a recall, heck most people I know would just like to know what Audi messed up and how we can fix it. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10197099, filed 2007-07, 46,000 miles

   “Vehicle is experiencing radiator coolant leakage into engine oil. This is causing accelerated wear of components lubricated by the engine oil. Unless corrected, this contamination will lead to failure of the motor. The vehicle was inspected and tested by an Audi service center with no cause identified or solution proposed. Audi of america is not taking any action to address this problem.”

   NHTSA complaint #10159801, filed 2006-06, 62,000 miles
3. 3
   Seats

   Driver's seat rocks under acceleration and braking

   • 6 complaints (7%)
   • median 40,000 mi at 3.6 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2004

   Owners describe the driver's power seat rocking forward and back under braking and acceleration, worsening over time. Complaints say the dealer replaced the seat frame or rails one or more times, and that the movement returned months later; at least one owner was told the movement was within specifications. The shift is described as a distraction that changes the driver's body position while moving. Reported from about 14,000 to 48,000 miles.

   What to check: Sit in the driver's seat and push back and forth against the cushion while braking hard in a parking lot; ask whether any seat frame repair has been carried out.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I feel there is a design flaw in the electrical front seats in the b5 chassis a4/S4 (1996-2001 a4 and 2000-2002 S4). I owned a 1998 Audi a4 and currently own a 2001 Audi S4. Both have been plagued with a front seat that rocks back and forth under acceleration and braking, the extent of which worsened dramatically over time. The problem was never fixed on my a4 with the Audi dealers I consulted telling me that the movement was within specs. Is it within spec to rock almost an inch? …”

   NHTSA complaint #10065763, filed 2004-04

   “2001 Audi S4 drivers seat shifts while driving. First incident was repaired by dealer by replacing either seat frame or seat rails. Same failure resurfaced within one year. Shift is intermittant and and unpredictable. Causes distraction and changes body position while moving.”

   NHTSA complaint #10078480, filed 2004-06, 40,000 miles
4. 4
   Electrical system

   Factory alarm bypassed and vehicle stolen

   • 9 complaints (10%)
   • median 19,800 mi at 2.7 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2004

   Several owners report their cars were stolen or nearly stolen, and say the factory alarm was defeated without trouble. One complaint explains that access near the door lock allows the system to be disarmed and the car to be started without the key. Owners say the vehicle lacks an immobilizer of the kind fitted to other Audis and describe adding aftermarket security at their own cost. Reported at mileages from about 1,100 to 19,800 miles, with others not stating mileage.

   What to check: Ask whether an aftermarket immobilizer, alarm or kill switch has been fitted, verify it works, and confirm the car is insurable at your address.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My grievance relates to the relative ease that my vehicle was stolen on a sunday from a street parking space in manhattan, between the hours of 9 am and 5 pm, while located on a main throughfare that is regularly traveled by both pedestrians & vehicles. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10073010, filed 2004-05, 34,000 miles

   “I had just purchased a 2001 Audi S4 for close to $40,000. With 1100 miles on it my car was stolen in broad daylight approx 3 pm. Upon further research, I learned that the factory passive alarm can be tricked into thinking it has been disarmed. A small hole near the door lock gains access to a rod that when lifted disarms the system as if a key were used, combine this action with the with removal of the ignition, and the vehicle can be started with a screw driver and driven away. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10060652, filed 2004-03, 1,100 miles

Buying note. Have any 2001 S4 inspected for coolant in the oil and for a readable instrument cluster, since both are common and expensive to put right; also confirm the driver air bag recall was done and that the car has some form of working theft deterrent.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.