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Audi S4Model year report

2004 Audi S4 Problems

Complaints
29filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
55,000miles, 27 complaints with mileage
Recalls
1campaigns on record
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
18 mpgcombined, 4.2L 8-cyl 4WD/AWD · 16 city / 22 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2004 Audi S4 (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 29 consumer complaints for the 2004 Audi S4. The part named most often is engine cooling, with 12 complaints (41% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain (5) and engine (3). 27 of the complaints include a mileage, and 37% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 55,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 118 technical service bulletins for this model year. Engine cooling complaints overlap with 27 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Transmission and drivetrain complaints overlap with 11 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Seat belts (1), Body and structure (1), Tires (1), Vehicle speed control (1).

Example complaints

Engine cooling: “I got in my car this past friday to leave for work and then my car starts rumbling and sounds like what can best be described as a muscle car. I only live a mile from my office so I drive my car in. While driving it seems like the car has lost low end power and is still idling with a rumble. When I get to work I pop the hood and notice the entire motor shifting back and forth and my buddy sees my exhaust is moving up and down. So I decide to get it to the local garage that has worked on my car before. He is only about 2 blocks down from my office. …”

NHTSA complaint #10262201, filed 2009-03, 67,641 miles

Transmission and drivetrain: “I have a 2004 S4 which crunches when shifting into 2nd and 3rd gear. Audi replaced the synchros but the problem still persists. I have returned to the dealership numerous times but they keep telling me its normal. The crunches occurs everytime I drive it and also make it difficult to get into gear. The vehicles rpms will sometimes stick, keeping the vehicle moving when not under acceleration.”

NHTSA complaint #10272456, filed 2009-05, 60,000 miles

Engine: “On saturday morning 12/15/2014 start my card and heard a rattle noise on the engine, first time it make that noise since I bought it. On my way to work I started hearing the rattle noise again but this time it was louder I was driving around 40 MPH when this happened. The car started vibrating and kept making the rattle noise on the engine. I just bought this car not even a week ago, and already started having engine problems. …”

NHTSA complaint #10666999, filed 2014-12, 111 miles

Exterior lighting: “Xenon headlamps wiring all corroded and bare with no insulation left. Check with Audi and they said our vehicle and VIN is not part of any recall. Yet rcorrd-05v096-4498 in your database shows a mofification letter from vw to include our VIN. There is no record according to Audi service shops that show any recall work done to our headlights. I have attached a picture that shows the deteriation of the electrical wiring and headlamps to our 2004 Audi S4. Would appreciate some assistance to having our headlamps replaced for safety reasons.”

NHTSA complaint #10865507, filed 2016-05

Mileage when problems were reported

37% of the 27 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 34,000 and 79,000 miles.

7%0–107%10–2522%25–5037%50–7511%75–10015%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (27 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 55,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

20072009142010201220142015201620172018
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2004 Audi S4. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
S4 · sedan not rated4 / 4——4 · 10.7% risk
S4 Avant · sedan not rated4 / 4———

Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2004 Audi S4 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
S4 4WD/AWD4.2L 8-cyl6-speed automatic162218$4,550
S4 4WD/AWD4.2L 8-cyl6-speed manual132016$5,150
S4 Avant 4WD/AWD4.2L 8-cyl6-speed automatic162218$4,550
S4 Avant 4WD/AWD4.2L 8-cyl6-speed manual132016$5,150
S4 Cabriolet 4WD/AWD4.2L 8-cyl6-speed automatic162118$4,550
S4 Cabriolet 4WD/AWD4.2L 8-cyl6-speed manual132016$5,150

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2004 Audi S4 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 118 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 118 bulletins →

Other model years of the Audi S4

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
202017—3—23—Rising
201874,0002—24—Not enough data
20141742,4301521—Falling
2013335,100152156 · TypicalStable
20122270,0001421—Stable
20112661,89714219 · FewerFalling
20106058,9500—2150 · TypicalFalling
20071373,4282—16—Not enough data
20063049,3252—16Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20054356,0002—16Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20042955,0001—18Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20022235,6271—18—Stable
20018760,0001—18Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200014365,0001—18Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19947165,0002—18—Not enough data
199316121,5002—18—Stable
19925—2—18—Not enough data

All Audi S4 model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2004 Audi S4 have?

NHTSA recorded 29 consumer complaints for the 2004 Audi S4 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2004 Audi S4 is reported most often?

Engine cooling is named most often, in 12 complaints (41% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain with 5.

Has the 2004 Audi S4 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2004 Audi S4 get?

The EPA rates the 2004 Audi S4 (S4, 4.2L 8-cyl) at 18 mpg combined, 16 city and 22 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,550 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2004 Audi S4 reported?

Among the 27 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 55,000 miles and the middle half falls between 34,000 and 79,000 miles; 37% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.