2004 Audi S4 Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 10%of 29 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 80,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the engine of the 2004 Audi S4, 10% of the 29 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 80,000 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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“After engine cools down, timing chain rattle can be heard upon starting the car. Chain rattle means that plastic guides or adjusters are worn, and might go any second. Spoke with Audi rep online, which advises me that this is normal, and expected. Knowing basics of engines and transmission, I didn't believe that something is life time and is not serviceable, especially if it's plastic (which tends to shrink and expand depending on temperatures, and then has fractures which snaps). …”
NHTSA complaint #11036013, filed 2017-10, 102,000 miles“Audi claims that the timing chain on those vehicles are lifetime and does not need to be service. Unfortunate the timing change tensioners are made of plastic which the wear out at about 50k miles, causing a start up rattle and eventually engine explosion from the chain coming of the guides and destroying the entire engine and causing a massive accident at high speed. Hundreds of problems like this one are reported online from thousands of people even youtube videos. …”
NHTSA complaint #10622265, filed 2014-08, 80,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10128350May 10, 2017This informational bulletin contains all the the Audi Oil Quality Standards that should be used when doing an oil change.
- 10058584Jul 1, 2015Audi: engine, on some vehicles, would run irregularly or have malfunction indicator lamp (mil) on or possible filter element for camshaft adjustment valve can loosen and in oil…
- 10122799Oct 12, 2012Supersedes Technical Service Bulletin Group 17 number 12 - 31 dated August 30, 2012. Oil consumption measurement - Repair Authorization (CA). In order to provide effective…
Engine: other model years
Other parts of the 2004 Audi S4
12 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
5 complaintsExterior lighting
3 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
3 complaintsElectrical system
2 complaintsSteering
2 complaintsAir bags
1 complaintsBrakes
1 complaintsOther or unknown
1 complaintsSeat belts
1 complaintsBody and structure
1 complaintsTires
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2004 Audi S4
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.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology