2010 Audi S4 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 42about this part
- Share
- 70%of 60 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 63,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 42 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2010 Audi S4, 70% of the 60 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 63,000 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My car flashed gearbox malfunction while driving down interstate I-264 in louisville ky. Car seamed fine for about 2 miles and then suddenly went limp and I had no gears. Had to hit flashers and coast into median. Was almost hit by semi truck. Repair shop could not find anything wrong. Happened again 1 day after getting it back from shop. Taking it to Audi now. I have read that this is a common problem.”
NHTSA complaint #11270568, filed 2019-10, 99,000 miles“Hard clunk when selecting gears from p to r to d. When coming to a stop in traffic the car lurches forward like being rear ended. Sometimes after a complete stop has been made the car will surge forward a considerable amount which may possibly cause me to hit the car in front of me.”
NHTSA complaint #10871933, filed 2016-06, 61,700 miles“Gearbox malfunction and TPMS malfunction while driving on the road within the city about 45mph I felt a slight jerk and immediately following the warnings came on in the dashboard tire pressure! System malfunction & gearbox malfunction: no reverse gear (you can continue driving) throttle response was off and forced me to immediately puller over! While stopped I re-started the vehicle and the warnings went away, I sat there for a couple minutes and then continued driving. …”
NHTSA complaint #11118724, filed 2018-08, 101,500 miles“Car slammed into different gear, wasn't able to shift into 2nd and threw gearbox malfunction and TPMS errors. Thankfully I was near home and able to make it there without an accident or being stranded, but my car is now immobile. I spoke with Audi and they said it will likely be a $4k repair (mechatronics unit). After researching this more, it seems to be a common problem with these cars. It can happen at any time and can be extremely dangerous. There's also a pending class action lawsuit to get Audi to do the right thing and recall these cars and fix them.”
NHTSA complaint #11320125, filed 2020-04, 102,998 miles“Pulled out of parking lot and received a gearbox malfunction warning along with a TPMS malfunction. Warning on dash indicated that I could continue driving. I drove vehicle for approximately another mile and while going thru a roundabout, the car shut off. I was able to pull over to the side of the road and get the vehicle started again. I continued the rest of the way home for about 2 more miles. The mechatronic unit was determined to be faulty and was replaced.”
NHTSA complaint #10618337, filed 2014-08, 63,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10212683Apr 1, 2913Speed S-tronic, leaks from transmission
- 11034641Jun 22, 2026This bulletin provides information when, after replacing the mechatronic unit/gearbox, the engine only starts when the button has been pressed twice.
- 11012486Dec 2, 2024This TSB provides information when event memory entries cannot be deleted (Mode$0A error) on gearboxes: DL501, DL382/DL382E and DQ500.
- 11007305Aug 8, 2024This bulletin offers information about the basic information needed for technical requests for gaerbox complaints.
- 11007224Aug 8, 2024This bulletin offers information about the basic information needed for technical requests for gaerbox complaints.
- 11005861Jul 31, 2024This bulletin provides information when there is a fault shown; Engine: start/stop system, and the start system is not working; mileage below 50 km/32 miles.
- 10210760Apr 15, 2022This Document informs dealers on the new DSG transmission warranty extension for 2010-2012 S4 & S5 vehicles
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 1 | 14% |
| 2014 | 3 | 18% |
| 2013 | 9 | 27% |
| 2012 | 14 | 64% |
| 2011 | 22 | 85% |
| 2010 | 42 | 70% |
| 2007 | 2 | 15% |
| 2006 | 1 | 3% |
| 2005 | 1 | 2% |
| 2004 | 5 | 17% |
| 2000 | 2 | 1% |
| 1992 | 1 | 20% |
Other parts of the 2010 Audi S4
11 complaintsElectrical system
6 complaintsEngine
4 complaintsBrakes
2 complaintsExterior lighting
2 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaintsVehicle speed control
2 complaintsFuel system
1 complaintsSteering
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2010 Audi S4
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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