2011 Audi S4 Problems
Compared with other Audi S4 years
Fewer complaints than typical for this model
9/100 0.4× a typical year · 50 = typical
- Complaint rate is 0.4× that of a typical Audi S4 year, weighted for crashes, fires, injuries, recalls and mileage, and allowing for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints.
- 2 of its 26 complaints were filed by the end of 2013.
- Most reported part: Transmission and drivetrain (22 complaints, median 61,897 mi).
- 1 recall campaign on record. A VIN search at nhtsa.gov/recalls shows open recalls for a specific vehicle.
Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated
- Complaints
- 26filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 61,897miles, 26 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- 4 / 5stars overall, 2 rated versions
- EPA fuel economy
- 21 mpgcombined, 3.0L 6-cyl AWD · 18 city / 28 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2011 Audi S4 (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 26 consumer complaints for the 2011 Audi S4. The part named most often is transmission and drivetrain, with 22 complaints (85% of the total), followed by engine (5) and electrical system (2). 26 of the complaints include a mileage, and 42% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 61,897 miles. Of all complaints, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 776 technical service bulletins for this model year. Transmission and drivetrain complaints overlap with 89 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Engine complaints overlap with 56 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Compared with the other 2 Audi S4 model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 9 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (fewer complaints than typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.
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.
- Engine5 19%
- Electrical system2 7.7%
- Other or unknown2 7.7%
- Suspension1 3.9%
- Vehicle speed control1 3.9%
Example complaints
Transmission and drivetrain: “After turning my car on a gearbox malfunction warning appeared but said I could continue driving. After driving the message and service light eventually went off with everything going back to normal. The car appears to have a very common mechatronic unit issue that is part of the faulty dsg that Audi has put in the b8 S4 model.”
NHTSA complaint #10767556, filed 2015-09, 50,000 milesEngine: “I was accelerating, after leaving a restaurant, into traffic. I received the dsg malfunction light and suddenly at about 20mph my lurched forward and failed to respond to the throttle and shut off in traffic. Car restarted after about 30 seconds but definitely not something that should go without notice. If I was on the interstate and throttle went out situation could have been much worse.”
NHTSA complaint #10670583, filed 2015-01, 87,453 milesElectrical system: “Dsg mechatronic failure. Was replaced under cpo warranty. However problem persists. While driving car goes into neutral with TPMS + gearbox malfunction. This is a known problem with Audi S4 2010 and 2011.”
NHTSA complaint #10860407, filed 2016-04, 62,000 milesOther or unknown: “Driving on the highway at 25 MPH, car randomly shows 'gearbox malfunction' and 'TPMS' simultaneously. Car drove in limp mode for a few minutes until I was able to come to a standstill and put it in park and turn it back on to drive. 'tmps' sign is still showing. Possibility of being a mechatronic issue, which is very well known as an issue with the 2010+ Audi s4s.”
NHTSA complaint #11067240, filed 2018-02, 110,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
42% of the 26 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 40,612 and 79,366 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2011 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.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S4 · sedan AWD | ★★★★☆ | 3 / 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 · 9.9% risk |
| S4 Avant · wagon AWD | ★★★★☆ | 3 / 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 · 9.9% risk |
Neighbouring years: 2012: same overall rating. A redesign between years can change both the car and the test.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2011 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).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S4 AWD | 3.0L 6-cyl | 7-speed automatic | 18 | 28 | 21 | $3,900 |
| S4 AWD | 3.0L 6-cyl | 6-speed manual | 18 | 27 | 21 | $3,900 |
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
- 15V019000Jan 20, 2015Fuel system, gasoline › Fuel injection system › Fuel railCovers: Audi S4 2011–2012, Q7 2011–2012, A7 2012–2013 +3 more
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Audi S4, S5, Q7, 2012 Audi A6, Volkswagen Touareg Hybrid, and 2012-2013 Audi A7 vehicles. In the affected vehicles the fuel injection system may experience a fuel leak.
Recall details for the 2011 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. 776 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 10212683Apr 1, 2913Transmission and drivetrain. Speed S-tronic, leaks from transmission
- 11038027Sep 25, 2026Other or unknown. This bulletin provides information for reporting safety related information to the manufacturer.
- 11038042Sep 22, 2026Steering. This bulletin provides information about vibrations and rotational steering vibrations.
- 11036917Aug 26, 2026Other or unknown. This bulletin provides information when the horn sound quality is poor.
- 11036911Aug 21, 2026Brakes. This bulletin provides information for all models regarding brake sounds.
- 11036909Aug 21, 2026Brakes. This bulletin provides information on the zirconium insercts in the brake piston (ceramic brakes only).
- 11036934Aug 11, 2026Other or unknown. This bulletin provides information when there is a paint issue on alloy wheels.
- 11036921Aug 11, 2026Brakes. This bulletin provides information about the general approach for brake vibration concerns.
- 11036915Aug 11, 2026Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors). This bulletin provides information on the GFF test plan required for AC compressor replacements regardless of the concern.
- 11036914Aug 11, 2026Brakes. This bulletin provides information when there is an ABS/ESC speed sensor implausible signal.
Other model years of the Audi S4
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 17 | — | 3 | — | 23 | — | Rising |
| 2018 | 7 | 4,000 | 2 | — | 24 | — | Not enough data |
| 2014 | 17 | 42,430 | 1 | 5 | 21 | — | Falling |
| 2013 | 33 | 5,100 | 1 | 5 | 21 | 56 · Typical | Stable |
| 2012 | 22 | 70,000 | 1 | 4 | 21 | — | Stable |
| 2011 | 26 | 61,897 | 1 | 4 | 21 | 9 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2010 | 60 | 58,950 | 0 | — | 21 | 50 · Typical | Falling |
| 2007 | 13 | 73,428 | 2 | — | 16 | — | Not enough data |
| 2006 | 30 | 49,325 | 2 | — | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2005 | 43 | 56,000 | 2 | — | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2004 | 29 | 55,000 | 1 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2002 | 22 | 35,627 | 1 | — | 18 | — | Stable |
| 2001 | 87 | 60,000 | 1 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2000 | 143 | 65,000 | 1 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 7 | 165,000 | 2 | — | 18 | — | Not enough data |
| 1993 | 16 | 121,500 | 2 | — | 18 | — | Stable |
| 1992 | 5 | — | 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 2011 Audi S4 have?
NHTSA recorded 26 consumer complaints for the 2011 Audi S4 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2011 Audi S4 is reported most often?
Transmission and drivetrain is named most often, in 22 complaints (85% of the total), followed by engine with 5.
Has the 2011 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.
How did the 2011 Audi S4 do in NHTSA crash tests?
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2011 Audi S4 4 out of 5 stars overall, across 2 rated versions (body style and drive). Ratings from different model years are only comparable when the vehicle was not redesigned in between.
What gas mileage does the 2011 Audi S4 get?
The EPA rates the 2011 Audi S4 (S4, 3.0L 6-cyl) at 21 mpg combined, 18 city and 28 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,900 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2011 Audi S4 reported?
Among the 26 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 61,897 miles and the middle half falls between 40,612 and 79,366 miles; 42% 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.