2012 Audi S4 Problems
- Complaints
- 22filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 70,000miles, 19 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
- 4 / 5stars overall
- EPA fuel economy
- 21 mpgcombined, 3.0L 6-cyl AWD · 18 city / 28 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2012 Audi S4 (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 22 consumer complaints for the 2012 Audi S4. The part named most often is transmission and drivetrain, with 14 complaints (64% of the total), followed by fuel system (5) and electrical system (3). 19 of the complaints include a mileage, and 21% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 70,000 miles. Of all complaints, 2 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 796 technical service bulletins for this model year. Transmission and drivetrain complaints overlap with 73 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Fuel system complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the fuel rail and 37 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
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.
- Fuel system5 23%
- Electrical system3 14%
- Brakes2 9.1%
- Other or unknown2 9.1%
- Vehicle speed control1 4.5%
Example complaints
Transmission and drivetrain: “While driving in traffic, my car dropped into lower gears and stopped moving, and two error codes popped up gearbox malfunction and TPMS malfunction . Looking this up online and discussing with my mechanic, this is something happening in a lot of the cars that are this make & model and have the same transmission.”
NHTSA complaint #11096667, filed 2018-05, 67,000 milesFuel system: “My coolant pump went out and overheated the car. The coolant leaked out. My car only has 60k miles on it. Audi recently recalled coolant pumps for this very reason on the a4, a5, a6 but havent made the recall for the s class. Please be advised this is a serious issue and placed me and family in harms way.”
NHTSA complaint #11092654, filed 2018-05, 60,000 milesElectrical system: “I have a complaint Audi S4 and other Audi cars have the same issue as I'm having you can be driving on the main road or on the highway and all of a sudden the car loses power and excelleration . I found that as a problem to the safety of me and the other people that have the same car model.”
NHTSA complaint #11044900, filed 2017-11Brakes: “I am a mechnic with 10 years of experience and I just started this new job two weeks ago. Their just three mechnics in the shop. We had a 2012 Audi S4 come into the shop with the owner complaining of brake problems. The owner of the car said the somtimes all the sudden his brakes would go out while he was driving and his brake pedel felt soft. I took on the work. My shop foreman told me to bleed the brakes out. So I did. I noticed tht the brake resivior had a thick green subtance in it. I knew from my experience that their was a lot of water and other contamination in the system. …”
NHTSA complaint #10852354, filed 2016-03Mileage when problems were reported
21% of the 19 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 54,000 and 86,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2012 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 |
Neighbouring years: 2011: same overall rating; 2013: 5 stars overall. 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 2012 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 2012 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. 796 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 10212683Apr 1, 2913Transmission and drivetrain. Speed S-tronic, leaks from transmission
- 11038130Sep 25, 2026Other or unknown. This bulletin states that technicians are required to report to the manufacturer when a vehicle has flooded, and specify the height to which the vehicle has been flooded.
- 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.
- 11038025Sep 15, 2026Other or unknown. This bulletin provides information when the license plate mounting bracket threded inserts are stripped.
- 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.
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 2012 Audi S4 have?
NHTSA recorded 22 consumer complaints for the 2012 Audi S4 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2012 Audi S4 is reported most often?
Transmission and drivetrain is named most often, in 14 complaints (64% of the total), followed by fuel system with 5.
Has the 2012 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 2012 Audi S4 do in NHTSA crash tests?
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2012 Audi S4 4 out of 5 stars overall. Ratings from different model years are only comparable when the vehicle was not redesigned in between.
What gas mileage does the 2012 Audi S4 get?
The EPA rates the 2012 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 2012 Audi S4 reported?
Among the 19 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 70,000 miles and the middle half falls between 54,000 and 86,000 miles; 21% 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.