2013 Audi S4 Problems
Compared with other Audi S4 years
Typical for this model
56/100 1.2× a typical year · 50 = typical
- Complaint rate is 1.2× 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.
- 20 of its 33 complaints were filed by the end of 2015.
- Most reported part: Steering (19 complaints, median 4,500 mi).
- 1 recall campaign on record. A VIN search at nhtsa.gov/recalls shows open recalls for a specific vehicle.
Nearby years with fewer complaints than typical and no open NHTSA investigation: 2011
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
- 33filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 5,100miles, 29 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
- 5 / 5stars overall
- EPA fuel economy
- 21 mpgcombined, 3.0L 6-cyl AWD · 18 city / 28 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2013 Audi S4 (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 33 consumer complaints for the 2013 Audi S4. The part named most often is steering, with 19 complaints (58% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain (9) and engine (4). 29 of the complaints include a mileage, and 93% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 5,100 miles. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 876 technical service bulletins for this model year. Steering complaints overlap with 70 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Transmission and drivetrain complaints overlap with 60 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 56 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (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.
- Steering19 58%
- Engine4 12%
- Electrical system2 6.1%
- Other or unknown1 3.0%
Example complaints
Steering: “The car's steering is extremely notchy and skips over the center entirely. It becomes easy and hard and whips back sometimes. It causes you to swerve in traffic and is a major safety issue. I have contacted Audi of america and my dealer several times and they are aware of the issue, but they do not have a fix for it.”
NHTSA complaint #10503501, filed 2013-03, 150 milesTransmission and drivetrain: “Transmission shifts strange when cold. Acts like it loosed power every shift. Strange clunking as well on slow speeds or number to number traffic. Sometimes it scared me that it will jump forward and hit the car on front of me.”
NHTSA complaint #11280436, filed 2019-11, 33,000 milesEngine: “Transmission shifts harshly and makes noise during shifts. Was told the mechatronics need replacement. Sometimes when accelerating the car will jolt as if it it loses power momentarily. When merging into traffic in could be dangerous.”
NHTSA complaint #11023449, filed 2017-09, 58,000 milesElectrical system: “The vehicle will not start. Not with the key or the button starter. Audi service claims its the battery but when the roadside service shows up its not the battery, so now a tow truck has to be called. This can happen at anytime and any place. Audi denies it is a computer issue but yet the vehicle completely shuts down and nothing is available - electronically or more importantly manually. Don't be out late at night or you might be a victim to more than a broken down vehicle. By the way this vehicle is less than one month old.”
NHTSA complaint #10515323, filed 2013-06, 1,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
93% of the 29 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 2,500 and 34,105 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 2013 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 | ★★★★★ | 5 / 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 · 9.9% risk |
Driver aids listed by NHTSA for the 2013 model year: forward collision warning optional, lane departure warning not available, automatic emergency braking not available.
Neighbouring years: 2012: 4 stars overall; 2014: 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 2013 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 | 17 | 26 | 20 | $4,100 |
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
- 14V667000Oct 24, 2014Air bagsCovers: Audi S4 2013–2015, A4 Allroad 2013–2015, Allroad 2013–2015
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Audi A4 and S4 vehicles manufactured February 16, 2012, to October 21, 2014, and 2013-2015 Audi Allroad vehicles manufactured March 12, 2012, to October 21, 2014. Due to…
Recall details for the 2013 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. 876 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.
- 11038025Sep 15, 2026Other or unknown. This bulletin provides information when the license plate mounting bracket threded inserts are stripped.
- 11038033Sep 8, 2026Body and structure. This TSB describes a corrosion issue due to outside influence and the prohibition of warranty in these cases.
- 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 2013 Audi S4 have?
NHTSA recorded 33 consumer complaints for the 2013 Audi S4 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2013 Audi S4 is reported most often?
Steering is named most often, in 19 complaints (58% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain with 9.
Has the 2013 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 2013 Audi S4 do in NHTSA crash tests?
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2013 Audi S4 5 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 2013 Audi S4 get?
The EPA rates the 2013 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 2013 Audi S4 reported?
Among the 29 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 5,100 miles and the middle half falls between 2,500 and 34,105 miles; 93% 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.