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EnginePart report

2018 Audi S4 Engine Problems

Complaints
4about this part
Share
57%of 7 total for the year
Median mileage
1,300miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the engine of the 2018 Audi S4, 57% of the 7 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 1,300 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.

“When driving in manual mode and transition from on the throttle to off-throttle, there is a 1-2 second delay before the engine stops accelerating and transitions to deceleration. Especially in first gear, this means that the vehicle continues to accelerate for that period of time. I drove another model of Audi with the same engine/transmission (2018 s5) and it exhibits the same behavior. Since the car does not have a physical throttle cable, this would seem to be caused by the throttle not closing as commanded by the ecu or there being a delay in the throttle being commanded to close. …”

NHTSA complaint #11051028, filed 2017-11, 1,300 miles

“My 2018 Audi S4 has a catastrophic engine failure issue and this is common with the EA839 engine. There is a knocking in the motor that is caused by internal engine parts (rocker arms needle bearings) becoming loose and dislodged. The metal shavings travel in the motor oil and destroy the engine from the inside. Hendrick Audi northlake examined the car on February 26, and recommended a new engine be installed at a cost of $32,000. I contacted Audi customer care and they reviewed the case only to offer me no assistance with the new engine expense. …”

NHTSA complaint #11648098, filed 2025-03

“Water pump defect for the 3.0L ea839 turbo engine found across many Porsche and Audi models. Defect causes damage to vacuum lines, thermostat, and can eventually lead to engine failure if not resolved. No way of knowing this is happening until you start to lose coolant (which will throw an engine code), but by that point the damage is done. There was a recall for the previous generation vehicle water pumps.”

NHTSA complaint #11665383, filed 2025-06

“PCV housing and lines failed. Caused pressure to build up thus shooting off the oil cap shooting oil everywhere! in addition to that it is a huge fire hazard considering the turbo is right next to it.”

NHTSA complaint #11581607, filed 2024-04

Related service bulletins

Engine: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2018457%
2014318%
2013412%
2011519%
201047%
2007215%
200512%
2004310%

Other parts of the 2018 Audi S4

Brakes
1 complaints
Body and structure
1 complaints
Suspension
1 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
1 complaints
Vehicle speed control
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2018 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