Audi

S4

Compact Cars · model years 2010 to 2025

See all 22 S4 trims All Audi cars

The verdict

Best year: 2025. complaints: 0, below this model's typical 2; recalls: 0, below this model's typical 1.

Worst year: 2020. complaints: 16, about 8x this model's typical 2; recalls: 3, about 3x this model's typical 1.

Year by year

Year by year summary for the Audi S4
Year	Trims	MPG	HP	Fuel cost	Recalls	Complaints	Top complaints
2010	2Gas	21	333	$3,650	0	0	no data
complaints: 0, below this model's typical 4 recalls: 0, below this model's typical 1 Score: 95 of 100, where higher is better. Theft rate: 1.6 per 1,000 produced (federal data, last published for 2014).
2011	2Gas	21	333	$3,650	1	26	POWER TRAIN 65%, ENGINE 15%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 6%
complaints: 26, about 6.5x this model's typical 4 recalls: 1, in line with this model's typical 1 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 1 Score: 29 of 100, where higher is better. Theft rate: 0.5 per 1,000 produced (federal data, last published for 2014).
2012	2Gas	21	333	$3,650	1	22	POWER TRAIN 52%, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 19%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 11%
complaints: 22, about 5.5x this model's typical 4 recalls: 1, in line with this model's typical 1 Score: 30 of 100, where higher is better. Theft rate: 0.5 per 1,000 produced (federal data, last published for 2014).
2013	2Gas	20.5	no data	$3,750	1	32	STEERING 56%, POWER TRAIN 24%, ENGINE 12%
complaints: 32, about 8x this model's typical 4 recalls: 1, in line with this model's typical 1 Score: 30 of 100, where higher is better. Theft rate: 1.0 per 1,000 produced (federal data, last published for 2014).
2014	2Gas	20.5	no data	$3,750	1	17	STEERING 26%, ENGINE 13%, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 13%
complaints: 17, about 4.3x this model's typical 4 recalls: 1, in line with this model's typical 1 Score: 30 of 100, where higher is better. Theft rate: 0.6 per 1,000 produced (federal data, last published for 2014).
2015	2Gas	20.5	no data	$3,750	1	1	ENGINE 100%
complaints: 1, below this model's typical 4 recalls: 1, in line with this model's typical 1 Score: 81 of 100, where higher is better.
2016	2Gas	20.5	no data	$3,750	0	0	no data
complaints: 0, below this model's typical 4 recalls: 0, below this model's typical 1 Score: 95 of 100, where higher is better.
2018	1Gas	24	no data	$3,200	2	7	ENGINE 44%, POWER TRAIN 11%, SERVICE BRAKES 11%
complaints: 7, about 3.5x this model's typical 2 recalls: 2, about 2x this model's typical 1 Score: 10 of 100, where higher is better.
2019	1Gas	24	354	$3,200	1	2	ENGINE 33%, LANE DEPARTURE 33%, SERVICE BRAKES 33%
complaints: 2, in line with this model's typical 2 recalls: 1, in line with this model's typical 1 Score: 70 of 100, where higher is better.
2020	1Gas	23	no data	$3,350	3	16	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 45%, BACK OVER PREVENTION 29%, UNKNOWN OR OTHER 16%
complaints: 16, about 8x this model's typical 2 recalls: 3, about 3x this model's typical 1 Score: 0 of 100, where higher is better.
2021	1Gas	23	no data	$3,350	4	2	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 50%, UNKNOWN OR OTHER 50%
complaints: 2, in line with this model's typical 2 recalls: 4, about 4x this model's typical 1 Score: 40 of 100, where higher is better.
2022	1Gas	24	349	$3,200	0	0	no data
complaints: 0, below this model's typical 2 recalls: 0, below this model's typical 1 Score: 95 of 100, where higher is better.
2023	1Gas	24	349	$3,200	0	0	no data
complaints: 0, below this model's typical 2 recalls: 0, below this model's typical 1 Score: 95 of 100, where higher is better.
2024	1Gas	24	349	$3,200	0	0	no data
complaints: 0, below this model's typical 2 recalls: 0, below this model's typical 1 Score: 95 of 100, where higher is better.
2025	1Gas	24	349	$3,200	0	0	no data
complaints: 0, below this model's typical 2 recalls: 0, below this model's typical 1 Score: 95 of 100, where higher is better.

How the numbers moved

Combined MPG, median2010: 21 to 2025: 24

Owner complaints2010: 0 to 2025: 0

How we score each year

We compare each year of the Audi S4 to the model's own typical numbers, not to other cars. A year reads solid when its recalls, owner complaints, and federal investigations sit at or below what is typical for this model, mixed when some of those numbers run above typical, and avoid when they run far above it. Deaths, reported fires, and an NHTSA advisory to park outside count against a year no matter what this model's baseline looks like.

A year is scored only when NHTSA has both complaint and recall counts for it. Complaint data often lags for the newest years, so a recent year can read not enough data even while its recall count already shows in the table. When the history is too thin, we say not enough data instead of guessing. Service bulletins are routine maintenance guidance from the manufacturer and do not lower a year's score.

Scores run 0 to 100, higher is better. Recall, complaint, and investigation figures come from NHTSA records. Fuel economy, fuel cost, and horsepower figures come from the EPA, shown as the median across the year's trims.

Information is gathered on a best-effort basis from public sources, may be incomplete or out of date, and is not purchasing or financial advice. Verify with the manufacturer or dealer before buying.