2013 Audi S4 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Steering (19) · Power Train (9) · Engine (3)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Audi S4 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
29 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (1)
Air Bags 2014-10-24 · campaign 14V667000 · 101,938 vehicles
Defect: 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 an improper algorithm in the air bag control module, if a crash necessitates deployment of the side air bags, a second impact to the front of the vehicle may not command the front air bags to also deploy.
Risk: If the front air bags do not deploy in the event of a secondary impact to the front of the vehicle, there is an increased risk of occupant injury.
Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and Audi dealers will update the air bag control unit software, free of charge. The recall began on November 14, 2014. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-822-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69K5.
Service bulletins (878)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Power Train:automatic Transmission 2913-04-01 · 35 13 09 2028085 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
speed s-tronic, leaks from transmission
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-25 · TSB_2083409_1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-25 · TSB_2052680_2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides information for reporting safety related information to the manufacturer.
Steering 2026-09-22 · TSB_2074846_5 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides information about vibrations and rotational steering vibrations.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-15 · TSB_2030471_9 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides information when the license plate mounting bracket threded inserts are stripped.
Structure:body 2026-09-08 · TSB_2068999_5 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this tsb describes a corrosion issue due to outside influence and the prohibition of warranty in these cases.
Showing the 6 most recent of 878 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-08-26 · Power Train“transmission fail while driving and stationary at traffic light. main dtc: p179f00 - drive sensor position: malfunction additional dtc: p179e00 - drive sensor position: electrical malfunction abs: 00473 parking brake: u111300 tcm: 01315 this situation occurred 3 times in the past 3 weeks while driving or being stationary at a traffic light. even…”
2025-01-24 · Engine“engine mount failure at 60,000 miles …”
2024-11-25 · Power Train“at times vehicle suddenly loses power and displays “transmission malfunction:you may continue driving” but then fails to accelerate to or maintain highway speeds. other times when vehicle is stopped in traffic the transmission delays engaging when pressing in the accelerator and thus causes an unexpected delay to movement or if on an incline will …”
2022-12-30 · Electrical System“my mmi 5f module went out right after an oil change service on nov 12, 2022 i called them as soon as i got home to inform leader automotive in normal il. i was told i would not be able to be seen until january 5 2023 at 1:pm. i then called back a few days later and was able to move that appointment to dec 16 at 10:00am. i paid $179.11for them to …”
2020-10-11 · Power Train · 36,000 mi“dsg issues. clunking when downshifting into 1st / 2nd when stopping. shift hesitation on upshift as well . …”
2019-11-15 · Power Train · 33,000 mi“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.…”
2017-10-09 · Power Train · 38,000 mi“transmission error, at first says you can continue driving in limp mode but shortly after says put car into park. got stuck on the road several times in a single 10 mile trip.…”
2017-09-14 · Power Train · 58,000 mi“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.…”
2017-09-01 · Power Train · 85,032 mi“transmission warning indicator on, shift hard…”
2017-08-24 · Steering · 34,700 mi“serious steering issue going on. entered highway in comfort mode, accelerated and switched lanes to passing lane when suddenly the steering had a tormented moment and decided to steer itself from the 12:00 o'clock to 3:00 o'clock position, while driving at highway speed. this is very dangerous as i had a car on the right of me and my car tried to…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.