What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

2001 Audi S4

Typical pattern

12.6% of complaints about the 2001 Audi S4 came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 2001 vehicle — around the middle of the 216 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 5.3 yr in service. The most-reported system is electrical system (46 complaints), typically at 6.8 yr or about 70,000 miles.

Complaints
87
Median age at failure
5.3 yr
Median mileage
60,000 n=56
Crash / fire / tow
5.7% of reports
Safety recalls
1

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Electrical system
46 reports · 70,000 mi
6.8 yr
2.2%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

21V470000 2021-06-23
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2000-2001 Audi TT Coupe, TT Roadster, 2000-2002 A4, and S4 vehicles equipped with Non-Azide Driver Air Bag Inflators (NADI) that do not contain phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. Due to a manufacturing issue, the NADI inflators may absorb moisture, possibly causing the air bag to deploy improperly in the event of a crash.

In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, the air bag may not properly protect the occupant, increasing the risk of serious injury or death.

In owners’ own words

Electrical system mileage not reported 3.5 yr in service
AUDI OF AMERICA HAS NOT TAKEN SECURITY SYSTEMS ON THE AUDI S4'S SERIOUSLY. THEY HAVE BEEN MASSIVE KNOWN THEFTS IN THE TRI-STATE AREA AND THE LIST CONTINUES TO GROW. I HAVE SPENT OVER $800 FOR ADDED SECURITY AND WILL CONTINUE TO SPEND MORE IF I HAVE TO. I CANNOT SLEEP PEACEFULLY AT NIGHT KNOWING MY CAR IS PRONE TO EASY THEFT DUE TO IT'S INEFFECTIVENESS IN SECURITY PROTECTION. I FEEL IT'S A MATTER A TIME BEFORE MY CAR WILL BE STOLEN IN A MALL OR A SHOPPING CENTER OR ON A STREET OR EVEN IN MY OWN HOME. AUDI NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS IMMEDIATELY! *JB
Electrical system 19,800 mi 2.8 yr in service
MY CAR (2001 AUDI S4) WAS STOLEN IN LIVINGSTON NJ, AND RECOVERED IN IRVINGTON, NJ. THE CAR HAD A STOCK ALARM SYSTEM WHICH WAS EASILY BYPASSED. THIS CAR DID NOT HAVE AN IMMOBILIZER. OTHER MODEL AUDI'S HAVE AN IMMOBILIZER. $10,000 OF DAMAGE WAS CAUSED TO THE CAR. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. CERTAINLY AUDI CAN RETROFIT AN IMMOBILIZER INTO THIS CAR BECAUSE THE SAME CAR IN EUROPE HAS THE IMMOBILIZER. *JB
Electrical system mileage not reported 3.5 yr in service
I CURRENTLY OWN A 2001 AUDI S4. THERE HAS BEEN AN UNUSUALLY LARGE AMOUNT OF THEFTS OF THESE VEHICLES OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS. IT IS DUE TO THE POOR ALARM SYSTEM AUDI HAS PUT IN THESE VEHICLES. THERE IS NO IMMOBILZER, WHICH WAS PUT IN THEIR OTHER MODELS. AUDI REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. *JB

Other S4 model years

2013201120102006200520012000

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