2004 Audi S4 problems
NHTSA has received 37 complaints about the 2004 Audi S4, and 38% of them involve engine. After that come lighting (8%) and transmission (8%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 37 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Engine 38% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 0 and 2
- Injuries and deaths
- 0 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 55,000 miles 34 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 6 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 4 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 10 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 6 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 3 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 5 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 0 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 0 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 0 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Among the 34 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 54,000 miles. For engine specifically, the median reported mileage is about 66,000 miles (13 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 2 complaints mention a fire.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2004 ranks 9th most-complained-about out of 11 model years of the Audi S4 with enough data (22 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 1 safety recall campaign.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 audi s4. While driving at night, the low beam head lamps failed to illuminate without warning. While attempting to the head lamp bulbs, the contact noticed that the wiring was burned and damaged. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure, but the VIN was not included in any recalls. The approximate failure mileage was 79,000.
Power coupling on power steering motor failed resulting in loss of steering as I was driving....dealer later informed me that this was a defect that had been corrected but I did not see a recall posted.
Tl*the contact owns a 2004 audi s4. When the weather was cold and the contact took his foot off of the accelerator, the vehicle would not slow down. The dealer could not duplicate the problem. The current mileage was about 75,000 miles and the failure mileage was less than 5,000 miles. Updated 01/24/08. The brake lights would come on and go off. The rear view mirror fell off. The cooling fan would stay on at all times. The dealer replaced a faulty fan module. Updated
I have a 2004 s4 which crunches when shifting into 2nd and 3rd gear. Audi replaced the synchros but the problem still persists. I have returned to the dealership numerous times but they keep telling me its normal. The crunches occurs everytime I drive it and also make it difficult to get into gear. The vehicles rpms will sometimes stick, keeping the vehicle moving when not under acceleration.