2000 Audi S4 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
142 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
65,625 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2000 model year. Data snapshot: . 64 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel is the most frequently named component, appearing in 29 of 142 complaints (20.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 52 | 36.6% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 6 | 4.2% |
| Steering behavior | 5 | 3.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 1.4% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel | 29 |
| Tires | 19 |
| Tires:Sidewall | 16 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/Module | 15 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 13 |
| Electrical System | 12 |
| Service Brakes, Air:Antilock:Control Unit/Module | 9 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Anti-Theft:Control Module | 7 |
Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel: 29; Tires: 19; Tires:Sidewall: 16; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/Module: 15; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 13; Electrical System: 12; Service Brakes, Air:Antilock:Control Unit/Module: 9; Electrical System:Ignition:Anti-Theft:Control Module: 7
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 3 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 11 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 25 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 13 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 10 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 11; 50,000 to 74,999: 25; 75,000 to 99,999: 13; 100,000 to 149,999: 10; 150,000 and above: 2
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (25). 78 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 32 |
| 2001 | 8 |
| 2002 | 3 |
| 2003 | 2 |
| 2004 | 22 |
| 2005 | 21 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 24 |
| 2008 | 15 |
| 2009 | 6 |
| 2010 | 4 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
2000: 32; 2001: 8; 2002: 3; 2003: 2; 2004: 22; 2005: 21; 2006: 1; 2007: 24; 2008: 15; 2009: 6; 2010: 4; 2012: 1; 2013: 1; 2022: 1; 2023: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 52 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 6 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10025342 · 2003-07-03 (July 3, 2003)
THUNKING NOISE IN FRONT SUSPENSION FOR LAST TWO YEARS WHEN I GET ON THE GAS OR ON THE BRAKES. TWO SEPARATE DEALERS TOOK THE CAR FOR A ROAD TEST AND SAID IT WAS FINE. IT HAS GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY LOUDER AND MORE NOTICEABLE. I AM WORRIED THAT THIS COULD BE LEADING UP TO A FAILURE OF THE SUSPENSION OR STEERING.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 18,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10025342 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10056399 · 2004-02-03 (February 3, 2004)
ABS CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED IN 2000 AUDI S4 AFTER NUMEROUS FALSE DASHBOARD WARNING LIGHT INDICATIONS WERE INTERMITTENTLY DISPLAYED WILL DRIVING. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 84,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10056399 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10091120 · 2004-09-16 (September 16, 2004)
IT SEEMS THAT THERE IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT AMONG B5 PLATFORM AUDI A4 VEHICLES, WHERE EITHER THE ABS CONTROLLER IS APT TO FAIL PREMATURELY, OR THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE CONTROLLER AND THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILS. DUE TO THE HIGH FREQUENCY OF FAILURES, IT SEEMS HIGHLY UNLIKELY THAT THE ABS CONTROLLER IS AT FAULT AND PRONE TO SUCH A HIGH FAILURE RATE. WIRING TO THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER SEEM TO BE THE MORE LIKELY CAUSE, YET DEALERS ALMOST EXCLUSIVELY DECIDE TO POINT TO THE CONTROLLER, WHICH COSTS UPWARDS OF $1200. THIS CONDITION IS UNDOUBTEDLY…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10091120 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10100341 · 2004-11-22 (November 22, 2004)
THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS ON MY DASHBOARD INITIALLY FLASHED AND BEEPED INTERMITTENTLY, BUT NOW ARE ON CONSTANTLY. UPON RESEARCHING THE ISSUE, I'VE DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM EXPERIENCED MY MANY OTHER MY2000 S4 OWNERS. THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE, AS THERE IS THE RISK THAT BRAKES MAY LOCK UP (EVEN WHEN RELEASING THE PEDAL) UNDER BRAKING WHEN EXPERIENCING THESE SYMPTOMS. PLEASE TAKE ACTION ON THIS ISSUE. I KNOW MANY OWNERS WHO HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO HOLD OFF ON THE REPAIR DUE TO THE AMOUNT BEING CHARGED BY DEALERS TO REPLACE THE PART …
Owner-reported narrative. 67,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10100341 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10108897 · 2005-01-26 (January 26, 2005)
A FRONTAL COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE AT 50 MPH. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY, AND THE STEERING WHEEL CAME OFF THE STEERING COLUMN. NEITHER THE DRIVER NOR THE ONE PASSENGER WAS INJURED. BOTH PARTIES WERE WEARING SEAT BELTS.*AK *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 71,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10108897 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 721566 · 2000-04-17 (April 17, 2000)
EXPERIENCED A GRINDING NOISE AND VIBRATION IN THE TRANSMISSION WHILE ACCELERATING ONTO HIGHWAY FROM A STOP, SHIFTING FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR AT APPROX. 4500 RPM. AFTER THIS INCIDENT, THE TRANSMISISON GRINDED WHEN SHIFTING FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR ALL THE TIME ABOVE 3500 RPM. I CONTACTED THE DEALER AND HAD TO WAIT A WEEK FOR THEM TO SEE MY CAR. THEY KEPT THE CAR FOR A DAY TO "DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM." THEY TOLD ME THAT 2ND GEAR WAS "SHOT" DUE TO "SHIFTING AT HIGH RPMS" OR FROM "HARD SHIFTING" AND THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REBUILT. I SAID THAT THI…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 721566 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 742955 · 2001-03-24 (March 24, 2001)
ON OR ABOUT 11/20/00 I APPLIED BRAKES WHILE DRIVING DOWN HILL. CAR ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL. BRAKES WOULD NOT STOP CAR, WHICH EVENTUALLY CRASHED INTO TELEPHONE POLE. I INJURED MY LEFT LEG. AUDI ADVISED ME THEY KNEW OF NO "DEFECT" THAT COULD CAUSE THIS ACCIDENT. ON 13/21/01 AS I APPLIED BRAKES TO TURN INTO A PARKING SPACE CONTIGUOUS TO A BUILDING THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. WHEN I BOTH HEARD TO ENGINE RACING AND THE CAR ACCELERATING I FORTUNATELY SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND STOPPED THE VEHICE. MY FOOT WAS NOT ON THE ACCELERATOR! I REFUSE TO DRIVE TH…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 742955 at NHTSA ↗