2001 Audi S4 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
87 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
60,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2001 model year. Data snapshot: . 54 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel is the most frequently named component, appearing in 29 of 87 complaints (33.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 11 | 12.6% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 3.4% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 2.3% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 1.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 1.1% |
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 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Anti-Theft:Control Module | 9 |
| Tires | 9 |
| Electrical System | 8 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 6 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 4 |
| Air Bags | 2 |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | 2 |
Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel: 29; Electrical System:Ignition:Anti-Theft:Control Module: 9; Tires: 9; Electrical System: 8; Engine And Engine Cooling: 6; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System: 4; Air Bags: 2; Exterior Lighting:Headlights: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 6 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 13 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 16 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 12 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 7 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 6; 25,000 to 49,999: 13; 50,000 to 74,999: 16; 75,000 to 99,999: 12; 100,000 to 149,999: 7; 150,000 and above: 0
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (16). 33 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 | 3 |
| 2001 | 6 |
| 2002 | 3 |
| 2004 | 19 |
| 2005 | 5 |
| 2006 | 6 |
| 2007 | 31 |
| 2008 | 3 |
| 2009 | 7 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 |
2000: 3; 2001: 6; 2002: 3; 2004: 19; 2005: 5; 2006: 6; 2007: 31; 2008: 3; 2009: 7; 2011: 1; 2015: 1; 2021: 1; 2022: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 11 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 3 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 2 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 10065763 · 2004-04-08 (April 8, 2004)
I FEEL THERE IS A DESIGN FLAW IN THE ELECTRICAL FRONT SEATS IN THE B5 CHASSIS A4/S4 (1996-2001 A4 AND 2000-2002 S4). I OWNED A 1998 AUDI A4 AND CURRENTLY OWN A 2001 AUDI S4. BOTH HAVE BEEN PLAGUED WITH A FRONT SEAT THAT ROCKS BACK AND FORTH UNDER ACCELERATION AND BRAKING, THE EXTENT OF WHICH WORSENED DRAMATICALLY OVER TIME. THE PROBLEM WAS NEVER FIXED ON MY A4 WITH THE AUDI DEALERS I CONSULTED TELLING ME THAT THE MOVEMENT WAS "WITHIN" SPECS. IS IT WITHIN SPEC TO ROCK ALMOST AN INCH? IT SEEMS LIKE A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN SINCE THE GREATEST S…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10065763 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10078459 · 2004-06-19 (June 19, 2004)
POWER FRONT SEAT ROCKS FORWARD SEVERELY UNDER BRAKING. DEALER SAYS IT IS "WITHIN SPEC."T IS AN ABSOLUTELY UNSAFE CONDITION!*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10078459 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10124618 · 2005-06-08 (June 8, 2005)
DT: INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS DAMAGED UPON DELIVERY OF VEHICLE, WAS REPLACED BY DEALERSHIP, CONSUMER COMPLAINED NUMEROUS TIMES ABOUT ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, NOT ABLE TO VIEW INSTRUMENT PANEL PROPERLY. WHEN REPLACED THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ALREADY HAD SIGNS OF WEAR AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 20,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10124618 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10107898 · 2005-01-25 (January 25, 2005)
NORMAL DAY TO DAY DRIVING HAS PRODUCED FAILURE OF TWO SETS OF FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS ON THIS CAR. THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT MADE NOISE AT ABOUT 30,000 MILES AND FAILED COMPLETELY AT 62,000 MILES. THE SECOND SET I HAVE NOW ARE RUMBLING AND GRINDING NOW AND THEY HAVE ONLY BEEN ON THE CAR FOR 20,000 MILES. CONSEQUENCE OF A WHEEL BEARING FAILURE IS LOSS OF CONTROL (STEERING) OF THE VEHICLE. THIS IS AFTER RUNNING A CAR WEARING EAR PLUGS BECAUSE THE BEARING NOISE MAKES THE INTERIOR NOISE IS SO LOUD THERE COULD BE HEARING LOSS FROM EXTENDED TRIPS. …
Owner-reported narrative. 62,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10107898 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10379917 · 2011-02-02 (February 2, 2011)
YOKOHAMA YK520 335/45R/17 TIRES... DRIVING ALONG WITH MY 2001 AUDI S4 AND STARTED NOTICING A WOBBLE OR SHIMMY IN THE STEERING WHEEL. KEPT GETTING WORSE. THE TIRES HAVE LESS THAN 20K MILES ON THEM SO I THOUGH I NEEDED AN ALIGNMENT. (ENTIRE FRONT SUSPENSION HAS BEEN UPGRADED).. I TOOK THE TIRES OFF TO MAKE SURE I DIDN;T HAVE A BENT RIM AND NOTICED BOTH FRONT TIRES WERE WORN OUT/CUT ON THE OUTER CORNER/LIP OF THE TIRES. I FIRST THOUGHT IT WAS CAUSED BY THE CONTROL ARMS. MY MECHANIC LOOKED AT THEM AND TOLD ME THAT THE BELTS HAD SEPARATED ON BOT…
Owner-reported narrative. 87,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10379917 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10256054 · 2009-01-23 (January 23, 2009)
1) THERE IS NO TRIGGERING EVENT LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE. IT JUST APPEARS OVER TIME. 2) THE LCD SCREEN IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER HAS LINES OF PIXELS THAT DO NOT LIGHT UP. THIS IS CONSTANT, WITH MORE LINES OF PIXELS GOING OUT AND PERMANENTLY STAYING OUT OVER TIME. AS A CONSEQUENCE, IMPORTANT WARNING MESSAGES ARE NOT DISPLAYED OR READABLE; SUCH AS WORN OUT BRAKE PADS, FUEL LOW WARNING, WASHER FLUID LOW WARNING, ETC. IF THESE WARNINGS ARE NOT DISPLAYED, THE VEHICLE MAY RUN OUT OF GAS WITHOUT WARNING AND STALL WHILE OPERATING, OR BRAKES MAY W…
Owner-reported narrative. 70,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10256054 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10068881 · 2004-01-15 (January 15, 2004)
BUZZING NOISE IN BACK OF CAR TURNED OUT TO BE FAULTY FUEL PUMP. AFTER SEVERAL DAYS IN SHOP THE SERVICE REP TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS ANOTHER PROBLEM -- A "BURNT" OR "CORRODED" WIRE NEAR THE FUEL PUMP AND FUEL TANK THAT COULD BE A "SAFETY ISSUE." THAT WAS 3 DAYS AGO. STILL NO UPDATE FROM THE DEALERSHIP. I AM WONDERING IF OTHERS HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE FUEL PUMP ON THE AUDI S4. I'M PARTICULARLY WORRIED BECAUSE EXPOSED WIRES NEAR A FUEL TANK SOUNDS LIKE A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE.
Owner-reported narrative. 23,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10068881 at NHTSA ↗