VEHICLE BUYER'S GUIDE
Audi S42000–2026
Year-by-year buyer intelligence from NHTSA safety data — reliability, value, and which years to target or avoid.
Best Years to Buy a Audi S4
Buyer Score combines reliability (65%) and depreciation value (35%) — higher is better.
Audi S4 Years to Avoid
1 recall · 77 complaints
1 reported injury
Top issue: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
1 recall · 47 complaints
Top issue: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
2 recalls · 31 complaints
1 reported injury
Top issue: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Federal Defect Investigations
NHTSA investigations are the stage that precedes a recall. 1 past investigation into the S4 became recall.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Data current as of October 28, 2026.
Audi S4 — Year-by-Year Comparison
Every model year ranked by Buyer Score. Click any year for its detailed problem report.
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Injuries | Deaths | Reliability | Value | Buyer Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 78 | 39 | 64 | Excellent |
| 2025 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 78 | 54 | 70 | Excellent |
| 2024 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 78 | 67 | 74 | Excellent |
| 2023 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 78 | 77 | 78 | Excellent |
| 2022 | 1 | 1 | — | — | 78 | 84 | 80 | Excellent |
| 2021 | 3 | 2 | — | — | 71 | 87 | 77 | Good |
| 2020 | 2 | 7 | — | — | 68 | 86 | 74 | Good |
| 2019 | 1 | 3 | — | — | 78 | 82 | 79 | Excellent |
| 2018 | 2 | 6 | — | — | 70 | 76 | 72 | Good |
| 2017 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 78 | 69 | 75 | Excellent |
| 2016 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 78 | 62 | 72 | Excellent |
| 2015 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 78 | 55 | 70 | Excellent |
| 2014 | 0 | 14 | — | — | 66 | 49 | 60 | Good |
| 2013 | 0 | 14 | — | — | 66 | 44 | 58 | Good |
| 2012 | 0 | 11 | — | — | 71 | 40 | 60 | Good |
| 2011 | 0 | 21 | 1 | — | 53 | 37 | 47 | Good |
| 2010 | 0 | 30 | — | — | 53 | 37 | 47 | Caution |
| 2009 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 78 | 37 | 64 | Excellent |
| 2008 | 2 | 1 | — | — | 77 | 37 | 63 | Excellent |
| 2007 | 2 | 10 | 6 | — | 53 | 37 | 47 | Good |
| 2006 | 2 | 15 | — | — | 56 | 37 | 49 | Good |
| 2005 | 2 | 31 | 1 | — | 53 | 37 | 47 | Caution |
| 2004 | 1 | 22 | — | — | 53 | 37 | 47 | Good |
| 2003 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 78 | 37 | 64 | Excellent |
| 2002 | 1 | 5 | — | — | 76 | 37 | 62 | Excellent |
| 2001 | 1 | 47 | — | — | 53 | 37 | 47 | Caution |
| 2000 | 1 | 77 | 1 | — | 53 | 37 | 47 | Avoid |
Buyer Score = Reliability (65%) + Value window (35%). Deaths and injuries sourced from NHTSA complaint filings. Year links open full NHTSA problem reports.
Known Audi S4 Problems
Most frequently reported components across all model years, from NHTSA owner complaints.
Complaint counts across all model years. Numbers indicate frequency, not severity.
Shopping by Era
How each generation of the S4 compares — best year within each era shown.
2018–Present
Modern safety tech, refreshed platforms, updated powertrains. Higher purchase price but lower reliability risk. Best pick in this era: 2022 (Buyer Score 80).
2013–2017
Mid-decade models in the depreciation sweet spot — typically 35–55% below original MSRP. Inspect carefully for powertrain wear and recall completion. Best: 2017 (Buyer Score 75).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best year S4 to buy?+
The 2022 Audi S4 scores highest on our Buyer Score (80/100) — combining a reliability score of 78/100 with a value score of 84/100. It has 1 recall and 1 NHTSA complaint on record.
Which S4 years have the most problems?+
The 2000, 2001, 2005 model years have the highest problem scores in our analysis. The 2000 S4 leads with 1 recalls and 77 owner complaints.
What is the Buyer Score?+
The Buyer Score is a composite metric that combines reliability (65% weight) and depreciation value (35% weight). Reliability reflects recall and complaint severity. Value reflects how much of the vehicle's depreciation has already been absorbed by prior owners — a 4–6 year old vehicle typically sits in the sweet spot.
What are the most common S4 problems?+
The most frequently reported Audi S4 issues involve: POWER TRAIN, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. These are aggregated across all model years from NHTSA owner complaint filings. Frequency of complaints does not necessarily indicate severity.
Deep-Dive Research
A buyer's guide shows model-level risk. A VIN report shows the individual vehicle — accidents, odometer history, open recalls, and auction records.