Audi S4 Years to Avoid — Worst & Best Years to Buy
Every Audi S4 model year (2000–2026) ranked by recall count, complaint volume, deaths, and injuries. Data sourced directly from NHTSA.
Audi S4 Years to Avoid
0 recalls · 77 complaints
1 reported injury
Top issue: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
Problem score: 79
0 recalls · 47 complaints
Top issue: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
Problem score: 47
1 recall · 31 complaints
1 reported injury
Top issue: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Problem score: 36
Best Audi S4 Years to Buy
1 recall · 0 complaints
Main area: No significant complaints
Problem score: 3
0 recalls · 3 complaints
Main area: ENGINE
Problem score: 3
1 recall · 1 complaint
Main area: AIR BAGS
Problem score: 4
Found the right year? Verify that specific S4 with a free VIN report.
Audi S4 — Year-by-Year Problem Report
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Injuries | Deaths | Problem Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | Excellent |
| 2025 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | Excellent |
| 2024 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | Excellent |
| 2023 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | Excellent |
| 2022 | 1 | 1 | — | — | 4 | Excellent |
| 2021 | 2 | 2 | — | — | 8 | Good |
| 2020 | 1 | 7 | — | — | 10 | Good |
| 2019 | 0 | 3 | — | — | 3 | Excellent |
| 2018 | 1 | 6 | — | — | 9 | Good |
| 2017 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | Excellent |
| 2016 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | Excellent |
| 2015 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | Excellent |
| 2014 | 0 | 14 | — | — | 14 | Good |
| 2013 | 0 | 14 | — | — | 14 | Good |
| 2012 | 1 | 11 | — | — | 14 | Good |
| 2011 | 1 | 21 | 1 | — | 26 | Good |
| 2010 | 0 | 30 | — | — | 30 | Caution |
| 2009 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 3 | Excellent |
| 2008 | 1 | 1 | — | — | 4 | Excellent |
| 2007 | 1 | 10 | 6 | — | 25 | Good |
| 2006 | 1 | 15 | — | — | 18 | Good |
| 2005 | 1 | 31 | 1 | — | 36 | Caution |
| 2004 | 0 | 22 | — | — | 22 | Good |
| 2003 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | Excellent |
| 2002 | 0 | 5 | — | — | 5 | Excellent |
| 2001 | 0 | 47 | — | — | 47 | Caution |
| 2000 | 0 | 77 | 1 | — | 79 | Avoid |
All 27 model years shown. Deaths and injuries from NHTSA complaint filings. Higher problem scores indicate more reported safety issues.
Audi S4 Shopping Guide by Era
2018–Present
Best: 2026Recent S4 models benefit from updated safety systems and revised engineering. The 2026 stands out with just 0 problem points. Always request a pre-purchase inspection and VIN history report.
2013–2017
Best: 2017Mid-decade S4 units are entering high-mileage territory. Inspect carefully for powertrain wear and verify recall completion status. The 2017 shows the lowest problem count for this era.
Pre-2013
Proceed with CautionOlder S4 models have more accumulated wear and a larger recall history. These are higher-risk purchases without documented maintenance records and a clean VIN history report.
Frequently Asked Questions
What year S4 should I avoid?+
Avoid the 2000 Audi S4 if possible. It has 0 recalls, 77 owner complaints. The overall problem score is 79 — the highest in our dataset.
What is the best year S4 to buy?+
The 2009 Audi S4 is the lowest-risk year in our analysis, with a problem score of 3. It has only 1 recall and 0 complaints on record with NHTSA.
Which S4 has the fewest problems?+
The 2009, 2019, 2008 model years have the fewest documented problems. Even for low-problem years, verifying a specific vehicle's history via its VIN is always recommended before purchase.
More Audi S4 Research
Check a Specific Audi S4 VIN
Model-year rankings show statistical risk. A VIN-specific report reveals the individual vehicle's full history — accidents, odometer rollbacks, auction records, and open recall status.
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