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2001 Audi S4

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

54 reports with mileage · 33 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 47 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Tires. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

4 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

11 reports
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Mileage unknown · Aug 6, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling

VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING RADIATOR COOLANT LEAKAGE INTO ENGINE OIL. THIS IS CAUSING ACCELERATED WEAR OF COMPONENTS LUBRICATED BY THE ENGINE OIL. UNLESS CORRECTED, THIS CONTAMINATION WILL LEAD TO FAILURE OF THE MOTOR. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AND TESTED BY AN AUDI SERVICE CENTER WITH NO CAUSE IDENTIFIED OR SOLUTION PROPOSED. AUDI …

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VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING RADIATOR COOLANT LEAKAGE INTO ENGINE OIL. THIS IS CAUSING ACCELERATED WEAR OF COMPONENTS LUBRICATED BY THE ENGINE OIL. UNLESS CORRECTED, THIS CONTAMINATION WILL LEAD TO FAILURE OF THE MOTOR. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AND TESTED BY AN AUDI SERVICE CENTER WITH NO CAUSE IDENTIFIED OR SOLUTION PROPOSED. AUDI OF AMERICA IS NOT TAKING ANY ACTION TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10198644

46,000 miles · Jul 21, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling

COOLANT IN OIL. CAN'T TRACE IT DOWN, HAVE HAD 5 REAR MAIN SEALS REPLACED, HAD THE EXTERNAL OIL FILTER PARTS REPLACED AND STILL COOLANT IS FINDING IT'S WAY INTO THE MOTOR, CAUSING THE MOTOR TO PREMATURELY WEAR. AUDI KNOWS ABOUT THE ISSUE THEY HAVE BROUGHT ENGINES BACK TO GERMANY FOR REVIEW, BUT HAVE YET COME OUT WITH WHAT IS H…

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COOLANT IN OIL. CAN'T TRACE IT DOWN, HAVE HAD 5 REAR MAIN SEALS REPLACED, HAD THE EXTERNAL OIL FILTER PARTS REPLACED AND STILL COOLANT IS FINDING IT'S WAY INTO THE MOTOR, CAUSING THE MOTOR TO PREMATURELY WEAR. AUDI KNOWS ABOUT THE ISSUE THEY HAVE BROUGHT ENGINES BACK TO GERMANY FOR REVIEW, BUT HAVE YET COME OUT WITH WHAT IS HAPPENING. WHAT CAN WE FIX TO STOP THIS. I'M NOT LOOKING FOR A RECALL, HECK MOST PEOPLE I KNOW WOULD JUST LIKE TO KNOW WHAT AUDI MESSED UP AND HOW WE CAN FIX IT. AT THIS POINT THE FIX IS UNKNOWN, STOP LEAK IN THE COOLANT SYSTEM BUT THAT'S A BANDAID AND GUNKS UP THE MOTOR. AUDI AND AUDI OF AMERICA NEED TO STEP UP AND AT LEAST MAKE THE FLAW KNOWN SO THAT IF THERE IS A FIX WE CAN MAKE IT HAPPEN. IF THERE IS NO FIX, THEN I CAN UNDERSTAND AUDI HIDING THE ISSUE, SINCE IT WOULD MEAN IT'S A MACHINING DEFECT, CASTING DEFECT AND IT WOULD BE VERY COSTLY TO REPLACE EVERY 2.7T ENGINE OR HEAD ON THE ROAD (BUT THEY HAVE BEEN REALLY BAD ABOUT STEPPING UP TO OTHER FAILURES (TURBOS! ABS CONTROLLERS, DASH DISPLAY PIXELS (GAUGE CLUSTER, CAN BUS), ROCKING FRONT SEATS ETC. MAYBE IT'S TIME FOR SOME PRESSURE TO BE APPLIED TO THEM. JUST TELL US!! *JB

NHTSA ODI #10197099

50,000 miles · Jan 25, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling

(1) EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE: NONE--I'VE BEEN EXPERIENCING A COOLANT LEAK SINCE DAY ONE. ONLY RECENTLY HAS IT GOTTEN WORSE AND NOW I SEE THAT THERE IS WATER IN MY COOLANT. (2) FAILURE AND ITS CONSEQUENCES - COOLANT IN OIL CAUSES PREMATURE DAMAGE OF ENGINE COMPONENTS (BEARINGS, TURBOS). NEW ENGINE COSTS EXCEED $15,…

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(1) EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE: NONE--I'VE BEEN EXPERIENCING A COOLANT LEAK SINCE DAY ONE. ONLY RECENTLY HAS IT GOTTEN WORSE AND NOW I SEE THAT THERE IS WATER IN MY COOLANT. (2) FAILURE AND ITS CONSEQUENCES - COOLANT IN OIL CAUSES PREMATURE DAMAGE OF ENGINE COMPONENTS (BEARINGS, TURBOS). NEW ENGINE COSTS EXCEED $15,000. NEW TURBOS COSTS EXCEED $5,000. THIS PROBLEM IS POSTED ALL OVER AUDIWORLD.COM. MULTIPLE PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE OIL CHECKED AND DETERMINE THAT HIGH LEVELS OF COPPER (CAUSED BY COOLANT) WERE IN THE OIL AND WOULD RESULT IN NEAR-TERM ENGINE/TURBO FAILURE. (3) WHAT WAS DONE TO ATTEMPT TO FIX THE PROBLEM: (A) COOLANT SYSTEM CHECKED THREE TIMES BY AUDI SERVICE AT MY COST AND THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. COSTS SO FAR EXCEED DOLLARS WITH NO FIX IN SIGHT; (B) WATER-PUMP REPLACED ; (C) SECONDARY WATER-PUMP REPLACED I AM ABOUT TO PAY $2000 TO GET THE HEAD-GASKETS REPLACED. UNFORTUNATELY THIS IS A MAYBE FIX SINCE THE PROBLEM CANNOT GET DIAGNOSED. MULTIPLE PEOPLE HAVE POSTED ON AUDIWORLD THAT THEY HAVE HAD THE SAME JOB COMPLETED WITH NO BENEFITS TO THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #10180677

45,780 miles · Jan 7, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling

COOLANT LEAKING INTO ENGINE OIL AT UNDETERMINED LOCATION. NO CAUSE IDENTIFIED NOR SOLUTION PROPOSED. COOLANT LEVELS IN OIL HIGH ENOUGH TO LEAD TO SIGNIFICANTLY PREMATURE ENGINE FAILURE. NO RECOURSE PROVIDED BY AUDI OF AMERICA. ENGINE REPLACEMENT ONLY OPTION AT PRESENT. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10178015

61,000 miles · Oct 20, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling

INTERNAL COOLANT LEAK , SLOW LEAK DEVELOPED AND COOLANT CONTAMINATES THE OIL .. TOTALLY DESTROYING THE ENTIRE ENGINE COMPONENTS! *NM

NHTSA ODI #10171425

98,500 miles · Aug 25, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling

I HAVE A 2001 AUDI S4. THERE IS A VACUUM LINE BETWEEN THE MOTOR AND FIREWALL THAT HAS A CHECK VALVE ON IT. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE CHECK VALVE IS PRONE TO FAIL (TALKED TO OTHERS ON AN AUDI WEBSITE THAT HAD THIS PART FAIL ALSO) AND WHEN IT DOES, IT FAILS W/O NOTICE AND CAUSES THE CAR TO LOSE ITS POWER BRAKES. I THINK THIS IS EXTR…

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I HAVE A 2001 AUDI S4. THERE IS A VACUUM LINE BETWEEN THE MOTOR AND FIREWALL THAT HAS A CHECK VALVE ON IT. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE CHECK VALVE IS PRONE TO FAIL (TALKED TO OTHERS ON AN AUDI WEBSITE THAT HAD THIS PART FAIL ALSO) AND WHEN IT DOES, IT FAILS W/O NOTICE AND CAUSES THE CAR TO LOSE ITS POWER BRAKES. I THINK THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS, NOTHING HAPPENED TO ME, MINE FAILED IN A PARKING LOT AS I WAS PARKING, BUT WHAT IF I OR SOMEONE HAD THIS PART FAIL AT SAY 50-60 MPH AND THEY HAD TO STOP THE CAR? THEY WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO. I FIXED MINE BY BY-PASSING THIS CHECK VALVE. I THINK THAT YOU SHOULD LOOK INTO THIS PROBLEM. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10166547

44,150 miles · Jun 21, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling

PLEASE REFER TO ODI NUMBER 10159801 1. SLOW COOLANT LEAK AND ENGINE OIL CONTAMINATION 2. LOW OIL LIGHT AS WELL AS LOW COOLANT INDICATOR LIGHT, THIS CAUSES WEAR AND TEAR ISSUE WITH ENGINE TO THE EXTENT THAT CAN DAMAGE MAJOR COMPONENTS WITHIN THE ENGINE. 3. AUDI DEALER HAS DIAGNOSE AND RUN TEST TO DETERMINE THIS PROBLEM BUT H…

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PLEASE REFER TO ODI NUMBER 10159801 1. SLOW COOLANT LEAK AND ENGINE OIL CONTAMINATION 2. LOW OIL LIGHT AS WELL AS LOW COOLANT INDICATOR LIGHT, THIS CAUSES WEAR AND TEAR ISSUE WITH ENGINE TO THE EXTENT THAT CAN DAMAGE MAJOR COMPONENTS WITHIN THE ENGINE. 3. AUDI DEALER HAS DIAGNOSE AND RUN TEST TO DETERMINE THIS PROBLEM BUT HAVE NOT FOUND FAULT. THE SYMPTOMS STILL PERSISTS BUT ARE NOT ACKNOWLEDGE AS A PROBLEM THE AUDI OF AMERICA. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10160313

Mileage unknown · Jun 14, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling

VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING RADIATOR COOLANT LEAKAGE INTO ENGINE OIL. THIS IS CAUSING ACCELERATED WEAR OF COMPONENTS LUBRICATED BY THE ENGINE OIL. UNLESS CORRECTED, THIS CONTAMINATION WILL LEAD TO FAILURE OF THE MOTOR. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AND TESTED BY AN AUDI SERVICE CENTER WITH NO CAUSE OR SOLUTION IDENTIFIED. AUDI OF AM…

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VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING RADIATOR COOLANT LEAKAGE INTO ENGINE OIL. THIS IS CAUSING ACCELERATED WEAR OF COMPONENTS LUBRICATED BY THE ENGINE OIL. UNLESS CORRECTED, THIS CONTAMINATION WILL LEAD TO FAILURE OF THE MOTOR. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AND TESTED BY AN AUDI SERVICE CENTER WITH NO CAUSE OR SOLUTION IDENTIFIED. AUDI OF AMERICA IS NOT TAKING ANY ACTION TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10159859

62,000 miles · Jun 14, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling

VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING RADIATOR COOLANT LEAKAGE INTO ENGINE OIL. THIS IS CAUSING ACCELERATED WEAR OF COMPONENTS LUBRICATED BY THE ENGINE OIL. UNLESS CORRECTED, THIS CONTAMINATION WILL LEAD TO FAILURE OF THE MOTOR. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AND TESTED BY AN AUDI SERVICE CENTER WITH NO CAUSE IDENTIFIED OR SOLUTION PROPOSED. A…

Read full complaint

VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING RADIATOR COOLANT LEAKAGE INTO ENGINE OIL. THIS IS CAUSING ACCELERATED WEAR OF COMPONENTS LUBRICATED BY THE ENGINE OIL. UNLESS CORRECTED, THIS CONTAMINATION WILL LEAD TO FAILURE OF THE MOTOR. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AND TESTED BY AN AUDI SERVICE CENTER WITH NO CAUSE IDENTIFIED OR SOLUTION PROPOSED. AUDI OF AMERICA IS NOT TAKING ANY ACTION TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10159801

29,477 miles · Sep 23, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling

DT: THERE WAS A CAM ADJUSTER FROM WHERE THE OIL LEAK WAS COMING FROM. NOTICED THIS ON AUGUST 8, 2003. THEN, ON JULY 24, 2004 TOOK THE VEHICLE FOR AN OIL CHANGE A ND THEY CONFIRMED THERE WAS ANOTHER OIL LEAK. THE WARRANTY EXPIRED IN NOVEMBER 2005, AND THE CONSUMER MADE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE GASKETS TO BE REPLACED A MONTH BEF…

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DT: THERE WAS A CAM ADJUSTER FROM WHERE THE OIL LEAK WAS COMING FROM. NOTICED THIS ON AUGUST 8, 2003. THEN, ON JULY 24, 2004 TOOK THE VEHICLE FOR AN OIL CHANGE A ND THEY CONFIRMED THERE WAS ANOTHER OIL LEAK. THE WARRANTY EXPIRED IN NOVEMBER 2005, AND THE CONSUMER MADE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE GASKETS TO BE REPLACED A MONTH BEFORE THE WARRANTY RAN OUT. IN ORDER TO GET TO THE GASKETS THE CAM SHAFTS HAD TO BE REMOVED. THE GASKETS WERE REPLACED,, AND CAM SHAFT REINSTALLED, THEN GAVE IT A TUNE UP. ALSO, PUT IN TWO DIFFERENT TYPES OF SPARK PLUGS; ONE SET WAS PLATINUM AND CONVENTIONAL. A WEEK LATER, IT WAS READY FOR PICK UP. THE EXHAUST SOUNDED DIFFERENT WHEN VEHICLE PICKED UP. ON JANUARY 31, 2005 TOOK VEHICLE TO ANOTHER MECHANIC BECAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE WAS ON. AT THAT POINT MECHANIC DETERMINED O2 SENSORS CAUSED THE LIGHT TO COME ON, AND THE EXHAUST SOUNDED DIFFERENTLY. THEN, THREE MONTHS LATER, THE EXHAUST CAM SHAFT THAT BROKE IT BENT VALVES IN CYLINDER HEAD AND CAUSED IT TO CRACK. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10137450

Official recalls

1

21V470000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

Jun 23, 2021

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2000-2001 Audi TT Coupe, TT Roadster, 2000-2002 A4, and S4 vehicles equipped with Non-Azide Driver Air Bag Inflators (NADI) that do not contain phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. Due to a manufacturing issue, the NADI inflators may absorb moisture, possibly causing the air bag to deploy improperly in the event of a crash.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, the air bag may not properly protect the occupant, increasing the risk of serious injury or death.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver frontal airbag inflator with an alternative inflator, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 2, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69CJ.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.