Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
60–25K
1325–50K
1650–75K
1275–100K
7100–150K
0150K+
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
What owners actually said
87 reports
Mileage unknown · Mar 7, 2004
Electrical System
THE SECURITY SYSTEM OF MY 2001 AUDI S4 HAS A MAJOR FAULT. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT INCLUDE ANY TYPE OF IMMOBILIZER INTO THE SYSTEM MAKING IT EXTREMELY EASY FOR IT TO GET STOLEN. AN IMMOBILIZER IS A SYSTEM BUILT INTO THE COMPUTER/IGNITION SYSTEM OF THE VEHICLE THAT DOESN'T ALLOW IT TO BE STARTED UNLESS THE KEY IS USED. I AM UNC…
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THE SECURITY SYSTEM OF MY 2001 AUDI S4 HAS A MAJOR FAULT. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT INCLUDE ANY TYPE OF IMMOBILIZER INTO THE SYSTEM MAKING IT EXTREMELY EASY FOR IT TO GET STOLEN. AN IMMOBILIZER IS A SYSTEM BUILT INTO THE COMPUTER/IGNITION SYSTEM OF THE VEHICLE THAT DOESN'T ALLOW IT TO BE STARTED UNLESS THE KEY IS USED. I AM UNCOMFORTABLE PARKING IT IN ANY MAJOR CITY AND AS I LIVE NEAR NYC, ITS A REAL ISSUE. I HAVE A NUMBER OF FRIENDS WHO HAVE HAD THEIR S4S STOLEN IN THE NEW JERSEY AREA IN A MATTER OF MINUTES. THIS IS A VERY LIMITED PRODUCTION CAR AND STILL MAKES THE TOP 25 MOST STOLEN VEHICLES IN ITS CLASS, THAT SAYS SOMETHING ABOUT NOT ONLY HOW DESIRABLE IT IS TO THIEVES BUT HOW EASILY IT IS STOLEN. AN IMMOBILIZING SYSTEM WOULD NOT ELIMINATE ALL THEFT BUT WOULD REDUCE IT SUBSTANTIALLY. I FEEL THIS IS SOMETHING THE MANUFACTURE SHOULD RECTIFY. OTHER CARS IN THE AUDI LINE UP FOR 2000 HAD IMMOBILIZERS SO THE COMPANY HAD EASY ACCESS TO SUCH TECHNOLOGY BUT CHOSE NOT TO INCLUDE IT IN THEIR 2001 MODEL YEAR A4/S4. I ALSO HAD A 2001 VW JETTA (SAME PARENT COMPANY AS AUDI) AND IT HAD AN IMMOBILIZER, THIS CAR COST JUST ABOUT HALF AS MUCH AS THE AUDI S4 SO ITS ABSURD. PLEASE HELP ME AND MY FELLOW AUDI A4/S4 OWNERS RECTIFY THIS SITUATION. THANKS IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR TIME AND HELP. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10060619
Mileage unknown · Mar 7, 2004
Electrical System
I CURRENTLY OWN A 2001 AUDI S4. THERE HAS BEEN AN UNUSUALLY LARGE AMOUNT OF THEFTS OF THESE VEHICLES OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS. IT IS DUE TO THE POOR ALARM SYSTEM AUDI HAS PUT IN THESE VEHICLES. THERE IS NO IMMOBILZER, WHICH WAS PUT IN THEIR OTHER MODELS. AUDI REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10060617
19,800 miles · Mar 7, 2004
Electrical System
MY CAR (2001 AUDI S4) WAS STOLEN IN LIVINGSTON NJ, AND RECOVERED IN IRVINGTON, NJ. THE CAR HAD A STOCK ALARM SYSTEM WHICH WAS EASILY BYPASSED. THIS CAR DID NOT HAVE AN IMMOBILIZER. OTHER MODEL AUDI'S HAVE AN IMMOBILIZER. $10,000 OF DAMAGE WAS CAUSED TO THE CAR. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. CERTAINLY AUDI CAN RETROFIT AN IMMOBILIZER…
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MY CAR (2001 AUDI S4) WAS STOLEN IN LIVINGSTON NJ, AND RECOVERED IN IRVINGTON, NJ. THE CAR HAD A STOCK ALARM SYSTEM WHICH WAS EASILY BYPASSED. THIS CAR DID NOT HAVE AN IMMOBILIZER. OTHER MODEL AUDI'S HAVE AN IMMOBILIZER. $10,000 OF DAMAGE WAS CAUSED TO THE CAR. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. CERTAINLY AUDI CAN RETROFIT AN IMMOBILIZER INTO THIS CAR BECAUSE THE SAME CAR IN EUROPE HAS THE IMMOBILIZER. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10060616
Mileage unknown · Mar 7, 2004
Electrical System
AUDI OF AMERICA HAS NOT TAKEN SECURITY SYSTEMS ON THE AUDI S4'S SERIOUSLY. THEY HAVE BEEN MASSIVE KNOWN THEFTS IN THE TRI-STATE AREA AND THE LIST CONTINUES TO GROW. I HAVE SPENT OVER $800 FOR ADDED SECURITY AND WILL CONTINUE TO SPEND MORE IF I HAVE TO. I CANNOT SLEEP PEACEFULLY AT NIGHT KNOWING MY CAR IS PRONE TO EASY THEFT D…
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AUDI OF AMERICA HAS NOT TAKEN SECURITY SYSTEMS ON THE AUDI S4'S SERIOUSLY. THEY HAVE BEEN MASSIVE KNOWN THEFTS IN THE TRI-STATE AREA AND THE LIST CONTINUES TO GROW. I HAVE SPENT OVER $800 FOR ADDED SECURITY AND WILL CONTINUE TO SPEND MORE IF I HAVE TO. I CANNOT SLEEP PEACEFULLY AT NIGHT KNOWING MY CAR IS PRONE TO EASY THEFT DUE TO IT'S INEFFECTIVENESS IN SECURITY PROTECTION. I FEEL IT'S A MATTER A TIME BEFORE MY CAR WILL BE STOLEN IN A MALL OR A SHOPPING CENTER OR ON A STREET OR EVEN IN MY OWN HOME. AUDI NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS IMMEDIATELY! *JB
NHTSA ODI #10060612
23,000 miles · Jan 15, 2004
Fuel System, Gasoline
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 …
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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.
NHTSA ODI #10068881
Mileage unknown · Apr 12, 2002
Tires
OF FIVE OF THESE TIRES SUPPLIED AS NEW EQUIPMENT, TWO HAVE FAILED CATASTROPHICALLY AFTER APPROXIMATELY 10,000 MILES; ONE AT APPROXIMATELY 23,200 MILES. THESE ARE VERY EXPENSIVE TIRES, SUPPOSEDLY HIGH PERFORMANCE. TIRE PRESSURE WAS MONITORED USING BOTH ELECTRONIC AND MECHANICAL PRESSURE GAUGES, TIRES WERE KEPT AT THE RECOMMENDE…
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OF FIVE OF THESE TIRES SUPPLIED AS NEW EQUIPMENT, TWO HAVE FAILED CATASTROPHICALLY AFTER APPROXIMATELY 10,000 MILES; ONE AT APPROXIMATELY 23,200 MILES. THESE ARE VERY EXPENSIVE TIRES, SUPPOSEDLY HIGH PERFORMANCE. TIRE PRESSURE WAS MONITORED USING BOTH ELECTRONIC AND MECHANICAL PRESSURE GAUGES, TIRES WERE KEPT AT THE RECOMMENDED PRESSURE OF 42 PSIG. PRESSURE CHECKS ON THE REMAINING 3 TIRES AFTER EACH FAILURE REVEALED THAT THEY WERE PROPERLY INFLATED TO 42 PSIG.*AK (TIRESIZE: 225/45R17)
NHTSA ODI #760628
Mileage unknown · Jan 15, 2002
Tires
BRIDGESTONE-FIRESTONE TIRES SUPPLIED AS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT ON A 2001 AUDI S4 FAILED AFTER APPROXIMATELY 10,000 MILES USAGE. THE FIRST EXHIBITED A TREAD SEPARATION BULGE AT APPROXIMATELY 10,000 MILES. IT WAS REPLACED BY THE SPARE IN THE TRUNK. THE SECOND TIRE (I.E., THE SPARE FROM THE TRUNK) FAILED AFTER AN ADDITIONAL USAGE OF…
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BRIDGESTONE-FIRESTONE TIRES SUPPLIED AS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT ON A 2001 AUDI S4 FAILED AFTER APPROXIMATELY 10,000 MILES USAGE. THE FIRST EXHIBITED A TREAD SEPARATION BULGE AT APPROXIMATELY 10,000 MILES. IT WAS REPLACED BY THE SPARE IN THE TRUNK. THE SECOND TIRE (I.E., THE SPARE FROM THE TRUNK) FAILED AFTER AN ADDITIONAL USAGE OF APPROXIMATELY 10,000 MILES WITH A BLOWOUT ON U.S. 95.*AK (TIRESIZE: 22545Y17)
NHTSA ODI #756878
Mileage unknown · Jan 12, 2002
Tires
I FEEL THAT I AM UNSAFE IN MY BRAND NEW CAR BECAUSE OF THE TIRES. *AK
NHTSA ODI #756749
Mileage unknown · Dec 19, 2001
Tires
NO ACCIDENT OR CRASH. BUBBLE WAS DISCOVERED WHEN CHANGING TO A DIFFERENT TIRE FOR WINTER. *AK (TIRESIZE: 225/45/ 17)
NHTSA ODI #755849
Mileage unknown · Nov 15, 2001
EquipmentStructureVisibility
SUN ROOF LEAKS / DOOR LOCKS BROKE , AND RADIO NEEDS REPLACING. *AK
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.
2001 Audi S4 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year