SkipThatYearREAL DATA. SMARTER CAR DECISIONS.
← New search

2004 Audi S4

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

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

About this comparison →
29Owner complaints

Model-year median: 7

1Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
87
200122
20021
200329
200443
200530
200613
2007
Compare all S4 years →

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

What owners reported most

Engine And Engine Cooling
12Power Train
5Engine
3Exterior Lighting
3Visibility
3
All reported categories
Electrical System
2Steering
2Air Bags
1Seat Belts
1Service Brakes, Hydraulic
1Structure
1Tires
1Unknown Or Other
1Vehicle Speed Control
1

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

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

27 reports with mileage · 2 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.

  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

0 crash reports1 fire reports0 injury reports

Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints

1 reports
Clear category filter
112,000 miles · Mar 16, 2012
Service Brakes, HydraulicSteering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 AUDI S4. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 25 MPH WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED AND BECAME STIFF AND HARD TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHO CONFIRMED THERE WAS A PUNCTURED HOSE CAUSING THE STEERING TO FAIL. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED ON A SEPARATE OCCASION THAT HE HEARD A…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 AUDI S4. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 25 MPH WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED AND BECAME STIFF AND HARD TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHO CONFIRMED THERE WAS A PUNCTURED HOSE CAUSING THE STEERING TO FAIL. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED ON A SEPARATE OCCASION THAT HE HEARD A SQUEALING NOISE AFTER THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE BRAKES TO MALFUNCTION WHEN THEY WERE APPLIED. THE DEALER STATED THE BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 114,000.

NHTSA ODI #10451955

Official recalls

1

05V096000 · Exterior Lighting:headlights

Mar 15, 2005

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY OF XENON HEADLAMP COATING DEGRADATION OVER TIME. THE LUMINOUS TRANSMITTANCE OF THE HEADLAMP MAY DECREASE OVER A PERIOD OF TIME.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD AFFECT A DRIVER'S FIELD OF VIEW, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LEFT AND RIGHT XENON HEADLAMP REFLECTORS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 11, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AUDI AT 1-800-822-2834.

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.