YearToAvoid

2007 Audi S4 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Caution The 2007 Audi S4 has a complaint index of 60 and ranks 7th worst out of 16 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Airbags account for 62% of complaints, largely tied to two Takata recalls with reported parts shortages.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
60/100
#7 of 16 S4 years
Verdict
Caution
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
13
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
2
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
1
reported in complaints
Fires
1
Injuries
2
Top issue
Airbags
Best nearby year
2014
rated Good
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
15.5
13.5 city / 20.5 hwy
Injuries / deaths
2 / 0

Top 2007 Audi S4 problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Airbags8 (62%)
  2. Engine3 (23%)
  3. Brakes2 (15%)
  4. Electrical System2 (15%)
  5. Seat Belts2 (15%)
  6. Transmission & Powertrain2 (15%)
  7. Steering1 (8%)
  8. Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (8%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Some owners report the throttle unexpectedly increasing engine RPM and vehicle speed even when the brake pedal was applied.
  • Owners describe the check engine, EPC, and stability control lights coming on together, putting the engine into a reduced-power mode that limits acceleration, especially at highway speeds.
  • Several owners with Takata airbag recalls report dealers had no replacement parts available and no loaner vehicles offered, leaving the recall unresolved for extended periods.
  • One owner described the 4.2L V8 timing chain tensioners, made of plastic, as prone to breakage, which can lead to catastrophic engine failure.
2007 Audi S4 complaints: complaints filed per month1May 2007Jun 2014Apr 2017Jul 2017May 2019Aug 2020Jan 2023
13 complaints filed with NHTSA from May 2007 to Jan 2023; peak May 2007 (1).

2007 Audi S4 recalls

2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 18V427000Jun 22, 2018Airbags237,947 vehicles

    Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2005-2008 Audi A4 Sedan, A4 Avant, S4 Avant and S4 Sedan, 2007-2008 RS4 Sedan, 2004 RS4 Cabriolet, 2007-2009 A4 Cabriolet and S4 Cabriolet, 2005-2011 A6 Sedan, 2006-2011 A6 Avant, and 2007-2011 S6 Sedan vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

    Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    Remedy: Audi has notified owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag with an alternate remedy part, free of charge. The recall began June 29, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69R7. Note: This recall supersedes recalls 16V382, 17V032 and 18V004 and includes vehicles that may have had their air bag previously replaced under one of those campaigns.

  2. NHTSA 17V032000Jan 11, 2017Airbags33,421 vehicles

    Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2009 Audi A4 Cabriolet, S4 Cabriolet, A6 Avant, A6 Sedan and S6 Sedan vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Additionally, unless included in "Zone B" above, Volkswagen is recalling certain 2005-2008 Audi A4 Avant, A4 Sedan, A6 Sedan, S4 Avant and S4 Sedan vehicles, 2007-2008 A4 Cabriolet, RS4 Sedan, S4 Cabriolet and S6 Sedan vehicles, and 2006-2008 A6 Avant and 2008 RS4 Cabriolet vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

    Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 30, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Note: This recall has been superseded by recall number 18V427.

2007 Audi S4 fuel economy and fuel cost

City
13.5 MPG
Highway
20.5 MPG
Combined
15.5 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$5,150
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Premium
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2007 compared with other S4 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’18’19’20’21’22
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2005Avoid9343216
2006Caution5330216
2007Caution6013215.5
2008No verdict274215.5
2009No verdict00215.5

All Audi S4 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2007 Audi S4 reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, the 2007 S4 has a complaint index of 60 and ranks 7th worst of 16 model years, earning a Caution verdict relative to other S4 years.
What is the biggest problem with the 2007 Audi S4?
Airbags are the top problem area, making up 62% of complaints, driven mainly by two Takata airbag recalls.
Does the 2007 Audi S4 have open recalls?
NHTSA lists two recalls for the 2007 S4, both involving Takata frontal airbag replacement, neither marked do-not-drive.
How does the 2007 S4 compare to other years?
The 2007 S4 (complaint index 60) is less problematic than the 2010 (100, Avoid) and 2005 (93, Avoid) model years, but worse than the 2014 (47, Good) and 2018 (40, Good) years.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.