YearToAvoid

2009 Audi S4 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

No verdict The 2009 Audi S4 shows 0 complaints in NHTSA data and a complaint index of 0, ranking 16th out of 16 model years, meaning it has the lowest reported-problem count in the lineup. It has 2 airbag recalls but no verdict is assigned.

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

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
0/100
#16 of 16 S4 years
Verdict
No verdict
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
0
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
2
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
0
reported in complaints
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Top issue
—
Best nearby year
2014
rated Good
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
15.5
13.5 city / 20 hwy
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0

Top 2009 Audi S4 problems

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

No component data.

2009 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.

2009 Audi S4 fuel economy and fuel cost

City
13.5 MPG
Highway
20 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.

2009 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
2007Caution6013215.5
2008No verdict274215.5
2009No verdict00215.5
2010Avoid10060021
2011Avoid8726121

All Audi S4 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2009 Audi S4 reliable?
NHTSA shows 0 owner complaints for the 2009 Audi S4, the lowest count among all 16 model years with data, though it carries 2 airbag recalls.
Does the 2009 Audi S4 have any recalls?
Yes, NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2009 Audi S4, both involving airbags, with remedies replacing the passenger frontal air bag or its inflator.
How does the 2009 Audi S4 compare to other years?
The 2009 model ranks 16th out of 16 years by complaint index (0), well below years like 2010 (complaint index 100, Avoid) and 2005 (complaint index 93, Avoid).
What is the fuel economy of the 2009 Audi S4?
EPA rates the 2009 Audi S4 at 15.5 mpg combined (13.5 city / 20 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $5,150.

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.