Is engine trouble common on the 2010 Audi S4?

Yes. NHTSA lists 16 engine complaints for the 2010 S4, 27% of the model year's 60 total complaints, the highest share among the years listed.

What is the main engine problem owners report?

Most complaints describe water pump failure, often with sudden coolant loss and a warning to shut off the engine, at a median mileage of 11,000.

Is there a recall for the 2010 Audi S4 water pump?

No related recall is listed in the NHTSA data provided for this issue.

Did the water pump failures cause any crashes or injuries?

NHTSA data for these complaints shows 0 crashes, 0 fires, and 0 injuries reported.

How does the 2010 S4 compare to other S4 years for engine complaints?

The 2010 model year has the largest engine complaint share at 27%, compared to 23% in 2011 and lower single-digit to low-teen shares in most later years.

2010 Audi S4 Engine Problems

NHTSA lists 16 engine complaints for the 2010 Audi S4, 27% of all 60 complaints that year. Most describe water pump failures at a median of 11,000 miles. No related recall is listed in NHTSA data.

Engine complaints: 16; 27% of 60
Crashes reported: 0
Fires reported: 0
Injuries reported: 0
Median mileage: 11,000 mi
Related recalls: 0

Typical engine symptoms owners report

Water pump fails and leaks coolant, often triggering a warning to stop the engine immediately.
Failure frequently happens during highway or moderate-speed driving, sometimes far from home.
Several owners report the plastic seal on the pump breaking, later replaced with a metal seal.
Owners describe steam and coolant spread across the engine bay after the pump bursts.
A few owners mention dealers calling the water pump issue common but declining to treat it as a recall.
Later complaints, at much higher mileage, describe unrelated gearbox and mechatronic malfunction warnings.

When 2010 Audi S4 engine complaints were filed

First complaint Aug 29, 2010, latest Sep 22, 2025.

16 complaints filed with NHTSA from Aug 2010 to Sep 2025; peak Aug 2010 (2).

Engine recalls for the 2010 Audi S4

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Engine complaints by S4 model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

201016 (27%)
20116 (23%)
20121 (5%)
20134 (12%)
20143 (18%)
20151 (100%)
20184 (57%)
20191 (50%)
20200 (0%)
20210 (0%)
20220 (0%)

Frequently asked questions

Is engine trouble common on the 2010 Audi S4?: Yes. NHTSA lists 16 engine complaints for the 2010 S4, 27% of the model year's 60 total complaints, the highest share among the years listed.
What is the main engine problem owners report?: Most complaints describe water pump failure, often with sudden coolant loss and a warning to shut off the engine, at a median mileage of 11,000.
Is there a recall for the 2010 Audi S4 water pump?: No related recall is listed in the NHTSA data provided for this issue.
Did the water pump failures cause any crashes or injuries?: NHTSA data for these complaints shows 0 crashes, 0 fires, and 0 injuries reported.
How does the 2010 S4 compare to other S4 years for engine complaints?: The 2010 model year has the largest engine complaint share at 27%, compared to 23% in 2011 and lower single-digit to low-teen shares in most later years.