How common are transmission problems in the 2010 Audi S4?

NHTSA lists 42 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2010 Audi S4, which makes up 70% of all 60 complaints filed for that model year.

At what mileage do 2010 Audi S4 transmission problems usually appear?

The median mileage at failure among these complaints is 63,000 miles.

Is there a recall for the 2010 Audi S4 transmission?

NHTSA shows no related recalls tied to this Transmission & Powertrain complaint area for the 2010 Audi S4.

Did the 2010 Audi S4 transmission issues cause crashes or injuries?

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

Is the 2010 Audi S4 worse than other S4 years for transmission complaints?

Yes. The 2010 model's 70% share of complaints tied to this area is higher than the 2012 (64%), 2013 (27%), and 2014 (18%) model years, though the 2011 S4 was even higher at 85%.

2010 Audi S4 Transmission & Powertrain Problems

Owners filed 42 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2010 Audi S4, which is 70% of all 60 complaints for the year. Median mileage at failure was 63,000 miles, with no crashes, fires, injuries, or related recalls reported.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints: 42; 70% of 60
Crashes reported: 0
Fires reported: 0
Injuries reported: 0
Median mileage: 63,000 mi
Related recalls: 0

Typical transmission symptoms owners report

DSG transmission jerks, slams, or surges when accelerating out of stop-and-go traffic at low speeds around 5 mph.
Mechatronics unit failure causes the transmission to get stuck in 1st gear with no reverse, sometimes requiring a tow.
Gearbox malfunction warnings appear on the dashboard, sometimes paired with a TPMS warning, and put the car into a limp mode with only even gears available.
Hard, jerky shifts between 1st and 2nd gear feel like a rear-end collision or produce a loud bang from the drivetrain.
Cruise control at highway speed causes the DSG clutch to hunt, with RPMs wandering as if engaging and disengaging repeatedly.
Loss of power for over a second occurs during shifts, even shortly after a dealer changed the DSG fluid.

When 2010 Audi S4 transmission complaints were filed

First complaint Nov 12, 2013, latest Sep 22, 2025.

42 complaints filed with NHTSA from Nov 2013 to Sep 2025; peak Apr 2015 (3).

Transmission & Powertrain recalls for the 2010 Audi S4

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints by S4 model year

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

201042 (70%)
201122 (85%)
201214 (64%)
20139 (27%)
20143 (18%)
20150 (0%)
20181 (14%)
20190 (0%)
20200 (0%)
20210 (0%)
20220 (0%)

Frequently asked questions

How common are transmission problems in the 2010 Audi S4?: NHTSA lists 42 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2010 Audi S4, which makes up 70% of all 60 complaints filed for that model year.
At what mileage do 2010 Audi S4 transmission problems usually appear?: The median mileage at failure among these complaints is 63,000 miles.
Is there a recall for the 2010 Audi S4 transmission?: NHTSA shows no related recalls tied to this Transmission & Powertrain complaint area for the 2010 Audi S4.
Did the 2010 Audi S4 transmission issues cause crashes or injuries?: NHTSA data shows 0 crashes, 0 fires, and 0 injuries reported among these complaints.
Is the 2010 Audi S4 worse than other S4 years for transmission complaints?: Yes. The 2010 model's 70% share of complaints tied to this area is higher than the 2012 (64%), 2013 (27%), and 2014 (18%) model years, though the 2011 S4 was even higher at 85%.