2011 Audi S4 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2011 Audi S4 has a complaint index of 87, ranked 3rd-worst among 16 model years, with an Avoid verdict driven mostly by transmission complaints (85% of all reports). NHTSA also lists one recall for a fuel system issue.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 87/100
- #3 of 16 S4 years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 26
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 1
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 1
- Top issue
- Transmission & Powertrain
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 21
- 18 city / 27.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 1 / 0
Top 2011 Audi S4 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain22 (85%)
- Engine6 (23%)
- Electrical System2 (8%)
- Other2 (8%)
- Brakes1 (4%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report the DSG transmission bucking or shuddering when shifting through low gears at slow speeds or from a stop.
- Some describe a 'gearbox malfunction, reverse gear not available' warning appearing while driving, often paired with a loss of throttle response.
- Several drivers say the car surges or loses speed unpredictably in traffic after the gearbox warning appears.
- One owner reported a suspension issue that caused a front tire to blow out on the highway, leading to a temporary loss of control.
- Engine complaints include a failed plastic thermostat causing the temperature gauge to spike, and excessive oil consumption requiring frequent refills.
- One owner noted a DSG mechatronic failure that caused the car to shift into neutral unexpectedly along with a TPMS warning.
2011 Audi S4 recalls
1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.
- NHTSA 15V019000Jan 20, 2015Fuel System26,008 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline:fuel injection system:fuel rail
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Audi S4, S5, Q7, 2012 Audi A6, Volkswagen Touareg Hybrid, and 2012-2013 Audi A7 vehicles. In the affected vehicles the fuel injection system may experience a fuel leak.
Risk: A fuel leak in the injection system in the presence of an ignition source, increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel rails and corresponding seals, free of charge. The recall began on March 17, 2015. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-822-2834 or Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 24AP for Audi customers and 24BK for Volkswagen customers.
2011 Audi S4 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 18 MPG
- Highway
- 27.5 MPG
- Combined
- 21 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,800
- 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.
2011 compared with other S4 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2011 Audi S4 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2011 S4 ranks 3rd-worst out of 16 model years, with a complaint index of 87 and an Avoid verdict. Most complaints involve the transmission.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2011 Audi S4?
- Transmission and powertrain issues dominate, making up 85% of all complaints, with a median mileage at failure of 61,897 miles. Owners describe bucking, shuddering, and gearbox malfunction warnings.
- Does the 2011 Audi S4 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists one recall (campaign 15V019000) for the fuel system, covering fuel injector issues in the affected 2011-2012 Audi S4, S5, Q7 and related Volkswagen Group vehicles. It is not a do-not-drive recall.
- How does the 2011 S4 compare to other S4 years?
- The 2011 model's complaint index of 87 is worse than most other years, though the 2005 (93) and 2010 (100) model years rank even worse. Later years like 2014 (47) and 2018 (40) earned Good verdicts.
- What mileage do 2011 Audi S4 transmission problems usually appear at?
- NHTSA data shows a median mileage of 61,897 miles at failure for transmission-related complaints on the 2011 S4.