2012 Audi S4 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2012 Audi S4 has a complaint index of 67 and ranks 6th worst out of 16 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Transmission & powertrain issues drive 64% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 76,000, and one fuel system recall applies.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 67/100
- #6 of 16 S4 years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 22
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 1
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 2
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Transmission & Powertrain
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 21
- 18 city / 27.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
Top 2012 Audi S4 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain14 (64%)
- Fuel System5 (23%)
- Electrical System3 (14%)
- Brakes2 (9%)
- Other2 (9%)
- Engine1 (5%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- DSG transmission shifts poorly and slips between gears, sometimes downshifting hard during stop-and-go driving.
- Gearbox malfunction warnings can trigger limp mode or a sudden loss of engine power, in some cases while driving on a highway.
- Transmission lurches or lunges forward suddenly from a stop.
- A faulty transmission sensor has been linked to sudden power loss and gearbox malfunction alerts along with dead electronics.
- Fuel system problems include leaking fuel injectors and a coolant pump failure that owners say overheated the car and leaked coolant.
- Premature transmission mechatronic failure has left some cars unable to shift into reverse.
2012 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.
2012 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.
2012 compared with other S4 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2012 Audi S4 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, the 2012 S4 has a complaint index of 67 and ranks 6th worst among 16 model years, giving it a Caution verdict relative to other S4 years.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2012 Audi S4?
- Transmission & Powertrain issues account for 64% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 76,000. Owners describe rough shifting, slipping, and gearbox malfunction warnings.
- Does the 2012 Audi S4 have a recall?
- Yes, one recall (campaign 15V019000) covers the fuel system on 2011-2012 S4 and related Audi/VW models. It is not a do-not-drive recall.
- How does the 2012 Audi S4 compare to other years?
- The 2012 S4 has a lower complaint index (67) than the 2010 (100) and 2011 (87) model years, both rated Avoid, but a higher index than the 2014 S4 (47), which is rated Good.