Is the 2011 Audi S4 reliable?

The 2011 Audi S4 has 34 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.0x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: below-average. Most common issue: TRANSMISSION problems.

What are common problems with the 2011 Audi S4?

Top problems: TRANSMISSION (22 complaints, avg repair $500); ENGINE (5 complaints, avg repair $500); ELECTRICAL (2 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2011 Audi S4?

Yes, there are 1 recall(s): FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:FUEL RAIL. Contact any Audi dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2011 Audi S4?

The 2011 Audi S4 gets 21 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2286. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2011 Audi S4?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2011 Audi S4 is approximately $1,785/year (sedan-luxury class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2011 Audi S4

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2011 Audi S4 has 34 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.0x the segment average of 34. The most common issue is transmission problems (65% of all complaints), specifically: this issue concerns my audi 2011 s4, a car that i took delivery on in april, 2011. i have had numerous problems with the car since the delivery, however, it is a safety concern that has caused this specific filing. the problem seems to be with the dsg transmission. on occasion, the car will st. There is 1 recall issued for this model year.

1 injury

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

4/5

Safety Stars

1.0x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 7)

TRANSMISSION

22 complaints

65%

• THIS ISSUE CONCERNS MY AUDI 2011 S4, A CAR THAT I TOOK DELIVERY ON IN APRIL, 2011. I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR SINCE THE DELIVERY, HOWEVER, IT IS A SAFETY CONCERN THAT HAS CAUSED THIS SPECIFIC FILING. THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE WITH THE DSG TRANSMISSION. ON OCCASION, THE CAR WILL ST
• WHILE TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, A WARNING MESSAGE CAME UP DO THE DASHBOARD SAYING "GEARBOX MALFUNCTION, REVERSE GEAR NOT AVAILABLE, YOU CAN STILL DRIVE". AT THE SAME TIME, THE TPMS WARNING INDICATOR CAME ON. THE CAR BEGAN TO LOOSE SPEED AND WOULDN'T RESPOND TO THE THROTTLE, AFTER A FEW SE
• I CURRENTLY DRIVE A 2011 AUDI S4 DSG AUTOMATIC VEHICLE. THE CAR BUCKS INTERMITTENTLY WHEN GOING FROM STOP TO 1ST-2ND-3RD GEAR OR VICE VERSA. IT USUALLY OCCURS IN SLOW TRAFFIC AND WHEN THE CAR/TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN ON FOR AWHILE. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO AUDI FOR REPAIR AND THE SOFTWARE AND ADAPTABILITY

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“THIS ISSUE CONCERNS MY AUDI 2011 S4, A CAR THAT I TOOK DELIVERY ON IN APRIL, 2011. I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR SINCE THE DELIVERY, HOWEVER, IT IS A SAFETY CONCERN THAT HAS CAUSED THIS SPECIFIC FILING. THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE WITH THE DSG TRANSMISSION. ON OCCASION, THE CAR WILL ST”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2011 Audi S4

Based on 34 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 62K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 60-100K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

TRANSMISSION

In line with typicalmedian 62K mi · 22 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

In line with typicalmedian 79K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (1)

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:FUEL RAIL20/01/2015

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.

Fix: 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.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2011 Audi S4

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,286

Per month

$191

Per mile

19.1¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,667/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,715/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2011 Audi S4

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,785

Full coverage / month

$149

Liability only / year

$696

vs US avg

+7%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (sedan-luxury)1.28x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating0.98x

× vehicle age0.85x

= Full coverage estimate$1785

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Audi S4 Service Intervals

Oil change

10K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

10K mi

Brake fluid

24 months

Transmission fluid

40K mi

Engine coolant

100K mi

Spark plugs

60K mi

Cabin air filter

20K mi

Engine air filter

40K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

40K mi

Long-interval service (LongLife) uses fully-synthetic oil. Some engines have timing belts (check owner's manual).

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Audi New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

4 yr / 50K mi

Powertrain

4 yr / 50K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

12 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

4 yr / unlimited mi

Corrosion coverage is unlimited miles for 12 years

These are the terms for a new Audi. If you're buying a used 2011 S4, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Audi dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

SUSPENSION(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 34 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
TRANSMISSION: THIS ISSUE CONCERNS MY AUDI 2011 S4, A CAR THAT I TOOK DELIVERY ON IN APRIL, 2011. I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR SINCE THE DELIVERY, HOWEVER, IT IS A SAFETY CONCERN THAT HAS CAUSED THIS SPECIFIC FILING. THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE WITH THE DSG TRANSMISSION. ON OCCASION, THE CAR WILL ST
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: THERE IS A WELL KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE AUDI 3.OT ENGINE'S PLASTIC THERMOSTAT FAILING! I WAS DRIVING AND THE THERMOSTAT FAILED CAUSING THE ENGINE TEMP TO SKYROCKET TO "H"! I DROVE HOME BECAUSE I WAS CLOSE ENOUGH WITH THE HEATER ON HIGH. THEY FLATBEDED MY CAR ON 9/29/14 FROM MY DRIVEWAY TO THE AUDI DEAL
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: AFTER TURNING MY CAR ON A GEARBOX MALFUNCTION WARNING APPEARED BUT SAID I COULD CONTINUE DRIVING. AFTER DRIVING THE MESSAGE AND SERVICE LIGHT EVENTUALLY WENT OFF WITH EVERYTHING GOING BACK TO NORMAL. THE CAR APPEARS TO HAVE A VERY COMMON MECHATRONIC UNIT ISSUE THAT IS PART OF THE FAULTY DSG THAT AUD
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 25 MPH, CAR RANDOMLY SHOWS 'GEARBOX MALFUNCTION' AND 'TPMS' SIMULTANEOUSLY. CAR DROVE IN LIMP MODE FOR A FEW MINUTES UNTIL I WAS ABLE TO COME TO A STANDSTILL AND PUT IT IN PARK AND TURN IT BACK ON TO DRIVE. 'TMPS' SIGN IS STILL SHOWING. POSSIBILITY OF BEING A MECHATRONIC IS
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 1 recall have been completed — free at any Audi dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)