2018 Audi S4

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Excellent Reliability

Quick Summary

The 2018 Audi S4 has 9 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.1x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is engine problems (44% of all complaints), specifically: when driving in manual mode and transition from on the throttle to off-throttle, there is a 1-2 second delay before the engine stops accelerating and transitions to deceleration. especially in first gear, this means that the vehicle continues to accelerate for that period of time. i drove another .

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.1x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

ENGINE

4 complaints

44%

• WHEN DRIVING IN MANUAL MODE AND TRANSITION FROM ON THE THROTTLE TO OFF-THROTTLE, THERE IS A 1-2 SECOND DELAY BEFORE THE ENGINE STOPS ACCELERATING AND TRANSITIONS TO DECELERATION. ESPECIALLY IN FIRST GEAR, THIS MEANS THAT THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO ACCELERATE FOR THAT PERIOD OF TIME. I DROVE ANOTHER
• PCV housing and lines failed. Caused pressure to build up thus shooting off the oil cap shooting oil everywhere! in addition to that it is a huge fire hazard considering the turbo is right next to it.
• My 2018 Audi S4 has a catastrophic engine failure issue and this is common with the EA839 engine. There is a knocking in the motor that is caused by internal engine parts (rocker arms needle bearings) becoming loose and dislodged. The metal shavings travel in the motor oil and destroy the engine fro

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

“WHEN DRIVING IN MANUAL MODE AND TRANSITION FROM ON THE THROTTLE TO OFF-THROTTLE, THERE IS A 1-2 SECOND DELAY BEFORE THE ENGINE STOPS ACCELERATING AND TRANSITIONS TO DECELERATION. ESPECIALLY IN FIRST GEAR, THIS MEANS THAT THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO ACCELERATE FOR THAT PERIOD OF TIME. I DROVE ANOTHER ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

TRANSMISSION

1 complaints

11%

• WHEN DRIVING IN MANUAL MODE AND TRANSITION FROM ON THE THROTTLE TO OFF-THROTTLE, THERE IS A 1-2 SECOND DELAY BEFORE THE ENGINE STOPS ACCELERATING AND TRANSITIONS TO DECELERATION. ESPECIALLY IN FIRST GEAR, THIS MEANS THAT THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO ACCELERATE FOR THAT PERIOD OF TIME. I DROVE ANOTHER

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

— NHTSA complaint filing

SPEED CONTROL

1 complaints

11%

• WHEN DRIVING IN MANUAL MODE AND TRANSITION FROM ON THE THROTTLE TO OFF-THROTTLE, THERE IS A 1-2 SECOND DELAY BEFORE THE ENGINE STOPS ACCELERATING AND TRANSITIONS TO DECELERATION. ESPECIALLY IN FIRST GEAR, THIS MEANS THAT THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO ACCELERATE FOR THAT PERIOD OF TIME. I DROVE ANOTHER

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

— NHTSA complaint filing

BODY/STRUCTURE

1 complaints

11%

• THERE ARE TWO LARGE "UNDERRIDE GUARD" PANELS ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE THAT ARE FASTENED BY SMALL, LOOSE-FITTING PLASTIC CLIPS. THERE IS ALSO FELT SOUND-DEADENING MATERIAL ON THE EXTERIOR SIDE OF THIS PANEL. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN IN RAIN OR SNOW, THE PANEL COLLECTS SNOW OR WATER UNDER NOR

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

“THERE ARE TWO LARGE "UNDERRIDE GUARD" PANELS ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE THAT ARE FASTENED BY SMALL, LOOSE-FITTING PLASTIC CLIPS. THERE IS ALSO FELT SOUND-DEADENING MATERIAL ON THE EXTERIOR SIDE OF THIS PANEL. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN IN RAIN OR SNOW, THE PANEL COLLECTS SNOW OR WATER UNDER NOR”

— NHTSA complaint filing

BRAKES

1 complaints

11%

• THE VEHICLE'S PRE SENSE AUTO-BRAKING AND BRAKING ALERT JOLT HAS BEEN ACTIVATING ERRONEOUSLY AND HAVE ALMOST CAUSED ACCIDENTS AT SPEED. THE SYSTEM CANNOT BE PERMANENTLY DISABLED, IT DEACTIVATES UPON IGNITION RESTART. THE SYSTEM HAS ERRONEOUSLY AND AGGRESSIVELY JOLTED THE BREAKS ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS

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

“THE VEHICLE'S PRE SENSE AUTO-BRAKING AND BRAKING ALERT JOLT HAS BEEN ACTIVATING ERRONEOUSLY AND HAVE ALMOST CAUSED ACCIDENTS AT SPEED. THE SYSTEM CANNOT BE PERMANENTLY DISABLED, IT DEACTIVATES UPON IGNITION RESTART. THE SYSTEM HAS ERRONEOUSLY AND AGGRESSIVELY JOLTED THE BREAKS ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

SPEED CONTROL(~50K mi)

$500

BODY/STRUCTURE(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 9 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ENGINE: WHEN DRIVING IN MANUAL MODE AND TRANSITION FROM ON THE THROTTLE TO OFF-THROTTLE, THERE IS A 1-2 SECOND DELAY BEFORE THE ENGINE STOPS ACCELERATING AND TRANSITIONS TO DECELERATION. ESPECIALLY IN FIRST GEAR, THIS MEANS THAT THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO ACCELERATE FOR THAT PERIOD OF TIME. I DROVE ANOTHER
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: WHEN DRIVING IN MANUAL MODE AND TRANSITION FROM ON THE THROTTLE TO OFF-THROTTLE, THERE IS A 1-2 SECOND DELAY BEFORE THE ENGINE STOPS ACCELERATING AND TRANSITIONS TO DECELERATION. ESPECIALLY IN FIRST GEAR, THIS MEANS THAT THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO ACCELERATE FOR THAT PERIOD OF TIME. I DROVE ANOTHER
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
SPEED CONTROL: WHEN DRIVING IN MANUAL MODE AND TRANSITION FROM ON THE THROTTLE TO OFF-THROTTLE, THERE IS A 1-2 SECOND DELAY BEFORE THE ENGINE STOPS ACCELERATING AND TRANSITIONS TO DECELERATION. ESPECIALLY IN FIRST GEAR, THIS MEANS THAT THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO ACCELERATE FOR THAT PERIOD OF TIME. I DROVE ANOTHER
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BODY/STRUCTURE: THERE ARE TWO LARGE "UNDERRIDE GUARD" PANELS ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE THAT ARE FASTENED BY SMALL, LOOSE-FITTING PLASTIC CLIPS. THERE IS ALSO FELT SOUND-DEADENING MATERIAL ON THE EXTERIOR SIDE OF THIS PANEL. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN IN RAIN OR SNOW, THE PANEL COLLECTS SNOW OR WATER UNDER NOR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)