2004 Audi S4 problems & reliability
29 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2004 Audi S4, alongside 1 safety recall campaign. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and Engine Cooling → | 12 | 41% |
| Power Train | 5 | 17% |
| Engine | 3 | 10% |
| Exterior Lighting | 3 | 10% |
| Visibility | 3 | 10% |
| Electrical System | 2 | 7% |
| Steering | 2 | 7% |
| Air Bags | 1 | 3% |
| Seat Belts | 1 | 3% |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 1 | 3% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
Mileage when problems occurred
Half of the failures with a reported odometer reading occurred by 55,000 miles (middle 50% between 40,250 and 76,750 miles), based on 26 complaints that included mileage.
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“Hankook tires, ventus s1 noble 2 splitting outside sidewall, caused to depressure tire, which caused to crack tire on the inner sidewall subsequently led to manufacturer claim blame on my vehicle. The tire model is under a recall, but in different size, but identical walls, manufacturing process. My vehicle's tire…”
Tires · filed Jul 30, 2018
“After engine cools down, timing chain rattle can be heard upon starting the car. Chain rattle means that plastic guides or adjusters are worn, and might go any second. Spoke with audi rep online, which advises me that this is normal, and expected. Knowing basics of engines and transmission, I didn't believe that…”
Engine · filed Oct 24, 2017
“Xenon headlamps wiring all corroded and bare with no insulation left. Check with audi and they said our vehicle and vin is not part of any recall. Yet rcorrd-05v096-4498 in your database shows a mofification letter from vw to include our vin. There is no record according to audi service shops that show any recall work…”
Exterior Lighting · filed May 17, 2016
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Technical service bulletins
121 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 2004 Audi S4. The 10 most recent:
This bulletin provides information on the additional reporting requirements for safety related inquiries.
A0023742052680_4 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Oct 4, 2023
This informational bulletin explains how to order replacement VIN plates, Safety Certification Labels, etc.
A0021482021205_6 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jun 25, 2021
This information bulletin contains instructions for technicans on how to ensure their TAC call goes smoothly.
A0020362002047_1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 16, 2020
Exterior lights, moisture accumulation 2013-2021 A3 Cabriolet, 2016-2018 Sportback, 2004-2005 A4 Cabriolet, 2004-2008 S4 Cabriolet, 2008 RS4 Cabriolet, 2010-2021 A4 allroad, 2018-2021 A5 Sportback, 2010-2012, 2018-2021…
A9419182012749_1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Dec 6, 2019
New document 2004-2020 A4 allroad, A6 allroad, A8L, R8 Spyder
20AUTIRECHAINS · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Dec 4, 2019
This bulletin contains instructions for additional reporting requirements for safety related inquiries (airbag/seatbelts, accidents, fire and overheat damage.
A0019262052680_2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Sep 30, 2019
00 Software Version Management (SVM), operating instructions
A0019252011732_1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Sep 17, 2019
This informational bulletin contains resource information for when the traffic feature is inoperative in the MMI navigation.
A911743 2042097- · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 21, 2017
This informational bulletin contains technical information for when there is condensation visible on the inside of the headlight, taillight, fog light, side marker light, front turn signal, daytime running lights…
A941791 2012749- · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 31, 2017
This special notice is to inform dealers to return all part numbers listed in the document and order the superseded part numbers going forward.
SM 44-2017 EN · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jun 28, 2017
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
The 2004 Audi S4 has 1 NHTSA recall campaign — recall repairs are free at franchised dealers regardless of the vehicle’s age.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 2004 Audi S4?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.
- · Owners most often reported problems around 55,000 miles — budget accordingly if the car is approaching that mileage.