Short answer
Among Audi S4 model years through 2024, 2010, 2016 and 2024 have the fewest NHTSA recall campaigns on record (0) and 2009 and 2021 have the most (4). Recall counts are not a reliability score; they show how often a safety defect had to be corrected.
Quick read
Audi S4: Key Facts
- Model years with data
- 24 (2000–2025)
- Distinct recall campaigns
- 15
- Fewest recalls
- 2010, 2016 and 2024 (0)
- Most recalls
- 2009 and 2021 (4)
- Most recalled system
- Air bags (22)
- 5-star overall rating
- 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016
Audi S4 Recalls and Ratings by Model Year
| Model year | Recall campaigns | Overall crash rating | Most recalled systems |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Recent: still collecting recalls | 0 | Not rated | None on record |
| 2024 | 0 | Not rated | None on record |
| 2022 | 1 | Not rated | Equipment |
| 2021 | 4 | Not rated | Back over prevention, Seat belts, Suspension |
| 2020 | 3 | Not rated | Air bags, Suspension, Tires |
| 2019 | 1 | Not rated | Air bags |
| 2018 | 2 | Not rated | Air bags |
| 2016 | 0 | 5 stars | None on record |
| 2015 | 1 | 5 stars | Air bags |
| 2014 | 1 | 5 stars | Air bags |
| 2013 | 1 | 5 stars | Air bags |
| 2012 | 1 | 4 stars | Fuel system, gasoline |
| 2011 | 1 | 4 stars | Fuel system, gasoline |
| 2010 | 0 | Not rated | None on record |
| 2009 | 4 | Not rated | Air bags |
| 2008 | 2 | Not rated | Air bags |
| 2007 | 2 | Not rated | Air bags |
| 2006 | 2 | Not rated | Air bags |
| 2005 | 2 | Not rated | Air bags |
| 2004 | 1 | Not rated | Exterior lighting |
| 2003 | 1 | Not rated | Exterior lighting |
| 2002 | 1 | Not rated | Air bags |
| 2001 | 1 | Not rated | Air bags |
| 2000 | 1 | Not rated | Air bags |
No model years match your search.
The scale of the difference
Recall Campaigns by Model Year
Distinct NHTSA recall campaigns per model year. Years after 2024 are recent and still collecting recalls.
- 20250 recalls
- 20240 recalls
- 20221 recall
- 20214 recalls
- 20203 recalls
- 20191 recall
- 20182 recalls
- 20160 recalls
- 20151 recall
- 20141 recall
- 20131 recall
- 20121 recall
- 20111 recall
- 20100 recalls
- 20094 recalls
- 20082 recalls
- 20072 recalls
- 20062 recalls
- 20052 recalls
- 20041 recall
- 20031 recall
- 20021 recall
- 20011 recall
- 20001 recall
Audi S4: Analysis
How to read recall counts
A recall campaign is a safety defect that the manufacturer or NHTSA required to be fixed. Counts depend on how long a model year has been on the road, so recent years look better than they will in time; this page therefore ranks only model years through 2024. A high count can also mean a manufacturer reacts quickly to small defects, so it says little about breakdowns or running costs.
What the recalls were about
Across all model years, the systems named most often in Audi S4 recalls are air bags (22), exterior lighting (2), fuel system, gasoline (2), suspension (2) and tires (2). The number in brackets counts model-year entries, so one campaign that covers several years is counted in each.
Crash-test ratings
NHTSA has an overall star rating for 6 of these 24 model years, and 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 earned 5 stars. Ratings before 2011 come from an earlier version of the program and are not directly comparable with later years. A range such as 4–5 means versions of the same model year were rated differently.
FAQ: Audi S4 Best and Worst Years
What are the best years for the Audi S4?
By NHTSA recall campaigns, 2010, 2016 and 2024 are the cleanest model years through 2024, with 0 each.
Which Audi S4 model years have the most recalls?
2009 and 2021 have the most, with 4 recall campaigns each.
Does a recall mean the car is unreliable?
No. A recall is a safety correction filed with NHTSA, usually repaired free of charge. It does not measure breakdowns or running costs, so use these counts together with a vehicle history report and an inspection.
Sources & methodology
Recalls and crash ratings come from the NHTSA datasets and APIs, retrieved on 2026-10-03. A record counts for this model when its make matches and its model name starts with the same words as "S4", so variants such as body styles are included. Only model years from 2000 are used, and each recall campaign is counted once per model year. The data does not say whether an individual car was repaired, so check a specific car by VIN.
NHTSA, US Department of Transportation; this page is not endorsed by NHTSA. Maintained by Artsiom Dusau. Editorial policy