Car Defect Radar
Built from NHTSA complaints and recalls collected for this model, generated September 22, 2026. Totals reflect what has been collected, not every complaint ever filed.

Recalls

0 total

Safety issues the manufacturer must repair for free. A recall means confirm the fix was done, not walk away.

No recalls on record for this model

No safety recalls were found in this dataset. It is still worth entering the exact VIN on NHTSA before purchase, since recalls can be added at any time.

Owner complaints by system

26 total

Unverified reports owners filed with NHTSA, grouped by the part of the car. Useful for spotting patterns. Open a group to read recent examples.

Engine & powertrain

Worth reading25

Most reports here involve transmission slipping. Of these, 1 mention an injury.

transmission slipping 18unintended acceleration 2sudden stalling 2
A recent report: CAR HAS DEVELOPED A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM IN THE MECHATRONIC UNIT. CAR GIVES A GEARBOX MALFUNCTION DISPLAY IN THE CAR. REVERSE WILL NOT WORKING AND THE CAR WILL REPEATEDLY GO INTO NEUTRAL AT ANY…
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CAR HAS DEVELOPED A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM IN THE MECHATRONIC UNIT. CAR GIVES A GEARBOX MALFUNCTION DISPLAY IN THE CAR. REVERSE WILL NOT WORKING AND THE CAR WILL REPEATEDLY GO INTO NEUTRAL AT ANY SPEED. SOMETIMES THEN IT WILL JERK BACK INTO GEAR VERY VIOLENTLY.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11407302 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Steering, suspension & tires

Minor1

Most reports here involve premature wear.

premature wear 1
A recent report: I RECENTLY PURCHASED A BRAND NEW 2011 AUDI S4 SEDAN AND HAD A SUSPENSION AND/OR ALIGNMENT ISSUE WHICH CAUSED THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE BLOW OUT ON THE HIGHWAY, RESULTING IN TEMPORARY LOSS OF…
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I RECENTLY PURCHASED A BRAND NEW 2011 AUDI S4 SEDAN AND HAD A SUSPENSION AND/OR ALIGNMENT ISSUE WHICH CAUSED THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE BLOW OUT ON THE HIGHWAY, RESULTING IN TEMPORARY LOSS OF CONTROL. I GOT THREE PROFESSIONAL OPINIONS (INCLUDING THAT OF A CERTIFIED AUDI TECHNICIAN) AND ALL AGREED THIS WAS CAUSED BY AN ISSUE WITH THE SUSPENSION, CAUSING THE INSIDE EDGE OF THE TIRE TO WEAR PREMATURELY AND SPLIT OPEN. THIS INSTANCE IS ABNORMAL BECAUSE THE TREAD WAS WELL ABOVE THE TREADWEAR INDICATORS. THIS VEHICLE HAS ALWAYS BEEN SERVICED ACCORDING TO THE FACTORY SPECIFIED SERVICE PLAN FOR MY VEHICLE, BY AUDI CERTIFIED TECHNICIANS. THIS PLAN SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THE TECHNICIANS ARE SUPPOSED TO INSPECT TIRES FOR WEAR AND DAMAGE AT THE 25 THOUSAND MILE SERVICE (TO ENSURE SAFETY, RELIABILITY, AND VALUE OF THE VEHICLE). HOWEVER, MY SERVICE ADVISORS FAILED TO NOTIFY ME OF THE ABNORMAL TIRE WEAR, AND THE POTENTIAL SAFETY RISK. HAD THIS ISSUE BEEN BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION, THIS INCIDENT COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED. BOTH FRONT TIRES SHOWED THIS ABNORMAL WEAR, SO I HAVE SINCE REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES. HOWEVER, IF THIS SUSPENSION PROBLEM IS NOT SOLVED, THE NEW TIRES WILL ALSO WEAR ABNORMALLY AND SPLIT OPEN, PUTTING LIVES IN DANGER. THE VEHICLE IS AT THE AUDI DEALER WAITING FOR THE ISSUE TO BE IDENTIFIED AND RESOLVED. *TR

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #10453165 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Is 26 complaints a lot? They were filed between 2012 and 2021, roughly 3 a year, which is more than the typical model in this dataset. We do not have sales figures for this model, so treat this as a rough volume, not a rate per car on the road. Popular, high-volume models naturally collect more complaints over time.