MYRModel Year Report

2001 Audi S4

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2001 Audi S4
RENDERED 2026-08-02T10:31:45.726Z

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Audi S4 Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2001 highlighted. 1989: 0 complaints 1989 1990: 0 complaints 1991: 0 complaints 1992: 5 complaints 1993: 16 complaints 1993 1994: 7 complaints 1995: 1 complaints 1996: 0 complaints 2000: 143 complaints 2000 2001: 87 complaints 2001 2002: 22 complaints 2003: 1 complaints 2004: 29 complaints 2004 2005: 43 complaints 2006: 30 complaints 2007: 13 complaints 2008: 4 complaints 2008 2009: 0 complaints 2010: 60 complaints 2011: 26 complaints 2012: 22 complaints 2012 2013: 32 complaints 2014: 17 complaints 2015: 1 complaints 2018: 7 complaints 2018 2019: 2 complaints 2020: 16 complaints 2021: 2 complaints 2022: 1 complaints 2022
2001: 87 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19890
19900
19910
19925
199316
19947
19951
19960
2000143
200187
200222
20031
200429
200543
200630
200713
20084
20090
201060
201126
201222
201332
201417
20151
20187
20192
202016
20212
20221

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 33%

33% of complaints: electrical system — 29 distinct reports on file.

TIRES 10%

10% of complaints: tires — 9 distinct reports on file.

Show complaint excerpts

SEEMED TO BE A DEFECT AT THE VERY TOP OF THE SIDEWALL - 1 INCH SEPARATION( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 225X45X17 )

NHTSA ODI report, 20000906

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 10%

10% of complaints: electrical system — 9 distinct reports on file.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

MY 2001 AUDI S4 WAS STOLEN IN SPRINGFIELD, NJ AND RECOVERED IN NEWARK, NJ. THE TOTAL DAMAGE TO THE CAR WAS APPROXIMATELY $8000. I BELIEVE THAT THIS THEFT WAS POSSIBLE LARGELY BECAUSE OF A SIGNIFICANT FLAW IN THE SECURITY SYSTEM.

NHTSA ODI report, 20040308

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 9%

9% of complaints: electrical system — 8 distinct reports on file.

Show complaint excerpts

Instrument cluster that shows safety information doesn't work so don't know what's issue with car

NHTSA ODI report, 20211223

I JUST HAPPENED TO LOOK UP RECALLS AND SAW THE COMPLAINTS ON THE AUDI S4 2001. I NOTICED MY CAR WASN'T THE ONLY ONE WHERE THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER HAS LOST PIXELS AND ENDS UP UNREADABLE FOR ALL WARNINGS AND MANUFACTURER PROGRAMMED SAFETY WARNINGS.

NHTSA ODI report, 20150601

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 7%

7% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 6 distinct reports on file.

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 2001 — complaint volume: 87
R 20211102 — air bags

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver frontal airbag inflator with an alternative inflator, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 2, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.

Campaign 21V470000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2001 Audi S4 — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (29 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for tires issues (9 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (9 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 21V470000 (air bags) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2006 ▲ 2013 ● 2005

WORST YEARS

■ 2000 ◆ 2010 ● 2005

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2001 Audi S4 reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2001 Audi S4 is rated "significantly worse".

What are the most common problems with the 2001 Audi S4?

The most-reported component is electrical system: instrument cluster/panel, accounting for 33% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2001 Audi S4 have?

1 recall on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.