Page 2 of 2 · complaints 51–87 of 87

2001 Audi S4 complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2001 record →

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited SlipCrash
Filed Jan 25, 200625,000 milesNY

1) CAR IS 2001 AUDI S4 AVANT. CAR WAS RUNNING FOR APPROXIMATELY 15 MINUTES, AND WAS IDLING AT TOP OF DRIVEWAY FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES WITH PARKING BRAKE ENGAGED WHILE OTHER CAR IN FRONT WAS BEING MOVED. UPON RELEASE OF PARKING BRAKE REGULAR BRAKES FAILED, RESULTING IN CAR ROLLING DOWNHILL, ABOUT 30 FEET, FROM A STANDING START AND COLLIDING WITH A PARKED CAR. BRAKE PEDAL SHOWED NO RESISTANCE OTHER THAN MILD SPRING PUSH-BACK, AND WAS PUSHED DOWN TO FLOOR. A BRAKE PEDAL WAS PUMPED WITH NO RESULT. SAME BRAKE CONDITIONS WERE REPEATED IMMEDIATELY AFTER COLLISION AND OVER A CONTINUING PERIOD OF MINUTES WITH IDENTICAL RESULTS, DURING WHICH TIME I EXITED AND RETURNED TO CAR ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. FINALLY, AFTER APPROXIMATELY 5 MINUTES FOLLOWING THE ACCIDENT BRAKES RESUMED FULL AND NORMAL FUNCTIONING. CAR WAS IDLING THROUGHOUT THIS TIME PERIOD WITHOUT INTERRUPTION. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY . 3) REPORTED TO DEALER MOHEGAN LAKE MOTORS) ON 1/16 AND TO AUDI AMERICA ON SAME OR NEXT DAY. CAR TOWED TO DEALER ON 1/17. AUDI AMERICA REPORTED LATER THAT THEY HAD NO KNOWLEDGE OF ANY SIMILAR OCCURRENCES OR ISSUES CONCERNING BRAKES - ALSO BEGAN INQUIRY ON WHY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY , BUT I DID NOT PURSUE THIS DURING OUR DISCUSSIONS SINCE THERE WERE NO INJURIES. DEALER REPORTED ON 1/24 THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, AND HAD NO ANSWER FOR THE BRAKE FAILURE, AND WERE TAKING NO CORRECTIVE ACTIONS. AUDI AMERICA REPORTED ON 1/25 THEY WERE TAKING NO FURTHER ACTION AND MAKING NO FURTHER INQUIRI

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control › Catalytic Convertor
Filed Sep 23, 200529,477 milesIL

DT: THERE WAS A CAM ADJUSTER FROM WHERE THE OIL LEAK WAS COMING FROM. NOTICED THIS ON AUGUST 8, 2003. THEN, ON JULY 24, 2004 TOOK THE VEHICLE FOR AN OIL CHANGE A ND THEY CONFIRMED THERE WAS ANOTHER OIL LEAK. THE WARRANTY EXPIRED IN NOVEMBER 2005, AND THE CONSUMER MADE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE GASKETS TO BE REPLACED A MONTH BEFORE THE WARRANTY RAN OUT. IN ORDER TO GET TO THE GASKETS THE CAM SHAFTS HAD TO BE REMOVED. THE GASKETS WERE REPLACED,, AND CAM SHAFT REINSTALLED, THEN GAVE IT A TUNE UP. ALSO, PUT IN TWO DIFFERENT TYPES OF SPARK PLUGS; ONE SET WAS PLATINUM AND CONVENTIONAL. A WEEK LATER, IT WAS READY FOR PICK UP. THE EXHAUST SOUNDED DIFFERENT WHEN VEHICLE PICKED UP. ON JANUARY 31, 2005 TOOK VEHICLE TO ANOTHER MECHANIC BECAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE WAS ON. AT THAT POINT MECHANIC DETERMINED O2 SENSORS CAUSED THE LIGHT TO COME ON, AND THE EXHAUST SOUNDED DIFFERENTLY. THEN, THREE MONTHS LATER, THE EXHAUST CAM SHAFT THAT BROKE IT BENT VALVES IN CYLINDER HEAD AND CAUSED IT TO CRACK. *AK

Exterior Lighting › HeadlightsCrash
Filed Jun 8, 200531,000 milesNY

DT: 2001, AUDI S4 WAS DAMAGED UPON DELIVERY. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER TO FIX THE PROBLEM, WHEN THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED HEADLAMPS WERE SPRAYED WITH PAINT. UPON DELIVERING THE HEADLAMPS THEY WERE INSTALLED INCORRECTLY, THEY WERE POINTING DOWN, AND CONSUMER COULDN'T SEE TWO FEET IN FRONT OF HIM. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK AGAIN, AND THE HEADLAMPS WERE INSTALLED WRONG AGAIN. WHEN CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO ANOTHER DEALER, WAS TOLD THE HEADLAMPS WERE DEFECTIVE, AND THEY WOULD NEVER WORK CORRECTLY. CONSUMER DID HAVE A CRASH IN THE WINTER OF 2001, AND THERE WAS STILL POTENTIAL OF A CRASH. CONSUMER STATESDTHAT HE STILL COULDN'T SEE AT NIGHT. CONSUMER HAD NUMEROUS VISITS FOR THIS AND OTHER COMPLAINTS. *AK

Electrical System › Wiring › Interior/Under Dash
Filed Jun 8, 200520,000 milesNY

DT: INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS DAMAGED UPON DELIVERY OF VEHICLE, WAS REPLACED BY DEALERSHIP, CONSUMER COMPLAINED NUMEROUS TIMES ABOUT ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, NOT ABLE TO VIEW INSTRUMENT PANEL PROPERLY. WHEN REPLACED THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ALREADY HAD SIGNS OF WEAR AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN.*AK

Seat Belts › Front › Buckle Assembly
Filed Jun 8, 200535,000 milesNY

DT: SEAT BELT DOES NOT INSERT PROPERLY INTO DRIVER'S SIDE BUCKLE. CONSUMER COMPLAINED TO DEALERSHIP MULTIPLE TIMES. THE SEAT BELT HAS RELEASED WHILE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING.*AK

Suspension › Front › Wheel Bearing
Filed Jan 25, 200562,000 milesIL

NORMAL DAY TO DAY DRIVING HAS PRODUCED FAILURE OF TWO SETS OF FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS ON THIS CAR. THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT MADE NOISE AT ABOUT 30,000 MILES AND FAILED COMPLETELY AT 62,000 MILES. THE SECOND SET I HAVE NOW ARE RUMBLING AND GRINDING NOW AND THEY HAVE ONLY BEEN ON THE CAR FOR 20,000 MILES. CONSEQUENCE OF A WHEEL BEARING FAILURE IS LOSS OF CONTROL (STEERING) OF THE VEHICLE. THIS IS AFTER RUNNING A CAR WEARING EAR PLUGS BECAUSE THE BEARING NOISE MAKES THE INTERIOR NOISE IS SO LOUD THERE COULD BE HEARING LOSS FROM EXTENDED TRIPS. DEALER ONLY REPLACED BEARING AFTER IT FAILED AND WELDED ITSELF TO THE WHEEL HOUSING. I HAVE THE FRIED WHEEL BEARING FROM ONE SIDE AND THE HOUSING IT WELDED ITSELF TO. I ALSO STILL HAVE THE SECOND SET BECAUSE I AM RUNNING ON THEM AND THEY ARE MAKING THE SAME RUMBLING, MOANING, GRINDING NOISE THE FIRST SET MADE. *NM

Seats › Front Assembly › Power Adjust
Filed Jun 19, 2004NJ

POWER FRONT SEAT ROCKS FORWARD SEVERELY UNDER BRAKING. DEALER SAYS IT IS "WITHIN SPEC."T IS AN ABSOLUTELY UNSAFE CONDITION!*AK

Seats › Front Assembly › Recliner
Filed Jun 19, 200448,000 milesMD

DRIVER'S SEAT ROCK BACK AND FORTH WHEN BRAKING OR ACCELERATING. SEAT FRAME HAS ALREADY BEEN REPLACED TWICE AND IT STARTED ROCKING AGAIN. DRIVER LOOSES CONCENTRATION BY THE SUDDEN JOLT OF THE FORWARD MOVEMENT OF THE SEAT WHEN BRAKING OR REARWARD MOVEMENT ON ACCELERATION.*AK

Seats
Filed Jun 19, 200414,000 milesCA

ROCKING DRIVERS SEAT, NORMAL DRIVING, MAN OF AVERAGE SIZE 5'11 180LBS. SEAT STARTS TO MOVE FORWARD AND BACK WHEN BRAKING, ACCELERATING.*AK DEALER HAS REPLACED THE SEAT FRAME TWICE CITING THAT IT WAS BROKEN. NOW THE SEAT IS ROCKING AGAIN AND THEY ARE NOW SAYING IT'S NORMAL. IT'S NOT NORMAL, WHY DOES THE SEAT MOVE BACK AND FORTH? WHEN THEY REPLACED THE SEAT FRAMES BOTH TIMES THE SEATS FELT GOOD AND STABLE, NO ROCKING NO MOVING, BUT THEY FAIL JUST MONTHS LATER

Seats › Front Assembly › Recliner
Filed Jun 19, 200440,000 milesCO

2001 AUDI S4 DRIVERS SEAT SHIFTS WHILE DRIVING. FIRST INCIDENT WAS REPAIRED BY DEALER BY REPLACING EITHER SEAT FRAME OR SEAT RAILS. SAME FAILURE RESURFACED WITHIN ONE YEAR. SHIFT IS INTERMITTANT AND AND UNPREDICTABLE. CAUSES DISTRACTION AND CHANGES BODY POSITION WHILE MOVING. *AK

Seats
Filed Jun 19, 2004NJ

DRIVER SEAT BEGAN TO ROCK. CURRENTLY ROCKS AT A MUCH GREATER DISTANCE, BROUGHT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND HEY CLAIM IT IS WITHIN THE MANUFACTURERS SPECIFICATIONS.*AK

Electrical System › Ignition › Anti-theft › Control Module
Filed May 23, 200434,000 milesFL

MY GRIEVANCE RELATES TO THE RELATIVE EASE THAT MY VEHICLE WAS STOLEN ON A SUNDAY FROM A STREET PARKING SPACE IN MANHATTAN, BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 9 AM AND 5 PM, WHILE LOCATED ON A MAIN THROUGHFARE THAT IS REGULARLY TRAVELED BY BOTH PEDESTRIANS & VEHICLES. THAT THE VEHICLE'S FACTORY INSTALLED THEFT-DETERRENT WAS DEFEATED OR FAILED TO OPERATE, GIVEN ITS HIGH VISABILITY ON A MODERATELY TO HEAVILY TRAVELED STREET, SHOULD WARRENT, AT THE VERY LEAST, AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE EFFECTIVENESS AND PROPER FUNCTIONING OF ALARM SYSTEM OPERATION AS REPRESENTED BY THE MANUFACTURER. WHILE THE THEFT INCIDENT STATS KEPT BY AUDI, AND THEIR US SUBSIDERY, AUDI OF AMERICA, SHOW THEFT TO BE INSIGNIFICANT, THE DATA PROVIDED BY OTHER NATIONWIDE DATABASES IS ANOTHER MATTER ALTOGETHER. IN 2002, THE S4 WAS THE 25TH MOST STOLEN CAR IN NJ (ALL INTENTS& PURPOSES: THE TRI-STATE AREA, NY, NJ, CONN). THIS PARTICULAR SUBMODEL (S4 SEDAN & WAGON) WAS MANUFACTURED B/WN 2000-2002, IN FAIRLY LIMITED PRODUCTION NUMBERS. ITS STATUS AS 25TH MOST-STOLEN CAR SEEM TO INDICATE AN EXPLOITABLE FLAW IN ITS THEFT ALARM/PROTECTION. *AK

Back Over Prevention › Warnings › External/Pedestrian Alert
Filed May 17, 2004PA

AUDIS STOLEN IN NJ, NY, PA , VA .......... ALL OVER EAST COAST IN POPULATED AREAS AUDIS GET STOLEN LIKE IN NONES COUNTRY ..AND AUTHORITIES DO NOTHING !!!!!!!!!! I AM REFERING ESPECIALLY TO AUDI S4, TT AND A4 .. AND 99% END UP IN NEWARK , NJ .. WHAT DOES IT TAKE FOR THIS TO STOP.. WE ALL KNOW WHERE THESE PEOPLE ARE.. CAN BE CAUGHT LIKE RATS ....... A BAIT S4 PARKED IN NEWARK AND IT TAKES NO MORE THAN 2 MIN TO SEE HOW THIEFS SHOW UP........................... IT'S NOT BRAIN SURGERY..IT'S ACTUALLY EVERYWHERE IN CENTRAL/EASTERN NJ ..EVERYWHERE .. !!!!!!!!!!!!*AK

Exterior Lighting › Headlights
Filed May 17, 200430,000 milesMA

THE XENON HEADLIGHT CONSTRUCTION ON AUDI S4 CARS BASED ON THE B5 PLATFORM (BUILT 2000-2002) ARE INADEQUATELY DESIGNED, ALLOWING THIEVES TO EASILY STEAL THEM. FURTHERMORE, NOTHING IS BEING DONE BY AUDI TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE WHICH CAUSES THE OWNER TO HAVE TO PAY A DEDUCTIBLE ON A REPAIR USUALLY IN EXCESS OF $3500 AND BE WITHOUT THE CAR FOR SOME AMOUNT OF TIME. IT HAS HAPPENED TO ME PERSONALLY AND HAPPENS EVERYWHERE FROM PUBLIC GARAGES TO PRIVATE DRIVEWAYS IN BOTH "SKETCHY" AND VERY UPSCALE NEIGHBORHOODS. *AK

Seats › Front Assembly › Seat Heater/Cooler
Filed Apr 8, 2004CA

I FEEL THERE IS A DESIGN FLAW IN THE ELECTRICAL FRONT SEATS IN THE B5 CHASSIS A4/S4 (1996-2001 A4 AND 2000-2002 S4). I OWNED A 1998 AUDI A4 AND CURRENTLY OWN A 2001 AUDI S4. BOTH HAVE BEEN PLAGUED WITH A FRONT SEAT THAT ROCKS BACK AND FORTH UNDER ACCELERATION AND BRAKING, THE EXTENT OF WHICH WORSENED DRAMATICALLY OVER TIME. THE PROBLEM WAS NEVER FIXED ON MY A4 WITH THE AUDI DEALERS I CONSULTED TELLING ME THAT THE MOVEMENT WAS "WITHIN" SPECS. IS IT WITHIN SPEC TO ROCK ALMOST AN INCH? IT SEEMS LIKE A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN SINCE THE GREATEST STRESSES WOULD BE DURING SOME KIND OF EMERGENCY BRAKING MANUEVER. EVENTUALLY MY S4 HAD THE SEAT-FRAME REPLACED AS THE MOVEMENT GOT TO WHERE IT APPARENTLY WAS "OUT OF SPEC". I ASKED FOR WHAT THE GUIDELINE WAS AND WAS NOT PROVIDED WITH A QUANTITATIVE ANSWER. I KNOW MANY OTHERS WITH THIS SAME ISSUE THAT HAVE NOT HAD ANY SATISFACTORY RESOLUTION, AND I HAVE LITTLE CONFIDENCE THAT THE ISSUE WILL NOT REAR IT'S HEAD WITH MY "FIXED" SEAT, PROBABLY WITHIN THE NEXT YEAR OR TWO. THIS HAS NOT BEEN AN ISSUE WITH OTHER CARS I HAVE BEEN IN MADE MY HONDA, BMW, MERCEDES AND MORE SO THE "ALL SEATS DO THIS" ARGUMENT PRESENTED BY AUDI DOES NOT SEEM TO HOLD MUCH WATER. IF THE SEAT BRACKET AND FRAME ARE WEARING OUT OF THE MANUFACTURER'S TOLERANCES WITHIN MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP, IT SEEMS LIKE A FAULTY DESIGN WHICH CREATES A POSSIBLE AND PROBABLE SAFETY HAZARD FOR MANY PEOPLE ON THE ROAD. I URGE YOU TO WORK WITH AUDI TO IMPROVE THEIR SEAT/DESIGN/PARTS FOR EXISTING OWN

Tires
Filed Mar 26, 2004NJ

DISSATISFIED WITH THE CUT OFF DATE PERTAINING TO THE 2001 AUDI A4 UNSAFE TIRES AND WHEELS. (NAR) *PH *CB

Electrical System › Ignition › Anti-theft › Control Module
Filed Mar 8, 2004IL

UNEFFECTIVENESS OF FACTORY ALARM. THE HUGH NUMBER OF THEFTS OF MY VEHICLE IS CONCERNING. I AM CONCERNED ON THE SECURITY OF LEAVING MY CAR ANYWHERE BUT MY GARAGE.*AK

Electrical System › Ignition › Anti-theft › Control ModuleCrash
Filed Mar 8, 2004NJ

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. SPECIFICALLY, THE DOORLOCK MECHANISM IS DIRECTLY TIED TO THE ALARM, INCLUDING THE MOTION SENSORS AND THE IGNITION KILL. THUS, A TINY HOLE PUNCHED IN THE DOOR TO UNLOCK THE DOOR SIMULTANEOUSLY LET'S A THIEF INTO THE CAR AND DISABLES THE ENTIRE SECURITY SYSTEM. THE LACK OF A TRUE IMMOBILIZER SYSTEM ON THE CAR CREATED A REPUTATION FOR THIS HIGH-PERFORMANCE VEHICLE THAT IT IS EASILY STOLEN AND NOW IT IS A PARTICULAR TARGET FOR THIEVES, ESPECIALLY IN THE NEW JERSEY AREA. THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS REPORTS OF HIGH-SPEED JOYRIDES AND OTHER DANGEROUS SITUATIONS WITH STOLEN S4'S. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT MOST AUDI'S FROM 2000-2002 HAVE THIS FLAW AND I BELIVE THAT AUDI SHOULD ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM AND RETROFIT THESE VEHICLES WITH A SAFER ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM.*AK

Electrical System › Ignition › Anti-theft › Control Module
Filed Mar 8, 2004NJ

2001 AUDI S4 HAS A SECURITY FLAW THAT CAN RENDER THE ALARM USELESS IN SECONDS, THEREFORE MAKING IT EXTREMELY EASY TO STEAL. THE ALARM CAN BE EASILY BYPASSED BY SIMPLY PUNCHING A HOLE IN THE DRIVER DOOR SKIN, THE CAR HAS NO IMMOBILIZER, THE ENGINE CAN BE STARTED BY BRUTE FORCE ON THE IGNITION.*AK

Electrical System › Ignition › Anti-theft › Control Module
Filed Mar 7, 2004NY

AUDI OF AMERICA HAS NOT TAKEN SECURITY SYSTEMS ON THE AUDI S4'S SERIOUSLY. THEY HAVE BEEN MASSIVE KNOWN THEFTS IN THE TRI-STATE AREA AND THE LIST CONTINUES TO GROW. I HAVE SPENT OVER $800 FOR ADDED SECURITY AND WILL CONTINUE TO SPEND MORE IF I HAVE TO. I CANNOT SLEEP PEACEFULLY AT NIGHT KNOWING MY CAR IS PRONE TO EASY THEFT DUE TO IT'S INEFFECTIVENESS IN SECURITY PROTECTION. I FEEL IT'S A MATTER A TIME BEFORE MY CAR WILL BE STOLEN IN A MALL OR A SHOPPING CENTER OR ON A STREET OR EVEN IN MY OWN HOME. AUDI NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS IMMEDIATELY! *JB

Electrical System › Ignition › Anti-theft › Control Module
Filed Mar 7, 200419,800 milesPA

MY CAR (2001 AUDI S4) WAS STOLEN IN LIVINGSTON NJ, AND RECOVERED IN IRVINGTON, NJ. THE CAR HAD A STOCK ALARM SYSTEM WHICH WAS EASILY BYPASSED. THIS CAR DID NOT HAVE AN IMMOBILIZER. OTHER MODEL AUDI'S HAVE AN IMMOBILIZER. $10,000 OF DAMAGE WAS CAUSED TO THE CAR. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. CERTAINLY AUDI CAN RETROFIT AN IMMOBILIZER INTO THIS CAR BECAUSE THE SAME CAR IN EUROPE HAS THE IMMOBILIZER. *JB

Electrical System › Ignition › Anti-theft › Control Module
Filed Mar 7, 2004CT

THE SECURITY SYSTEM OF MY 2001 AUDI S4 HAS A MAJOR FAULT. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT INCLUDE ANY TYPE OF IMMOBILIZER INTO THE SYSTEM MAKING IT EXTREMELY EASY FOR IT TO GET STOLEN. AN IMMOBILIZER IS A SYSTEM BUILT INTO THE COMPUTER/IGNITION SYSTEM OF THE VEHICLE THAT DOESN'T ALLOW IT TO BE STARTED UNLESS THE KEY IS USED. I AM UNCOMFORTABLE PARKING IT IN ANY MAJOR CITY AND AS I LIVE NEAR NYC, ITS A REAL ISSUE. I HAVE A NUMBER OF FRIENDS WHO HAVE HAD THEIR S4S STOLEN IN THE NEW JERSEY AREA IN A MATTER OF MINUTES. THIS IS A VERY LIMITED PRODUCTION CAR AND STILL MAKES THE TOP 25 MOST STOLEN VEHICLES IN ITS CLASS, THAT SAYS SOMETHING ABOUT NOT ONLY HOW DESIRABLE IT IS TO THIEVES BUT HOW EASILY IT IS STOLEN. AN IMMOBILIZING SYSTEM WOULD NOT ELIMINATE ALL THEFT BUT WOULD REDUCE IT SUBSTANTIALLY. I FEEL THIS IS SOMETHING THE MANUFACTURE SHOULD RECTIFY. OTHER CARS IN THE AUDI LINE UP FOR 2000 HAD IMMOBILIZERS SO THE COMPANY HAD EASY ACCESS TO SUCH TECHNOLOGY BUT CHOSE NOT TO INCLUDE IT IN THEIR 2001 MODEL YEAR A4/S4. I ALSO HAD A 2001 VW JETTA (SAME PARENT COMPANY AS AUDI) AND IT HAD AN IMMOBILIZER, THIS CAR COST JUST ABOUT HALF AS MUCH AS THE AUDI S4 SO ITS ABSURD. PLEASE HELP ME AND MY FELLOW AUDI A4/S4 OWNERS RECTIFY THIS SITUATION. THANKS IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR TIME AND HELP. *JB

Electrical System › Ignition › Anti-theft › Control Module
Filed Mar 7, 2004MD

I CURRENTLY OWN A 2001 AUDI S4. THERE HAS BEEN AN UNUSUALLY LARGE AMOUNT OF THEFTS OF THESE VEHICLES OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS. IT IS DUE TO THE POOR ALARM SYSTEM AUDI HAS PUT IN THESE VEHICLES. THERE IS NO IMMOBILZER, WHICH WAS PUT IN THEIR OTHER MODELS. AUDI REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. *JB

Electrical System › Ignition › Anti-theft › Control Module
Filed Mar 7, 20041,100 milesNJ

I HAD JUST PURCHASED A 2001 AUDI S4 FOR CLOSE TO $40,000. WITH 1100 MILES ON IT MY CAR WAS STOLEN IN BROAD DAYLIGHT APPROX 3 PM. UPON FURTHER RESEARCH, I LEARNED THAT THE FACTORY PASSIVE ALARM CAN BE TRICKED INTO THINKING IT HAS BEEN DISARMED. A SMALL HOLE NEAR THE DOOR LOCK GAINS ACCESS TO A ROD THAT WHEN LIFTED DISARMS THE SYSTEM AS IF A KEY WERE USED, COMBINE THIS ACTION WITH THE WITH REMOVAL OF THE IGNITION, AND THE VEHICLE CAN BE STARTED WITH A SCREW DRIVER AND DRIVEN AWAY. I'VE ALSO LEARNED THAT VW/AUDI HAD THE TECHNOLOGY AVAILABLE TO EQUIP THIS MODEL WITH AN ENGINE IMMOBILISER AS PART OF THE OEM ALARM SYSTEM. I'M AWARE OF DOZENS OF THEFTS OF THE AUDI S4 IN PARTICULAR AND AM READING OF MORE THEFTS OCCURRING WEEKLY. JUST DO A SEARCH ON WWW.AUDIWORLD.COM USING THE WORD "STOLEN" AND YOU WILL SEE FOR YOURSELF. MY EXPERIENCE HAS BEEN IN THE NY/NJ METROPOLITAN AREA. I THINK AUDI SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS GROSS OVERSITE ON THEIR PART AND OFFER A RETROFIT OF SOME SORT TO PROTECT MY INVESTMENT. I DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING MY VEHICLE FREELY ANYWHERE I WANT WITHOUT HAVING TO WORRY ABOUT IT BEING STOLEN. THIS PROBLEM HAS REACHED EPIDEMIC PROPORTIONS HERE. *JB

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Jan 15, 200423,000 milesMA

BUZZING NOISE IN BACK OF CAR TURNED OUT TO BE FAULTY FUEL PUMP. AFTER SEVERAL DAYS IN SHOP THE SERVICE REP TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS ANOTHER PROBLEM -- A "BURNT" OR "CORRODED" WIRE NEAR THE FUEL PUMP AND FUEL TANK THAT COULD BE A "SAFETY ISSUE." THAT WAS 3 DAYS AGO. STILL NO UPDATE FROM THE DEALERSHIP. I AM WONDERING IF OTHERS HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE FUEL PUMP ON THE AUDI S4. I'M PARTICULARLY WORRIED BECAUSE EXPOSED WIRES NEAR A FUEL TANK SOUNDS LIKE A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE.

Tires
Filed Apr 12, 2002MD

OF FIVE OF THESE TIRES SUPPLIED AS NEW EQUIPMENT, TWO HAVE FAILED CATASTROPHICALLY AFTER APPROXIMATELY 10,000 MILES; ONE AT APPROXIMATELY 23,200 MILES. THESE ARE VERY EXPENSIVE TIRES, SUPPOSEDLY HIGH PERFORMANCE. TIRE PRESSURE WAS MONITORED USING BOTH ELECTRONIC AND MECHANICAL PRESSURE GAUGES, TIRES WERE KEPT AT THE RECOMMENDED PRESSURE OF 42 PSIG. PRESSURE CHECKS ON THE REMAINING 3 TIRES AFTER EACH FAILURE REVEALED THAT THEY WERE PROPERLY INFLATED TO 42 PSIG.*AK (TIRESIZE: 225/45R17)

Tires
Filed Jan 15, 2002MD

BRIDGESTONE-FIRESTONE TIRES SUPPLIED AS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT ON A 2001 AUDI S4 FAILED AFTER APPROXIMATELY 10,000 MILES USAGE. THE FIRST EXHIBITED A TREAD SEPARATION BULGE AT APPROXIMATELY 10,000 MILES. IT WAS REPLACED BY THE SPARE IN THE TRUNK. THE SECOND TIRE (I.E., THE SPARE FROM THE TRUNK) FAILED AFTER AN ADDITIONAL USAGE OF APPROXIMATELY 10,000 MILES WITH A BLOWOUT ON U.S. 95.*AK (TIRESIZE: 22545Y17)

Tires
Filed Jan 12, 2002IL

I FEEL THAT I AM UNSAFE IN MY BRAND NEW CAR BECAUSE OF THE TIRES. *AK

Tires
Filed Dec 19, 2001CT

NO ACCIDENT OR CRASH. BUBBLE WAS DISCOVERED WHEN CHANGING TO A DIFFERENT TIRE FOR WINTER. *AK (TIRESIZE: 225/45/ 17)

Visibility › Sun/Moon Roof Assembly
Filed Nov 15, 2001MA

SUN ROOF LEAKS / DOOR LOCKS BROKE , AND RADIO NEEDS REPLACING. *AK

Parking Brake › ConventionalCrash
Filed Aug 13, 2001CA

MY WIFE RETURNED FROM BUYING PRESENTS AND STOPPED THE VEHICLE IN THE DRIVEWAY. SHE ENGAGED THE HANDBRAKE AND WAITED ONE MINUTE BEFORE TURNING OFF THE ENGINE TO LET THE TURBOS COOL DOWN. SHE THEN PROCEEDED TO RETRIEVE PACKAGES FROM THE TRUNK AND ENTERED THE RESIDENCE. AFTER ONE HOUR AND FOURTY FIVE MINUTES, AN OFFICER CONTACTED US AND ASKED IF WE KNEW WHERE WAS THE VEHICLE. WE STATED THAT IT WAS IN THE DRIVEWAY. HE TOLD US TO PLEASE FOLLOW HIM. WE WENT OUTSIDE AND SAW THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BACKED OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AND DAMAGED THE RETAINING WALL OF OUR VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTION, THE OFFICER NOTED THAT THE HAND BRAKE WAS STILL ENGAGED AND THERE WAS NO SIGNS OF CRIMINAL INTENT. IN ADDITION, THE ALARM WAS NOT SET OFF UPON IMPACT WITH THE RETAINING WALL. THE VEHICLE MUST HAVE REACHED A SUBSTANTIAL SPEED BECAUSE IT JUMPED THE CURB AND DAMAGED THE WALL, CREATING A HOLE ABOUT 3 FEET TALL BY 5 FEET WIDE. THE VEHICLE'S TRUNK WAS IMBEDDED THROUGH THE WALL. I ENTERED THE VEHICLE AND HAD TO DISENGAGE THE HAND BRAKE BEFORE THE VEHICLE COULD BE EXTRACTED FROM THE RETAINING WALL. DAMAGE OCCURRED TO THE REAR BUMPER, LEFT AND RIGHT QUARTER PANEL, REAR LIGHT ASSEMBY, TRUNK LID, AND TRUNK INTERIOR. POSSIBLE DAMAGE TO WHEELS AS WHEEL AS NONVISIBLE COMPONENTS OF VEHICLE.

Tires
Filed May 22, 2001LA

BUBLE APPEARED ON RIGHT FRONT TIRE WITHOUT IMPACT. DEALER REPLACED TIRE WITHOUT CHARGE. *AK (TIRESIZE: 225/45 R17)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 225/45 R17 )

Exterior Lighting › Headlights › Switch
Filed May 20, 2001CA

PASSENGER SIDE XENON HEADLIGHT SWITCHES ITSELF OFF FREQUENTLY. FOUR ATTEMPTS TO FIX THE PROBLEM HAVE NOT HELPED.*AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline › Turbo/Supercharger
Filed Feb 27, 2001KS

CHRONIC PROBLEM WITH BLOWN TURBOS. AUDI HAS MADE ENGINEERING CHANGES TO THE TUBROS WITHOUT NOTIFIYING CUSTOMERS OF IMPENDING FAILURES. THEY ARE ALSO VOIDING CUSTOMER WARRANTIES BLAMING FAILURES ON AFTERMAKET EQUIPMENT WITHOUT VERIFYING THE AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT INDEED CAUSED THE FAILURE. I AM CONCEERNED THAT I HAVE KNOWN DEFECTIVE PARTS IN MY VEHICLE THAT MAY FAIL AT ANY TIME.

Tires
Filed Dec 22, 2000NJ

I DROVE OVER A MINOR EXPANSION CRACK IN THE PAVEMENT AND SIDEWALL OF THE RIGHT REAR TIRE TORE. NEXT DAY, A DIFFERENT EXPANSION CRACK CAUSED SIMILAR DAMAGE IN THE LEFT REAR TIRE. (TIRESIZE: 225/45 R17)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 225/45 R17 )

Tires › Sidewall
Filed Sep 23, 2000MN

BUBBLE ON THE INSIDE SIDEWALL. *AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 225/45 17 )

Tires
Filed Aug 26, 2000MA

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

Reading these

NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Full record for the 2001 Audi S4 → · Every S4 year → · How the figures are calculated →