2010 Audi S4 problems
The 2010 Audi S4 has 60 NHTSA owner complaints and no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
The 2010 Audi S4 has 60 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is powertrain at 42 complaints, typically surfacing around 65,946 miles (~$2,500 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 S4 | 0 | 2 |
| 2008 S4 | 4 | 2 |
| 2009 S4 | 0 | 2 |
| 2010 S4 (this page) | 60 | 0 |
| 2011 S4 | 26 | 1 |
| 2012 S4 | 22 | 1 |
| 2013 S4 | 32 | 1 |
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
- No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
- Reliability score 8.0/10 — above the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Buying a used 2010 Audi S4? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
- powertrain — 42 owner reports · tends to show around 65,946 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
- engine — 12 owner reports · tends to show around 18,358 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — no active recalls on this model right now, but confirm none were opened after this car was built.
Verdict for buyers: 8.0/10 model. The priciest documented failure is engine (~$3,100) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →Ask anything about your 2010 Audi S4
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Top trouble spots 2 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
Mechatronics unit failed in the vehicle automatic transmission. Transmission failure message listed on car dashboard. Car would not shift out of 1st gear and there was no reverse gear. Car had to be towed to the dealership for repair. Multiple web forum posts stated the…
On dec 8, my Audi s4, model year 2010, built end 2009, 11,000 miles, stranded with a leaking coolant system "out of the blue", during moderate highway driving. Warning system indicated to turn off engine and check coolant. Not necessarily safe in the middle of the night on a 8…
2010 Audi s4 with v-6 3.0t engine. Returning home after a 7 minute drive, I was 300 ft. From my house when I received an engine message coolant low, turn off engine and check coolant. I stopped in driveway to find my water pump had burst, as with several complaints here. I…
My s4 lunges at stops, or it feels like I've been hit from behind. Takeoff from a stop is bouncy, bouncy reversing, especially uphill. If I take my foot off the breaks and hesitate before accelerating, sometimes it's smooth. The tac bounces while coasting to a stop, or going…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2010 Audi S4 reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 8.0 out of 10 based on 60 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2010 Audi S4 is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2010 Audi S4?
On the NHTSA data, the 2010 Audi S4 does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 8.0/10 — above the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2010 Audi S4?
Inspect the powertrain first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 42 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 65,946 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2010 Audi S4 a good used car to buy?
It scores 8.0 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 60 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is powertrain. Typical failure occurs around 65,946 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2010 Audi S4?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is powertrain, with 42 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 65,946 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The powertrain is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 65,946 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Audi S4 has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2010 Audi S4?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 60 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $2,500, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.