2012 Audi S4 problems
Light NHTSA footprint — 22 owner complaints. Either a clean record or thin data; we'll show what's there.
The 2012 Audi S4 has 22 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is powertrain at 14 complaints, typically surfacing around 68,738 miles (~$2,500 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 S4 | 60 | 0 |
| 2011 S4 | 26 | 0 |
| 2012 S4 (this page) | 22 | 0 |
| 2013 S4 | 32 | 0 |
| 2014 S4 | 17 | 0 |
| 2015 S4 | 1 | 1 |
Above-average reliability for the segment. Few systemic issues on file.
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
- No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
- Reliability score 8.6/10 — 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.
NHTSA crash-test safety ratings 4 / 5 overall
Driver-assist features on the tested model: Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: No · Lane departure warning: No
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2012 Audi S4 4 DR AWD. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.
Buying a used 2012 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 — 14 owner reports · tends to show around 68,738 mi · ~$2,500 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: 8.6/10 model. The priciest documented failure is powertrain (~$2,500) — 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 2012 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 1 category with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
Vehicle flashes a gearbox malfunction warning and most electronics went dead. Vehicle would not accelerate causing me to nearly be rear ended. After turning off car and restarting the vehicle continues to lose power randomly every mile or so. This created very unsafe conditions…
While driving approaching a stoplight, I received a "gearbox malfunction. Ok to continue driving with limited functionality" error. The car then barely accelerated and I could not go more than 20mph (I was on a busy road speed limit 35mph but everyone goes about 50). I was…
I have a complaint Audi s4 and other Audi cars have the same issue as I'm having you can be driving on the main road or on the highway and all of a sudden the car loses power and excelleration . I found that as a problem to the safety of me and the other people that have the…
Dsg transmission started to shift poorly. Shifts would "slip" between gears and sometimes it would down shift very hard. This occured mostly in urban driving, stop and go.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2012 Audi S4 reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 8.6 out of 10 based on 22 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2012 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 2012 Audi S4?
On the NHTSA data, the 2012 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 8.6/10 — 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 2012 Audi S4?
Inspect the powertrain first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 14 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 68,738 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 2012 Audi S4 a good used car to buy?
It scores 8.6 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 22 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is powertrain. Typical failure occurs around 68,738 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 2012 Audi S4?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is powertrain, with 14 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 68,738 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 68,738 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 2012 Audi S4?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 22 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.