Generation-specific owner insights from 100+ substantive owner discussions, with US complaint and recall records.
Should I buy a 2016–2024 S4?28
US owner complaints (NHTSA), 2016–2024
11
recall campaigns
electrical system
most-complained area
Our take, from owner reports
Owners of the B9 S4 generally describe it as a well-built, fun-to-drive, and solid car when properly maintained, with praise for its design, dynamic mode, and the strong low-RPM torque of the 3.0T engine.
15 problems reported (2 very frequent, 5 recurrent, 8 isolated) · high confidence
Nav, SOS, and MyAudi connectivity, with long parts waits.
Insufficient owner data available to declare a consensus, though there is a partial signal: owners repeatedly recommend 2019 or later cars, preferably with a build date in the second quarter of 2019 or later, to avoid the earlier rocker arm design. The Prestige/Technik trim is valued for standard features like ambient lighting, and the sport differential is described as a must-have.
Owners compare it most often with the BMW M340i, BMW 340i, Mercedes-AMG C43, Audi S5 and Audi A4.
Is a 2016–2024 S4 right for you?
Get an answer for your year, mileage and budget.
Owners of the B9 S4 generally describe it as a well-built, fun-to-drive, and solid car when properly maintained, with praise for its design, dynamic mode, and the strong low-RPM torque of the 3.0T engine. The dominant concern is cost of ownership: expensive service intervals, brakes, and out-of-warranty repairs, with several owners warning to budget $3,000-$5,000 per year. A significant split exists between early and late model years, with owners repeatedly advising to avoid 2018 and early 2019 cars due to rocker arm concerns and to target mid-2019 or later builds. Enthusiast owners who tune the car report both satisfaction and, in some cases, catastrophic engine failure, making tuning a polarizing topic.
Owners note the S4 is typically cheaper than the C43 and M340i, and some suggest those alternatives if paying a premium price. Against the BMW 340i and M340i, owners consider reliability similar, with the BMW B58 engine seen as having a higher ceiling for reliable tuning, while the Audi's AWD is viewed as better for winter. The S5 is positioned as a more expensive sibling, with some owners noting the S4 is roughly $5,000 cheaper than the S5 Sportback. The A4 is described as cheaper and still fun, but owners say you won't want an A4 after driving an S4.
Owners advise targeting a 2019 or newer S4, ideally a mid-to-late 2019 build, to reduce the risk of the earlier rocker arm design. The sport differential is strongly recommended as a must-have option. The Prestige (US) / Technik (Canada) trim is favored for its included features, and owners suggest verifying whether a car has the sport diff and dynamic steering before paying a premium. A pre-purchase inspection by an independent mechanic is repeatedly advised, and for early 2018 or early 2019 cars, an endoscope inspection of the rocker arms is suggested.
This generation suits buyers who understand the maintenance costs and can set aside money for repairs, and who will stay on top of servicing with frequent oil changes. Owners warn against buying if the budget is tight, and advise avoiding 2018 and early 2019 cars in favor of mid-2019 or later builds. A detailed service history matters greatly, and owners caution that cars with gaps in maintenance records will pass skipped work onto the next owner. Independent shops are strongly recommended over dealers for out-of-warranty work to control costs. Extended warranties are frequently suggested.
Owners frequently debate pricing, with many considering the S4 a relative bargain versus German rivals but warning that a cheap example often hides deferred maintenance. Tuning is a recurring theme: some owners report trouble-free tuned cars, while others report engine failures shortly after flashing a tune, and warranty denial after tuning is commonly mentioned. The 48V mild hybrid alternator is mentioned as a concern for some model years, though owners note it does not brick the engine. Analysis based on approximately 100 substantive owner discussions about this generation.
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Most-reported area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 | 1 | electrical system |
| 2021 | 2 | 4 | electrical system |
| 2020 | 16 | 3 | electrical system |
| 2019 | 2 | 1 | engine |
| 2018 | 7 | 2 | engine |
Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Higher-selling years naturally accumulate more complaints.
2022 · equipment:electrical:infotainment:video (touch)screen/monitor/unitcampaign 22V806000
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021-2022 AUDI A8, A6 Allroad, E-TRON Quattro, 2022 S3, RSQ8, RS7, RS6 Avant, Q8, Q7, Q3, E-TRON Sportback Quattro, S5 Cabriolet, E-TRON GT, S5 Sportback, A7, A6, A5 Sportback, A5 Cabriolet, A4, A4 Allroad, A3, S8, SQ7, SQ8, S6, and S4 vehicles. The infotainment main unit may become damaged internally when the vehicle is shut off, resulting in an inoperative rearview camera display the next time the vehicle is started. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
2021 · seat belts:rear/other:retractorcampaign 21V606000
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Volkswagen ID4, Audi A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A5 Sportback, A6 Allroad, A6 Sedan, A7, A8, E-Tron Quattro, E-Tron Sportback Quattro, Q3, Q5, Q5 Sportback, Q7, Q8, RS5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, RS6 Avant, RS7, RSQ8, S4 Sedan, S5 Cabriolet, S5 Coupe, S5 Sportback, S6 Sedan, S7, S8, SQ5, SQ5 Sportback, SQ7, SQ8, and 2021-2022 S3 Sedan vehicles. The rear seat belt automatic locking retractors may deactivate early, which can prevent the child restraint system from securing properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
2021 · tirescampaign 22V034000
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Audi A5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, RS5 Sportback, S5 Sportback, 2020-2021 A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A6 Allroad, A6 Sedan, A7, A8, Q5, S4 Sedan, S5 Coupe, S5 Cabriolet, S6 Sedan, S7, S8, SQ5, 2021 Q5 Sportback, Q7, Q8, RS6 Avant, RS7, RSQ8, SQ5 Sportback, SQ7, and SQ8 vehicles. The rear axle alignment may not have been inspected after the repairs for Recall 21V-295 (42L1) were performed.
2021 · suspension:rear:axle:non-powered axle assemblycampaign 21V295000
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 Q7, Q8, Q5 Sportback, SQ5 Sportback, RS6 Avant, RS7, RS Q8, 2020-2021 Audi S6 sedan, Q5, A8, S8, A7, A6 Allroad, A5 Cabriolet, A4 sedan, A4 Allroad, SQ5, S7, A6 sedan, S5 coupe, S4 sedan, S5 Cabriolet, A5 coupe, 2019-2021 RS5 coupe, A5 Sportback, S5 Sportback, RS5 Sportback vehicles. The lock nut on the trailing arm of the rear axle may break due to stress corrosion.
2021 · back over prevention:display functioncampaign 22V742000
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Audi A8, RS7, RS6 Avant, RS5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, Q8, Q7, Q5 Sportback, S4 Sedan, Q5, A7, A6, A6 Allroad, A5 Sportback, A5 Coupe, A5 Cabrioleet, A4 Sedan, A4 Allroad, E-Tron Sportback Quattro, SQ7, S5 Cabriolet, E-Tron Quattro, SQ8, SQ5 Sportback, SQ5, S8, S7, S6 Sedan, S5 Sportback, S5 Coupe, 2022 E-Tron GT, and 2021-2022 RSQ8 vehicles. Due to a software issue, a blank or black screen may be displayed instead of the rearview camera image when the vehicle is placed in reverse gear. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
2020 · tirescampaign 22V034000
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Audi A5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, RS5 Sportback, S5 Sportback, 2020-2021 A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A6 Allroad, A6 Sedan, A7, A8, Q5, S4 Sedan, S5 Coupe, S5 Cabriolet, S6 Sedan, S7, S8, SQ5, 2021 Q5 Sportback, Q7, Q8, RS6 Avant, RS7, RSQ8, SQ5 Sportback, SQ7, and SQ8 vehicles. The rear axle alignment may not have been inspected after the repairs for Recall 21V-295 (42L1) were performed.
2020 · suspension:rear:axle:non-powered axle assemblycampaign 21V295000
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 Q7, Q8, Q5 Sportback, SQ5 Sportback, RS6 Avant, RS7, RS Q8, 2020-2021 Audi S6 sedan, Q5, A8, S8, A7, A6 Allroad, A5 Cabriolet, A4 sedan, A4 Allroad, SQ5, S7, A6 sedan, S5 coupe, S4 sedan, S5 Cabriolet, A5 coupe, 2019-2021 RS5 coupe, A5 Sportback, S5 Sportback, RS5 Sportback vehicles. The lock nut on the trailing arm of the rear axle may break due to stress corrosion.
2020 · seatscampaign 21V874000
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2017-2020 A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, 2018-2019 RS5 Coupe, 2019 RS5 Sportback, 2018-2020 A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A5 Sportback, S4 Sedan, S5 Cabriolet, S5 Coupe, and Audi S5 Sportback vehicles. The cable connecting the seat heater to the Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS) may have a contact fault, causing the software to misdiagnose a malfunction and disable the passenger air bag.
2019 · seatscampaign 21V874000
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2017-2020 A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, 2018-2019 RS5 Coupe, 2019 RS5 Sportback, 2018-2020 A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A5 Sportback, S4 Sedan, S5 Cabriolet, S5 Coupe, and Audi S5 Sportback vehicles. The cable connecting the seat heater to the Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS) may have a contact fault, causing the software to misdiagnose a malfunction and disable the passenger air bag.
2018 · air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator modulecampaign 19V547000
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Audi RS5 Sportback, 2018 S5 Cabriolet, S5 Sportback, S5 Coupe, S4 Sedan, A5 Cabriolet, A5 Sportback, A5 Coupe, and 2017-2018 A4 Sedan and A4 Allroad vehicles. Oxidation on the Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS) connecting cable may cause the software to misdiagnose a malfunction and disable the passenger air bag.
2018 · seatscampaign 21V874000
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2017-2020 A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, 2018-2019 RS5 Coupe, 2019 RS5 Sportback, 2018-2020 A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A5 Sportback, S4 Sedan, S5 Cabriolet, S5 Coupe, and Audi S5 Sportback vehicles. The cable connecting the seat heater to the Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS) may have a contact fault, causing the software to misdiagnose a malfunction and disable the passenger air bag.
Owner insights summarize real ownership discussions for this generation only. Complaint and recall data is public NHTSA (US) information. Always verify recalls against your VIN at nhtsa.gov.