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2012 Audi S4: common problems and reliability
· B8One of the weaker S4 years.
22 owner complaints, most about power train. 1 recall.
Should I buy a 2012 S4?The 2012 Audi S4 has 22 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 1 recall on record. The most-reported areas are power train and fuel/propulsion system. Owners most often flag timing chain tensioner rattle and cracked chain guides.
Safety record for the 2012 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2012 Audi S4 vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other S4 years only. How we score it
Is 2012 a good year for the S4?
Across the 18 S4 model years we track, complaint volume runs from 1 (2022) to 148 (2000). With 22 complaints, the 2012 S4 sits about the same as the model's median of 22.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2012 S4
fuel system, gasoline:fuel injection system:fuel rail
Campaign 15V019000Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Audi S4, S5, Q7, 2012 Audi A6, Volkswagen Touareg Hybrid, and 2012-2013 Audi A7 vehicles. In the affected vehicles the fuel injection system may experience a fuel leak.
What owners report on the B8 S4
Owners of the B8 S4 generally describe it as a reliable and engaging performance sedan, with the supercharged 3.0 engine repeatedly called solid and the manual transmission praised as a bargain.
- Very frequentTiming chain tensioner rattle and cracked chain guides
- Very frequentWater pump and thermostat failure
- Very frequentDSG mechatronic unit failure
- RecurrentPCV valve failure
- RecurrentCarbon buildup requiring cleaning
Owner insights for the B8 S4. Read the full B8 owner report.
Typical used price
Used S4 listings typically run $18,495–$33,900 across 2010 to 2023 model years.
Other S4 model years
Compare every S4 year side by side to see how 2012 ranks against the rest.
Compare the S4 against its rivals
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