Audi · Known Issues
2011 Audi S4 Problems: 6 Known Issues
2011 model year · 107+ owner reports · Updated September 2026
2011 · All trims · All engines
Choose the year and equipment for your written issues and visual request.
2011 model year · 107+ owner reports · Updated September 2026
2011 · All trims · All engines
Choose the year and equipment for your written issues and visual request.
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According to Au7o's analysis of 107+ owner reports, the 2011 Audi S4 has 6 documented known issues, with 2 rated critical. The most serious are Fuel Rail or Seal Leak Creates Fire Risk (Recall 15V019 / 24AP) and 0B5 DL501 S tronic Mechatronic Unit Failure - Harsh Shifts, Erratic Gear Selection and Limp Mode ($1,800-$7,000 repair). The most commonly reported issue is Thermostat Housing Failure and Coolant Leak with 107 owner reports. Across all issues with published estimates, repair costs range from $300 to $7,000. DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:INFOTAINMENT:VIDEO (TOUCH)SCREEN/MONITOR/UNIT
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."
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER:RETRACTOR
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."
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According to Au7o's analysis of 107+ owner reports, the 2011 Audi S4 has 6 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: Fuel Rail or Seal Leak Creates Fire Risk (Recall 15V019 / 24AP), 0B5 DL501 S tronic Mechatronic Unit Failure - Harsh Shifts, Erratic Gear Selection and Limp Mode, Thermostat Housing Failure and Coolant Leak. Of these, 2 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.
The 2011 Audi S4 has 6 known issues documented across 107+ owner reports. 2 issues are rated critical: Fuel Rail or Seal Leak Creates Fire Risk (Recall 15V019 / 24AP) and 0B5 DL501 S tronic Mechatronic Unit Failure - Harsh Shifts, Erratic Gear Selection and Limp Mode. Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.
Repair costs for known Audi S4 issues range from $300 to $7,000, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.
Certain 2011-2012 S4 fuel-injection systems can leak at the fuel rails or corresponding seals, creating a fire risk near an ignition source. Severity: high.
S4s ordered with the 7-speed S tronic dual-clutch use the 0B5 (DL501) gearbox, whose mechatronic control unit - the valve body with its integrated solenoids, pressure sensors and TCU - is a documented weak point in high-torque applications like the S4. Failures start as harsh or… Repairs typically run $1,800-$7,000. Severity: high.
Content on this page was compiled with AI assistance using NHTSA complaints, TSBs, owner reports, and public automotive data. While we strive for accuracy, this information may contain errors. Always verify repair procedures and specifications with your vehicle's service manual or a qualified mechanic.
TIRES
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.
SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY
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.
BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION
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."
Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check recalls specific to your vehicle.
The plastic thermostat housing on the S4 3.0T is prone to cracking and leaking coolant. The housing sits at the rear of the engine making leaks hard to spot until coolant loss is significant. Repairs typically run $300-$800. Severity: medium.
The B8/B8.5 S4's Eaton TVS roots supercharger drives its rotor pack through a plastic coupler disc between the drive snout and the driven rotor. Over time the drive holes in that plastic coupler elongate and wear, and the slop shows up as a distinct rattling / marbles-in-a-can no… Repairs typically run $400-$1,500. Severity: medium.
The supercharged 3.0 TFSI's crankcase ventilation module (PCV / air-oil separator) uses an internal diaphragm that hardens and tears. When it does, the engine pulls unmetered air through the crankcase, gives up its ability to control crankcase pressure, and starts drawing oil int… Repairs typically run $300-$900. Severity: medium.
The B8/B8.5 S4's 3.0 TFSI is direct-injected: fuel is sprayed into the cylinder rather than over the back of the intake valve, so nothing washes the valve stems clean. Combined with oil vapor routed back through the crankcase ventilation system, hard carbon accumulates on the int… Repairs typically run $500-$1,200. Severity: medium.