Audi S4 Complaints
589 consumer complaints on file.
- #10060675March 8, 2004ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE
UNEFFECTIVENESS OF FACTORY ALARM. THE HUGH NUMBER OF THEFTS OF MY VEHICLE IS CONCERNING. I AM CONCERNED ON THE SECURITY OF LEAVING MY CAR ANYWHERE BUT MY GARAGE.*AK
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10060683March 8, 2004ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE
MY 2001 AUDI S4 WAS STOLEN IN SPRINGFIELD, NJ AND RECOVERED IN NEWARK, NJ. THE TOTAL DAMAGE TO THE CAR WAS APPROXIMATELY $8000. I BELIEVE THAT THIS THEFT WAS POSSIBLE LARGELY BECAUSE OF A SIGNIFICANT FLAW IN THE SECURITY SYSTEM. SPECIFICALLY, THE DOORLOCK MECHANISM IS DIRECTLY TIED TO THE ALARM, INCLUDING THE MOTION SENSORS AND THE IGNITION KILL. THUS, A TINY HOLE PUNCHED IN THE DOOR TO UNLOCK THE DOOR SIMULTANEOUSLY LET'S A THIEF INTO THE CAR AND DISABLES THE ENTIRE SECURITY SYSTEM. THE LACK OF A TRUE IMMOBILIZER SYSTEM ON THE CAR CREATED A REPUTATION FOR THIS HIGH-PERFORMANCE VEHICLE THAT IT IS EASILY STOLEN AND NOW IT IS A PARTICULAR TARGET FOR THIEVES, ESPECIALLY IN THE NEW JERSEY AREA. THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS REPORTS OF HIGH-SPEED JOYRIDES AND OTHER DANGEROUS SITUATIONS WITH STOLEN S4'S. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT MOST AUDI'S FROM 2000-2002 HAVE THIS FLAW AND I BELIVE THAT AUDI SHOULD ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM AND RETROFIT THESE VEHICLES WITH A SAFER ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM.*AK
- Crash:
- Yes
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10060735March 8, 2004ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE
2001 AUDI S4 HAS A SECURITY FLAW THAT CAN RENDER THE ALARM USELESS IN SECONDS, THEREFORE MAKING IT EXTREMELY EASY TO STEAL. THE ALARM CAN BE EASILY BYPASSED BY SIMPLY PUNCHING A HOLE IN THE DRIVER DOOR SKIN, THE CAR HAS NO IMMOBILIZER, THE ENGINE CAN BE STARTED BY BRUTE FORCE ON THE IGNITION.*AK
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10060607March 7, 2004ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE
ALL AUDI S4'S PRODUCED FROM MID 1999 TO 2002 SUFFER FROM AN INEFFECTIVE ALARM SYSTEM. THE MODEL YEARS ARE 2000, 2001, AND 2002. DUE THIS DEFECT THESE VEHICLES ARE BEING STOLEN AT AN ALARMING RATE OFF OF EVERY STREET CORNER IN THE NYC METRO AREA. THE AUDI S4 WAS A LIMITED PRODUCTION RUN VEHICLE. LESS THEN 15000 WERE IMPORTED INTO THE UNITED STATES FOR SALE BY AUDI OF NORTH AMERICA. FOR THIS VEHICLE TO BE NUMBER 25 OF THE TOP 25 CARS STOLEN IN NEW JERSEY SHOWS COMPLETE NEGLIGENCE ON THE PART OF AUDI. (NICB-- HTTP://WWW.NICB.ORG/PUBLIC/NEWSROOM/WHEREISMYCAR/TOP25BYSTATE.CFM#NJ ) THE OTHER VEHICLES ON THAT LIST HAVE YEARLY PRODUCTION NUMBERS THAT GO WELL OVER 25000 UNITS PER YEAR. THE AUDI A8 RECEIVED AN IMMOBILIZER FOR 2000+ MODELS. TO SAVE A FEW BUCKS AUDI SKIPPED FITTING S4'S WITH IMMOBILIZERS. FOR THIS REASON I CANNOT PARK MY CAR ANYWHERE IN NEW JERSEY BECAUSE I KNOW IT WILL NOT BE THERE WHEN I COME BACK. AUDI NEEDS TO RECALL THESE VEHICLES AND ADD IMMOBILIZER SYSTEMS OR ELSE NONE WILL EXIST IN THE NYC METRO AREA. THEY ALSO NEED TO STRENGTHEN THE DOOR AREA AROUND THE DOORS LOCK CYLINDER. ALMOST ALL S4S THAT WERE STOLEN IN NEW JERSEY, HAD A SCREW DRIVER TAKEN TO THE DOOR NEAR THE HANDLE. THEY PUNCH AND HOLE LIFT/PUSH THE LOCK PLUNGER BAR UP AND THE ALARM IS DISABLED!!!!! THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE FOR ANY CAR LET ALONE ONE THAT IS THIS EXPENSIVE. THIEVES WILL OFTEN DRIVE THESE VEHICLES AT SPEEDS IN EXCESS OF 140 MPH ON PUBLIC HIGHWAYS JOY RIDING, AND CREATING A POTENTIAL FOR LOSS OF HUMAN LIFE. *JB
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10060611March 7, 2004ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE
THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM ON MY 2000 AUDI S4 HAS NO ENGINE IMMOBILIZER, THEREFORE MAKING IT NOT NEARLY AS EFFECTIVE AS IT COULD BE. THERE ARE MANY MANY THEFTS (ESPECIALLY IN THE NY,NJ AREA) OF S4S, AND IT IS MY BELIEF THAT A LOT OF THESE THEFTS WOULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED IF AUDI HAD MADE THE ALARM IN THE S4 WORTHWHILE (AFTER ALL, WE DID PAY FOR AN ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM IN THE CAR). I KNOW THAT I WOULD WORRY A LOT LESS ABOUT MY INVESTMENT IF I HAD A PROPER FACTORY INSTALLED ALARM SYSTEM IN THE CAR. *JB
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10060609March 7, 2004ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE
THE AUDI S4 FROM 2000-2002 LACKS AN ALARM CAPABLE OF PREVENTING EASY THEFT. THERE IS NO IMMOBILIZER AND THE CARS ALARM CAN BE EASILY BYPASSED AND STARTED WITH A SIMPLE SCREWDRIVER. S4 THEFTS ARE HIGH, COMPARED TO THE NUMBER OF THESE CARS ACTUALLY MADE THE THEFTS ARE GROSSLY UNPROPORTIONAL. PERSONALLY I HAVE HAD TO GET AN AFTERMARKET ALARM OUT OF THE FEAR THAT MY HIGH-PERFORMANCE AUTOMOBILE CAN BE STOLEN BY SOME KID WITH A FLATHEAD SCREWDRIVER. *JB
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10060612March 7, 2004ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE
AUDI OF AMERICA HAS NOT TAKEN SECURITY SYSTEMS ON THE AUDI S4'S SERIOUSLY. THEY HAVE BEEN MASSIVE KNOWN THEFTS IN THE TRI-STATE AREA AND THE LIST CONTINUES TO GROW. I HAVE SPENT OVER $800 FOR ADDED SECURITY AND WILL CONTINUE TO SPEND MORE IF I HAVE TO. I CANNOT SLEEP PEACEFULLY AT NIGHT KNOWING MY CAR IS PRONE TO EASY THEFT DUE TO IT'S INEFFECTIVENESS IN SECURITY PROTECTION. I FEEL IT'S A MATTER A TIME BEFORE MY CAR WILL BE STOLEN IN A MALL OR A SHOPPING CENTER OR ON A STREET OR EVEN IN MY OWN HOME. AUDI NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS IMMEDIATELY! *JB
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10060616March 7, 2004ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE
MY CAR (2001 AUDI S4) WAS STOLEN IN LIVINGSTON NJ, AND RECOVERED IN IRVINGTON, NJ. THE CAR HAD A STOCK ALARM SYSTEM WHICH WAS EASILY BYPASSED. THIS CAR DID NOT HAVE AN IMMOBILIZER. OTHER MODEL AUDI'S HAVE AN IMMOBILIZER. $10,000 OF DAMAGE WAS CAUSED TO THE CAR. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. CERTAINLY AUDI CAN RETROFIT AN IMMOBILIZER INTO THIS CAR BECAUSE THE SAME CAR IN EUROPE HAS THE IMMOBILIZER. *JB
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10060615March 7, 2004ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE
AUDI S4 AUTO ALARM/IMMOBILIZER CAN BE EASILY DEACTIVATED. DEACTIVATION THROUGH PUNCHING A SCREWDRIVER THROUGH THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR KEY LOCK, WILL AUTOMATICALLY DISENGAGE THE BOTH THE CAR'S ALARM AND ITS IMMOBILIZER. SO FAR, I PERSONALLY KNOW OF MORE THAN 30 VEHICLES BEING STOLEN WHILST USING THIS METHOD IN THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY ALONE IN THE PAST YEAR. I HAVE PERSONALLY HAD TO TAKE ACTION THROUGH INSTALLING ADDITIONAL SECURITY MODIFICATIONS, RISKING NULLIFICATION OF THE MANUFACTURERS WARRANTY, IN ORDER TO PREVENT AND AVOID VEHICLE THEFT. *JB
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10060619March 7, 2004ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE
THE SECURITY SYSTEM OF MY 2001 AUDI S4 HAS A MAJOR FAULT. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT INCLUDE ANY TYPE OF IMMOBILIZER INTO THE SYSTEM MAKING IT EXTREMELY EASY FOR IT TO GET STOLEN. AN IMMOBILIZER IS A SYSTEM BUILT INTO THE COMPUTER/IGNITION SYSTEM OF THE VEHICLE THAT DOESN'T ALLOW IT TO BE STARTED UNLESS THE KEY IS USED. I AM UNCOMFORTABLE PARKING IT IN ANY MAJOR CITY AND AS I LIVE NEAR NYC, ITS A REAL ISSUE. I HAVE A NUMBER OF FRIENDS WHO HAVE HAD THEIR S4S STOLEN IN THE NEW JERSEY AREA IN A MATTER OF MINUTES. THIS IS A VERY LIMITED PRODUCTION CAR AND STILL MAKES THE TOP 25 MOST STOLEN VEHICLES IN ITS CLASS, THAT SAYS SOMETHING ABOUT NOT ONLY HOW DESIRABLE IT IS TO THIEVES BUT HOW EASILY IT IS STOLEN. AN IMMOBILIZING SYSTEM WOULD NOT ELIMINATE ALL THEFT BUT WOULD REDUCE IT SUBSTANTIALLY. I FEEL THIS IS SOMETHING THE MANUFACTURE SHOULD RECTIFY. OTHER CARS IN THE AUDI LINE UP FOR 2000 HAD IMMOBILIZERS SO THE COMPANY HAD EASY ACCESS TO SUCH TECHNOLOGY BUT CHOSE NOT TO INCLUDE IT IN THEIR 2001 MODEL YEAR A4/S4. I ALSO HAD A 2001 VW JETTA (SAME PARENT COMPANY AS AUDI) AND IT HAD AN IMMOBILIZER, THIS CAR COST JUST ABOUT HALF AS MUCH AS THE AUDI S4 SO ITS ABSURD. PLEASE HELP ME AND MY FELLOW AUDI A4/S4 OWNERS RECTIFY THIS SITUATION. THANKS IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR TIME AND HELP. *JB
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10060617March 7, 2004ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE
I CURRENTLY OWN A 2001 AUDI S4. THERE HAS BEEN AN UNUSUALLY LARGE AMOUNT OF THEFTS OF THESE VEHICLES OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS. IT IS DUE TO THE POOR ALARM SYSTEM AUDI HAS PUT IN THESE VEHICLES. THERE IS NO IMMOBILZER, WHICH WAS PUT IN THEIR OTHER MODELS. AUDI REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. *JB
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10060626March 7, 2004BACK OVER PREVENTION:WARNINGS:EXTERNAL/PEDESTRIAN ALERT
I OWN A 2000 AUDI S4, AND I AM COMPLAINING ABOUT THE INADEQUACY OF THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM. PLEASE SEE THE FOLLOWING LINK: HTTP://WWW.NICB.ORG/PUBLIC/NEWSROOM/WHEREISMYCAR/TOP25BYSTATE.CFM#NJ THE AUDI S4 IS #25 ON THE MOST-STOLEN-CAR LIST IN NJ, BASED ON QUANTITY ALONE. TO SHOW THE SEVERITY OF THE SITUATION, LET ME PUT THIS INTO PERSPECTIVE: TOTAL ANNUAL PRODUCTION QUANTITIES: AUDI S4: ~6000 TOYOTA CAMRY: ~300,000 HONDA ACCORD: ~250,000 FORD ESCORT: ~150,000 THERE ARE LESS THAN 4% THE NUMBER OF S4'S ON THE ROAD THAN CAMRYS, ACCORDS, AND ESCORTS! YET, BASED ON QUANTITY (NOT PERCENTAGE) OF STOLEN CARS, THE S4 IS #25. IF THE LIST PORTRAYED # OF STOLEN VEHICLES AS A PERCENTAGE OF # OF VEHICLES PRODUCED, THEN SURELY THE S4 WOULD BE AT THE TOP OF THIS LIST AND PROBABLY ATOP THE LIST OF SEVERAL OTHER STATES AS WELL! THIS IS A SERIOUS SITUATION THAT MUST BE DEALT WITH. KEEP IN MIND THAT AUDI/VW DECIDED TO NOT PLACE AN IMMOBILIZER IN THESE CARS DUE TO COST SAVINGS PURPOSES. THEY HAD THE TECHNOLOGY, AS IT IS AVAILABLE IN THE 99-UP VW JETTA. THIS CAR IS SIMPLY A HIGH RISK AUTOMOBILE TO OWN BECAUSE OF AUDI'S BLATANT DISREGARD FOR THE INADEQUACY OF THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM. IT LITERALLY ONLY REQUIRES TWO TOOLS AND 2 MINUTES TO BREAK INTO THE CAR, DISABLE THE ALARM, AND ENGAGE THE IGNITION SWITCH....DONE. SCARY! *JB
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10060634March 7, 2004ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE
TOO MANY AUDI S4S ARE BEING STOLEN AROUND THE BOSTON, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, PHILLY AREA. THERE WAS A SPECIAL ON THE NEWS IN BOSTON ABOUT JUST HOW EASY IT IS TO STEAL THE XENON HEADLIGHTS (1 MINUTE). NO IMMOBILIZER WAS ADDED TO THE S4 ALTHOUGH OTHER AUDI MODELS RECEIVED ONE AS WELL AS LOWER PRICED SISTER COMPANY VOLKSWAGEN'S JETTA STARTING IN 1999. THERE IS NOT ENOUGH SECURITY FOR A 40,000 PLUS DOLLAR CAR. I HAVE HEARD OF MANY MANY PEOPLE HAVING THEIR S4S STOLEN OR BEING ROBBED OF THEIR ALMOST 1000 DOLLAR XENON HEADLIGHTS-NOT TO MENTION PEOPLE HURTING THE CAR (1000S OF DOLLARS DAMAGE) TRYING TO GET THE HEADLIGHTS. AUDI NEEDS TO ISSUE A RECALL AND RETROFIT THE VEHICLE WITH MORE SECURITY. *JB
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10060652March 7, 2004ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE
I HAD JUST PURCHASED A 2001 AUDI S4 FOR CLOSE TO $40,000. WITH 1100 MILES ON IT MY CAR WAS STOLEN IN BROAD DAYLIGHT APPROX 3 PM. UPON FURTHER RESEARCH, I LEARNED THAT THE FACTORY PASSIVE ALARM CAN BE TRICKED INTO THINKING IT HAS BEEN DISARMED. A SMALL HOLE NEAR THE DOOR LOCK GAINS ACCESS TO A ROD THAT WHEN LIFTED DISARMS THE SYSTEM AS IF A KEY WERE USED, COMBINE THIS ACTION WITH THE WITH REMOVAL OF THE IGNITION, AND THE VEHICLE CAN BE STARTED WITH A SCREW DRIVER AND DRIVEN AWAY. I'VE ALSO LEARNED THAT VW/AUDI HAD THE TECHNOLOGY AVAILABLE TO EQUIP THIS MODEL WITH AN ENGINE IMMOBILISER AS PART OF THE OEM ALARM SYSTEM. I'M AWARE OF DOZENS OF THEFTS OF THE AUDI S4 IN PARTICULAR AND AM READING OF MORE THEFTS OCCURRING WEEKLY. JUST DO A SEARCH ON WWW.AUDIWORLD.COM USING THE WORD "STOLEN" AND YOU WILL SEE FOR YOURSELF. MY EXPERIENCE HAS BEEN IN THE NY/NJ METROPOLITAN AREA. I THINK AUDI SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS GROSS OVERSITE ON THEIR PART AND OFFER A RETROFIT OF SOME SORT TO PROTECT MY INVESTMENT. I DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING MY VEHICLE FREELY ANYWHERE I WANT WITHOUT HAVING TO WORRY ABOUT IT BEING STOLEN. THIS PROBLEM HAS REACHED EPIDEMIC PROPORTIONS HERE. *JB
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10058332February 17, 2004SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
ONGOING COMPLAINT: BRAKES VIBRATE WHEN STOPPING. DEALER REPORTED FRONT ROTORS WARPED AND PADS HAVE CHUNKS MISSING. DEALER REPLACED WITH PART NOS. 8D0-615-301-M FRONT BRAKE DISCS AND 4B3-698-151 FRONT BRAKE PADS/LININGS. THE CAR WAS RETURNED TO ME WITH THE VIBRATION STILL PRESENT. I CONTACTED THE DEALER SERVICE ADVISOR WHO ADVISED ME TO DRIVE A FEW HUNDRED MILES TO SEE IF THE BRAKES BED AND THE VIBRATION SMOOTHES OUT. *JB
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10059188February 17, 2004SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH AND WHEN DEPRESSING BRAKES THEY VIBRATED/ PULSATED. VEHICLE WAS SERVICED, AND DEALER REPLACED FRONT BRAKE ROTORS AND PADS. *AK
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10057004February 11, 2004SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
CAR SHIMMIES AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS UNDER BRAKING. AUTO GALLERY, 21301 VENTURA BLVD., WOODLAND HILLS, CA 91364 MACHINED THE FRONT ROTORS UNDER WARRANTY AS A TEMPORARY REPAIR SO I COULD DRIVE HOME TO OVERLAND PARK, KS AND HAVE ROTORS INSTALLED. THEY INDICATED THAT THEY GO THROUGH SO MANY FOR S4S, A6S, AND A8S (SAME BRAKES) THAT THEY CANNOT KEEP ENOUGH IN STOCK.*AK
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10057008February 11, 2004SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
BRAKES PULSATE/VIBRATE WHEN APPLIED. DEALER SERVICE TECHNICIAN FOUND THAT BOTH FRONT ROTORS HAVE EXCESSIVE RUN-OUT. REPLACED BOTH FRONT ROTORS WITH PART NO. 8D0-615-301-K. *AK
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10057012February 11, 2004SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
BRAKES CONTINUED TO PULSATE AFTER LAST ATTEMPT TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE DEALER FOUND THAT THE REAR ROTORS WERE OUT OF SPEC AND REPLACED THEM WITH PART NUMBER 8D0-615-601-D.*AK
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10057010February 11, 2004SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
BRAKES PULSATE WHEN STOPPING. DEALER ROAD TESTED VEHICLE TO CONFIRM CONDITION. DEALER REPORTED THAT FRONT AND REAR BRAKE ROTORS HAD EXCESS RADIAL AXIAL RUN-OUT. REPLACED FRONT ROTORS UNDER WARRANTY WITH PART NUMBER 8D0-615-301-M. REPLACED REAR ROTORS WITH PART NUMBER 8D0-615-601-D.*AK
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0