AUDI S4 · model year

1993 AUDI S4

18 NHTSA complaints for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1993AUDIS4 carries 18 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1993 S4 is fuel system, gasoline:delivery with 7 filings, followed by service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (2) and fuel system, gasoline (2). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 9 investigation files overlapping the 1993 S4. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

18
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

18 filings

Crashes Reported

0 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY7
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP2
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS1
UNKNOWN OR OTHER1
SUSPENSION:REAR1
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES1
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL1
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM1

Recent Complaints

20181107FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

THIS WAS A CONSUMER CALL RECEIVED BY REGIONAL OFFICE STAFF, AND IS BEING RELAYED. VEHICLE HAS AN ACTIVE FUEL SYSTEM RECALL, AND DEALER IN SALT LAKE CITY, UT SCHEDULED REPAIR, BUT CANCELLED THE REPAIR APPOINTMENT DUE TO NOT HAVING PROPER BILLING CODE TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE REPAIR BY THE MANUFACTURER. PLEASE CONTACT CONSUMER DIRECTLY FOR FURTHER DETAILS AND TO ASSIST HIM IN RESOLVING THIS ISSUE.

20100510FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

I OWN TWO OF THE ORIGINAL AUDI S4'S, BOTH 1993 MODELS. MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING ONE OF THESE CARS IN 2007 AND THE THROTTLE STUCK OPEN SO THAT THE ENGINE RACED UNCONTROLLABLY. SHE WAS ABLE TO PUT THE CLUTCH IN AND STOP THE CAR AND TURN THE ENGINE OFF. THEN SHE HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE NEAREST REPAIR SHOP. IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT A PLASTIC PART ON THE TIP OF THE THROTTLE CAM HAD BROKEN OFF AND AS A RESULT THE THROTTLE CABLING MECHANISM STUCK IN THE PARTIALLY "OPEN" POSITION. I HAD THE THROTTLE CAM REPLACED WITH AN ALL STAINLESS STEEL CAM WHICH CANNOT BREAK DOWN AS A RESULT OF HEAT, AS PLASTIC OR A SIMILAR PRODUCT CAN DO. I HAD OEM CAMS REPLACED IN BOTH S4'S. AUDI DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM IN OCTOBER 2007. I HAVE RECOMMENDED TO AUDI THAT ALL 1992-1997 S4 AND S6 MODELS BE RECALLED AND THAT ALL THROTTLE CAMS BE REPLACED WITH AN ALL STAINLESS STEEL CAM (FOR EXAMPLE, ONE FABRICATED BY 034 MOTORSPORT IN FREMONT, CA.) AT LEAST ONE OTHER INSTANCE OF UNINTENDED ACCELERATION, DUE

Mileage: 118,000

20100510VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

I OWN TWO OF THE ORIGINAL AUDI S4'S, BOTH 1993 MODELS. MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING ONE OF THESE CARS IN 2007 AND THE THROTTLE STUCK OPEN SO THAT THE ENGINE RACED UNCONTROLLABLY. SHE WAS ABLE TO PUT THE CLUTCH IN AND STOP THE CAR AND TURN THE ENGINE OFF. THEN SHE HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE NEAREST REPAIR SHOP. IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT A PLASTIC PART ON THE TIP OF THE THROTTLE CAM HAD BROKEN OFF AND AS A RESULT THE THROTTLE CABLING MECHANISM STUCK IN THE PARTIALLY "OPEN" POSITION. I HAD THE THROTTLE CAM REPLACED WITH AN ALL STAINLESS STEEL CAM WHICH CANNOT BREAK DOWN AS A RESULT OF HEAT, AS PLASTIC OR A SIMILAR PRODUCT CAN DO. I HAD OEM CAMS REPLACED IN BOTH S4'S. AUDI DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM IN OCTOBER 2007. I HAVE RECOMMENDED TO AUDI THAT ALL 1992-1997 S4 AND S6 MODELS BE RECALLED AND THAT ALL THROTTLE CAMS BE REPLACED WITH AN ALL STAINLESS STEEL CAM (FOR EXAMPLE, ONE FABRICATED BY 034 MOTORSPORT IN FREMONT, CA.) AT LEAST ONE OTHER INSTANCE OF UNINTENDED ACCELERATION, DUE

Mileage: 118,000

20100413FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

I RUN A SMALL REPAIR SHOP AND HAVE SEEN A NUMBER OF AUDI VEHICLES FROM 1986 TO 1998 WHICH HAVE STEEL GASOLINE LINES THAT COLLECT ROAD SALT AND RUST IN THE RUBBER SUPPORT GROMMETS ATTACHED TO THE CHASSIS. THE RUST CAUSES A PINHOLE LEAK WHICH THEN BEGINS TO SPRAY GASOLINE ON THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. I HAVE SEEN 5 OR 6 VEHICLES LIKE THIS IN THE PAST 5 YEARS AND SAW ANOTHER ONE LAST WEEK. *TR

20070212VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES

PLASTIC THROTTLE CABLE PIECE BROKE RESULTING IN STUCK THROTTLE CONDITION. FOR AN ACCOUNT OF THE INCIDENT ALONG WITH PHOTOS SEE THE URL BELOW. *NM HTTP://WWW.S-CARS.ORG/POSTNUKE/MODULES.PHP?OP=MODLOAD&NAME=NEWS&FILE=ARTICLE&SID=183

Mileage: 125,000

20021211FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY

I HAD PREVIOUSLY CONTACTED NHSTA REGARDING FUEL LINE LEAKS IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT OF THE EALRY S4 AND S6 MODELS. THIS RESULTED IN THE "KY" RECALL CAMPAIGN. MORE RECENTLY, SOME OWNERS HAVE BEEN DISCOVERING LEAKS IN THE FUEL LINES GOING FROM THE REAR OF THE CAR TO THE FRONT. THESE LEAKS OCCUR AT THE POINT WHERE THE FUEL LINE GOES THROUGH RUBBER ISOLATION/MOUNTING BLOCKS. MOISTURE ACCUMULATES AT THESE POINTS AND CORRODES THE FUEL LINE RESULTING IN LEAKS. I DISCOVERED THIS ON MY OWN CAR IN EARLY 2002 AND I KEEP HEARING FROM MORE AND MORE PEOPLE FINDING THE SAME THING. THESE CARS HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY GOOD IN OTHER AREAS BUT THE FUEL SYSTEM PLUMING LEAVES MUCH TO BE DESIRED. DT

20020521SUSPENSION:REAR

WHILE DRIVING DURING A RAINSTORM THE REAR END BROKE HARD TO THE RIGHT SENDING THE VEHICLE INTO A COUNTERCLOCKWISE SPIN, AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE HIT A LAMPOST.NLM

20000418FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY

FUEL LINE FAILED WHERE BRAIDED LINE MEETS SOLID BRASS LINE. HAS HAPPENED IN MANY OTHER CARS OF THIS MODEL RELATIVE TO THE TOTAL NUMBER SOLD.

19991027FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY

FAILURE IS WHERE HOSE FROM FILTER IS PRESS FIT TO METAL FUEL LINE

19991016FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY

THE FAILED FUEL LINE WAS CUT OFF AND REPLACED WITH FUEL INJECTION HOSE AND CLAMPS.BY MY AUDI TRAINED MECHANIC. THIS REPAIR WAS NOT SUCCESSFUL AND THE FUEL BEGAN LEAKING AGAIN ON APRIL 1, 1999. I CONTACTED AUDI OF AMERICAN AT THE ADVISE OF THE AUDI S CAR INTERNET WEBSITE. MANY OTHER OWNERS HAD POSTED THE SAME PROBLEM. AOA INTERVENED AND THE REPAIR WAS MADE AT NO COST BY SCHAUMBURG AUDI IN ILLINOIS.

19990927FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY

THE FUEL LINE FAILURE OCCURS INCHES FROM THE TURBO, CREATING A DANGEROUS FIRE HAZARD!

19990926FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY

FUEL LINE LEAK...NOTICED FAINT FUEL SMELL ON MORNING OF 6/5/99 (COLD WEATHER THAT MORNING).. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN FOUND BY SEVERAL OTHER OWNERS. I HAVE NOT BEEN TO A DEALER ABOUT IT, BUT I KNOW THAT IT IS A PROBLEM WITH MY CAR.

19990926FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY

PLEASE SEE WEB SITE S-CARS.ORG F.A.Q RE LEAKING FUEL LINES.

19990925UNKNOWN OR OTHER

NO SUMMARY.

19990830FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

METAL FUEL LINE LEAKING ONTO ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUSING FUMES TO ENTER PASSENGER COMPARTMENT OF VEHICLE. NLM

19990208SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

WHILE DRIVING THERE WAS A LOT OF VIBRATION IN FRONT END. ABS BRAKES WERE NOT FUNCTIONING/LOCKED UP, CAUSING VEHICLE TO VIBRATE. ALSO, FRONT LEFT WHEEL HAD SMOKE COMING FROM IT. DEALER HAD TO REPLACE ALL BRAKE ROTORS AND REAR CALIPERS. *AK

19990208SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC

WHILE DRIVING THERE WAS A LOT OF VIBRATION IN FRONT END. ABS BRAKES WERE NOT FUNCTIONING/LOCKED UP, CAUSING VEHICLE TO VIBRATE. ALSO, FRONT LEFT WHEEL HAD SMOKE COMING FROM IT. DEALER HAD TO REPLACE ALL BRAKE ROTORS AND REAR CALIPERS. *AK

19990208SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

BOUGHT THE CAR FROM MY MOTHER WHO BOUGHT IT NEW JANUARY 1993 FROM HIGHLAND PARK AUDI, HIGHLAND PARK IL. NO SPECIFIC DEFECT CITED IN THE SUMMARY.

Compare 1993AUDIS4 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1993 AUDI S4 have?
The 1993 AUDI S4 has 18 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1993 AUDI S4?
The most-complained component for the 1993 AUDI S4 is FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY with 7 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP and FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE.
Is the 1993 AUDI S4 safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.