AUDI S4 · model year

2000 AUDI S4

171 NHTSA complaints, 9 crash reports, and 1 active recall for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2000AUDIS4 carries 171 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 9 crashes, 0 fires, 7 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 2000 S4 is electrical system: instrument cluster/panel with 29 filings, followed by tires (19) and tires:sidewall (19). 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. This model year has 1 active recall campaign, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 9 investigation files overlapping the 2000 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.

171
Complaints
9
Crashes
0
Fires
7
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

171 filings

Crashes Reported

9 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL29
TIRES19
TIRES:SIDEWALL19
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE15
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP13
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM12
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE9
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE7
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:ABS WARNING LIGHT5
AIR BAGS4
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION2
TIRES:TREAD/BELT2
STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE2
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR2
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.2

Recalls (1)

21V47000023/06/2021

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2000-2001 Audi TT Coupe, TT Roadster, 2000-2002 A4, and S4 vehicles equipped with Non-Azide Driver Air Bag Inflators (NADI) that do not contain phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. Due to a manufacturing issue, the

Recent Complaints

20230814AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2000 Audi S4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V056000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. An undisclosed dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

20220203AIR BAGS

Audi Corporate and Also Both Local Audi dealers refuse to repair my safety recall that is open on my car.

20130111SEAT BELTS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 AUDI S4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH THE LATCH SYSTEM AND THEREFORE WAS UNABLE TO INSTALL A CAR SEAT. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE LATCH SYSTEM KIT WAS NO LONGER AVAILABLE WITH THE REVISED TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN 690803. THE LATCH SYSTEM WAS NOT INSTALLED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 99,705.

Mileage: 99,705

20120823ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER ON ALL THE AUDI S4S AND ALSO ON VW LOOSE PIXELS ON THE DASH AND IT GOES OUT, IT IS A HAZARD BECAUSE THIS IS A GAUGE THAT DOES A SYSTEM CHECK EVERY TIME YOU START THE VEHICLE, THE CAR TELLS THE DRIVER IF THERE ARE BRAKE PROBLEMS, ENGINE PROBLEMS, ALSO IF LIGHTS ARE OUT I.E. BRAKE LIGHTS TURN SIGNALS, AND ALSO FLUID STATUS OF THE CAR. WHEN THIS INSTRUMENT CLUSTER GOES OUT OR AS AUDI CALLS IT LOSES PIXELS, THE DRIVER DOES NOT KNOW THE STATUS OF THE CAR WHICH COULD CAUSE SAFETY AND HARM TO THE OPERATOR. IT HAS BEEN DOCUMENTED MANY TIMES AND HAS BEEN REPLACED ON MY CAR OVER 4 TIMES AND IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE WITH OTHER AUDI OWNERS. ALSO THE WINDOW REGULATOR CLIP THAT HOLDS THE WINDOW BREAKS AS WELL, AUDI AND VW DID A RECALL VIN SPECIFIC MODELS OF THE BEETLE JETTA AND A4 BUT NOT THE S4, THE CLIP IS THE SAME DESIGN THAT IS USED IN MY VEHICLE. IT ALSO HAS BEEN DOCUMENTED MANY TIMES OF FAILING AND CAUSES ANOTHER SAFETY ISSUE, IF THE CLIP BREAKS THE WINDOW WILL ROLL DOWN U

Mileage: 19,955

20120823EXTERIOR LIGHTING

THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER ON ALL THE AUDI S4S AND ALSO ON VW LOOSE PIXELS ON THE DASH AND IT GOES OUT, IT IS A HAZARD BECAUSE THIS IS A GAUGE THAT DOES A SYSTEM CHECK EVERY TIME YOU START THE VEHICLE, THE CAR TELLS THE DRIVER IF THERE ARE BRAKE PROBLEMS, ENGINE PROBLEMS, ALSO IF LIGHTS ARE OUT I.E. BRAKE LIGHTS TURN SIGNALS, AND ALSO FLUID STATUS OF THE CAR. WHEN THIS INSTRUMENT CLUSTER GOES OUT OR AS AUDI CALLS IT LOSES PIXELS, THE DRIVER DOES NOT KNOW THE STATUS OF THE CAR WHICH COULD CAUSE SAFETY AND HARM TO THE OPERATOR. IT HAS BEEN DOCUMENTED MANY TIMES AND HAS BEEN REPLACED ON MY CAR OVER 4 TIMES AND IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE WITH OTHER AUDI OWNERS. ALSO THE WINDOW REGULATOR CLIP THAT HOLDS THE WINDOW BREAKS AS WELL, AUDI AND VW DID A RECALL VIN SPECIFIC MODELS OF THE BEETLE JETTA AND A4 BUT NOT THE S4, THE CLIP IS THE SAME DESIGN THAT IS USED IN MY VEHICLE. IT ALSO HAS BEEN DOCUMENTED MANY TIMES OF FAILING AND CAUSES ANOTHER SAFETY ISSUE, IF THE CLIP BREAKS THE WINDOW WILL ROLL DOWN U

Mileage: 19,955

20100820SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC

COMMUNICATION FAILURE FROM THE ABS MODULE, IT CAUSES THE ABS LIGHT TO STAY LIT AND THE BRAKE LIGHT FLASHES, WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE ABS DOES NOT WORK ON THE CAR, IT'S A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE UNITS BUT AUDI HASN'T DONE A RECALL. THIS WILL BE THE SECOND TIME I HAVE TO REPLACE THIS UNIT OUT OF POCKET SINCE I'VE OWNED MY 2000 AUDI S4. *TR

Mileage: 119,562

20100316ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

ABS SENSOR FAILURE ON 2000 AUDI S4 QUATTRO. LIGHT CAME ON AT 114,213. LEADING TO THE BRAKE LIGHT TO FLASH ALONG SIDE OF IT AND BEEP EVERY OTHER MINUTE WHEN YOUR DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. HAVEN'T CORRECTED THE PROBLEM BECAUSE I'VE HEARD IT COST 1,700. SOME PEOPLE DON'T HAVE THAT KIND OF MONEY. MANY OTHER PEOPLE ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM ON VW'S AS WELL AS THE AUDI IN YEARS FROM 1996-2001. *TR

Mileage: 114,000

20100316SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE

ABS SENSOR FAILURE ON 2000 AUDI S4 QUATTRO. LIGHT CAME ON AT 114,213. LEADING TO THE BRAKE LIGHT TO FLASH ALONG SIDE OF IT AND BEEP EVERY OTHER MINUTE WHEN YOUR DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. HAVEN'T CORRECTED THE PROBLEM BECAUSE I'VE HEARD IT COST 1,700. SOME PEOPLE DON'T HAVE THAT KIND OF MONEY. MANY OTHER PEOPLE ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM ON VW'S AS WELL AS THE AUDI IN YEARS FROM 1996-2001. *TR

Mileage: 114,000

20100222TIRES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 AUDI S4 WITH BRIDGE STONE BLIZZARD WS- 60 TIRES 235/45/R17. HE STATED WHEN DRIVING OVER 50 MPH THE TIRES DO NOT GRIP AND LOSE TRACTION. BRIDGESTONE WAS CONTACTED AND THEY STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT HELP HIM .THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN OCCURRING EVER SINCE HE PURCHASED THE TIRES. HE HAD REPLACED THEM 2 TIMES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80000.

Mileage: 80,000

20100126TIRES

BRIDGESTONE BLIZZAK WS-60 TIRES ARE HIDEOUSLY DANGEROUS ON DRY ROADS, AT SPEEDS ABOVE 55MPH, WHEN THEY BEGIN TO LOSE TRACTION. ABOVE 65MPH, THEY ARE TERRIFYINGLY UNSTABLE AND UNPREDICTABLE. NOTE: THE PROBLEM IS NOT WITH THE LM-25 TIRE MODEL. THESE TIRES PERFORM ADEQUATELY. THE PROBLEM IS SEVERE, AND ONLY INVOLVED THE NEWEST MODEL, THE WS-60. *TR

20091015SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

ABS BRAKE MODULE HAS FAILED ON MY 2000 AUDI S4. DASH INDICATOR BEGAN FLASHING ON 10/9. ON 10/10 DEALER CHECKED COMPUTER AND THE DIAGNOSIS WAS THAT MODULE HAD FAILED. *TR

Mileage: 121,900

20090805ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 AUDI S4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENTAL CLUSTER DOES NOT WORK IN HIS VEHICLE. OCCASIONALLY, HE IS UNABLE TO READ THE DISPLAY PANEL. THE DEALER QUOTED HIM A COST FOR THE REPAIR, BUT DID NOT PROVIDE ANY OTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

Mileage: 100,000

20090429ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I OWN A 2000 AUDI S4. MY INSTRUMENT CLUSTER HAS AN LCD DISPLAY THAT DISPLAYS INFORMATION LIKE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE, POSSIBILITY OF ICY CONDITIONS WHEN THE TEMPERATURE IS LOW ENOUGH TO WARRANT THESE CONDITIONS, AVERAGE MPG AND OTHER INFORMATION OF THIS NATURE. THIS SCREEN ALSO GIVE SAFETY WARNINGS LIKE BAD HEADLIGHT, TAILLIGHT, LICENSE PLATE LIGHT, WORN BREAK PADS, LOW WASHER FLUID, LOW ENGINE OIL AS WELL AS OTHERS. THIS SCREEN, AS DESCRIBED IN THE OWNERS MANUAL, DOES INDEED PROVIDE CRITICAL SAFETY INFORMATION ABOUT THE AUTOMOBILE. *TR

20090428ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

CENTER INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DISPLAY DOES NOT FUNCTION. PIXELS WHICH DISPLAY CRITICAL VEHICLE WARNING INFORMATION ARE OUT AND ILLEGIBLE. PROBLEM IS PERMANENT AND ENTIRE CLUSTER HAS TO BE REPLACED TO FIX PROBLEM. *TR

Mileage: 100,000

20090424ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

THE 2000-2002 AUDI S4S HAVE A VERY LARGE PROBLEM WITH THE INFORMATIONAL GAUGE CLUSTER SCREEN FAILING. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS WELL AN EXTREMELY COMMON PROBLEM. IT FAILS TO ALERT YOU OF THINGS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE LIKE BRAKE PAD WEAR, TAILLIGHT MALFUNCTIONS, ENGINE ISSUES, VEHICLE SPEED, TEMPERATE (ISSUE WHEN ITS GETS FREEZING). THIS IS MOSTLY DUE TO RELYING ON THIS SCREEN FOR SO MANY YEARS. MANUAL CHECKS CAN BE DONE OBVIOUSLY BUT IT FAILS WITHOUT WARNING AND THAT CAN BE TO LATE IN MANY CASES. *TR

Mileage: 178,000

20090120ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 AUDI S4. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE LED INDICATORS DIMMED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO DRIVE TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE DEALER INFORMED HIM TO PURCHASE A NEW CONTROL PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AT THE TIME, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED FOR THE PAST FOUR YEARS. RECENTLY, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE LED INDICATORS WERE TOO DIM TO ASSIST WITH THE WARNING INDICATORS NOTIFYING HIM OF A FAILURE WITH THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000. UPDATED 03-06-09 *BF UPDATED 03/10/09. *JB

Mileage: 45,000

20081224ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER HAS PIXEL LINES NOT SHOWING. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE IT IS DIFFICULT AND SOMETIMES IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION DISPLAYED BY THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. *TR

Mileage: 40,000

20081005ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE PIXELS IN THE CLUSTER ARE GONE. THE CLUSTER DISPLAYS VITAL SAFETY INFORMATION AND I CAN'T SEE THEM BECAUSE THE PIXELS ARE DEAD. I SEE THIS AS A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD, BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW WHEN THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. *TR

20081005ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

SCREEN IN GAUGE CLUSTER IS GOING BAD AND IS A SAFETY HAZARD SINCE I CAN NOT READ IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR MY VEHICLE. *TR

Mileage: 90,000

20081004ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILURE. I HAVE NO WAY TO VIEW THE IMPORTANT VEHICLE INFORMATION ON MY CLUSTER AS THE PIXELS IN THE DISPLAY HAVE FAILED AND ARE NOW UNREADABLE, TEMP, ENGINE ISSUES ETC ALL APPEAR ON THIS SCREEN AND ARE UNREADABLE. *TR

Mileage: 40,000

Compare 2000AUDIS4 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2000 AUDI S4 have?
The 2000 AUDI S4 has 171 NHTSA complaints, 9 crashes, 0 fires, 7 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2000 AUDI S4?
Yes, the 2000 AUDI S4 has 1 recall(s). The most common affected component is AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2000 AUDI S4?
The most-complained component for the 2000 AUDI S4 is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL with 29 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include TIRES and TIRES:SIDEWALL.
Is the 2000 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.