2019 Audi S4 problems

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The Audi S4 is the high performance variant of Audi's compact executive car A4. The original Audi S4, built from 1991 until 1994, was a performance-oriented version of Audi's 100 saloon/sedan. All subsequent S4s since 1997 have been based on the Audi A4; and as the A4 has evolved from one generation to the next, so has the S4.

Like its regular A4 counterpart, all S4 variants have had longitudinally oriented, front-mounted engines. All versions of the S4 have their transmission mounted immediately at the rear of the engine in a longitudinal orientation, in the form of a transaxle, and like all Audi "S" cars, are only available as standard with Audi's quattro all-wheel drive (AWD) system, using a Torsen-based centre differential system. A more powerful internal combustion engine, larger upgraded brakes, firmer suspension, larger wheels, and distinctive sheetmetal, styling clues and badging have always been amongst the many upgrades the S4 receives over its mainstream 100 and A4 siblings. In markets where the even higher-performance Audi RS 4 is not offered, the S4 is the top-of-the-line trim of the A4 family.

A single turbocharged 2.2-litre inline five-cylinder powered the original C4 version, and a 2.7-litre twin turbocharged V6 engine was found in the B5 generation. The B6 and B7 versions shared a common 4.2-litre V8 engine, the first time that a V8 engine was placed in a compact executive car, placing it in direct competition with the BMW M3 (3.2 L inline 6) and Mercedes-Benz C32 AMG (3.2-litre supercharged V6). The B8 generation uses a supercharged 3.0-litre V6 TFSI engine and competed with the BMW 335i, BMW 335i/340i xDrive, and Mercedes-Benz C350. The current B9 generation is powered by a turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 TFSI engine, with rivals including the BMW M340i xDrive and Mercedes-Benz C450 AMG/Mercedes-AMG C43 4MATIC.

All versions of the S4 have been manufactured at Audi's plant in Ingolstadt, Germany; they are, or have been available as a four-door five-seat saloon and a five-door five-seat Avant (Audi's name for an estate car/station wagon) body styles since the model's inception in 1991. A two-door four-seat Cabriolet (convertible) S4 variant was introduced as part of the B6 and B7 generation A4 lineups. The B8 Cabriolet has now been built off the A5 coupe body style and the "S" variant is marketed under the Audi S5 nameplate.

2019 Audi S4

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Common 2019 Audi S4 problems

The Audi S4 is a popular car known for its performance and luxury features. However, like any vehicle, it is not without its common problems. Here are some of the most frequently reported issues with the 2019 Audi S4, based on complaints from owners:

  1. Overheating due to failing thermostat: Some Audi S4 owners have reported issues with the car's thermostat, which can cause the engine to overheat. This is a serious problem that can lead to engine damage if not addressed promptly.
  2. CV Boots and Joints: The Audi S4's CV boots and joints should be inspected at each service to ensure they are in good condition. If not, they can wear out quickly and cause damage to the car's drivetrain.
  3. Check Engine Light due to faulty torque converter: Some Audi S4 owners have reported issues with the car's torque converter, which can cause the check engine light to come on. This is a serious problem that can lead to transmission failure if not addressed promptly.
  4. Fuel System Problems: Some Audi S4 owners have reported issues with the car's fuel system, including fuel pump failures and fuel injector problems. These issues can cause the car to run poorly or not at all.
  5. Windows/Windshield Problems: Some Audi S4 owners have reported issues with the car's windows and windshield, including window regulators that fail and windshields that crack easily.

It is important to note that these are common problems reported by owners, but not all 2019 Audi S4s will experience these issues. Regular maintenance and inspections can help prevent many of these problems from occurring. Additionally, it is important to address any issues promptly to prevent further damage to the vehicle.

2019 Audi S4 engine

Is the Audi S4 a reliable car?

The Audi S4 doesn't have a good reputation when it comes to reliability. RepairPal gave it an underwhelming reliability score of only 2.0 out of 5.0. The S4 is known to have a lot of issues like a failed thermostat, turbocharger failure, engine oil leaks, and premature brake wear, among others.

How many miles do Audi S4 last?

A well maintained AUDI can be expected to last a LONG LONG time, as in twenty or thirty years and three or four hundred thousand miles.

Is a 2019 Audi S4 supercharged?

2019 Audi S4 models

It is available in three trims — Premium, Premium Plus and Prestige — with each trim adding increasing levels of luxury and technology features. All models come with a powerful, turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 (349 horsepower, 369 pound-feet of torque).

Is an Audi S4 a fast car?

0-60 MPH Times

Looking at the numbers, the S4 ranks above most competitors in performance. The 0-60 mph time for the Audi S4 in our testing was 4.2 seconds.

Is the Audi S4 a reliable car?

The Audi S4 doesn't have a good reputation when it comes to reliability. RepairPal gave it an underwhelming reliability score of only 2.0 out of 5.0. The S4 is known to have a lot of issues like a failed thermostat, turbocharger failure, engine oil leaks, and premature brake wear, among others.

How many miles do Audi S4 last?

A well maintained AUDI can be expected to last a LONG LONG time, as in twenty or thirty years and three or four hundred thousand miles.

Is Audi A4 or S4 better?

S4 Horsepower. Whichever model you choose, enjoy responsive power delivery and a smooth and quiet ride. The 2023 Audi A4 delivers 201 horsepower or 261 horsepower, depending on the engine option you choose, while the 2023 Audi S4 equipped with the larger V6 engine produces a mighty 349 horsepower.

When did they stop making Audi S4?

Audi S4
ManufacturerAudi AG
Production1991–1994 1997-present
Body and chassis
ClassCompact executive car (D)

2019 Audi S4 car problems categorized by type of issue

After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Audi S4 problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:

  • Service brakes problems
  • Lane departure problems

The graph below shows statistics for all 2019 Audi S4 vehicle components and the number of complaints received.

2019 Audi S4 complaints

The NHTSA has received 1 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2019 Audi S4.

2021-05-04

SERVICE BRAKES,LANE DEPARTURE PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2021-04-01
  • VIN: WAUB4AF41KA
  • Components: SERVICE BRAKES,LANE DEPARTURE
  • Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 AUDI S4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE BRAKES LOCKED UP. THE ABS WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE AUDI PRE-SENSE MESSAGE WAS ALSO DISPLAYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FLETCHER JONES AUDI (1523 W. NORTH AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60642, (312) 628-4300) HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 19,800.

2019 Audi S4 recalls

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 1 recalls for different components of the 2019 Audi S4.

2021-11-10
  • Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
  • Components: SEATS
  • Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2017-2020 A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, 2018-2019 RS5 Coupe, 2019 RS5 Sportback, 2018-2020 A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A5 Sportback, S4 Sedan, S5 Cabriolet, S5 Coupe, and Audi S5 Sportback vehicles. The cable connecting the seat heater to the Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS) may have a contact fault, causing the software to misdiagnose a malfunction and disable the passenger air bag.
  • Consequence: A disabled passenger air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
  • Remedy: Dealers will replace the connecting cable and either the heating mat or entire seat cover, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 7, 2022. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 74E3. This recall is an expansion of Recall 19V-547 (74D9). Vehicles previously repaired under 19V-547 will need to return for the new remedy.

Negative 2019 Audi S4 car reviews

  1. Westley Welch 2024-09-23

    If you're considering buying a sport model from Audi and you're a bit of an Audi enthusiast, it's important to do your research. I personally own a brand new S4 2018 model, and after just one year, in 2019, all four tires had completely worn out and split. As a lady driver who drives carefully, this was a real shock and made me feel quite nervous about driving. What's more, I was never told upfront that S Sport models require a special alignment that costs double due to a camera sensor, which can also cause tires to have a shorter lifespan. When I brought my S4 in for a second recall service, I was told that my tires were split and worn, and that this was common for most S models. They even suggested that I consider getting a regular A model instead. It's frustrating to hear these things, and I've recently heard a lot of bad news about Audi and disappointments from their clients. One person said their engine light came on just three days after buying their car, while another said they started hearing strange noises after just a week. And after the 50,000 mile warranty, the cost of parts and services can be substantial. So, it's worth considering alternatives like BMW, Mercedes, or Porsche. Do your research and make an informed decision.

  2. Norberto Krajcik 2024-09-15

    I really enjoy how Audis perform on the track, but I have noticed that the S4 can be a bit too heavy, which can lead to some wear and tear on the tires and brakes. Additionally, I have had some trouble finding good service at Audi dealers in the DC/MD area without feeling like I'm being taken advantage of.

  3. Bernardo Ullrich 2024-03-07

    I strongly advise against purchasing the 2019 Audi S4 prestige due to my personal experience with major issues such as a broken sunroof and fuel injector problems at 2k and 4k miles respectively, and now at 6k miles, the fuel injector is acting up again with significant lag and poor gearing.

Positive 2019 Audi S4 car reviews

  1. Nasir Koch 2025-01-02

    This car is closer in size to the E-Class Mercedes and 5 Series BMW. When comparing, it's best to look at these cars rather than the C-Class MB and 3 Series BMW. It offers much better value than the E-Class and 5 Series for far less money.

  2. Stanford Schowalter 2024-03-19

    The B9 Audi S4 has been the best daily driver I have ever experienced, by far. Having previously owned 2 different B8 S4s, I can confidently say that this version is better in every way. Compared to my E90 M3 and C43 AMG, both of which were much harsher to drive every day, I find the B9 S4 to be exponentially more pleasurable to drive. Some of the pros of this car include its ride quality, sport diff and handling, interior quality, and technon run flat tires. Additionally, when you turn on the car, it starts in the mode you were last in, and it has a good shifter (unlike the Mercedes column mounted one). However, there are some cons to consider, such as the small gas tank which causes frequent fill ups, and some options are bundled only in the prestige trim. While this may not matter to some, it's worth noting that the prestige trims on Audi's usually have worse residuals for leasing.

  3. Melvin Mante 2024-03-13

    Love the S4! The handling, power, digital cockpit, and looks are all amazing. After trying an S4, why would anybody buy an A4?

  4. Santiago Halvorson 2024-03-03

    Apart from the usual cost of the vehicle and the fact that maintenance can be expensive, the Audi driving experience is perfect. I have had the privilege of driving every German make at least once, and my experience with Audi has been nothing but spectacular, even with the loaner '20 A6 I received for a few weeks while my S4 was being serviced. The price tags may be high, but you definitely get what you pay for. It's a cliche, but it's the truth. The seats are incredibly comfortable, which is perfect for my fiance and me since we do a lot of road tripping. Whenever we drive the Audi, it's like a dream come true. I would never recommend buying a luxury vehicle brand new off the line, but with certified pre-owned, you really can't go wrong!

  5. Gustave Wintheiser 2024-02-11

    I recently switched from Mercedes Benz to Audi, including the SLK, CLK, and C Classes. I was pleasantly surprised by the S4 (2019), which is reassuring when pushed. Compared to Mercedes Benz, the stance is just a little firmer and sportier. I really appreciate the seats, which hold me in place during long trips (my last one was 5400km over 10 days). While the massage function isn't super strong, it was helpful. The Drive Select is also quite useful, with modes that are noticeably different from each other. Dynamic Sport mode is especially fun, although the suspension is very firm. I prefer the suspension set softer, which you can do in the Individual Mode. I haven't had any problems with the vehicle in the 32,000kms I've driven it. This is actually my third A4 (this one is an S4, of course). The only challenge I've had was a crack in a thermostat housing in my last A4, which was fixed in under an hour. My experience has been that Audis are not unreliable. We also have a SQ5 2020 with 33,000 kilometres and a Q3 (quattro) with 15,000 kilometres, and we haven't had any challenges with either of these vehicles. The fuel economy around town isn't great, especially if you want to jump off the line at lights (it does bite). However, over the 5400km trip, it got to 6.7ltrs/100kms but averaged 7.2ltrs/100kms, which was fair. Especially since there were many Grey Nomads on the highway with caravans, it didn't get caught behind any of them. (I'm glad people still flash you if there are police on the road.) Overall, it's definitely a good car. I thought about getting an RS model, but I asked myself, why? This S4 is plenty quick and capable enough.

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Additional sources

More sources of information about 2019 Audi S4 problems:

B9 S4 reliability concerns/common issues? : r/AudiS4
B9 S4 reliability concerns/common issues? : r/AudiS4
https://www.reddit.com/r/AudiS4/comments/10qcpg9/b9_s4_reliability_concernscommon_issues/

Jan 31, 2023 ... The long story: I own a 2012 mk 6 GTI, and my husband has a 2019 Mk 7.5 Golf R. The GTI has been a PERFECT car. Very reliable. Very fun to drive ...

B9 S4 Reliability - AudiWorld Forums
B9 S4 Reliability - AudiWorld Forums
https://www.audiworld.com/forums/s4-b9-platform-discussion-214/b9-s4-reliability-2987992/

Feb 14, 2020 ... ... S4 Reliability - My 2017 6MT A4 is coming on lease end. Stopped into dealer and they have a 2019 P+ S4 ... Audi S4 / RS4; /; S4 (B9 Platform) ...

2019 Audi S4 Problems | Kelley Blue Book
2019 Audi S4 Problems | Kelley Blue Book
https://www.kbb.com/audi/s4/2019/common-problems/

How reliable is the 2019 Audi S4? See the most common repairs performed and learn if your vehicle is at risk for major repairs in the next 12 months.

have owners have any problems with new b9 S4
have owners have any problems with new b9 S4
https://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php/792973-have-owners-have-any-problems-with-new-b9-S4/page6

Sep 19, 2021 ... Under the rockers, Audi has adjustable cam timing, moving cam profiles, rocker arm oil spray, and a HPFP tri-cam. That is a lot going on.

2019 Audi S4 Repair: Service and Maintenance Cost
2019 Audi S4 Repair: Service and Maintenance Cost
https://repairpal.com/cars/audi/s4/2019

The Audi S4 Reliability Rating is 2.0 out of 5.0, which ranks it 27th out of 31 for luxury midsize cars.

Other years of Audi S4

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S4 2021
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S4 2022
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S4 1992
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S4 1993
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S4 1994
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S4 1995
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2019 Audi S4 photo