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2021 Audi S4 problems, recalls and owner complaints

What the 2021 Audi S4 has been recalled for and what owners report, from official government data. Updated October 25, 2026.

  • 4safety recalls
  • 2owner complaints
  • 0crash reports
  • 0fire reports
  • 0injuries reported

2 complaints, against an average of 14 for the other 7 Audi S4 model years.

Every Audi S4 model year with its number of owner complaints. Pick a year to compare.

What goes wrong with the 2021 Audi S4?

The components named most often in the 2 owner complaints. One complaint can name several, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.

  1. Electrical System1 (50%)

Has the 2021 Audi S4 been recalled?

4 U.S. safety recalls. Repairs are free at a franchised dealer; some are done over the air.

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." NHTSA campaign 22V742000 · October 5, 2022 · Risk and fix

Risk: A blank rearview camera display can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will update the infotainment unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 25, 2022. Owners may contact Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 91DZ.

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. NHTSA campaign 22V034000 · January 26, 2022 · Risk and fix

Risk: Rear axle misalignment may cause premature or uneven tire wear, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will inspect the rear axle, adjust the alignment as necessary, and replace any prematurely or unevenly worn tires, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 3, 2022. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 42L5.

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." NHTSA campaign 21V606000 · August 5, 2021 · Risk and fix

Risk: An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.

Fix: Dealers will inspect, and replace as necessary, the middle-rear seat belt assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 27, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 and Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 69CR (VW) and 69CS (Audi).

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. NHTSA campaign 21V295000 · April 26, 2021 · Risk and fix

Risk: A broken lock nut may misalign the rear axle, causing a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will replace the lock nuts and, if necessary, the associated bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 4, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 42L1.

What do 2021 Audi S4 owners report?

2 of the 2 complaints, the most recent for the most-reported components, as the owners wrote them. NHTSA removes names and VINs; long reports are trimmed. CarHooq has not verified individual claims.

The contact owns a 2021 Audi S4. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced a loss of automotive power. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The message "Drive System Malfunction - Please Contact Service" was displayed. In addition, the vehicle hesitated to restart and shift into gear as intended. The contact stated that the failure had progressed over time. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing a pending software service update; however, the repairs would not be available until the end of 2025. The…
Electrical SystemNHTSA complaint 11689741 · Sep 25, 2025
2021 AUDI S4. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO NHTSA SAFETY RECALL 22V-742. THE CONSUMER IS DISGUSTED AND DISATISFIED WITH THE AUDI SERVICE DEPARTMENT PROCEDURES FOR PERFORMING THE RECALLS.
Unknown Or OtherNHTSA complaint 11504613 · Jan 31, 2023

2021 Audi S4: questions owners ask

Is the 2021 Audi S4 reliable?

NHTSA data alone cannot rate reliability, but it shows what owners reported. Owners filed 2 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Audi S4; the most common categories were electrical system (1, 50%). There are 4 safety recalls.

What are the most common problems with the 2021 Audi S4?

Across 2 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the categories mentioned most often are electrical system (50% of complaints). One complaint can name several components.

Does the 2021 Audi S4 have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2021 Audi S4; the most recent (campaign 22V742000, 2022-10-05) concerns Back Over Prevention: Display Function. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Check your own S4

Counts are a starting point, not a verdict: popular models collect more complaints because more of them are on the road, and NHTSA does not verify individual reports. To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls (U.S.) or your registration at check-vehicle-recalls.service.gov.uk (UK). Had a safety problem? Report it to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations and recalls.

Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation recall and complaint databases (public domain), retrieved October 25, 2026. Model year 2021 only.

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