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2013 Audi S4
Solid pick. The complaint record is strong for its age. It does carry safety recalls, so confirm every one shows "remedy completed" on the VIN before money changes hands.
32 owner complaints · 1 recalls · data verified July 17, 2026 · source: NHTSA
Why buy?
Steering problems dominate (59% of complaints).
Very few owner complaints for its age and sales volume.
Complaints are overwhelmingly minor: almost none involve crashes, fires, or injuries.
The math, shown
Full methodology →Complaints filed per year
Fading = early teething worked out. Climbing = problems aging in.
How it crashes
NHTSA’s own crash tests, separate from the reliability score above.
5/5 overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating · 2013 Audi S4 4 DR AWD
Rollover risk in a single-vehicle crash: 10%
No open NHTSA defect investigations on file.
Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings. Star ratings compare vehicles within the same class and size, not across every car on the road.
The road ahead
What breaks on a 2013 Audi S4, plotted where owners report it happening.
Also reported (mileage varies): Steering (19) · Transmission & drivetrain (8)
Mileage medians come from owners who mentioned an odometer reading in their NHTSA complaint, a rough guide, not a schedule.
Steering
59%19 complaints
“VEHICLE WILL NOT DRIVE STRAIGHT WHEN STEERING WHEEL IS CENTERED. THERE APPEARS TO BE A "NOTCH" AT THE CENTER, REQUIRING CONSTANT ADJUSTMENT TO MAINTAIN A STRAIGHT PATH…”
Transmission & drivetrain
25%8 complaints · 1 in the last 2 years
“DSG ISSUES. CLUNKING WHEN DOWNSHIFTING INTO 1ST / 2ND WHEN STOPPING. SHIFT HESITATION ON UPSHIFT AS WELL .”
Engine
13%4 complaints · 1 in the last 2 years
“TRANSMISSION SHIFTS HARSHLY AND MAKES NOISE DURING SHIFTS. WAS TOLD THE MECHATRONICS NEED REPLACEMENT. SOMETIMES WHEN ACCELERATING THE CAR WILL JOLT AS IF IT IT LOSES …”
Electrical system
6%2 complaints
“THE VEHICLE WILL NOT START. NOT WITH THE "KEY" OR THE BUTTON STARTER. AUDI SERVICE CLAIMS ITS THE BATTERY BUT WHEN THE ROADSIDE SERVICE SHOWS UP ITS NOT THE BATTERY, S…”
Recalls (1)
Safety recall repairs are free at the brand’s franchised dealers. Before buying, run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and make the seller show the work was done.
Air Bags · 14V667000
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Audi A4 and S4 vehicles manufactured February 16, 2012, to October 21, 2014, and 2013-2015 Audi Allroad vehicles manufactured March 12, 2012, to October 21, 2014. Due to an improper algorithm in the air bag control module, if a crash necessitates deployment of the side air bags, a second impact to the front of the vehicle may not command the front air bags to also deploy.
Risk: If the front air bags do not deploy in the event of a secondary impact to the front of the vehicle, there is an increased risk of occupant injury.
Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and Audi dealers will update the air bag control unit software, free of charge. The recall began on November 14, 2014. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-822-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69K5.
Before you hand over money
Verify the recall work was done
NHTSA’s free lookup shows whether this exact car had its recall remedies completed.
Free NHTSA VIN check ↗Get a pre-purchase inspection
A $150 to $250 independent inspection of this exact 2013 Audi S4 beats every score on the internet, including ours.
What to ask forNot set on the 2013? See how every S4 model year scores →
Cross-shopping? Compare the 2013 Audi S4 against another car →
What owners say
Real owners of this exact model-year, shown separately from the NHTSA score. If they disagree, that’s worth knowing.