2012 Audi S4
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Transmission & Drivetrain
Transmission & Drivetrain leads by volume: 14 of 22 complaints (64%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Fuel System include more fire reports (2) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 26 in 2011 to 22 in 2012.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | vs. 2012 Compact Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 3,700 | 3,700 | 3,700 | 3,700–3,900 | 3,700–3,900 | |
| Combined MPG | 21 | 21 | 21 | 20–21 | 20–21 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 18 / 27–28 | 18 / 27–28 | 18 / 27–28 | 17–18 / 26–28 | 17–18 / 26–28 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 423 | 423 | 423 | 413–439 | 413–439 | |
| Complaints filed | 60 | 26 | 22 | 33 | 17 | |
| Recalls issued | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2012 Audi S4 have?
1 NHTSA recall campaign as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2012 Audi S4?
Transmission & Drivetrain: 14 of 22 NHTSA complaints (64%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2012 Audi S4 get?
EPA rates it 21 MPG combined across 2 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2012 Audi S4?
EPA estimates $3,700 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (2)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (S7) | 6 | 3.0L | All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Compact Cars | 18 mpg | 28 mpg (high) | 21 mpg | $3,700 | 423 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Manual 6-spd | 6 | 3.0L | All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Compact Cars | 18 mpg | 27 mpg (low) | 21 mpg | $3,700 | 423 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 5 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (1)
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:FUEL RAIL · Campaign 15V019000 · Jan 20, 2015
Defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Audi S4, S5, Q7, 2012 Audi A6, Volkswagen Touareg Hybrid, and 2012-2013 Audi A7 vehicles. In the affected vehicles the fuel injection system may experience a fuel leak.
Consequence: A fuel leak in the injection system in the presence of an ignition source, increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel rails and corresponding seals, free of charge. The recall began on March 17, 2015. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-822-2834 or Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 24AP for Audi customers and 24BK for Volkswagen customers.