The 2004 Audi S4 has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 9,965 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 37 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine and engine cooling. Last updated July 6, 2026.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY OF XENON HEADLAMP COATING DEGRADATION OVER TIME. THE LUMINOUS TRANSMITTANCE OF THE HEADLAMP MAY DECREASE OVER A PERIOD OF TIME.
THIS CONDITION COULD AFFECT A DRIVER'S FIELD OF VIEW, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LEFT AND RIGHT XENON HEADLAMP REFLECTORS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 11, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AUDI AT 1-800-822-2834.
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.
“Hankook tires, ventus s1 noble 2 splitting outside sidewall, caused to depressure tire, which caused to crack tire on the inner sidewall subsequently led to manufacturer claim blame on my vehicle. The tire model is under a recall, but in different size, but identical walls, manufacturing process.…”
“After engine cools down, timing chain rattle can be heard upon starting the car. Chain rattle means that plastic guides or adjusters are worn, and might go any second. Spoke with audi rep online, which advises me that this is normal, and expected. Knowing basics of engines and transmission, I…”
“Tl* the contact owns a 2004 audi s4. While driving at night, the low beam head lamps failed to illuminate without warning. While attempting to the head lamp bulbs, the contact noticed that the wiring was burned and damaged. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure, but the vin…”
“Tl* the contact owns a 2004 audi s4. While driving at night, the low beam head lamps failed to illuminate without warning. While attempting to the head lamp bulbs, the contact noticed that the wiring was burned and damaged. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure, but the vin…”
“Xenon headlamps wiring all corroded and bare with no insulation left. Check with audi and they said our vehicle and vin is not part of any recall. Yet rcorrd-05v096-4498 in your database shows a mofification letter from vw to include our vin. There is no record according to audi service shops that…”
“Xenon headlamps wiring all corroded and bare with no insulation left. Check with audi and they said our vehicle and vin is not part of any recall. Yet rcorrd-05v096-4498 in your database shows a mofification letter from vw to include our vin. There is no record according to audi service shops that…”
“On saturday morning 12/15/2014 start my card and heard a rattle noise on the engine, first time it make that noise since I bought it. On my way to work I started hearing the rattle noise again but this time it was louder I was driving around 40 mph when this happened. The car started vibrating and…”
“2004 audi s4. Consumer states vehicle failed while driving, engine, power brakes and steering locked up *tgw the dealer informed the consumer, the vehicle had suffered catastrophic engine failure, which was most likely due to the failure of the timing chain or adjusters. The consumer was quoted a…”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2004 Audi S4 as of July 6, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.