Decode an Audi S4 VIN free with NHTSA vPIC. See its generation and the NHTSA recalls for that model year, then read what owners have reported.
Free decode plus the NHTSA recalls for its model year. 17 characters, no I, O or Q.
Audi has sold the S4 in the US since the 1992 model year, and there have been six generations. The C4 came first (1992–1994); B5 (2000–2002), B6 (2004–2005), B7 (2006–2008), B8 (2010–2016) followed, and the B9 took over for 2018–2025. Across those years NHTSA lists 18 vehicle recall campaigns and 588 owner complaints. Complaints pile up on the B5. Its 2000 and 2001 model years alone account for 230 of them, with owners bringing up electrical system most often and the brakes after that. EPA rates the C4 at 18 mpg combined, while the B9 gets 23–24 mpg. A free VIN decode gives you NHTSA vPIC’s record for the car (model year, engine, plant) and the NHTSA recalls for its model year. It won’t show theft, flood or lemon-law history.
Six generations since the 1992 model year. The B5 (2000–2002) has the most owner complaints, the B9 (2018–2025) the most recall campaigns (7).
Photo: IFCAR, Public domain, via Wikimedia CommonsPhoto: IFCAR, Public domain, via Wikimedia CommonsPhoto: The Car Spy, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia CommonsPhoto: WikiPimpi at German Wikipedia, Public domain, via Wikimedia CommonsPhoto: Shawn Jooste, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia CommonsPhoto: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Mentions in 28 NHTSA complaints.
WAUHP84A?PN······NHTSA vPIC decodes it as a 1993 Audi S4 quattro, built in Neckarsulm, GermanyMentions in 252 NHTSA complaints.
WAUDD68D?YA······NHTSA vPIC decodes it as a 2000 Audi S4 quattro, built in Ingolstadt, GermanyMentions in 72 NHTSA complaints.
WAUGL68E?5A······NHTSA vPIC decodes it as a 2005 Audi S4, built in Ingolstadt, GermanyMentions in 47 NHTSA complaints.
WAUGL78E?6A······NHTSA vPIC decodes it as a 2006 Audi S4 quattro, built in Ingolstadt, GermanyMentions in 159 NHTSA complaints.
WAUKGAFL?AA······NHTSA vPIC decodes it as a 2010 Audi S4 quattro Prestige, built in Ingolstadt, GermanyMentions in 28 NHTSA complaints.
WAUB4AF4?LA······NHTSA vPIC decodes it as a 2020 Audi S4 quattro Premium Plus, built in Ingolstadt, GermanyNHTSA has 18 campaigns on file for S4 model years 1992–2025, and the 2009 and 2021 show up in the most (4 each). Move the line to your model year to see which apply.
Source: NHTSA recall database, vehicle campaigns only; row text is NHTSA’s summary. A listed year does not mean every car is covered, so check the VIN.
Canada rows: Transport Canada recalls database. Transport Canada recalls that match an NHTSA campaign are folded into that row by VinNumber.net; rows with the Canadian flag have no NHTSA match. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada · Transport Canada.
Between them, the 2000 and 2001 hold 230 of the 588 complaints, or 39%. Tap any bar or generation.
Mentions in 28 complaints, 2018–2025.
The 2020 stands out. On its own it has 16 of the B9’s 28 complaints (57%), and owners across the generation name electrical system most often (16 mentions), then rear camera / back-over prevention (12).
Mentions in 159 complaints, 2010–2016.
Complaints peak with the 2010, its first model year, at 60 of 159. Owners across the generation name powertrain most often (90 mentions), then engine and cooling (28).
Mentions in 47 complaints, 2006–2008.
Fires come up in 1 B7 complaints, or 2.1% against 0.7% for all S4 model years, which is the highest rate of any generation. Its first model year, the 2006, drew more complaints than any other (30 of 47). Owners across the generation name exterior lighting most often (22 mentions), then air bags (18).
Mentions in 72 complaints, 2004–2005.
Complaints peak with the 2005 (43 of 72). Owners across the generation name exterior lighting most often (37 mentions), then engine and cooling (19).
Mentions in 252 complaints, 2000–2002.
Its first model year, the 2000, drew more complaints than any other (143 of 252). Owners across the generation name electrical system most often (107 mentions), then brakes (65).
Mentions in 28 complaints, 1992–1994.
Fuel system owns this generation. Its 20 mentions are more than twice the next area, brakes (4). Complaints peak with the 1993 (16 of 28).
Complaint counts are low for this generation, so the data is thin. The 2010 draws the most NHTSA complaints, and the most common one is the S tronic dual clutch transmission shifting roughly or jerking, with some owners reporting water pump failures. CarComplaints lists engine overheating and transmission failure for 2011, clunking and rough shifts from the dual clutch transmission for 2013, and bucking for 2014. A recall covers the air bag control software on 2013 models. [1] [2] [3] [4]
Counts: NHTSA complaints file, records to October 1, 2026, one count per complaint; areas are NHTSA component groups.
Owner summary updated September 25, 2026.
Every S4 version is counted together. Tap a year to see its top systems.
Crashes 0 · fires 0 · injuries 0
Crashes 0 · fires 0 · injuries 0
Crashes 0 · fires 0 · injuries 0
Crashes 0 · fires 0 · injuries 0
Crashes 6 · fires 0 · injuries 6
Crashes 4 · fires 0 · injuries 0
Crashes 0 · fires 0 · injuries 0
Crashes 0 · fires 0 · injuries 0
Crashes 0 · fires 1 · injuries 0
Crashes 2 · fires 0 · injuries 1
Crashes 0 · fires 0 · injuries 0
Crashes 1 · fires 1 · injuries 2
Crashes 0 · fires 0 · injuries 0
Crashes 2 · fires 0 · injuries 0
Crashes 0 · fires 0 · injuries 1
Crashes 0 · fires 2 · injuries 0
Crashes 0 · fires 0 · injuries 0
Crashes 0 · fires 0 · injuries 0
Crashes 0 · fires 0 · injuries 0
Crashes 0 · fires 0 · injuries 0
Crashes 0 · fires 0 · injuries 0
Crashes 0 · fires 0 · injuries 0
Crashes 0 · fires 0 · injuries 0
Crashes 0 · fires 0 · injuries 0
Systems as NHTSA names them; a complaint can list several. Source: NHTSA complaints data, records to October 1, 2026.
EPA lists 67 S4 versions for model years 1992–2025. The lowest tailpipe CO₂ is 363 g/mi (2022). Pick a model year and powertrain to see each version.
18 mpg · CO₂ 494 g/mi
18 mpg · CO₂ 494 g/mi
16–18 mpg · CO₂ 494–555 g/mi
15–16 mpg · CO₂ 555–592 g/mi
20–21 mpg · CO₂ 413–439 g/mi
23–24 mpg · CO₂ 363–393 g/mi
Annual fuel cost is EPA’s estimate at its current fuel-price assumptions (15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving), so older years are priced at today’s fuel prices. Smog rating and emission standard can differ by sales area (federal vs. California); both are shown. Greenhouse-gas ratings start with the 2013 model year. Source: fueleconomy.gov.
Take 2010–2016. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the S4, against 27 for the BMW 3 Series and 28 for the Mercedes-Benz C-Class. Pick a range to compare.
Model years 2006–2008
Model years 2006–2008
Model years 2006–2008
Model years 2010–2016
Model years 2010–2016
Model years 2010–2016
Model years 2018–2025
Model years 2018–2025
Model years 2018–2025
NHTSA recalls (vehicle campaigns for all powertrain versions; equipment and tire campaigns left out), complaints (not sales-adjusted) and 5-Star overall ratings for the latest year rated for all three; EPA mpg, engines and drive. Rivals: same EPA class, picked by VinNumber.net.
Tap a spot. Every location should show the same 17 characters.
Photo: Hans Haase, CC BY-SA 3.0, cropped
Illustration: VinNumber.net
Photo: Alexander Migl, CC BY-SA 4.0; edited and VIN pins added by VinNumber.net
Locate the S4's VIN on the dashboard plate at the lower driver's windshield. Door jamb sticker, engine bay stamp near the strut tower, and trunk lid label are the secondary locations. The B9 generation starts with the 2018 model year; the VIN’s 10th character (J for 2018) shows which side of that line a car falls on.
The 2000 leads with 143, ahead of the 2001 (87) and 2010 (60). Those first two alone make up 39% of the 588 S4 complaints filed with NHTSA, not adjusted for sales.
NHTSA’s recall records show 18 vehicle campaigns for model years 1992–2025, leaving out equipment and tire campaigns. By generation, B9 leads with 7. Then come the C4 (3), B6 (3), B7 (2), B8 (2) and B5 (1), and a campaign can span two generations.
17V-032 covers air bag inflators that can rupture. 21V-470, 18V-427, 18V-004 and 18V-082 cover air bag inflator modules and how they deploy. NHTSA’s record names a fire risk in 15V-019. Each should show as closed on a VIN check.
By US model year, the C4 is 1992–1994 and the B5 2000–2002. B6 spans 2004–2005, B7 2006–2008, B8 2010–2016 and B9 2018–2025. Read the year off the VIN’s 10th character (J is 2018).
It varies. EPA rates the 2018–2025 B9 at 23–24 mpg combined, depending on engine and drive, up from 18 mpg for the 1992–1994 C4 (fueleconomy.gov).
For 2018–2025 models the S4 has 7 NHTSA recall campaigns. The BMW 3 Series has 35, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class 46. Complaints run 28, 306 and 343 in that order, with no sales adjustment.