Research · Compact Cars

2015 Audi S4Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 1 owner complaint for the 2015 Audi S4. Most complaints involve engine (1). The EPA rates it 20–21 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
20–21mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
1campaigns
Latest Oct 2014
Owner complaints
1
Top: engine
Fuel cost / yr
$3,800est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

1 NHTSA campaign · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Air bags

Free remedy

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.

Air bagsReported Oct 24, 2014NHTSA 14V667000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 30, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

1 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jan 2023 – Jan 2023
  1. Engine1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each S4 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2000143
200187
200222
200429
200543
200630
20084
201060
201126
201222
201333
201417
20151
20187
20192
202017
20212
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 30, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Engine

1 report
“The R&R valve/oil separator unit failed on my 2015 Audi S4 at approximately 71,000 miles. This unit, when fails, can mix the oil and anti-freeze which can seize the engine. I was able to catch the problem before engine failure. Minneapolis Audi repaired the vehicle this week, 1/10/23. There were NO warning indicators except noise. Various media sources have stated that this is a known engine failure concern between 60-90K miles for this engine. Audi does not recognize this as a safety or warranty concern.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 13, 2023EngineODI 11501592
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 30, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Compact Cars
Engines
3.0L 6-cyl supercharged
Transmissions
Automatic (AM-S7) · Manual 6-spd
Drive
All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 30, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
S4
Auto (AM-S7), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Sup Charg · All-Wheel Drive
182821$3,800413
S4
Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Sup Charg · All-Wheel Drive
172620$4,000439
  • S4
    Auto (AM-S7), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Sup Charg
    18 city · 28 hwy · $3,800/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • S4
    Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Sup Charg
    17 city · 26 hwy · $4,000/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 30, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Audi S4 4 DR AWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
5 of 5
Rollover risk
9.9%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 30, 2026Vehicle 9075
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2015 S4 questions

How many recalls does the 2015 Audi S4 have?

1 safety recall as of Oct 30, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2015 Audi S4 problems?

Owners filed 1 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2015 Audi S4 get?

The EPA rates the 2015 Audi S4 at 20–21 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

How safe is the 2015 Audi S4?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2015 Audi S4 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 30, 2026