Model year record

2001 Audi S4

1 recall campaign on file for this model year. 92 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 21V470000

Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module

Component: Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module
Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Vehicles affected: 62,812
Reported to NHTSA: 2021-06-23
Owners notified: 2021-11-02

Defect description

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2000-2001 Audi TT Coupe, TT Roadster, 2000-2002 A4, and S4 vehicles equipped with Non-Azide Driver Air Bag Inflators (NADI) that do not contain phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. Due to a manufacturing issue, the NADI inflators may absorb moisture, possibly causing the air bag to deploy improperly in the event of a crash.

Safety risk

In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, the air bag may not properly protect the occupant, increasing the risk of serious injury or death.

Manufacturer remedy

Dealers will replace the driver frontal airbag inflator with an alternative inflator, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 2, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69CJ.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

Component	Complaints	Median mileage
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel	29	78,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: anti-theft: control module	9	1,100 mi
Tires	9	87,000 mi
Electrical system	8	60,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling	6	46,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system	4	50,000 mi
Air bags	2	102,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights	2	30,000 mi
Seats	2	14,000 mi
Seats: front assembly: recliner	2	40,000 mi
Air bags: frontal	1	25,000 mi
Back over prevention: warnings: external/pedestrian alert	1	—
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash	1	20,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: turbo/supercharger	1	—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor	1	29,477 mi
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.	1	—
Exterior lighting: headlights: switch	1	—
Fuel system, gasoline	1	23,000 mi
Parking brake: conventional	1	—
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly	1	35,000 mi
Seats: front assembly: power adjust	1	—
Seats: front assembly: seat heater/cooler	1	—
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip	1	25,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist	1	82,100 mi
Structure: body: door	1	—
Suspension: front: wheel bearing	1	62,000 mi
Tires: sidewall	1	—
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: interior	1	—
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly	1	—

The 2000 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 2002 model has 3 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.