2012 Audi S4 power train problems
14 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the power train on the 2012 Audi S4 — 64% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“Circuit board on the mechatronics unit failed and car is under 100k miles. Sudden shaking and banging on the highway when giving it gas above 30. Frequent jolts, dangerous to drive...”
filed Sep 27, 2019
“The dsg transmission in my audi s4 experiences abrupt jerking from 2nd to 1st great while decelerating. It also jerks and feels like it is being hit while shifting from 1st to 2nd when accelerating normally.”
filed Aug 24, 2019
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Related service bulletins
This bulleitn provides information when there are running problems/restricted functions, 0B5 gearbox.
TSB_2082048_1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jun 23, 2026This bulletin provides information when there is restricted function with DTC P141D (8940), 0B5 gearbox.
TSB_2082102_1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jun 22, 2026
Power Train problems in other S4 years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 S4 | 8 | 25% |
| 2011 S4 | 22 | 85% |
| 2010 S4 | 42 | 70% |
| 2006 S4 | 1 | 3% |
| 2005 S4 | 1 | 2% |
| 2004 S4 | 5 | 17% |
| 2000 S4 | 2 | 1% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2012 Audi S4
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.