Head-to-head reliability
AUDI S4 vs FORD F 150
How the AUDI S4 and FORD F 150 compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
AUDI S4 vs FORD F 150: The Audi S4 has 28 complaints over 10 years (2.8/year) and 12 recalls, while the Ford F-150 has 11,621 complaints (1,162/year) and 151 recalls. The F-150 also has 330 crash-related complaints and 297 injuries, versus none for the S4. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the AUDI S4 or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
AUDI S4
The Audi S4 is a performance sedan that, based on owner complaints, can be frustrating to live with due to electronic glitches. Over 10 years, it has averaged 2.8 complaints per year, with most issues centered on the infotainment system rebooting and backup camera failures. There are also reports of serious engine problems in some model years. While it has a low complaint rate, the nature of the issues can be distracting and potentially costly.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup that, according to NHTSA data, has a very high volume of complaints—averaging over 1,100 per year. The most common problems involve the transmission and electrical system, with some owners reporting dangerous limp mode incidents. There are also reports of rear window shattering and other issues. With many recalls and crash-related complaints, it requires careful inspection and maintenance.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | AUDI S4 | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 28 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 12 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 2.8 Better | 1162.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 297 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 1 |
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.
What actually goes wrong
The problems owners report
The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.
AUDI S4
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM15
- 02BACK OVER PREVENTION9
- 03ENGINE6
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER6
- 05SERVICE BRAKES2
Owners report the MMI infotainment screen goes dead and reboots every 2-5 minutes while driving. This can disable the backup camera and rear sensors, making reversing less safe and causing distraction.
The same MMI reboots cause the backup camera and rear obstacle detection to become unavailable when the screen blacks out. This means you lose rear visibility and warnings precisely when you need them most.
Some owners of the 2018 S4 with the EA839 engine report catastrophic failure due to rocker arm needle bearings coming loose, causing knocking and metal shavings in the oil. This can lead to expensive engine replacement.
Many complaints are filed under 'Unknown or Other' but describe the same MMI reboot issue, indicating the problem is widespread and not easily categorized. This suggests a persistent electronic fault that may be hard to diagnose.
“The MMI (multimedia interface) screen goes dead and reboots frequently (every 2-5 minutes) while driving. It is extremely frustrating and distracting. In addition, when the screen blacks out while driving in reverse, the backup camera, back up sensors and cro…”
“The MMI spontaneously reboots numerous times while driving. When the reboots happen, the screen goes black, and key systems such as the backup camera, rear obstacle detection, and navigation become unavailable until the reboot completes and the systems reload…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
Owners frequently report transmission problems, including limp mode and getting stuck in 5th gear, often linked to a lead frame issue. Some say the truck nearly caused a collision, highlighting a serious safety risk.
The lead frame issue also appears under electrical system complaints, with symptoms like sudden loss of power and transmission malfunction. Additionally, rear window defroster shorts have caused back windows to shatter unexpectedly.
Complaints in this category include the rear window shattering after using the defroster, which owners report as a sudden and dangerous event. This can happen with no apparent external cause.
While not detailed in the sample, exterior lighting is a top complaint category, suggesting issues with lights failing or malfunctioning. This can affect visibility and safety, especially at night.
“This lead frame issue is never ending. Well over a decade without a proper remedy. I’m very familiar with it. but this one nearly ended my life. After the near collision I called my mechanic and bought a new ford lead frame from a dealership. It’s doing fine…”
“My 2017 Ford F-150 V8 with the 6-speed automatic transmission has been experiencing a serious and recurring transmission malfunction. The truck has consistently, almost on a daily basis, gone into limp mode and become stuck in 5th gear. It also frequently fai…”
Official recalls
Safety recalls on record
Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.
AUDI S4 — 12 recalls
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2017-2020 A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, 2018-2019 RS5 Coupe, 2019 RS5 Sportback, 2018-2020 A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A5 Sportback, S4 Sedan, S5 Cabriolet, S5 Coupe, and Audi S5 Sportback vehicles. The cable connecting the seat heater to the Passen…
The risk: A disabled passenger air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the connecting cable and either the heating mat or entire seat cover, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 7, 2022. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number fo…
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Volkswagen ID4, Audi A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A5 Sportback, A6 Allroad, A6 Sedan, A7, A8, E-Tron Quattro, E-Tron Sportback Quattro, Q3, Q5, Q5 Sportback, Q7, Q8, RS5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, RS6 Avant, RS7, R…
The risk: An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect, and replace as necessary, the middle-rear seat belt assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 27, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 and Audi custome…
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Audi A5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, RS5 Sportback, S5 Sportback, 2020-2021 A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A6 Allroad, A6 Sedan, A7, A8, Q5, S4 Sedan, S5 Coupe, S5 Cabriolet, S6 Sedan, S7, S8, SQ5, 2021 Q5 Sportback, Q7…
The risk: Rear axle misalignment may cause premature or uneven tire wear, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the rear axle, adjust the alignment as necessary, and replace any prematurely or unevenly worn tires, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 3, 2022. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-…
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 Q7, Q8, Q5 Sportback, SQ5 Sportback, RS6 Avant, RS7, RS Q8, 2020-2021 Audi S6 sedan, Q5, A8, S8, A7, A6 Allroad, A5 Cabriolet, A4 sedan, A4 Allroad, SQ5, S7, A6 sedan, S5 coupe, S4 sedan, S5 Cabriolet, A5 coupe, 2019-2021 RS5 coupe,…
The risk: A broken lock nut may misalign the rear axle, causing a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the lock nuts and, if necessary, the associated bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 4, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 4…
FORD F 150 — 151 recalls
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Ford F-150 and 2017-2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty pick-up trucks equipped with an engine block heater. Water and contaminants may get into the block heater cable's splice connector causin…
The risk: When the heater is plugged in, prolonged corrosion could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring which can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the block heater cable, free of charge. Once parts are available, Dealers will replace the engine block heater cable, free of charge. The recall began June 3, 2019. Owners may contact Ford…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Ford F-150 and 2017-2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty pick-up trucks equipped with an engine block heater and previously remedied under recall 18V894. During the previous repair, the block he…
The risk: A damaged cable could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring, increasing the risk of a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the engine block heater from being used. When replacement cables become available, a second notice will be mailed and dealers will replace the engine block heater cord, free of charge. The…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Ford F-150 Regular Cab and SuperCrew Cab vehicles. If a front seat belt pretensioner deploys as the result of a crash, the sparks may ignite materials such as carpeting or insulation within the B-pillar area.
The risk: A vehicle fire could result if materials ignite inside the vehicle.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will remove the B-pillar insulation material and wiring harness tape, and install heat resistant tape, free of charge. The recall began September 28, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Ford F-150, and 2017 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty trucks. The doors on these vehicles may have a bent or kinked actuation cable or the door latches may freeze after water gets into the latch. Either condition can result in the do…
The risk: A door that opens while driving can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the door latch actuation cables and repair if necessary, and install water shields over the door latches, free of charge. The recall began October 12, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer…
Buyer analysis
AUDI S4 or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Audi S4 has far fewer complaints per year (2.8 vs. 1,162.1 for the Ford F-150), but both have notable issues. The F-150's high complaint volume means a higher likelihood of encountering problems, while the S4's lower rate doesn't guarantee freedom from serious faults like engine failure. In practice, the F-150 may require more frequent repairs, but the S4's electronic glitches can be persistently annoying.
Key differences
- The Audi S4 averages 2.8 complaints per year, while the Ford F-150 averages 1,162.1, a massive difference in reported problem frequency.
- Audi S4 complaints often involve infotainment reboots and backup camera failures, whereas Ford F-150 complaints frequently involve transmission limp mode and lead frame issues.
- The Ford F-150 has 330 crash-related complaints and 297 injuries reported, while the Audi S4 has 0, indicating a higher safety risk in the F-150 based on complaints.
- Both have engine-related complaints, but the S4's are about catastrophic failure in some years, while the F-150's are more about transmission and electrical faults.
- Check the MMI infotainment system for frequent reboots or black screens; test the backup camera and rear sensors while in reverse.
- Listen for engine knocking or unusual noises, especially in 2018 models, and check for metal shavings in the oil, which could indicate rocker arm bearing failure.
- Test drive the truck and watch for transmission shuddering, delayed engagement, or limp mode; scan for diagnostic trouble codes like P0722.
- Inspect the rear window for cracks or signs of shattering, and test the rear defroster to ensure it doesn't short or cause overheating.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on both models, especially the Ford F-150's many recalls.
- Have a mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection focusing on the Audi's MMI system and engine, and the Ford's transmission and electrical system.
- During a test drive, specifically test the backup camera and infotainment on the Audi, and the transmission shifting and rear defroster on the Ford.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, particularly for transmission services on the Ford and oil changes on the Audi.
- Check for any signs of previous accidents or repairs, as the Ford F-150 has many crash-related complaints.
Year by year
Which model years to avoid
Complaints per model year for both vehicles — lower is better. The spikes are the years to scrutinize.
| Year | AUDI S4 | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 0 | 345 |
| 2024 | 0 | 638 |
| 2023 | 0 | 1527 |
| 2022 | 0 | 3493 |
| 2021 | 2 | 5349 |
| 2020 | 16 | 44 |
| 2019 | 2 | 52 |
| 2018 | 7 | 79 |
Check the actual car
Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.
Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific AUDI S4 or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- AUDI S4 vs FORD F 150
- AUDI S4 total complaints
- 28
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- AUDI S4 total recalls
- 12
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- AUDI S4 avg complaints/year
- 2.8
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- AUDI S4
- AUDI S4 top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN