Filed Sep 22, 2025 · Engine, Fuel system · NJ
Unknown
2010 Audi S4 transmission problems
42 complaints (70% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 63,000.
- owner complaints
- 42
- of this car's complaints
- 70%
- typical mileage
- 63,000
- crashes
- 0
- recalls
- 0
Which part fails
Owners did not name a specific part.
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
Audi S4 transmission problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2010 Audi S4 transmission
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
What 2010 Audi S4 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Unknown
Once car is put into reverse it launches back ? Also in first one put in cost it wants to move practically forward .
Car slammed into different gear, wasn't able to shift into 2nd and threw gearbox malfunction and TPMS errors. Thankfully I was near home and able to make it there without an accident or being stranded, but my car is now immobile. I spoke with audi and they said it will likely be a $4k repair (mechatronics unit). After researching this more, it seems to be a common problem with these cars. It can happen at any time and can be extremely dangerous. There's also a pending class action lawsuit to get audi to do the right thing and recall these cars and fix them.
My car flashed gearbox malfunction while driving down interstate I-264 in louisville ky. Car seamed fine for about 2 miles and then suddenly went limp and I had no gears. Had to hit flashers and coast into median. Was almost hit by semi truck. Repair shop could not find anything wrong. Happened again 1 day after getting it back from shop. Taking it to audi now. I have read that this is a common problem.
Mechatronic issues.
The whole car jerked when going to 2nd gear and then thetpms, no reverse, and gear malfunction lights comes on. 2nd, 4th, 6th, and reverse gear are gone. Restarting the car cleared the warning and drove fine for 10 miles before it happens again. Try restarting again to clear the warning but light will come back on when going to 2nd or reverse.
Gearbox failure seems to be common issue on the 2010 model. Seems a replacement mechatronics unit or full transmission will need to be done to resolve the issue.
It happened again today driving down the highway going up to speed, at about 50 MPH I got a "gearbox malfunction" error message in the cluster and it would not let me accelerate anymore, it was like the car was in neutral and pressing the accelerator pedal would just rev up the engine. The mechatronics unit on these vehicles are faulty, I know 2 other s4 owners with the years of 2011 and 2012 who also had their mechatronics fail on their s4. Along with the gearbox malfunction error also comes "parking brake error" who knows what in the world can happen when that message comes up. Is it going to suddenly apply the electronic parking brake going 50-70 MPH down the highway and cause a possibility of a very bad accident? The repair is very pricey for the mechatronic unit that goes bad, it is no coincidence many of these s4 models have these go bad.
Vehicle was in motion, the mechatronics unit on my car is failing and just many many other vehicles of the same make, model, and year. The vehicle can stop engaging gears at any speed and can be very dangerous at any speed, especially on the highway
Transmission failure. Lurching from a stop and lurching during shift changes.
Questions about the 2010 Audi S4 transmission
Does the 2010 Audi S4 have transmission problems?
Owners have filed 42 complaints about the transmission of the 2010 Audi S4, 70% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.
At what mileage do 2010 Audi S4 transmission problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 63,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2010 Audi S4 transmission?
There is no recall for this problem on this model year.
What year does the Audi S4 have bad transmission?
The Audi S4 model years with the most transmission complaints are 2010 (42 complaints), 2011 (22 complaints) and 2012 (14 complaints).
Other 2010 Audi S4 problems
Engine 15Electrical 6Acceleration 2Brakes 2Lights 2Fuel system 1Steering 1
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2010 Audi S4?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history