Audi›S4›2021›Overview/audi/s4/2021/base/

2021 Audi S4

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2021 S4.

Transmission Automatic (S8)

The 2021 Audi S4 rests on Audi’s familiar platform and is powered by a 7.7‑quart oil system that uses 0W‑20 viscosity, achieving EPA‑rated 20 city/28 highway/23 combined mpg with an automatic S8 transmission. Owner complaint records show just two issues, both centered on the electrical system, and the model has been subject to four recalls. Its complaint history, spanning 1990 to 2021, peaked at 148 complaints in 2000 but fell to a single complaint in 1995, positioning the 2021 S4 as one of the most reliable years of the lineage.

Model year202520242023202220212020

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity7.7 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type0W-20OEM · verified
Lug nut torque89 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy20/28/23 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI Refer to the appropriate service information for options and battery usage. battery, OE oil filter 06M115441G. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI Refer to the appropriate service information for options and battery usage.OEM · verified
Tire size245/40R18/XL 97HOEM · verified
Wheel / rim8 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter06M115441G alt 06M198405F
Engine air filter8W0133843
Spark plug06M905606F
Battery000915089BD
Front wiper blades8W1998002
Thermostat06M121688 alt 06M121678H
Cabin air filter4M0819439C

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S8)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length187.8 in
Overall width72.8 in
Overall height55.1 in
Wheelbase111 in
Curb weight3854 lb
Track (front / rear)61.8 / 61 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)56/44

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined20 / 28 / 23 mpg
DrivetrainAll-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume92 cu ft
Cargo volume12 cu ft
Recommended fuelPremium Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the S4 of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

4.3 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 4.30 sec — 2021 Prestige Quattro Sedan
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2021Prestige Quattro Sedan 3.0L Turbo V64.30 sec12.80 sec349 hpAWD
2020Prestige Quattro Sedan 3.0L Turbo V64.20 sec12.80 sec349 hpAWD
2020Prestige Quattro Sedan 3.0L Turbo V64.20 sec12.80 sec349 hpAWD
2018Prestige Quattro Sedan (S Sport) 3.0L Turbo V64.20 sec12.80 sec354 hpAWD
2018Premium Plus Quattro Sedan (S Sport) 3.0L Turbo V64.30 sec12.80 sec354 hpAWD
2024Prestige Quattro Sedan 3.0L Turbo V64.80 sec13.30 sec349 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 7.7 qt of 0W-20 engine oil, DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 89 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-4-3-6-2-5.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidAudi P/N G 060 162 A2
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity9.0 qt
Brake FluidDOT 4
Clutch FluidDOT 4
Engine CoolantAudi Coolant G13-TL-VW774J
Engine Coolant Capacity10.5 qt
Engine Oil0W-20 · Synthetic
Engine Oil Capacity7.7 qt

Engine torques

Cylinder Head InstructionsOnly use new bolts.

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts89 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-4-3-6-2-5

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR1234yf
Refrigerant Capacity1.12-1.18 lbs
Oil Capacity3.50-4.10 oz

Service checks

Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum87.0 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure Maximum116.0 psi
Residual Pressure43.45 psi

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: 1LA
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 1LA
ABS Sensor Torque6.4
Minimum Pad Thickness0.079" in
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: 1LA; Rear: 1KD

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Completely install all bolts by hand. Step 222 ft. lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
111.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 22.011 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 10,000 mi; spark plugs every 40,000 mi.

Every 10,000 miBrake Linings (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire Repair Kit Sealant (inspect)
Every 20,000 miBody Water Drains (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Door Hinge (lubricate) · Drive Axle Assembly (inspect) · Engine Assembly (leak inspection)
Every 40,000 miSpark Plugs (replace) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)
Every 60,000 miDrive Belt (replace) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2021 Audi S4 registers only 2 complaints—split evenly between electrical system and unspecified issues—with zero crash or fire incidents, matching 2019 for the lowest complaint volume in the 2018-2021 generation window and representing a sharp decline from 2020’s 16 complaints. This model year carries 4 recalls, the highest count in the recent four-year span and an increase from 3 in 2020, while technical service bulletins continued their steady climb to 927. Within the arc of this generation, 2021 marks the point where recall activity peaked while owner-reported problems reached their minimum, contrasting sharply with the high-complaint eras of 2000-2006. The data positions 2021 as a year with minimal consumer-reported defects despite elevated factory-initiated remedy campaigns. With zero safety-related complaints and complaint rates tied for the lowest in its generation, 2021 stands out as a favorable year to buy.

4
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
927
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
2
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent
’90’91’92’93’94’95’96’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’18’19’20’21

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 2 complaints on record, top 2 components.

Electrical System1
Unknown Or Other1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 4 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

21V606000Seat Belts:Rear/Other:RetractorReported 05/08/2021

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… Remedy: 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…

22V034000TiresReported 26/01/2022

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… Remedy: 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 927 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
TSB_2076404_82026-06-29Unknown Or OtherThis bulletin provides a deployment overview for customer service packages MLB and MQB…
TSB_2074640_32026-06-26EngineThis bulletin provides information when there is increased oil consumption; >0.5ltr/1000…
TSB_2074729_32026-06-23Electrical SystemThis bulletin provides informationwhen noises/vibration are detected from front of…
TSB_2059335_72026-06-23Electrical SystemThis bulletin provides information when there are noises from the area around the…
TSB_2065960_62026-06-23Electrical SystemThis bulletin provides information when the display of the Audi virtual cockpit is…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific S4. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group R batteryVehicles taking 7.7 qtEngine oil filter 06M115441GEngine air filter 8W0133843Spark plug 06M905606FBattery 000915089BD

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBsOBD-II trouble codesTorque specificationsMaintenance schedulesFluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2021 S4 take?

7.7 qt of Audi 0W-20 Synthetic, per the factory manual.

Does the 2021 S4 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the S4 get?

EPA figures are 20 city / 28 highway / 23 combined mpg.