2013 S4 Brake Squeal Resolved?

[socialpro]

Started getting the dreaded brake squeal when its cold outside at low speeds. I searched through forums and found TSBs for older S4s (2010/2011), but have seen nothing on the 2013+up. Anybody experience this and able to get it properly resolved through the dealer or to no avail?

Had the same thing on my 335 (common issue) and even after dealer replaced brakes it came back within 500 miles, and I ended up throwing aftermarket pads on and had no squeal after.

Should I even bother with seeing dealer on this or go same route of aftermarket pads? Seems like a waste of money as the pads on the S4 now stop great and car only got 13k miles but that squeal is killing me. Please Help!

[littleredwagen]

its the pads and the temp, just swap them done

[socialpro]

im 90% sure its front pads, is that correct?

and by temp you mean temperature? I think once they warm up or if its warmer out there is no issues.

[apexit1]

Do the 2013'2 still have the brake squel issue? WTF Audi the car is 4 years old, fix this shit

[littleredwagen]

im 90% sure its front pads, is that correct?

and by temp you mean temperature? I think once they warm up or if its warmer out there is no issues.

yes the front pads and yes when the pads heat up or it is warm outside they go quiet

[staticuxo]

no squeal on my previous B8 or current B8.5.

[socialpro]

no squeal on my previous B8 or current B8.5.

Yeah seems like its hit or miss on all models of S4. Some pull out of dealers lots brand new S4s (based on audizine threads) and get the squeal other times its nothing at all for the life of the car. Guessing it all depends on very minor tolerances in manufacturing / installation that produce those results. And majority of cases is something in between where it starts at some mileage a year or two after car is new. And seems like temperature plays a big factor in this as well.

Leaning towards the throwing in a new set of pads and being done with this as ultimately that seems to be the only solution with lasting results. Might inquire if there is a TSB for the newer models but feel like its going to be typical dealer BS when it comes to brakes ('high performance vehicle / brakes / typical on all models, etc')...'nothing we can do'

[Maltitol]

I get a fair amount of brake squeal on my '13 too . It definitely only happens when its cold outside, but "warming" the brakes doesn't seem to help much for me. The only temporary fix I found is to go from 60-0 as fast as possible. Seems to clear the problem for the next few trips or until the next morning. I have 17K on mine, and I don't know if Audi will warranty the brakes at that many miles.

[millerrh]

My wife has been complaining about brake squeal on her 2013 Q5. Different brakes for sure, but maybe same root cause?

[Restless]

The front pads were replaced on my 2011. The squeal is completely gone.

[srk]

One thing I actually hate about Audi's ( actually all German cars) the break pads creates a hell of a lot of dust yet they squeal. If you put after market pads on, the dealer throws a fit and doesn't want to touch anything about the brakes.
For my B7 I had replaced the front pads with an aftermarket one that had a whitish powder and left the rears stock. Only after two days of driving the rear wheels would be gray and front would still look clean...

[LakeShow]

Yes, extreme squealing! Good I thought I was the only one!

[socialpro]

Just a quick update --- brake squeal keeps getting worse and worse. It is not temperature dependent anymore (as it was when I first got the squeal it was only bad when it was cold out), and brakes pretty much squeal all the time below 10mph at various pitches and it was driving me NUTS!

Called the dealer to ask about brake squeal - they said what I expected them to say- its very common on all audis, sometimes having A4s, S4s, S6s, S7s etc right of the delivery truck squeal as they take them off, as all audis use same brake pads (?). They said I can bring the car in they will look at it, probably apply some anti squeal paste etc...but did not guarantee the issue not returning, and based on the experience I had with BMWs with the same issue and even bmw swapping out brake pads the squeal comes back within so many miles.

Ordered a set of akebono ceramic pads last week as I had good luck with them on my previous cars. Just got them installed will keep update whether that resolves brake squeal for good. And hoping less brake dust to boot (stock pads are horrible in that regard as well).

Just weird to think that brake squeal is still a concern and a very common occurrence on modern high - line cars in this day and age. I would have guessed that pad and rotor technology / materials would of been beyond perfection after 60 or so years of iteration.

[IanCH]

I was at my service center and there was a poster that had a picture of a brake and it said "when servicing brakes, insist on OEM Audi Parts", I found that pretty funny given how bad OEM pads are for dust.

[Dr GP]

Both my 2010 and my 2014 have had brake squeal. Not so much on the 2014 so far. BUT, when I did take my 2010 in and complained about it, they did some type of perfunctory adjustments that did seem to make it a little better. They also gave me a pamphlet from Audi telling me WHY they squeal. Pretty much saying that in order to get the best braking performance, they had to use a compound that has this side effect. Really, I would just replace the front brakes with ceramic(Akebono) and get rid of both the squeal and brake dust.

[kasher_khan]

2013 s4 17k miles. Brakes squeal embarrassingly loud sometimes when it's really cold. Have a few more months of winter left so I guess I'm just going to have to put up with it. This was common with my G35 too so I'm kind of used to it. Didn't think I'd have to put up with it on a 60k german car. Oh well... I hear BMWs can be worse! Don't even think I'm going to bother with fighting the dealer or this. I am still wondering how to deal with the steering issues right now.

[socialpro]

Both my 2010 and my 2014 have had brake squeal. Not so much on the 2014 so far. BUT, when I did take my 2010 in and complained about it, they did some type of perfunctory adjustments that did seem to make it a little better. They also gave me a pamphlet from Audi telling me WHY they squeal. Pretty much saying that in order to get the best braking performance, they had to use a compound that has this side effect. Really, I would just replace the front brakes with ceramic(Akebono) and get rid of both the squeal and brake dust.

Yep exactly what I did. Swapped the front pads with AKEBONO today, not a single squeal now (time will tell if anything appears), and I would say brake performance is 90% of the Audi OEM pads feel. They feel slightly softer and initial bite is not as strong, but from previous experience and other threads brake performance should get better over time.

Overall an easy not overly expensive ($80 from tire rack) 'permanent' solution mod to the annoying brake squeal.

[achilleas101]

just experienced the squeal on my '13 with 7300 mile on it, last night. it was about 20 degrees outside. barely noticed it, so it wasn't as bad as i've had before on my old A4 that i'd put Hawk ceramics on. those puppies squealed like i was a semi with air brakes, but only happened in the hot months. so it's weird that these do it in the cold.

[kstrike155]

I had the squeal for a while and kept complaining to Audi about it. They insisted that it would go away in the warmer months.

July came along and it hadn't gone away, so I mentioned it at my 35k service. They took a look and found that a couple of the pads had cracks in them. The dealer replaced all 4 rotors and all pads under warranty for me.

I couldn't believe it (thanks, Audi!), and it hasn't squealed since (I did get one little peep out of it the other night, but it was close to 0F outside). Currently at 55k.


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[dbX79]

I noticed it on my last A4. Now I have a S4 and it's been squealing more and more. I think cars can hear it easily. Kind of embarrassing really. I'm hoping there is a good reason for the squeal like the brake pads are made out of a better material for braking. The SA says it's normal during cold weather.

[RedSox S315]

I just started having this problem. It's only happening when its below freezing outside and braking from 10-0 mph. I only have about 9500 miles on the car and I'm surprised that this is happening already. Should I take it to the dealer and see what they say?

[RReddington]

Yeah seems like its hit or miss on all models of S4. Some pull out of dealers lots brand new S4s (based on audizine threads) and get the squeal other times its nothing at all for the life of the car. Guessing it all depends on very minor tolerances in manufacturing / installation that produce those results. And majority of cases is something in between where it starts at some mileage a year or two after car is new. And seems like temperature plays a big factor in this as well.

Leaning towards the throwing in a new set of pads and being done with this as ultimately that seems to be the only solution with lasting results. Might inquire if there is a TSB for the newer models but feel like its going to be typical dealer BS when it comes to brakes ('high performance vehicle / brakes / typical on all models, etc')...'nothing we can do'

LOL What the fuck??? I have the same problem on mine, 12,000 km now and he literally said the exact same thing.

Wait so, this squeaky thing isn't covered under warranty?

[rggale]

I got horrible brake squeal on my '12 S4 from about 5k miles on...along with extended cold cranks. Of course ze Germans say "cannot replicate".

[barbear1978]

geezus will the hits never end... 2015 S4 w/ 12k miles. 25 degrees out and the brakes are squealing like crazy. people stare... audi needs to fix this shit.

[Brother Owl]

geezus will the hits never end... 2015 S4 w/ 12k miles. 25 degrees out and the brakes are squealing like crazy. people stare... audi needs to fix this shit.

Stock pads are the problem. Get new pads, preferably ceramics - squeal will go away

[cjw]

I changed to ceramics, still squeals. It's not as loud, but happens more.

[Brother Owl]

Hmm, mine haven't made a peep since switching, I did replace rotors as well though. Maybe a regrease would help?

[barbear1978]

my problem is, why am i and others having to deal with this on a $60k car? it's only 8 flippin' months old. $20k car? got it; its a part of the package. but these vehicles are supposed to be built better than that.

[ojmcneill]

Two options for brake squeal:
1. Bed those damn things: Go from 60 to 5mph with hard almost emergency braking. Don't lock them up but as hard as you can. Do this 3 - 4 times to heat up the rotors and pads and burn off any residue or junk on them. Don't come to a complete stop while they are hot or you'll transfer more pad material onto your rotor. Do this 3 -4 times without stopping and then coast and let your brakes cool off. Once cool, you should be good to go for a while. Called bedding your brakes.
2. Flip those crappy oem brakes out. I went with Akebono brakes. Unless you are super meticulous, you can't tell the difference. Innitial bite might be a hair less, but you have no brake squeal and no brake dust. 2 problems solved for basically $50. I just did my fronts. Do it yourself too. It's super easy to do.

[bmoreS4]

I getting ths on my 13 as well.

What is the best front pads for low dust and sound?

Do we need to change out the rotors with pads?

[TexasDfwS4]

Akebono brakes are really good and if the rotors are not worn then just replace the pads. I just did the pads and the squeaky brake syndrome stopped. If you plan to track the car then I would replace both...

[doughboy17]

Two options for brake squeal:
1. Bed those damn things: Go from 60 to 5mph with hard almost emergency braking. Don't lock them up but as hard as you can. Do this 3 - 4 times to heat up the rotors and pads and burn off any residue or junk on them. Don't come to a complete stop while they are hot or you'll transfer more pad material onto your rotor. Do this 3 -4 times without stopping and then coast and let your brakes cool off. Once cool, you should be good to go for a while. Called bedding your brakes.

This ... in addition to using CRC Disk Brake Quiet when installing pads. Although you may get some squealing when the weather gets cold, it will be limited. Proper bedding is a must.

Dealerships would save money from time spent dealing with this question, if they either properly bedded the brakes after each brake job they did or provided the customer with the proper procedure indicating it will significantly reduce squealing.

[jokingjimmy]

Started getting the dreaded brake squeal when its cold outside at low speeds. I searched through forums and found TSBs for older S4s (2010/2011), but have seen nothing on the 2013+up. Anybody experience this and able to get it properly resolved through the dealer or to no avail?

Had the same thing on my 335 (common issue) and even after dealer replaced brakes it came back within 500 miles, and I ended up throwing aftermarket pads on and had no squeal after.

Should I even bother with seeing dealer on this or go same route of aftermarket pads? Seems like a waste of money as the pads on the S4 now stop great and car only got 13k miles but that squeal is killing me. Please Help!

I had mine replaced (rotors and pads) under warranty at 20k under Factory Warranty. If it squeaked again, my SA was going to submit fit Q5 calipers, but unfortunately the problem hasn't returned lol. If you're under Factory Warranty still, they will cover replacement (was only the fronts that were replaced).

[CraigAudiS4]

2015 S4 21,000 Miles. Mine just started squealing the other week when temperatures went below 30, went away when it got warmer and went a away again when it rained. Only does it under light pressure such as when in slow traffic.
Service in a few months so I will see if the dealer can fix.

[14S4GWM]

2015 S4 21,000 Miles. Mine just started squealing the other week when temperatures went below 30, went away when it got warmer and went a away again when it rained. Only does it under light pressure such as when in slow traffic.
Service in a few months so I will see if the dealer can fix.

They can't fix it, do yourself a favor and get different pads now. Don't waste your time at the dealer for this.

[whiped]

They can't fix it, do yourself a favor and get different pads now. Don't waste your time at the dealer for this.

This.

I finally gave up on mine. My pads have 70+% life or so left in them, they only started squealing in <40 deg weather.

It has been below freezing here for the past week. I can no longer stand it, 3 of the 4 corners are squealing worse than a city bus. Kill me.

Pads, SS lines and new fluid should arrive next week. Haven't decided if I want to do rotors too as mine are still in good shape. Ugh.

[jokingjimmy]

They can't fix it, do yourself a favor and get different pads now. Don't waste your time at the dealer for this.

Actually my local dealer fixed mine, as I said in my response a little higher up in the thread. Got me brand new rotors and pads at 20k miles (front only was squealing) no charge. All under warranty. At 35k miles now and no issue this winter. Basically free brakes and the only issue was having to drive a crappy loaner for a few days and two visits. First visit they replaced the pads only, second was rotors.

SA said there wasn't a TSB, but was a known issue. Dealer had to send an audio recording of the brakes squealing to AoA for warranty approval, but I had no issue or need to push either my dealer or AoA at all. So if your dealer is lazy then maybe you might have to push lol.

Good luck!

[osspasha]

There is a TSB for brake squeal, my dealer completed the TSB on my 2013 S4 and the brakes are really quiet even in -40C calgary weather. i will ask my service advisor to pull the TSB number when I go pick up my car for a different TSB (engine rattle tensioner and chain)

[kstrike155]

Actually my local dealer fixed mine, as I said in my response a little higher up in the thread. Got me brand new rotors and pads at 20k miles (front only was squealing) no charge. All under warranty.

Same here, as I also mentioned above. Dealer replaced mine at 35k miles. I'm now at 82k miles. Very seldom squeals. And, hey, free brakes!

[14S4GWM]

The few of you got lucky then. I wouldn't want oem pads if they did replace them for free anyways.