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2005 Audi A4

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most A4 years

Owner complaints for the 2005 Audi A4 are substantially higher than the model-year median of 76.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

165 reports with mileage · 54 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Exterior Lighting. Review the 101 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 54 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 24 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

7 crash reports3 fire reports6 injury reports

Exterior Lighting complaints

101 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jan 25, 2010
Exterior Lighting

HEADLIGHTS ON MY 2005.5 AUDI A4 EQUIPPED WITH XENON HEADLIGHTS SUFFER FROM INTERMITTENT FAILURE. WHILE DRIVING HEADLIGHTS CAN BEGIN TO FLICKER FOR NO APPARENT REASON. FLICKERING CAN GET WORSE AND ONE HEADLIGHT WILL GO OUT. A WARNING READING EITHER "LEFT OR RIGHT DIPPED HEADLIGHT" APPEARS ON THE CAR. THE OTHER HEADLIGHT THA…

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HEADLIGHTS ON MY 2005.5 AUDI A4 EQUIPPED WITH XENON HEADLIGHTS SUFFER FROM INTERMITTENT FAILURE. WHILE DRIVING HEADLIGHTS CAN BEGIN TO FLICKER FOR NO APPARENT REASON. FLICKERING CAN GET WORSE AND ONE HEADLIGHT WILL GO OUT. A WARNING READING EITHER "LEFT OR RIGHT DIPPED HEADLIGHT" APPEARS ON THE CAR. THE OTHER HEADLIGHT THAT DID NOT FAIL TYPICALLY REMAINS ON AND CONTINUES TO FUNCTION PROPERLY ALTHOUGH IT HAS ALSO FAILED LEAVING THE CAR WITH NO FUNCTIONAL HEADLIGHTS ON TWO OCCASIONS. WHEN THE LIGHTS ARE CYCLED OFF THEN BACK ON THE HEADLIGHTS TURN BACK ON AND MAY FUNCTION PROPERLY OR MAY FLICKER AND FAIL AGAIN. THE PROBLEM BEGAN UNDER WARRANTY AND WAS VERY INFREQUENT. THE PROBLEM NOW OCCURS 50% OF THE TIME WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. THE CAR HAS BEEN IN FOR REPAIR NUMEROUS TIMES AND THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. TYPICALLY WHILE EXPERIENCING THE FLICKERING HEADLIGHTS I FIND THAT THE SAFEST WAY TO DRIVE IS ONE FAILED HEADLIGHT AS THERE IS THEN NO FLICKERING OF HEADLIGHTS WHICH I WOULD ASSUME IS HIGHLY DISTRACTING TO OTHER DRIVERS. A GOOGLE SEARCH FOR LEFT OR RIGHT DIPPED HEADLIGHT RETURNS HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF RESULTS WITH NUMEROUS PEOPLE HAVING TROUBLE GETTING AUDI TO CORRECTLY REPAIR THE PROBLEM. AS THE XENON HEADLIGHTS ARE OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT ON THE CARS THE PERCENTAGE OF CARS WITH XENON BULBS AND HEADLIGHT PROBLEMS MIGHT BE FAIRLY HIGH. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10302142

Mileage unknown · Jan 14, 2010
Exterior Lighting

2005 AUDI A4 QUATTRO. "RIGHT DIPPED LIGHT". RIGHT BULB GOES OUT AND I GET THE WARNING. ITS BEEN HAPPENING RANDOMLY AND WILL NOT STOP. TURNING OFF THE LIGHTS AND BACK ON SOMETIMES CORRECTS THE PROBLEM FOR A SHORT TIME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10299805

50,000 miles · Jan 10, 2010
Exterior Lighting

HEADLIGHTS RANDOMLY GO OFF WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. A WARNING MESSAGE COMES UP SAYING "LEFT/RIGHT HEADLIGHT DIPPED". THIS CAN BE CORRECTED BY TURNING THE LIGHTS OFF AND THEN BACK ON. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING ON MY 2005.5 AUDI A4 QUATRO 3.2 SINCE ABOUT 24 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE. I HAVE ASKED MULTIPLE DEALERS ABOUT THE PROBLEM WITH N…

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HEADLIGHTS RANDOMLY GO OFF WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. A WARNING MESSAGE COMES UP SAYING "LEFT/RIGHT HEADLIGHT DIPPED". THIS CAN BE CORRECTED BY TURNING THE LIGHTS OFF AND THEN BACK ON. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING ON MY 2005.5 AUDI A4 QUATRO 3.2 SINCE ABOUT 24 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE. I HAVE ASKED MULTIPLE DEALERS ABOUT THE PROBLEM WITH NO RESOLUTION. DEALER SAID NO CODES ARE IN THE SYSTEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10298918

55,586 miles · Dec 30, 2009
Exterior Lighting

MY CERTIFIED PRE OWNED 2005 A4 HAD THE XENON HEADLIGHTS CHANGED 3 TIMES IN 1.5 YEARS WHILE UNDER WARRANTY. SIX MONTHS AFTER THE 50,000 WARRANTY, THE LIGHTS STARTED FLICKERING AND THEN DIMMED AND FLICKERED WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT WITH NO WARNING ON THE DISPLAY. I WENT TO THE DEALER AND BOTH HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $430 FO…

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MY CERTIFIED PRE OWNED 2005 A4 HAD THE XENON HEADLIGHTS CHANGED 3 TIMES IN 1.5 YEARS WHILE UNDER WARRANTY. SIX MONTHS AFTER THE 50,000 WARRANTY, THE LIGHTS STARTED FLICKERING AND THEN DIMMED AND FLICKERED WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT WITH NO WARNING ON THE DISPLAY. I WENT TO THE DEALER AND BOTH HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $430 FOR THE TWO LIGHTS AND $236 DOLLARS INSTALLATION COST. I HAVE OWNED THE CAR FOR ~ 1.7 YEARS AND HAD FIVE NEW HEADLIGHTS. I AM NOT AUDI'S QUALITY CONTROL DEPARTMENT. I ALSO WAS ABLE TO TURN THE LIGHTS OFF AND ON TO GET THEM BACK ON AND ITS VERY DANGEROUS AT NIGHT DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH. ITS IS SCARY TO SAY THE LEAST. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10297533

86,000 miles · Dec 29, 2009
Exterior Lighting

HEADLIGHTS ON MY 2005 AUDI A4 SEDAN VIBRATE AND FAIL, SENDING AN ERROR MESSAGE READING "DIPPED HEADLIGHT FAILURE". THIS HAPPENS MORE WHEN IT'S COLD OR WET. VARIOUS ITEMS HAVE BEEN REPLACED. ISSUE IS INTERMITTENT. NOW OUT OF WARRANTY. THIS DANGEROUS CONDITION IS VERY EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR, IF THE DEALER IS CAPABLE OF REPAIRING. I'M…

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HEADLIGHTS ON MY 2005 AUDI A4 SEDAN VIBRATE AND FAIL, SENDING AN ERROR MESSAGE READING "DIPPED HEADLIGHT FAILURE". THIS HAPPENS MORE WHEN IT'S COLD OR WET. VARIOUS ITEMS HAVE BEEN REPLACED. ISSUE IS INTERMITTENT. NOW OUT OF WARRANTY. THIS DANGEROUS CONDITION IS VERY EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR, IF THE DEALER IS CAPABLE OF REPAIRING. I'M LEARNING THAN MANY OTHER AUDI OWNERS HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10297348

73,000 miles · Nov 19, 2009
Exterior Lighting

HEADLIGHTS FLICKER AND TURN OFF WHILE DRIVING. MESSAGE ON DASH READS 'DIPPED HEADLAMP'. HEADLIGHTS WILL TURN BACK ON IF LIGHT SWITCH IS TURNED OFF AND BACK ON. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS, AND MANY TIMES NOW, THE LIGHTS HAVE TURNED OFF ON THE FREEWAY OR ON DARK MOUNTAINOUS ROAD SECTION. THE LIGHTS TURNED OFF APPROXIMATELY 10…

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HEADLIGHTS FLICKER AND TURN OFF WHILE DRIVING. MESSAGE ON DASH READS 'DIPPED HEADLAMP'. HEADLIGHTS WILL TURN BACK ON IF LIGHT SWITCH IS TURNED OFF AND BACK ON. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS, AND MANY TIMES NOW, THE LIGHTS HAVE TURNED OFF ON THE FREEWAY OR ON DARK MOUNTAINOUS ROAD SECTION. THE LIGHTS TURNED OFF APPROXIMATELY 100 TIMES DURING A 2600 MI TRIP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10292859

60,000 miles · May 4, 2009
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

THE LIGHTS ON MY AUDI A4 3.2 QUATTRO WILL FLICKER AND SOMETIMES GO OUT WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT TIME. IF I STOP AND PULL OVER THE LIGHTS WILL GO BACK ON, BUT THE LIGHTS WILL FLICKER. SOME DAYS I HAVE THE PROBLEM FREQUENTLY- SOMETIMES I'LL GO FOR A STRETCH OF 5-7 DAYS WITH NO PROBLEMS AT NIGHT. AFTER RECENT RESEARCH I HAVE BEEN…

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THE LIGHTS ON MY AUDI A4 3.2 QUATTRO WILL FLICKER AND SOMETIMES GO OUT WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT TIME. IF I STOP AND PULL OVER THE LIGHTS WILL GO BACK ON, BUT THE LIGHTS WILL FLICKER. SOME DAYS I HAVE THE PROBLEM FREQUENTLY- SOMETIMES I'LL GO FOR A STRETCH OF 5-7 DAYS WITH NO PROBLEMS AT NIGHT. AFTER RECENT RESEARCH I HAVE BEEN LEAD TO THIS SITE TO REPORT THE PROBLEM AND MAKE SOMEONE AWARE OF THE FACT THAT MULTIPLE AUDI OWNERS HAVE BEEN HAVING THIS PROBLEM ALSO. I WAS REFERRED FROM FIXYA.COM- AND I HOPE THAT A SOLUTION WILL BE FOUND FOR AUDI OWNERS. THE PROBLEMS THE LIGHTS CAN CAUSE ARE DISTRACTIONS FOR OTHER DRIVERS, AND IT MAY LEAD TO A TICKET OR ANOTHER TRAFFIC VIOLATION FOR SAFETY REASONS. THE LIGHTS FLICKER AND A DIPPED LIGHT WARNING WILL APPEAR ON THE DASH AND IT HAS OCCURRED MORE THAN ONCE FOR MY VEHICLE IN THE PAST 3 MONTHS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10267625

49,803 miles · Dec 27, 2008
Exterior Lighting

2005 AUDI A4 2.0 TURBO. THE HEAD LIGHTS GO OUT AND THE SENSOR SAYS "DIPPED LIGHT", NEED TO SHUT LIGHTS OFF AND THEN PUT THEM BACK ON. I HAVE BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER 3 TIMES AND THEY SAY THEY KNOW THAT THEY HAVE A PROBLEM ON ALL THESE CARS BUT, "DO NOT KNOW HOW TO FIX IT". THEY CLEANED THE TERMINALS BUT IT DID NOT WORK. THERE A…

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2005 AUDI A4 2.0 TURBO. THE HEAD LIGHTS GO OUT AND THE SENSOR SAYS "DIPPED LIGHT", NEED TO SHUT LIGHTS OFF AND THEN PUT THEM BACK ON. I HAVE BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER 3 TIMES AND THEY SAY THEY KNOW THAT THEY HAVE A PROBLEM ON ALL THESE CARS BUT, "DO NOT KNOW HOW TO FIX IT". THEY CLEANED THE TERMINALS BUT IT DID NOT WORK. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON THE LIGHTS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10252937

40,000 miles · Dec 15, 2008
Exterior Lighting

I DRIVE A 2005.5 AUDI A4 2.0T. WHEN I TURN MY HEADLIGHTS ON NEARLY HALF THE TIME THE RIGHT HEADLIGHT SHAKES, THEN FLICKERS, THEN TURNS OFF ONLY TO TURN BACK ON A FEW SECONDS LATER AND THE PROCESS CONTINUES THE ENTIRE DRIVE. UNLESS I TURN THE HEADLIGHTS FROM AUTO TO OFF AND THEN BACK TO AUTO AND IT SEEMS TO FIX THE PROBLEM DURIN…

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I DRIVE A 2005.5 AUDI A4 2.0T. WHEN I TURN MY HEADLIGHTS ON NEARLY HALF THE TIME THE RIGHT HEADLIGHT SHAKES, THEN FLICKERS, THEN TURNS OFF ONLY TO TURN BACK ON A FEW SECONDS LATER AND THE PROCESS CONTINUES THE ENTIRE DRIVE. UNLESS I TURN THE HEADLIGHTS FROM AUTO TO OFF AND THEN BACK TO AUTO AND IT SEEMS TO FIX THE PROBLEM DURING THIS TRIP. I'VE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE AUDI DEALER WHICH I PURCHASED FROM AND THEY TOLD ME THEY FIX IT, THE PROBLEM NOW THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY. THIS PROBLEM STILL CONTINUES TO THIS DAY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10251787

Mileage unknown · Dec 4, 2008
Exterior Lighting

I DRIVE A 2005.5 AUDI A4 2.0T. WHEN I TURN MY HEADLIGHTS ON THE RIGHT HEADLIGHT SHAKES, THEN FLICKERS, AND THEN TURNS OFF ONLY TO TURN BACK ON A FEW SECONDS LATER AND THE PROCESS CONTINUES THE ENTIRE DRIVE. THIS PROBLEM OCCURS EVERY TIME I TURN THEM ON. THIS CAN CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT WITH MY LIGHTS BEING TURNED OFF, EVERY COU…

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I DRIVE A 2005.5 AUDI A4 2.0T. WHEN I TURN MY HEADLIGHTS ON THE RIGHT HEADLIGHT SHAKES, THEN FLICKERS, AND THEN TURNS OFF ONLY TO TURN BACK ON A FEW SECONDS LATER AND THE PROCESS CONTINUES THE ENTIRE DRIVE. THIS PROBLEM OCCURS EVERY TIME I TURN THEM ON. THIS CAN CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT WITH MY LIGHTS BEING TURNED OFF, EVERY COUPLE OF MINUTES. I'VE TAKEN THE CAR TO TWO AUDI DEALERSHIPS AND THEY TOLD ME THEY HAD FIXED THE PROBLEM BY CHANGING THE HEADLIGHT. THE PROBLEM STILL CONTINUES TO THIS DAY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10250798

Official recalls

3

18V427000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Jun 22, 2018

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2005-2008 Audi A4 Sedan, A4 Avant, S4 Avant and S4 Sedan, 2007-2008 RS4 Sedan, 2004 RS4 Cabriolet, 2007-2009 A4 Cabriolet and S4 Cabriolet, 2005-2011 A6 Sedan, 2006-2011 A6 Avant, and 2007-2011 S6 Sedan vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Audi has notified owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag with an alternate remedy part, free of charge. The recall began June 29, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69R7. Note: This recall supersedes recalls 16V382, 17V032 and 18V004 and includes vehicles that may have had their air bag previously replaced under one of those campaigns.

17V032000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Jan 11, 2017

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2009 Audi A4 Cabriolet, S4 Cabriolet, A6 Avant, A6 Sedan and S6 Sedan vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Additionally, unless included in "Zone B" above, Volkswagen is recalling certain 2005-2008 Audi A4 Avant, A4 Sedan, A6 Sedan, S4 Avant and S4 Sedan vehicles, 2007-2008 A4 Cabriolet, RS4 Sedan, S4 Cabriolet and S6 Sedan vehicles, and 2006-2008 A6 Avant and 2008 RS4 Cabriolet vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 30, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Note: This recall has been superseded by recall number 18V427.

16V382000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Jun 1, 2016

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 Audi A4, and 2005-2011 Audi A6 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Volkswagen is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 Audi A4, and 2005-2008 Audi A6 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Lastly, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Volkswagen is recalling model year 2004 Audi A4 vehicles originally sold, or registered, in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 28, 2017. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-822-2834.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.