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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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45,000 miles · Jan 16, 2012
Exterior Lighting

RANDOMLY, AND AT ALL DIFFERENT SPEEDS AND ROAD CONDITIONS, THE LEFT OR RIGHT LIGHT WILL FLICKER AND GO OUT. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WILL SAY "DIPPED LIGHT". THE LIGHTS MUST BE TURNED OFF THEN ON TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. VERY DANGEROUS ON DARK CURVY HIGHWAYS. SO FAR BOTH HAVE NOT GONE OUT TOGETHER. DEALERS HAVE NO IDEA HOW TO FIX IT …

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RANDOMLY, AND AT ALL DIFFERENT SPEEDS AND ROAD CONDITIONS, THE LEFT OR RIGHT LIGHT WILL FLICKER AND GO OUT. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WILL SAY "DIPPED LIGHT". THE LIGHTS MUST BE TURNED OFF THEN ON TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. VERY DANGEROUS ON DARK CURVY HIGHWAYS. SO FAR BOTH HAVE NOT GONE OUT TOGETHER. DEALERS HAVE NO IDEA HOW TO FIX IT AS THERE ARE NO ERROR CODES OR CANNOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM. PROBLEM HAPPENS AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK, AND SOMETIMES SEVERAL TIMES IN ONE EVENING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10444000

45,000 miles · Dec 23, 2011
Exterior Lighting

THE LEFT HEADLAMP WILL FLICKER AND THEN DIP TOWARDS THE GROUND WHILE DRIVING, A DASHBOARD WARNING SAYS "LEFT HEADLAMP DIPPED". THE CAR HAS BEEN TO THE AUDI DEALER SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY ARE UNABLE TO REPLICATE THE ISSUE, AND TELL ME THE FAULT DOES NOT GENERATE A COMPUTER CODE FOR THEM TO CHECK. IT HAS STARTED HAPPENING ON A MORE…

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THE LEFT HEADLAMP WILL FLICKER AND THEN DIP TOWARDS THE GROUND WHILE DRIVING, A DASHBOARD WARNING SAYS "LEFT HEADLAMP DIPPED". THE CAR HAS BEEN TO THE AUDI DEALER SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY ARE UNABLE TO REPLICATE THE ISSUE, AND TELL ME THE FAULT DOES NOT GENERATE A COMPUTER CODE FOR THEM TO CHECK. IT HAS STARTED HAPPENING ON A MORE FREQUENT BASIS, AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS AND ON DIFFERENT ROAD CONDITIONS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10441130

74,000 miles · Nov 19, 2011
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

WHILE DRIVING EITHER DURING THE DAY OR DURING THE NIGHT EITHER ONE OF THE LIGHTS WILL START FLICKERING AND THEN EVENTUALLY GO OUT COMPLETELY. WHILE DRIVING HOME ONE THE FREEWAY ONE NIGHT THE RIGHT SIDE STARTED TO FLICKER AND THEN WENT OUT COMPLETELY...I TURNED THE LIGHTS OFF AND THEN TURNED THEM ON AND THE LIGHT WORKED PERFECTLY…

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WHILE DRIVING EITHER DURING THE DAY OR DURING THE NIGHT EITHER ONE OF THE LIGHTS WILL START FLICKERING AND THEN EVENTUALLY GO OUT COMPLETELY. WHILE DRIVING HOME ONE THE FREEWAY ONE NIGHT THE RIGHT SIDE STARTED TO FLICKER AND THEN WENT OUT COMPLETELY...I TURNED THE LIGHTS OFF AND THEN TURNED THEM ON AND THE LIGHT WORKED PERFECTLY FINE FOR 5 MINS OR SO AND THEN THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN! *TR THE NEXT DAY AS I WAS GOING TO WORK EARLY IN THE MORNING (WHILE IT WAS STILL A LITTLE DARK) THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN...BUT THIS TIME WITH THE LEFT SIDE. IT STARTED TO FLICKER AND THEN IT WENT OUT COMPLETELY. I TURNED THE LIGHTS OFF AND TURNED THEM BACK ON AND THE LIGHT WORKED AS IF NOTHING HAPPENED. I CALLED AN AUDI DEALER AND THEY SAID TO BRING THE CAR IN TO GET THIS ISSUE FIXED...THEY QUOTED ME AT $180 FOR THE BULB AND A GRAND TOTAL OF $450 FOR THE BULB PLUS INSTALLATION. I JUST RECENTLY BOUGHT THE CAR AND IVE BEEN READING ONLINE ABOUT ALL THE PEOPLE THAT ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THEIR HEADLIGHTS.... I THINK ITS ONLY FAIR TO HAVE A RECALL DUE TO A POOR DESIGN BECAUSE I DONT THINK ITS VERY SAFE FOR ME OR ANYONE TO DRIVE WITH ONE HEADLIGHT AND THEN HAVING THE CHANCE OF THE OTHER HEADLIGHT GOING OUT AT THE SAME TIME!

NHTSA ODI #10436475

70,000 miles · Sep 26, 2011
Exterior Lighting

LEFT OR RIGHT HEADLIGHTS FLICKER AND FAIL EVERY TIME I USE MY HEADLIGHTS. NO WORSE OR BETTER WITH BUMPY ROADS. AFTER A LIGHT GOES OUT, TURNING THE LIGHTS OFF AND BACK ON TEMPORARILY FIXES THE PROBLEM. BUT A FEW MOMENTS LATER THE LIGHT FLICKERS AND FAILS. MOST RECENT FAILURE WAS WHEN GOING AROUND A CORNER AT NIGHT. ONCOMING TRAFF…

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LEFT OR RIGHT HEADLIGHTS FLICKER AND FAIL EVERY TIME I USE MY HEADLIGHTS. NO WORSE OR BETTER WITH BUMPY ROADS. AFTER A LIGHT GOES OUT, TURNING THE LIGHTS OFF AND BACK ON TEMPORARILY FIXES THE PROBLEM. BUT A FEW MOMENTS LATER THE LIGHT FLICKERS AND FAILS. MOST RECENT FAILURE WAS WHEN GOING AROUND A CORNER AT NIGHT. ONCOMING TRAFFIC DID NOT SEE ME AND NEARLY CRASHED HEAD ON. NEWLY PURCHASED CAR AND HEADLIGHTS FAILED FIRST NIGHT. I HAVE RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM ONLINE AND READ DOZENS OF THREADS WITH SEEMINGLY HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. ABSOLUTELY SHOCKED AUDI HAS NOT PUT OUT A RECALL. SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE WITH NO CURRENT SOLUTION. THE QUESTION IS OUT OF ALL THE DEADLY ACCIDENTS IN AUDI CARS, HOW MANY HAD THIS ISSUE AS A FACTOR. I DON'T ENVY THE PERSON QUICKLY DRIVING DOWN A WINDING BACK ROAD, WHEN THEIR HEADLIGHTS GO OUT AN INSTANT BEFORE A QUICK TURN THEY WONT SEE AND WRAP THEIR CAR AROUND A TREE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10427131

Mileage unknown · Sep 23, 2011
Exterior Lighting

MY AUDI A4 CONSTANTLY WILL GET A DIPPED HEADLIGHT, MEANING THAT THE HID LIGHTS WILL DIP AND FAIL TO STAY ON. IT HAPPENS ON BOTH SIDES AND WILL HAPPEN AT NIGHT. I HAVE DRIVEN IN COMPLETE DARKNESS AND HAD BOTH LIGHTS FAIL, IF I TURN THE LIGHTS OFF FOR A FEW SECONDS AND BACK ON THEY WILL RESET BUT IT DOES NOT TAKE LONG BEFORE TH…

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MY AUDI A4 CONSTANTLY WILL GET A DIPPED HEADLIGHT, MEANING THAT THE HID LIGHTS WILL DIP AND FAIL TO STAY ON. IT HAPPENS ON BOTH SIDES AND WILL HAPPEN AT NIGHT. I HAVE DRIVEN IN COMPLETE DARKNESS AND HAD BOTH LIGHTS FAIL, IF I TURN THE LIGHTS OFF FOR A FEW SECONDS AND BACK ON THEY WILL RESET BUT IT DOES NOT TAKE LONG BEFORE THEY DO IT AGAIN AND IT IS SOMETHING THAT CONCERNS ME ANYTIME I DRIVE DURING DARK TIMES. I LIVE IN A AREA WITH SNOW AND ICE IN THE WINTER AND ALSO HAVE TO DEAL WITH DEER AND PEDESTRIANS DURING THE SUMMER. MY LIGHTS GOING OUT ALL OF A SUDDEN FOR NO REASON HAS ME QUESTIONING THE SAFETY MY CAR PROVIDES. I AM CONCERNED THAT I MAY HAVE MY LIGHTS GO OUT AND WRECK, OR POTENTIALLY HIT A ANIMAL OR PERSON. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10426990

Mileage unknown · Sep 21, 2011
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

HEADLIGHTS CONSTANTLY FLICKER AND THEN GO OUT. TURNING THEM OFF THEN ON WILL ONLY BRING THEM ON FOR A FEW SECONDS. I HAVE HAD BULB REPLACED NO RESULTS, THOUGH VERY EXPENSIVE. MY LAST AUDI BURNED TO THE GROUND DUE TO SIMILAR DEFECT. COULDN'T IMAGINE THIS WOULD HAPPEN AGAIN. HAVE REACHED OUT TO AUDI WITH NO RESPONSE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10426690

50,000 miles · Aug 16, 2011
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

1) HEADLIGHTS ARE THE MAIN PROBLEM. THE CAR HAS THE TYPE OF LIGHTS THAT MOVE WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL. OCCASIONALLY, THE HEADLIGHTS WILL FLICKER WHETHER OR NOT YOU ARE TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL BUT WILL REMAIN ON. THIS IS A NUISANCE BUT MAY BE RELATED TO THE NEXT, LARGER PROBLEM. THE LARGER PROBLEM IS, ALMOST EVERY NIGHT THER…

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1) HEADLIGHTS ARE THE MAIN PROBLEM. THE CAR HAS THE TYPE OF LIGHTS THAT MOVE WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL. OCCASIONALLY, THE HEADLIGHTS WILL FLICKER WHETHER OR NOT YOU ARE TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL BUT WILL REMAIN ON. THIS IS A NUISANCE BUT MAY BE RELATED TO THE NEXT, LARGER PROBLEM. THE LARGER PROBLEM IS, ALMOST EVERY NIGHT THERE WILL BE A HEADLIGHT DIP WARNING SIGNAL ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. WHEN THIS HAPPENS RARELY WILL THE HEADLIGHTS STAY ON ANYMORE. THEY USED TO DO SO, BUT NOW ONE OR BOTH OF THE HEADLIGHTS WILL FREQUENTLY TURN OFF. WE USED TO BE ABLE TO OVERRIDE THIS BY MOVING THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH ON THE DASH FROM THE AUTO TO THE MANUAL MODE AND OFF MODE. HOWEVER, NOW WE HAVE TO SWITCH BACK AND FORTH MULTIPLE TIMES BEFORE THE HEADLIGHTS TURN BACK ON AND IT TAKES A LOT LONGER NOW THAN IT USED TO. (THE HEADLIGHTS ARE STAYING OFF FOR LONGER PERIODS. ) ALSO, EVEN WHEN YOU LEAVE THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH IN THE MANUAL MODE (RATHER THAN USE THE AUTO MODE AT ALL), THE HEADLIGHTS WILL STILL DIP AND TURN OFF.

NHTSA ODI #10420287

43,000 miles · Aug 1, 2011
Exterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 AUDI A4. THE CONTACT STATED THE HEADLIGHTS SHUT ON AND OFF WHILE DRIVING. WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WOULD DISPLAY HEADLIGHTS DIPPED ON THE INSTRUMENT. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO WAS TOLD THE ENGINE VIBRATION CAUSED THE HEADLIGHTS TO SHUT OFF. THE DEALER PLACED…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 AUDI A4. THE CONTACT STATED THE HEADLIGHTS SHUT ON AND OFF WHILE DRIVING. WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WOULD DISPLAY HEADLIGHTS DIPPED ON THE INSTRUMENT. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO WAS TOLD THE ENGINE VIBRATION CAUSED THE HEADLIGHTS TO SHUT OFF. THE DEALER PLACED RUBBER PIECES INTO THE CASING IN ORDER TO MINIMIZE THE VIBRATION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 62,000.

NHTSA ODI #10416448

60,000 miles · May 27, 2011
Exterior Lighting

VIBRATIONS ON THE ROAD OR AT IDLE CAUSE MY AUDI A4 (B7)'S HEADLIGHTS TO FLICKER OR EVEN TURN OFF FOR A BRIEF MOMENT! IT OCCURS AT LEAST ONCE EVERY NIGHT, AND SO FAR AUDI HAS ISSUED NO REMEDIES. I HAVE THE XENON BULBS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10402950

75,000 miles · May 25, 2011
Exterior Lighting

WHILE DRIVING THE HEADLIGHTS (EITHER LEFT OR RIGHT OR SOMETIMES BOTH) WILL JUST GO OUT. HAPPENS ON THE FREEWAY, HAPPENS IN THE DRIVEWAY OR ON A SURFACE ROAD...IT HAPPENS NEARLY EVERY TIME I DRIVE WITH THE HEADLIGHTS ON. AUDI CAN'T REPLICATE THE ISSUE WHEN I BRING IT IN AND DOESN'T HAVE A FIX. MANY PEOPLE REPORT THAT REPLACIN…

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WHILE DRIVING THE HEADLIGHTS (EITHER LEFT OR RIGHT OR SOMETIMES BOTH) WILL JUST GO OUT. HAPPENS ON THE FREEWAY, HAPPENS IN THE DRIVEWAY OR ON A SURFACE ROAD...IT HAPPENS NEARLY EVERY TIME I DRIVE WITH THE HEADLIGHTS ON. AUDI CAN'T REPLICATE THE ISSUE WHEN I BRING IT IN AND DOESN'T HAVE A FIX. MANY PEOPLE REPORT THAT REPLACING HEADLIGHT BULB OR BALLACE DIDN'T FIX PROBLEM. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AS THEY JUST FLICKER AND GO OUT. THERE REALLY SHOULD BE A RECALL AS THIS IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE ON THE A4. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10402753

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.