← New search

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.

About this comparison →

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

What owners actually said

219 reports
62,000 miles · Oct 28, 2010
Exterior Lighting

AUDI A4 (2005) - AUDI IS APPARENTLY AWARE OF THE PROBLEM WITH THE "DIPPED HEADLIGHTS" IN THEIR VEHICLES, BUT WILL NOT OFFER A FIX TO OWNERS. IF ONE DOES AN INTERNET SEARCH YOU CAN FIND LITERALLY DOZENS OF SITES DEDICATED TO THIS ISSUE AND PEOPLE TRYING TO GET A RESOLUTION. THIS PROBLEM CAUSES ONE OR BOTH OF THE HID HEADLIGHTS …

Read full complaint

AUDI A4 (2005) - AUDI IS APPARENTLY AWARE OF THE PROBLEM WITH THE "DIPPED HEADLIGHTS" IN THEIR VEHICLES, BUT WILL NOT OFFER A FIX TO OWNERS. IF ONE DOES AN INTERNET SEARCH YOU CAN FIND LITERALLY DOZENS OF SITES DEDICATED TO THIS ISSUE AND PEOPLE TRYING TO GET A RESOLUTION. THIS PROBLEM CAUSES ONE OR BOTH OF THE HID HEADLIGHTS TO FLICKER AND GO OUT WHILE DRIVING AND REPEATS EVEN WHEN THE LIGHTS ARE TURNED OFF AND BACK ON AGAIN. ASIDE FROM IT BEING A SAFETY ISSUE, IT'S ALSO CAUSING OWNERS IN THE FORM OF DRIVING VIOLATIONS, ETC...AND YET AUDI USA REFUSES TO ADDRESS THIS WELL KNOWN ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10362744

26,000 miles · Oct 19, 2010
Exterior Lighting

I HAVE A 2005 AUDI A4 2.0T QUATTRO AVANT AND A 2006 AUDI A4 2.0T QUATTRO SEDAN. ON BOTH CARS, THE XENON DIRECTIONAL LOW BEAM HEADLAMPS SHUT OFF WITHOUT ANY WARNING WITH MESSAGE "RIGHT DIPPED HEADLIGHT." LIGHTS COME ON AGAIN ONLY AFTER TURNING SWITCH TO OFF POSITION, WAITING TEN SECONDS AND TURNING THEM BACK ON. PROBLEM IS INTE…

Read full complaint

I HAVE A 2005 AUDI A4 2.0T QUATTRO AVANT AND A 2006 AUDI A4 2.0T QUATTRO SEDAN. ON BOTH CARS, THE XENON DIRECTIONAL LOW BEAM HEADLAMPS SHUT OFF WITHOUT ANY WARNING WITH MESSAGE "RIGHT DIPPED HEADLIGHT." LIGHTS COME ON AGAIN ONLY AFTER TURNING SWITCH TO OFF POSITION, WAITING TEN SECONDS AND TURNING THEM BACK ON. PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT BUT OCCURS EVERY DAY. AUDI DEALERS HAVE REPLACED XENON BULBS, IGNITERS AND PIGTAIL TO LAMPS, ADVISING THAT WIRES GET VERY HOT. PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN FIXED AND CONSTITUTES GREAT DANGER ON DARK ROADS. THIS HAS BEEN RECURRENT ON A REGULAR BASIS FOR AT LEAST TWO YEARS WITHOUT A SOLUTION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10361163

45,000 miles · Oct 18, 2010
Structure

2005 AUDI CABRIOLET CONVERTIBLE. THE REAR WINDOW IS PARTING FROM THE ROOF. THE GLUE IS NOT HOLDING. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN AS THE WINDOW COULD LEAVE THE VEHICLE AT HIGH SPEEDS AND CRASH INTO OTHER VEHICLES. AUDI REFUSES TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. THIS IS THE 2ND AUDI CONVERTIBLE I'VE OWNED (PREV 2003) AND THIS WAS A PROBLEM…

Read full complaint

2005 AUDI CABRIOLET CONVERTIBLE. THE REAR WINDOW IS PARTING FROM THE ROOF. THE GLUE IS NOT HOLDING. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN AS THE WINDOW COULD LEAVE THE VEHICLE AT HIGH SPEEDS AND CRASH INTO OTHER VEHICLES. AUDI REFUSES TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. THIS IS THE 2ND AUDI CONVERTIBLE I'VE OWNED (PREV 2003) AND THIS WAS A PROBLEM THEN AS WELL. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10361109

80,000 miles · Oct 15, 2010
Exterior Lighting

DIPPED LOWER RIGHT HEADLAMP. I HAVE HAD THE BULB REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE BECAUSE THE DEALER SAID THAT WOULD BE THE REASON FOR IT TO FLICKER AND GO ON AND OFF. THIS DID NOT REMEDY THE SITUATION. LOOKING AT ALL OF THE COMPLAINTS A RECALL NEEDS TO HAPPEN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10360677

35,000 miles · Oct 13, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control

2005.5 (MIDYEAR) AUDI A4 2.0T WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE CAR BEGAN TO ACCELERATE OUT OF CONTROL FOR APPROXIMATELY 15-25 SECONDS DESPITE THE FACT THAT THE ACCELERATOR WAS NOT BEING DEPRESSED. THIS OCCURRED EVEN THOUGH NO PRESSURE WAS BEING APPLIED TO THE GAS PEDAL. THE CAR QUICKLY PICKED UP SPEED, REACHING SPEEDS OF 90+…

Read full complaint

2005.5 (MIDYEAR) AUDI A4 2.0T WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE CAR BEGAN TO ACCELERATE OUT OF CONTROL FOR APPROXIMATELY 15-25 SECONDS DESPITE THE FACT THAT THE ACCELERATOR WAS NOT BEING DEPRESSED. THIS OCCURRED EVEN THOUGH NO PRESSURE WAS BEING APPLIED TO THE GAS PEDAL. THE CAR QUICKLY PICKED UP SPEED, REACHING SPEEDS OF 90+ MPH ON A CROWDED URBAN HIGHWAY DURING RUSH HOUR. A COLLISION WAS BARELY AVOIDED. THERE WAS NO MECHANICAL OBSTRUCTION TO THE GAS PEDAL (I.E THERE WAS NO MAT OR DEBRIS IN THE WAY). FURTHERMORE, THERE WAS LIMITED BRAKE FUNCTION AT THIS TIME. AFTER 15-25 SECONDS THE CAR STOPPED ACCELERATING ON ITS OWN. THE ISSUES: 1. UNCONTROLLED ACCELERATION TO REDLINE WITH NO CONTROL OVER THE ACCELERATOR 2. BRAKING FUNCTION FAILED TO OVERRIDE THE ACCELERATOR FUNCTION (AS EXPLAINED BY MY DEALER. IF YOU BRAKE WHILE ACCELERATIONS, THE BRAKES WIN, WHICH DID NOT OCCUR IN THIS CASE.) I HAD THE VEHICLE INSPECTED BY MU AUDI SERVICE DEPARTMENT WHO SAID THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10360302

63,000 miles · Oct 13, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline

FUEL PUMP FAILED CAUSING ENGINE TO STALL WHILE DRIVING ON A PARKING LOT. AUDI A4 2005 1.8 QUATTRO. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10360280

87,000 miles · Oct 8, 2010
Exterior Lighting

JUST PURCHASED A 2005.5 AUDI A4. HEADLIGHT SOMETIMES WILL FLICKER AND GOES OUT. DASHBOARD SAID DIPPED RIGHT HEADLIGHT OR DIPPED LEFT HEADLIGHT. I HAVE LEARNED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS AUDI AND MY AUDI DEALER IS NOT ACKNOWLEDGING THE PROBLEM. OVER 75% HAVE THESE CARS HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEMS. I BOUGHT THIS CAR …

Read full complaint

JUST PURCHASED A 2005.5 AUDI A4. HEADLIGHT SOMETIMES WILL FLICKER AND GOES OUT. DASHBOARD SAID DIPPED RIGHT HEADLIGHT OR DIPPED LEFT HEADLIGHT. I HAVE LEARNED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS AUDI AND MY AUDI DEALER IS NOT ACKNOWLEDGING THE PROBLEM. OVER 75% HAVE THESE CARS HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEMS. I BOUGHT THIS CAR FOR MY SON AS HIS FIRST CAR AND HAS BEEN A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE FOR ME. HE WAS RESTRICTED ONLY CAN DRIVE IN THE DAY TIME AND ALSO CAUSING US A LOT OF INCONVENIENCE. BY REPORTING THIS I HOPE SOMEONE WILL LOOK INTO THIS MATTER AND HAVE AUDI STEP UP TO RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT. THANKS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10359853

62,000 miles · Oct 5, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 AUDI A4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTICE STATING THAT THE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING ON THREE CYLINDERS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO REASON FOR CONCERN AND THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD BE FINE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE ENGINE COIL IN ORDER TO REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF GASOLINE THAT WAS BEING USED. THREE MONTHS LATE…

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 AUDI A4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTICE STATING THAT THE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING ON THREE CYLINDERS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO REASON FOR CONCERN AND THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD BE FINE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE ENGINE COIL IN ORDER TO REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF GASOLINE THAT WAS BEING USED. THREE MONTHS LATER THE TURBO FAILED AND THE ENGINE MALFUNCTIONED. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 62000.

NHTSA ODI #10359321

Mileage unknown · Oct 5, 2010
Exterior Lighting

HELLO, I HAVE A 2006 AUDI A4 WHICH HAS THE XENON LIGHTS, THEY SHUT OFF ABOUT EVERY TIME I DRIVE MY CAR AT NIGHT AND CAUSES A HUGE DRIVING DISTRACTION AND THE PARTS THEY SAY WILL FIX IT ARE VERY EXPENSIVE AND TEND TO NOT FIX IT AT ALL, I HAD WHAT THEY SAID FIXED THE PROBLEM ONLY LAST FOR A MONTH AND THEY STARTED TO DO THE SAME TH…

Read full complaint

HELLO, I HAVE A 2006 AUDI A4 WHICH HAS THE XENON LIGHTS, THEY SHUT OFF ABOUT EVERY TIME I DRIVE MY CAR AT NIGHT AND CAUSES A HUGE DRIVING DISTRACTION AND THE PARTS THEY SAY WILL FIX IT ARE VERY EXPENSIVE AND TEND TO NOT FIX IT AT ALL, I HAD WHAT THEY SAID FIXED THE PROBLEM ONLY LAST FOR A MONTH AND THEY STARTED TO DO THE SAME THING AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10359306

45,000 miles · Sep 16, 2010
Exterior Lighting

I HAVE A 2005 A4 AND FOR THE PAST YEAR HAVE BEEN GETTING A 'DIPPED HEADLIGHT' WARNING ON MY DASH LCD. WHILE DRIVING OR IDLING, THE DRIVER'S HEADLIGHT WILL FLICKER & SPORADICALLY GO OFF. MY DEALERSHIP SAID TO SHUT OFF CAR, WAIT A MINUTE, AND TURN CAR BACK ON. THIS SEEMS TO TEMPORARILY FIX THE SITUATION, BUT WHEN YOU ARE DRIVIN…

Read full complaint

I HAVE A 2005 A4 AND FOR THE PAST YEAR HAVE BEEN GETTING A 'DIPPED HEADLIGHT' WARNING ON MY DASH LCD. WHILE DRIVING OR IDLING, THE DRIVER'S HEADLIGHT WILL FLICKER & SPORADICALLY GO OFF. MY DEALERSHIP SAID TO SHUT OFF CAR, WAIT A MINUTE, AND TURN CAR BACK ON. THIS SEEMS TO TEMPORARILY FIX THE SITUATION, BUT WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING AND THE LIGHTS GO OUT OR FLICKER, IT'S NOT CONSIVE TO PULL OVER AND SHUT YOUR CAR OFF. THE DEALERSHIPS WILL NOT ADDRESS THIS UNDER A RECALL AS THERE IS STILL NOT ONE SET UP. AUDI IS LETTING THEIR LOYAL CONSUMERS DOWN BY PUTTING US AT RISK OF HARM SHOULD WE BE DRIVING AND THE LIGHTS JUST GO OUT. THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE THAT NEEDS IMMEDIATE ATTENTION TO ENSURE DRIVERS ARE EQUIPPED WITH FUNCTIONING EQUIPMENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10355885

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.