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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.

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
63,000 miles · May 13, 2010
Exterior Lighting

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 AUDI A4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH, THE LEFT FRONT HEADLIGHT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE VEHICLE FLICKERED ON AND OFF. WHEN HE TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF FOR FIFTEEN MINUTES AND THEN BACK ON , THE HEAD LAMP WOULD FUNCTION NORMALLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT STAT…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 AUDI A4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH, THE LEFT FRONT HEADLIGHT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE VEHICLE FLICKERED ON AND OFF. WHEN HE TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF FOR FIFTEEN MINUTES AND THEN BACK ON , THE HEAD LAMP WOULD FUNCTION NORMALLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE CALLED AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP AND THE DEALER EXPLAINED THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT DID NOT KNOW HOW TO CORRECT IT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 63,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 67,000.

NHTSA ODI #10330268

50,000 miles · May 11, 2010
Exterior Lighting

I OWN AN AUDI A4 2.0T 2005.5 (B7). THE DRIVER SIDE XENON HEADLIGHTS FLICKER INTERMITTENTLY AND SHUT OFF. THIS IS NOT A HEADLIGHT BULB ISSUE THE PROBLEM IS GETTING WORSE. THE DEALER AWARE OF THIS AND IS NOT TAKING RESPONSIBILITY BECAUSE OF THE COST. I HAVE READ OF MANY OTHER OWNERS OF THIS MAKE AND MODEL HAVING THE SAME …

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I OWN AN AUDI A4 2.0T 2005.5 (B7). THE DRIVER SIDE XENON HEADLIGHTS FLICKER INTERMITTENTLY AND SHUT OFF. THIS IS NOT A HEADLIGHT BULB ISSUE THE PROBLEM IS GETTING WORSE. THE DEALER AWARE OF THIS AND IS NOT TAKING RESPONSIBILITY BECAUSE OF THE COST. I HAVE READ OF MANY OTHER OWNERS OF THIS MAKE AND MODEL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS HAS THE POTENTIAL OF CREATING AN ACCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10329961

50,000 miles · May 8, 2010
Exterior Lighting

2005.5 AUDI A4 WITH XENON LIGHTS. BOTH HEADLIGHTS FLICKER CONSTANTLY AND FREQUENTLY TURN OFF. BY TURNING LIGHTS OFF AND ON, THE BULB COMES BACK ON. IT IS DANGEROUS FOR OTHER DRIVERS (FLASHING HEADLIGHTS) AND FOR ME (NO HEADLIGHTS!). IT IS ILLEGAL, TOO. DEALERSHIPS AND INDEPENDENT MECHANICS HAVE SUGGESTED A RANGE OF REPAIRS …

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2005.5 AUDI A4 WITH XENON LIGHTS. BOTH HEADLIGHTS FLICKER CONSTANTLY AND FREQUENTLY TURN OFF. BY TURNING LIGHTS OFF AND ON, THE BULB COMES BACK ON. IT IS DANGEROUS FOR OTHER DRIVERS (FLASHING HEADLIGHTS) AND FOR ME (NO HEADLIGHTS!). IT IS ILLEGAL, TOO. DEALERSHIPS AND INDEPENDENT MECHANICS HAVE SUGGESTED A RANGE OF REPAIRS BUT NO ONE SEEMS TO BE SURE WITHOUT SPENDING THOUSANDS (BALLASTS AND BULBS) ON A REPAIR WHICH MAY OR MAY NOT WORK. HAS BEEN HAPPENING THIS WAY FOR YEARS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10329393

35,000 miles · May 7, 2010
Exterior Lighting

I WILL BE DRIVING MY 2005.5 AUDI A4 2.0T AT NIGHT AND RANDOMLY MY HEADLIGHTS WILL START TO FLICKER THAN COMPLETELY FAIL. I HAVE TO TURN THEM OFF THAN BACK ON THE PROBLEM WILL GO AWAY THEN IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN SOMETIMES MORE OFTEN. THE PARTS ARE RIDICULOUSLY EXPENSIVE SO I"M PUTTING OFF GETTING IT FIXED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10329349

14,000 miles · Apr 29, 2010
Exterior Lighting

I OWN A 2005.5 AUDI A4 3.2 QUATTRO. WHILE DRIVING, I CONSTANTLY GET A ERROR MESSAGE "DIPPED RIGHT HEADLIGHT" AND THE HEADLIGHT FLICKERS THEN SHUTS OFF. I CAN GET THE HEADLIGHT TO COME BACK ON ONLY IF I TURN OFF THEN ON THE HEADLIGHTS AGAIN WHICH I BELIEVE IS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER 3X…

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I OWN A 2005.5 AUDI A4 3.2 QUATTRO. WHILE DRIVING, I CONSTANTLY GET A ERROR MESSAGE "DIPPED RIGHT HEADLIGHT" AND THE HEADLIGHT FLICKERS THEN SHUTS OFF. I CAN GET THE HEADLIGHT TO COME BACK ON ONLY IF I TURN OFF THEN ON THE HEADLIGHTS AGAIN WHICH I BELIEVE IS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER 3X AND PROBLEM STILL NOT FIXED. BASED ON INTERNET CHATS, IT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING WHICH AUDI HAS YET TO FIND A SOLUTION TO. IT IS AN EVERYDAY SAFETY CONCERN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10328007

55,000 miles · Apr 27, 2010
Exterior Lighting

THE LEFT HEADLIGHT OF MY 2006 AUDI A4 QUATTRO HAS THIS ANNOYING -- AND DANGEROUS -- PROBLEM: 1. THE LEFT HEADLIGHT FLICKERS 2. IT THEN TURNS ITSELF OFF 3. THE MESSAGE "LEFT DIPPED HEADLIGHT" APPEARS 4. THE MESSAGE IS CHANGED TO A SIGN INDICATING THAT THE LIGHTBULB HAS FAILED. IF I TURN THE LIGHT OFF (NOTE: WE'RE T…

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THE LEFT HEADLIGHT OF MY 2006 AUDI A4 QUATTRO HAS THIS ANNOYING -- AND DANGEROUS -- PROBLEM: 1. THE LEFT HEADLIGHT FLICKERS 2. IT THEN TURNS ITSELF OFF 3. THE MESSAGE "LEFT DIPPED HEADLIGHT" APPEARS 4. THE MESSAGE IS CHANGED TO A SIGN INDICATING THAT THE LIGHTBULB HAS FAILED. IF I TURN THE LIGHT OFF (NOTE: WE'RE TALKING ABOUT DRIVING AT NIGHT HERE) AND TURN IT BACK ON AGAIN, THE LIGHT WILL BECOME NORMAL AGAIN, FOR ABOUT A FEW MINUTES AND THEN THE CYCLE REPEATS ITSELF. THIS PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT. IT HAS BEEN OCCURRING A LOT RECENTLY WITH THE COLD WEATHER. I CAN'T TELL FOR SURE WHETHER IT IS TEMPERATURE RELATED. MY AUDI DEALER SAID THAT AUDI KNOWS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM BUT DOESN'T KNOW HOW TO FIX IT -- CHANGING THE LIGHT BULB DOESN'T SOLVE THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10327747

49,500 miles · Apr 18, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control

I BELIEVE THIS MAY BE A REPEAT COMPLAINT, BUT MS. DEMETER SAYS IT IS NOT ON FILE. 2005 AUDI A4 CABRIOLET, 6 CYLINDER (NORMALLY ASPIRATED). SUDDEN PERSISTENT ACCELERATION. I WAS RAPIDLY ACCELERATING FROM ABOUT 25 MPH GOING UP A HILL TRYING TO MAKE A GREEN LIGHT ABOUT .2 MILE AWAY. WHEN I APPROACHED THE INTERSECTION, I RELEASE…

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I BELIEVE THIS MAY BE A REPEAT COMPLAINT, BUT MS. DEMETER SAYS IT IS NOT ON FILE. 2005 AUDI A4 CABRIOLET, 6 CYLINDER (NORMALLY ASPIRATED). SUDDEN PERSISTENT ACCELERATION. I WAS RAPIDLY ACCELERATING FROM ABOUT 25 MPH GOING UP A HILL TRYING TO MAKE A GREEN LIGHT ABOUT .2 MILE AWAY. WHEN I APPROACHED THE INTERSECTION, I RELEASED THE PEDAL BUT THE CAR KEPT ACCELERATING. FIRM BRAKE PRESSURE SLOWED THE CAR, BUT IT REACCELERATED UNTIL I BROUGHT IT TO A STOP. I MADE SURE THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS IN THE "OFF" POSITION, EVEN THOUGH I HAD NOT USED IT. I DROVE ABOUT 2 MILES TO THE NEXT MAJOR INTERSECTION, WHERE I STOPPED FOR ALIGHT. WHILE I WAS SITTING THERE WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO REV. I PUT THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL, AND IT REDLINED. I TURNED THE CAR OFF, AND REACHED DOWN TO SEE IF THE FLOOR MAT WAS OUT OF PLACE. I GAVE IT A PULL BUT DID NOT FEEL IT OVER THE GAS PEDAL. I STARTED THE CAR AGAIN, AND SLOWLY ACCELERATED AWAY FORM THE INTERSECTION. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT RECURRED, EVEN WHEN I TRIED TO REPRODUCE IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10326238

50,000 miles · Apr 16, 2010
Exterior Lighting

ON 2005.5 AUDI A4 WITH HID HEADLIGHTS, THE HEADLIGHTS WILL FLICKER AND THEN WILL TURN OFF. CONSOLE WILL REPORT "LEFT/RIGHT HEADLIGHT DIPPED". THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE, HOWEVER, AUDI HAS TAKEN NO ACTION TO RECTIFY THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10326005

63,000 miles · Apr 9, 2010
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

I CURRENTLY OWN A 2005.5 AUDI A4. MY HEADLIGHTS CONSTANTLY FLICKER, WHICH IS DANGEROUS AT NIGHT. I HAVE BEEN LOOKING ON AUDI-TECH FORUMS AND THIS SEEMS TO BE A REAL PROBLEM WITH MANY AUDI VEHICLES. WHEN I FIRST GOT THE CAR, I USED TO GET A FLICKERING PROBLEM BUT THE DEALERSHIP FIXED IT BY REPLACING THE BULBS. HOWEVER, I DO N…

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I CURRENTLY OWN A 2005.5 AUDI A4. MY HEADLIGHTS CONSTANTLY FLICKER, WHICH IS DANGEROUS AT NIGHT. I HAVE BEEN LOOKING ON AUDI-TECH FORUMS AND THIS SEEMS TO BE A REAL PROBLEM WITH MANY AUDI VEHICLES. WHEN I FIRST GOT THE CAR, I USED TO GET A FLICKERING PROBLEM BUT THE DEALERSHIP FIXED IT BY REPLACING THE BULBS. HOWEVER, I DO NOT THINK IT IS THE BULBS BECAUSE THE PROBLEM HAS APPARENTLY FLARED UP AGAIN. PLEASE CHECK INTO THIS AS IT MAY BE REASON FOR A RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10324754

Mileage unknown · Apr 5, 2010
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

DIPPED HEADLIGHT WARNING AND HEADLIGHTS FLICKERING. BROUGHT TO DEALER FOR SERVICE SAID MAY NEED TO BE REPLACED $200-350 BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO TAKE ENTIRE BUMPER OFF. I AM DRIVING THIS CAR BECAUSE MY FORMER 2001 A6 CAUGHT FIRE DUE TO HEADLIGHT PANEL IN WHICH THERE WAS A RECALL FOR. CAR BURNT TO THE GROUND ON TOP OF A MOUNTAIN LEAV…

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DIPPED HEADLIGHT WARNING AND HEADLIGHTS FLICKERING. BROUGHT TO DEALER FOR SERVICE SAID MAY NEED TO BE REPLACED $200-350 BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO TAKE ENTIRE BUMPER OFF. I AM DRIVING THIS CAR BECAUSE MY FORMER 2001 A6 CAUGHT FIRE DUE TO HEADLIGHT PANEL IN WHICH THERE WAS A RECALL FOR. CAR BURNT TO THE GROUND ON TOP OF A MOUNTAIN LEAVENING JUST THE FRAME. AUDI COULD NOT HAVE CARED LESS, OFFER ME A $2000 INCENTIVE FOR A NEW OR USED AUDI/VOLKSWAGEN. AFTER READING ALL OF THESE COMPLAINTS DUE TO LIGHT FLICKERING I AM SCARED TO DRIVE MY A4. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10323749

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.