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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

What owners actually said

219 reports
4,000 miles · Oct 18, 2006
SteeringSuspension

MY AUDI SINCE NEW HAS DRIFTED TO THE RIGHT, REGARDLESS OF THE ROAD CONDITIONS. MC KENNA AUDI HAS ATTEMPTED TO ALIGN THE CAR SEVERAL TIMES. MR. FORD (AUDI REP) AUTHORIZED MC KENNA TO CHANGE THE CAMBER ON THE VEHICLE TO IT CAN DRIVE STRAIGHT. THIS CAUSED MY TIRE TO WEAR OUT AT AN ALARMING RATE. THIS QUICK FIX WAS APPARENTLY TO KE…

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MY AUDI SINCE NEW HAS DRIFTED TO THE RIGHT, REGARDLESS OF THE ROAD CONDITIONS. MC KENNA AUDI HAS ATTEMPTED TO ALIGN THE CAR SEVERAL TIMES. MR. FORD (AUDI REP) AUTHORIZED MC KENNA TO CHANGE THE CAMBER ON THE VEHICLE TO IT CAN DRIVE STRAIGHT. THIS CAUSED MY TIRE TO WEAR OUT AT AN ALARMING RATE. THIS QUICK FIX WAS APPARENTLY TO KEEP ME FROM GOING BACK. I CHANGED THE TIRES AND HAD THE CAR RE ALIGNED TO MANUFACTURES SPECIFICATIONS. THE CAR DANGEROUSLY DRIFTS TO THE RIGHT IF I DON'T COUNTER STEER TO THE LEFT. MC KENNA AUDI STATED THEY CAN NO LONGER DO ANYTHING FOR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY AND THEY WILL NOT FIX IT. I PAID $250.00 FOR THE ALIGNMENT AND IT WAS MONEY LOST. MC KENNA WILL NOT REFUND OR FIX THE WARRANTIED CAR ANYMORE. THEY ADVISED ME TO CONTACT AUDI OF AMERICA FOR FURTHER ASSISTANCE. AUDI HAS NOT RESPONDED. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10171280

500 miles · Sep 3, 2006
Steering

STEERING VIBRATION IN CAR AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 50-65 MPH ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS. DEALER HAS TRIED TO CORRECT BY ROAD FORCE BALANCING WHEELS AND TIRES, BUT HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO REMEDY SINCE VEHICLE NEW, DESPITE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10167276

12,500 miles · Jul 5, 2006
Vehicle Speed Control

THE ACCELERATOR STUCK AND WOULD NOT DISENGAGE - DESPITE THE FACT THAT I REMOVED BY FOOT FROM THE THROTTLE. I APPLIED THE BRAKES TO GET THE CAR TO STOP AND AFTER A FEW SECONDS THE ACCELERATOR DISENGAGED BUT THEN RE-ENGAGED (BY ITSELF) AND THEN DISENGAGED THREE OR FOUR TIMES IN THREE TO FOUR INTERVALS. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10161435

15,891 miles · Apr 24, 2006
Air Bags

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED FOUR TIMES. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER EACH TIME, BUT DEALER WAS UNABLE TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP CLEANED THE SENSOR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT, REPAIRED THE AIRBAG, REPLACED THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG, AND PERFORMED WIRING REPAIRS. THE REPAIRS WERE MINOR AND ONLY LASTED …

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED FOUR TIMES. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER EACH TIME, BUT DEALER WAS UNABLE TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP CLEANED THE SENSOR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT, REPAIRED THE AIRBAG, REPLACED THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG, AND PERFORMED WIRING REPAIRS. THE REPAIRS WERE MINOR AND ONLY LASTED FOR A BRIEF PERIOD. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10155986

Mileage unknown · Oct 6, 2005
Engine And Engine CoolingSteeringVehicle Speed ControlCrash

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 AUDI A4 2.0 LITER TURBO ENGINE. THE NON LINEAR ACCELERATION, IT WILL BOG AND SURGE WHILE IN TRAFFIC. WHILE PRESSING HARD ON THE GAS, IT WILL SUDDENLY SURGE FORWARD, CAUSING DRIVERS BEHIND HIM TO CONSTANTLY APPLY THE BRAKES. ALSO, THE LOW SPEED POWER STEERING WILL NOT COME ON. IT WAS LIMITED AND VE…

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DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 AUDI A4 2.0 LITER TURBO ENGINE. THE NON LINEAR ACCELERATION, IT WILL BOG AND SURGE WHILE IN TRAFFIC. WHILE PRESSING HARD ON THE GAS, IT WILL SUDDENLY SURGE FORWARD, CAUSING DRIVERS BEHIND HIM TO CONSTANTLY APPLY THE BRAKES. ALSO, THE LOW SPEED POWER STEERING WILL NOT COME ON. IT WAS LIMITED AND VERY HARD TO STEER. THIS PROBLEM WITH THE POWER STEERING STARTED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. BUT BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF POWER STEERING ACCELERATION PREVENTED FROM BEING HIT. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN AT THE DEALERSHIP FIVE TIMES FOR THE ACCELERATING PROBLEM, AND ONCE FOR THE POWER STEERING PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP HAS NOT CORRECTED THE ACCELERATION PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP STARTED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST ON THE POWER STEERING. THE CONTACT CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER MANY TIMES, AND THEY WERE COOPERATIVE. THE REPAIRS ARE BEING DELAYED BECAUSE THE DEALERSHIP FORGOT TO ORDER THE PARTS. THE NUMBERS OF FAILURES WERE 100 TIMES AT LEAST. THE PROBLEMS FIRST BEGAN 10 DAYS AFTER PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE ON APRIL 4, 2005, AND IT WAS IN FOR SERVICE ON APRIL 14, 2005. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE BOG AND SURGE WAS WITHIN AUDI'S SPECIFICATIONS AND NO CORRECTIVE ACTION WOULD TAKE PLACE. 11/15/05. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10138927

Mileage unknown · Jul 8, 2005
Air BagsCrashInjury

DT: THE CONSUMER OWNS A 2005 AUDI A4. THE CONSUMER HAD AN ACCIDENT ON JUNE 21, 2005. THE FRONT OF HIS VEHICLE HIT THE GUARDRAIL AND HIS AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. AUDI MANUFACTURER DID NOT SEEM TO BE TO INTERESTED. THE SPEED AT TIME OF IMPACT WAS BETWEEN 25-30 MPH. THERE WAS NO PRE-IMPACT BRAKING. A LARGE TRUCK CAME INTO HIS LANE…

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DT: THE CONSUMER OWNS A 2005 AUDI A4. THE CONSUMER HAD AN ACCIDENT ON JUNE 21, 2005. THE FRONT OF HIS VEHICLE HIT THE GUARDRAIL AND HIS AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. AUDI MANUFACTURER DID NOT SEEM TO BE TO INTERESTED. THE SPEED AT TIME OF IMPACT WAS BETWEEN 25-30 MPH. THERE WAS NO PRE-IMPACT BRAKING. A LARGE TRUCK CAME INTO HIS LANE HE STEERED TO THE RIGHT, STRUCK THE END OF A GUARDRAIL WITH THE FRONT OF HIS VEHICLE WENT OVER A 60 FOOT EMBANKMENT AND THEN ROLLED OVER. THERE WAS ONE OCCUPANT AND HE WAS WEARING HIS SEAT BELT. THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS NOT ON PRIOR TO THE CRASH. THE INSURANCE COMPANY STATED THAT THIS WAS A TOTAL LOSS AND THERE ARE PICTURES AVAILABLE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10128114

400 miles · Jul 7, 2005
Power Train

THE VEHICLE HESITATES FOR 2 TO 3 SECONDS WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE FROM A COMPLETE STOP. FROM JUNE 23RD, 2005, WHEN I TOOK DELIVERY OF THE CAR, UNTIL JULY 1,2005, I HAVE ALMOST BEEN T-BONED WHILE TRYING TO MAKE A LEFT HAND TURN, 3 TIMES. THE CAR IS DANGEROUS!! I TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALER ON JULY THE 1ST. THEY TOLD ME THEN THAT …

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THE VEHICLE HESITATES FOR 2 TO 3 SECONDS WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE FROM A COMPLETE STOP. FROM JUNE 23RD, 2005, WHEN I TOOK DELIVERY OF THE CAR, UNTIL JULY 1,2005, I HAVE ALMOST BEEN T-BONED WHILE TRYING TO MAKE A LEFT HAND TURN, 3 TIMES. THE CAR IS DANGEROUS!! I TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALER ON JULY THE 1ST. THEY TOLD ME THEN THAT THAT IS THE WAY THE CAR IS DESIGNED TO OPERATE. I THEN CONTACTED AUDI CUSTOMER RELATIONS, AND WAS TOLD THE SAME THING BY THEM. THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND I BELEIVE THEY HOPE IT WILL GO AWAY. I HAVE NO WAY OF CHECKING, BUT I WILL GUESS THAT THIS IS A CHRONIC PROBLEMS AND HAS CAUSED MANY ACCIDENTS.

NHTSA ODI #10127777

1,000 miles · May 4, 2005
Air Bags

CONTACT STATES: BOUGHT A NEW 2005 AUDI, A4 AND IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP 3 TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. THE AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT STAYS ON, AND AIR BAG MECHANISM WILL HAVE TO REPLACED. THIS IS AN AUDI A4, 2005.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10119860

2,200 miles · Dec 14, 2004
Structure

AT 2,200 MILES, A HEADLIGHT WARNING LIGHT CAME ON, AND I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP. I WAS TOLD THAT A MOUSE HAD CLIMBED INTO MY ENGINE, BUILT A NEST OUT OF THE HOOD INSULATION, AND CHEWED THROUGH WIRES. AUDI REFUSED TO COVER ANY DAMAGES. THIS INCIDENT COST ME $1,400. I HAVE PARKED IN THE SAME SPOT OF MY UNDERGROUND GARAG…

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AT 2,200 MILES, A HEADLIGHT WARNING LIGHT CAME ON, AND I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP. I WAS TOLD THAT A MOUSE HAD CLIMBED INTO MY ENGINE, BUILT A NEST OUT OF THE HOOD INSULATION, AND CHEWED THROUGH WIRES. AUDI REFUSED TO COVER ANY DAMAGES. THIS INCIDENT COST ME $1,400. I HAVE PARKED IN THE SAME SPOT OF MY UNDERGROUND GARAGE FOR 3 YEARS, AND THIS NEVER HAPPENED TO MY PREVIOUS CAR. I FEEL AUDI SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR DAMAGES DUE TO POOR CONSTRUCTION OF THE CAR'S UNDERCARRIGE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10102901

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.