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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
Mileage unknown · May 24, 2016
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service Brakes

I HAVE A 2005.5 AUDI A4 2.0T QUATTRO WHICH HAS ENCOUNTERED A FAILURE OF THE ABS/ESP ELECTRICAL MODULE. THE RESULT IS FAILURE OF THE ESP SYSTEM AND THE ABS SYSTEM. THIS IS THE RESULT OF A FAULTY ELECTRICAL MODULE WHICH MANY FORUMS DESCRIBE AS A FREQUENT OCCURRENCE AND AS A RESULT A REDESIGN BY THE MANUFACTURER. THE AUDI PART IS ~…

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I HAVE A 2005.5 AUDI A4 2.0T QUATTRO WHICH HAS ENCOUNTERED A FAILURE OF THE ABS/ESP ELECTRICAL MODULE. THE RESULT IS FAILURE OF THE ESP SYSTEM AND THE ABS SYSTEM. THIS IS THE RESULT OF A FAULTY ELECTRICAL MODULE WHICH MANY FORUMS DESCRIBE AS A FREQUENT OCCURRENCE AND AS A RESULT A REDESIGN BY THE MANUFACTURER. THE AUDI PART IS ~$1900. BASED ON THE EXPERIENCE OF MANY OWNERS AND THE SAFETY IMPLICATIONS I WOULD EXPECT THE MANUFACTURER TO COVER THE COSTS OF CORRECTING THE DEFECT.

NHTSA ODI #10870521

105,000 miles · Feb 8, 2016
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

MY RIGHT HEADLIGHT HAS BEEN FLICKERING FOR ABOUT 3 MONTHS, AND A FEW TIMES IT HAS GONE OUT COMPLETELY. TURNING THE HEADLIGHTS OFF AND BACK ON FIXES IT FOR A COUPLE DAYS. I WAITED TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER UNTIL IT NEEDED MAINTENANCE, AND ALSO SO THERE WOULD BE MORE DTC EVIDENCE FOR THEM TO TROUBLESHOOT WITH. THE LEFT HEADLIGHT ST…

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MY RIGHT HEADLIGHT HAS BEEN FLICKERING FOR ABOUT 3 MONTHS, AND A FEW TIMES IT HAS GONE OUT COMPLETELY. TURNING THE HEADLIGHTS OFF AND BACK ON FIXES IT FOR A COUPLE DAYS. I WAITED TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER UNTIL IT NEEDED MAINTENANCE, AND ALSO SO THERE WOULD BE MORE DTC EVIDENCE FOR THEM TO TROUBLESHOOT WITH. THE LEFT HEADLIGHT STARTED DOING THE SAME THING SO I TOOK IT IN. AUDI CANNOT REPLICATE AND WILL NOT REPLACE THE HEADLIGHTS.

NHTSA ODI #10824769

150,000 miles · Dec 2, 2015
Exterior LightingVisibility/wiper

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 AUDI A4. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT A HEATER WAS DRYING UP THE LIGHTS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

NHTSA ODI #10807996

117,000 miles · Nov 3, 2015
Fuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other

I HAVE ALREADY FILED A COMPLAINT NUMBERED 10785621. THE WOMAN ON THE PHONE WAS VERY HELPFUL. HOWEVER, I DO NOT FEEL THAT THE PROCESS ITSELF ALLOWED ME TO GIVE ENOUGH INFORMATION ON THE PROBLEMS I'M HAVING WITH MY CAR, THE RESEARCH THAT I'VE DONE REGARDING IT, AND WHY I THINK THERE NEEDS TO BE AN IMMEDIATE RECALL. I WOULD LIKE TO…

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I HAVE ALREADY FILED A COMPLAINT NUMBERED 10785621. THE WOMAN ON THE PHONE WAS VERY HELPFUL. HOWEVER, I DO NOT FEEL THAT THE PROCESS ITSELF ALLOWED ME TO GIVE ENOUGH INFORMATION ON THE PROBLEMS I'M HAVING WITH MY CAR, THE RESEARCH THAT I'VE DONE REGARDING IT, AND WHY I THINK THERE NEEDS TO BE AN IMMEDIATE RECALL. I WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK WITH SOMEONE HIGHER UP ON THE CHAIN WHO CAN GIVE ME ADDITIONAL HELP WITH THE SPECIFIC ISSUES THAT I'M HAVING.

NHTSA ODI #10787884

118,000 miles · Oct 23, 2015
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 AUDI A4. WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, "LOW OIL PRESSURE, TURN ENGINE OFF AND PULL OVER" WAS DISPLAYED ACROSS THE MESSAGE BOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE OIL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 AUDI A4. WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, "LOW OIL PRESSURE, TURN ENGINE OFF AND PULL OVER" WAS DISPLAYED ACROSS THE MESSAGE BOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE OIL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,000. UPDATED 04/06/16*LJ UPDATED 11/3/2017*JS

NHTSA ODI #10785621

106,162 miles · Sep 16, 2015
Exterior Lighting

SO I WAS DRIVING FROM WORK LIKE AROUND 10:25 PM MONDAY NIGHT SEPTEMBER 14 2015 WHEN I NOTICE THAT THE RIGHT HEADLIGHT OF MY CAR STARTED FLICKERING AND ALL THE SUDDEN WENT OFF WHICH CAUSED ME TO NOT BEING ABLE TO SEE THAT WELL, AND THERE WERE PEDESTRIANS WALKING ON THE ROAD WHICH CAUSED ME TO DRIVE MORE SLOW THAN THE ALLOWED SPEE…

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SO I WAS DRIVING FROM WORK LIKE AROUND 10:25 PM MONDAY NIGHT SEPTEMBER 14 2015 WHEN I NOTICE THAT THE RIGHT HEADLIGHT OF MY CAR STARTED FLICKERING AND ALL THE SUDDEN WENT OFF WHICH CAUSED ME TO NOT BEING ABLE TO SEE THAT WELL, AND THERE WERE PEDESTRIANS WALKING ON THE ROAD WHICH CAUSED ME TO DRIVE MORE SLOW THAN THE ALLOWED SPEED LIMIT GOOD THING IT WASN'T FAR FROM HOME WHERE IT HAPPEN...NEXT DAY THE LIGHT CAME BACK ON AND SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN THE LIGHT STARTED FLICKERING AGAIN AND IT WENT OFF AT THIS POINT I'VE BEEN LOOKING AROUND TO ACTUALLY FIXED THIS ISSUE WITH NO LUCK ALSO I'VE SEEN A LOT PEOPLE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE WHICH THEY CALLED THE DIPPED HEADLIGHT ISSUE.. T

NHTSA ODI #10764048

112,000 miles · Aug 17, 2015
Exterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 AUDI A4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED, BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 AUDI A4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED, BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000.

NHTSA ODI #10749190

133,000 miles · Aug 2, 2015
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or OtherFire

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND MY CAR STARTS SMOKING AND CATCHS ON FIRE

NHTSA ODI #10745599

95,000 miles · Jun 5, 2015
Vehicle Speed Control

AS I WAS DRIVING THE GAS PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR FULL THROTTLE. I ALMOST HAD AN ACCIDENT. I FINAL GOT THE CAR OVER TO THE ROAD AT A STOP BY PUTTING THE CAR IN NEUTRAL. THE ENGINE REVVED UP AS HIGH AS IT COULD GO. SO I CUT THE CAR OFF THEN CUT IT BACK ON AND IT CONTINUED TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. IT TOOK 3 TIMES OF CUTTING THE CA…

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AS I WAS DRIVING THE GAS PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR FULL THROTTLE. I ALMOST HAD AN ACCIDENT. I FINAL GOT THE CAR OVER TO THE ROAD AT A STOP BY PUTTING THE CAR IN NEUTRAL. THE ENGINE REVVED UP AS HIGH AS IT COULD GO. SO I CUT THE CAR OFF THEN CUT IT BACK ON AND IT CONTINUED TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. IT TOOK 3 TIMES OF CUTTING THE CAR OFF AND WAITING A FEW MINUTES BEFORE THE CAR RETURNED TO NORMAL.

NHTSA ODI #10723730

106,024 miles · Jun 5, 2015
Exterior Lighting

HEADLIGHTS DIP AND CONTINUE TO FLICKER AND TURN OFF DURING MILD DRIVING. THIS BECOMES DANGEROUS WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT AND THE LIGHTS TURN OFF DUE TO THE FLICKER.

NHTSA ODI #10723536

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.