IllustrationSITTING, STOPPED IN MY DRIVEWAY, SHIFTED INTO REVERSE, (R WAS LIT ON DASH) YET WHEN I RELEASED BRAKE PEDDLE CAR WENT FOREWORD; IT WAS IN (D) DRIVE! I QUICKLY MOVED SHIFT LEVER TO PARK (P) AND BACK TO REVERSE, THIS TIME IT REALLY WAS IN REVERSE. *TR
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all A4 years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
140–25K
4025–50K
6150–75K
2175–100K
25100–150K
4150K+
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 reportsCAN'T STAR AND EPC LIGHT ON. *TR
RIGHT HEADLIGHT FLICKERED AND WENT OUT. INSTRUMENTS INDICATED RIGHT HEADLIGHT DIPPED. CYCLED POWER ON LIGHTS AND LIGHTS RETURNED FOR 30 SEC AND THEN CONTINUED PROBLEM. *TR
LEFT FRONT HEADLIGHT WILL TURN OFF SUDDENLY OR CONTINUOUS FLICKER WITHOUT WARNING. I OFTEN RECEIVE A "LEFT HEADLIGHT DIPPED" WARNING ON MY DASHBOARD. THE PROBLEM IS ESPECIALLY BAD WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS ARE SET TO "AUTO." AUDI IS AWARE OF THIS ISSUE, BUT DOES NOT YET HAVE A RELIABLE FIX FOR THIS ISSUE, AND THEY HAVE NOT VOLUNTARILY…
Read full complaint
LEFT FRONT HEADLIGHT WILL TURN OFF SUDDENLY OR CONTINUOUS FLICKER WITHOUT WARNING. I OFTEN RECEIVE A "LEFT HEADLIGHT DIPPED" WARNING ON MY DASHBOARD. THE PROBLEM IS ESPECIALLY BAD WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS ARE SET TO "AUTO." AUDI IS AWARE OF THIS ISSUE, BUT DOES NOT YET HAVE A RELIABLE FIX FOR THIS ISSUE, AND THEY HAVE NOT VOLUNTARILY ISSUED A RECALL. MY LEFT HEADLIGHT WILL GO OUT IN BOTH DRY AND WET WEATHER. I'M PRETTY SURE IT IS A WIRING/DESIGN DEFECT. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS AND DISTRACTING WHEN MY LEFT HEADLIGHT DIPS WITHOUT WARNING. MY AUDI OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING THIS ISSUE. PLEASE PUSH AUDI TO ISSUE A RECALL. *TR
THE RIGHT MAIN HEADLIGHT FLICKERED MULTIPLE TIMES WHILE DRIVING AND THEN SHUT OFF. A MESSAGE APPEARED "RIGHT DIPPED HEADLIGHT". THE HEADLIGHTS WERE TURNED OFF AND ON AGAIN AND THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. THE PROBLEM HAS CONTINUED TO OCCUR FOR THE PAST YEAR ALMOST EVERY TIME THE HEADLIGHTS TURN ON. *TR
HEADLIGHT TURNS OFF BY ITSELF. WARNING MESSAGE "DIPPED HEADLIGHT" COMES OFF ON THE DASHBOARD. TURN THE LIGHT SWITCH OFF AND ON AND HEADLIGHT COMES BACK ON (NORMAL). CAR RUNS WITH NO HEADLIGHTS IN THE DARK ON FREEWAY AT 65MPH FOR ABOUT 2-3 SECONDS. THIS IS A COMMON (VERY KNOWN) PROBLEM WITH A4 MODELS. AUDI IS REFUSING TO ACKNOWLE…
Read full complaint
HEADLIGHT TURNS OFF BY ITSELF. WARNING MESSAGE "DIPPED HEADLIGHT" COMES OFF ON THE DASHBOARD. TURN THE LIGHT SWITCH OFF AND ON AND HEADLIGHT COMES BACK ON (NORMAL). CAR RUNS WITH NO HEADLIGHTS IN THE DARK ON FREEWAY AT 65MPH FOR ABOUT 2-3 SECONDS. THIS IS A COMMON (VERY KNOWN) PROBLEM WITH A4 MODELS. AUDI IS REFUSING TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE DESIGN/PART FLAW THUS NOT ISSUING A SAFETY RECALL. SEE MORE DETAILS HERE: HTTP://WWW.AUDIZINE.COM/FORUM/SHOWTHREAD.PHP/332613-CLASS-ACTION-LAWSUIT-DIPPED-HEADLIGHT-FLICKER-PROBLEM. *TR
THE TRANSMISION STALLED; IT WAS AS IF THE CAR LOST POWER BUT THE ENGINE WAS STEEL RUNNING. *TR
LEFT HEADLIGHT (BI-XENON TYPE) FLICKERS THEN FAILS ON OUR 2005 AUDI A4 QUATTRO. THE ONLY WAY TO BRING THE LIGHT BACK ON IS TO TURN OFF THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH AND TURN IT BACK ON AGAIN - AT NIGHT, THIS MEANS SEVERAL SECONDS WITH NO HEADLIGHTS ON - WHICH MEANS THAT YOU MUST PULL OVER TO A SAFE PLACE ALONG THE ROAD (WHICH SOMETIMES …
Read full complaint
LEFT HEADLIGHT (BI-XENON TYPE) FLICKERS THEN FAILS ON OUR 2005 AUDI A4 QUATTRO. THE ONLY WAY TO BRING THE LIGHT BACK ON IS TO TURN OFF THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH AND TURN IT BACK ON AGAIN - AT NIGHT, THIS MEANS SEVERAL SECONDS WITH NO HEADLIGHTS ON - WHICH MEANS THAT YOU MUST PULL OVER TO A SAFE PLACE ALONG THE ROAD (WHICH SOMETIMES IS NOT POSSIBLE) TO CYCLE THE SWITCH. THE LIGHT WILL OFTEN SHUT OFF SHUT OFF SEVERAL TIMES A MINUTE REQUIRING MULTIPLE RESETS OF THE SYSTEM. THERE IS TSB FROM AUDI DESCRIBING THIS PROBLEM, BUT NO ACTION HAS BEEN TAKEN TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE. *TR
PROBLEM: THE LEFT HEADLIGHT FLICKERS, I RECEIVE A WARNING MESSAGE THAT "LEFT HEADLIGHT DIPPED, THEN THE LEFT HEADLIGHT WILL GO OUT. TO "RESET" THIS, I CAN TURN MY LIGHTS OFF, THEN TURN THEM ON AGAIN, BUT I CAN ONLY DO THIS WHEN STOPPED, AS IT'S UNSAFE TO DO THIS WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. ONCE I TURN THEM ON AGAIN, THEY'LL BE OK AG…
Read full complaint
PROBLEM: THE LEFT HEADLIGHT FLICKERS, I RECEIVE A WARNING MESSAGE THAT "LEFT HEADLIGHT DIPPED, THEN THE LEFT HEADLIGHT WILL GO OUT. TO "RESET" THIS, I CAN TURN MY LIGHTS OFF, THEN TURN THEM ON AGAIN, BUT I CAN ONLY DO THIS WHEN STOPPED, AS IT'S UNSAFE TO DO THIS WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. ONCE I TURN THEM ON AGAIN, THEY'LL BE OK AGAIN FOR A WHILE, BUT THE PROCESS WILL REPEAT ITSELF AGAIN. *TR
PROBLEM OF "DIPPED" HEADLIGHT ON MY 2005.5 A4 B7. PURCHASED THE CAR USED IN 2009 AND HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE SINCE PURCHASE. ASKED MECHANICS TO INVESTIGATE BUT HAD FOUND NOTHING WRONG. USUALLY IT WAS JUST ONE SIDE, EITHER LEFT OR RIGHT (BOTH HAVE OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES). THE OTHER DAY WAS THE THIRD OR FOURTH INSTANCE WHERE BOTH SID…
Read full complaint
PROBLEM OF "DIPPED" HEADLIGHT ON MY 2005.5 A4 B7. PURCHASED THE CAR USED IN 2009 AND HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE SINCE PURCHASE. ASKED MECHANICS TO INVESTIGATE BUT HAD FOUND NOTHING WRONG. USUALLY IT WAS JUST ONE SIDE, EITHER LEFT OR RIGHT (BOTH HAVE OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES). THE OTHER DAY WAS THE THIRD OR FOURTH INSTANCE WHERE BOTH SIDES THREW THE "DIPPED" ERROR, LEAVING ME BARRELING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 75MPH WITH NO LIGHTS. WHILE POWER CYCLING THEM USUALLY BRINGS THEM BACK, THIS IS COMPLETELY DANGEROUS AND UNACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOR FOR A VEHICLE THAT IS ALLEGEDLY WORKING PROPERLY. IT IS CLEAR TO ME, AS AN ENGINEER MYSELF, THAT THIS IS A GROSS SHORT-COMING IN DESIGN OF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM USED TO DRIVE THE LIGHTS. EITHER THE WIRING, OR BALLASTS ARE MALFUNCTIONING. AUDI HAS DONE NOTHING TO AMELIORATE OR WARN ME OF THIS ISSUE. *TR
Official recalls
318V427000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.