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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 · Jun 18, 2026
Air Bags

The contact's husband owned a 2005 Audi A4. The contact received several recall letters and cards from the NHTSA and Audi manufacturer for a Takata Air Bag recall. The contact stated that the last notification received stated that the owner could die if the recall was not completed. The contact was adamant and would like the mai…

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The contact's husband owned a 2005 Audi A4. The contact received several recall letters and cards from the NHTSA and Audi manufacturer for a Takata Air Bag recall. The contact stated that the last notification received stated that the owner could die if the recall was not completed. The contact was adamant and would like the mailing address to be removed from the recall distribution list because the vehicle was no longer owned. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance.

NHTSA ODI #11744972

Mileage unknown · Jan 6, 2025
Air BagsElectrical SystemEngine

The car is completely defective,total engine, gasket,water pump,intake manifold,airbag, transmission,torque,drive shaft, universal joints,all rear axles,wheel bearing,bought at auction Aug 19,2024, $4000, the as is was so small and on the back of a sheet we did not see it,we are senior,

NHTSA ODI #11634360

Mileage unknown · Dec 9, 2023
Air BagsCrashInjury

The airbags in our 2005 Audi A4 were recalled. We had the airbag replaced due to the recall in Audi of Stratham, 58 Portsmouth Ave, Stratham, NH 03885 in February 2023. On 12/8/23, my daughter was involved in a serious front-end collation with another vehicle. The airbags in the Audi did not deploy. The other vehicle (which …

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The airbags in our 2005 Audi A4 were recalled. We had the airbag replaced due to the recall in Audi of Stratham, 58 Portsmouth Ave, Stratham, NH 03885 in February 2023. On 12/8/23, my daughter was involved in a serious front-end collation with another vehicle. The airbags in the Audi did not deploy. The other vehicle (which sustained less damage) did deploy. Without the airbags, her face hit the steering wheel, causing a large laceration to her eyelid and significant bruising and swelling to her face.

NHTSA ODI #11559327

Mileage unknown · Jul 17, 2023
Engine

Came to a stop sign car completely cut off and wouldn’t start again.

NHTSA ODI #11532629

Mileage unknown · Aug 10, 2022
Exterior Lighting

Headlights flickering. Must turn off the headlights and turn them back on for this issue to go away. All headlight components were replaced including the bulb and this issue still is there. The Audi dealerships seem to not know how to fix this issue. This issue is only on the left side/driver side. The dealer could not dupl…

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Headlights flickering. Must turn off the headlights and turn them back on for this issue to go away. All headlight components were replaced including the bulb and this issue still is there. The Audi dealerships seem to not know how to fix this issue. This issue is only on the left side/driver side. The dealer could not duplicate this issue on the right side/passenger side. All new parts were installed.

NHTSA ODI #11478628

Mileage unknown · Feb 23, 2021
Air Bags

DESPITE THE PASSENGER AIR BAG BEING REPLACED A FEW YEARS AGO; I CONTINUE TO GET WARNING LIGHT AND NOW IS NOT FUNCTION. ALBANY AUDI SAYS THERE IS NO RECALL AND IT WILL COST ME $150 TO DIAGNOSE. I HAVE SPOKEN WITH SEVERAL MECHANICS WHO ATTEST TO PROBLEMS WITH RECALLED REPLACEMENT BAGS.

NHTSA ODI #11397578

145,210 miles · Sep 2, 2020
Air BagsInjury

ON JULY 2, 2020 I WAS IN A CITY STREET SITTING AT A STOP LIGHT WAITING FOR IT TO TURN GREEN WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE STEERING WHEEL, DRIVER SIDE SEAT AND THE DRIVER SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS DEPLOYED HITTING ME. I WAS IN A STATE OF SHOCK SINCE I WAS NOT MOVING OR HAD NOT BEEN HIT. I HAD TO MOVE THE CAR OVER INTO A PARKING LOT. THE HO…

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ON JULY 2, 2020 I WAS IN A CITY STREET SITTING AT A STOP LIGHT WAITING FOR IT TO TURN GREEN WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE STEERING WHEEL, DRIVER SIDE SEAT AND THE DRIVER SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS DEPLOYED HITTING ME. I WAS IN A STATE OF SHOCK SINCE I WAS NOT MOVING OR HAD NOT BEEN HIT. I HAD TO MOVE THE CAR OVER INTO A PARKING LOT. THE HORN WAS HONKING AND WOULD NOT STOP SO I HAD TO TAKE OUT FUSE. I DID NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO SO I CALLED A FAMILY FRIEND TO COME HELP TOW THE CAR BACK TO MY HOUSE SINCE I WAS NOT FAR FROM IT. THEN ON JULY 5, 2020 I RECEIVED A POST CARD IN THE MAIL FROM AUDI DEALERSHIP SAYING THERE WAS A URGENT AIRBAG SAFETY RECALL. SO ON JULY 6, 2020 I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND EXPLAINED WHAT HAD HAPPENED AND LEFT MY INFORMATION. I HAVE NOT HEARD ANYTHING BACK FROM THEM SINCE. I HAVE NOT DRIVEN THE CAR IT HAD BEEN SITTING IN DRIVEWAY SINCE THIS HAPPENED.

NHTSA ODI #11352854

Mileage unknown · Aug 29, 2020
Air Bags

AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON

NHTSA ODI #11351993

71,000 miles · Aug 14, 2020
Air Bags

AIR BAG LIGHT ON,RAN CODE, STATES BAD IGNITER RAN GOOGLE SEARCH SAYS 2005 A4 QUALIFIES FOR RECALL AUDI DEALER STATES NOT ON LIST FOR AIRBAG RECALL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE REPAIRED AT NO COST TO ME

NHTSA ODI #11349167

175,000 miles · Aug 10, 2020
Air BagsEngineSteering

NOTICED AIR BAG LIGHTS ON DIDNT THINK QUICK , ALSO I NOTUCED ELECTRICAL ISSUE HERE & THERE. ENGINE RUNS & SOUNDS LOUDER WHEN USING A/C. WHEN YOU GO TO SHUT OFF VEHICLE THERES A LOUD THUMP THUMP NOISE AT THE END FIR ABOUT 3 MINS OR SO , PROBLEMS STARTING THE ENGINE , BACK WINDSHIELD WIPER TURNS ON BY ITS SELF , A WEEK AGO THE LIG…

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NOTICED AIR BAG LIGHTS ON DIDNT THINK QUICK , ALSO I NOTUCED ELECTRICAL ISSUE HERE & THERE. ENGINE RUNS & SOUNDS LOUDER WHEN USING A/C. WHEN YOU GO TO SHUT OFF VEHICLE THERES A LOUD THUMP THUMP NOISE AT THE END FIR ABOUT 3 MINS OR SO , PROBLEMS STARTING THE ENGINE , BACK WINDSHIELD WIPER TURNS ON BY ITS SELF , A WEEK AGO THE LIGHT IN THE BAVK TURNS ON BY IT SELF. OTHER ENGINE PROBLEMS NOT SURE IF ALL TIED IN TOGETHER I JUST STARTED MY PURCHASE ON 7/21/2020 FROM A CAR DEALER. HAD IT CHECKED BY 2 PEOPLE & ONE SAID AIR LEAK SHOWING FROM DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE . MY DEALER PUT ON MACHINE & SAID DIDNT SEE NOTHING WRONG. POWER STEERING GOES OUT HAVE TO FILL ALMOST EVERY 2-3 DAYS. MY DEALER SAID DONT PUT MORE CAUSE IT COULD MESS UP ENGINE. SO I DIDNT & 2 DAYS LATER DRIVING 15 -20 MPH ON RESIDENTIAL STREET IT STARTS SOUNDING LIKE ITS GOING TO STOP SO I PRESUMED TO SHUT OFF ENGINE . CHEVK UNDER THE HOOD & THE POWER STEERING FLUID WAS BONE DEY SMOKING SLIGHTLY , & BELT WAS PULLED OUT A& SHREDDED & IT WOULDNT EVEN TURM ON ENOUGH TO GET A FULL START & DEALER CAME & TOWED IT BACK. NOW HE SAYING I NEED A NEW ENGINE

NHTSA ODI #11348420

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.