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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

Exterior Lighting complaints

101 reports
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101,000 miles · Jul 7, 2014
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND HAVE CONTINUOUSLY GOTTEN THE "DIPPED LIGHT" WARNING ON MY DISPLAY. MY LIGHTS PROCCEDED TO FLICKER AND THEN SHUT OFF. I WAS DRIVING RIGHT NEXT TO A CAR AND HAD TO PULL OVER BECAUSE THEY WOULDN'T COME ON. IT TOOK 15 MINUTES BEFORE THE HEADLIGHTS RETURNED TO NORMAL. I WAS EXTREMELY SCARED WHEN MY …

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I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND HAVE CONTINUOUSLY GOTTEN THE "DIPPED LIGHT" WARNING ON MY DISPLAY. MY LIGHTS PROCCEDED TO FLICKER AND THEN SHUT OFF. I WAS DRIVING RIGHT NEXT TO A CAR AND HAD TO PULL OVER BECAUSE THEY WOULDN'T COME ON. IT TOOK 15 MINUTES BEFORE THE HEADLIGHTS RETURNED TO NORMAL. I WAS EXTREMELY SCARED WHEN MY HEADLIGHTS TURNED OFF. THIS IS A BIG SAFETY ISSUE AND HAS OCCURRED 3 TIMES SINCE THEN. I HAVE REPLACED THE BULBS AND THAT DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. I KNOW THERE IS A TSB FOR THIS PROBLEM, BUT I THINK THERE IS A NEED FOR A RECALL AS I ALMOST GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT ON THE HIGHWAY. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10608787

47,000 miles · Jan 16, 2014
Exterior Lighting

FRONT HEAD LIGHTS FLICKER, THEN GO OUT, RESULTING IN A "DIPPED HEADLIGHT" MESSAGE. ONCE, THEY BOTH WENT TO OUT ONCE. TO FIX THE PROBLEM, I HAVE TO PULL OVER, TURN THE ENGINE AND LIGHTS OFF AND RESTART. SOMETIMES THEY "DIP" AGAIN AND SOMETIMES THEY STAY ON. I TRY NOT TO DRIVE THE CAR AT NIGHT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10560276

75,000 miles · Jan 11, 2014
Exterior Lighting

LEFT AND RIGHT HEADLIGHTS DIPPED AUTOMATICALLY, WILL ALSO GO OFF; HEADLIGHT WILL ALSO FLICKER BEFORE DIPPING; HAVE GONE TO HAVE FIXED BUT DEALER UNABLE TO DETERMINE PROBLEM; THEY INDICATE THEY NEED TO GET THEM TP REPLICATE THE ERROR BUT COULD NOT DUPLICATE; THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM THAT THE DEALER APPEARS NOT WILLING …

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LEFT AND RIGHT HEADLIGHTS DIPPED AUTOMATICALLY, WILL ALSO GO OFF; HEADLIGHT WILL ALSO FLICKER BEFORE DIPPING; HAVE GONE TO HAVE FIXED BUT DEALER UNABLE TO DETERMINE PROBLEM; THEY INDICATE THEY NEED TO GET THEM TP REPLICATE THE ERROR BUT COULD NOT DUPLICATE; THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM THAT THE DEALER APPEARS NOT WILLING TO FIX; APPEARS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH AUDI'S OVERALL; *TR

NHTSA ODI #10559461

25,000 miles · Dec 30, 2013
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

I PURCHASED THIS 2005 AUDI A4 IN AUGUST OF 2007 AND WITHIN THE FIRST FEW MONTHS OF HAVING THE VEHICLE I WAS ALREADY HAVING PROBLEMS WITH IT HAVING TO TAKE IT IN AND GET REPAIRED/SERVICED. NOT ONLY WAS I DISSATISFIED THAT I BOUGHT A HORRIBLE CAR, BECAUSE IT WAS HAVING RECURRING PROBLEMS, BUT I FIND OUT AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICL…

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I PURCHASED THIS 2005 AUDI A4 IN AUGUST OF 2007 AND WITHIN THE FIRST FEW MONTHS OF HAVING THE VEHICLE I WAS ALREADY HAVING PROBLEMS WITH IT HAVING TO TAKE IT IN AND GET REPAIRED/SERVICED. NOT ONLY WAS I DISSATISFIED THAT I BOUGHT A HORRIBLE CAR, BECAUSE IT WAS HAVING RECURRING PROBLEMS, BUT I FIND OUT AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE THE DEALERSHIP SOLD ME A QUATTRO, BUT MY AUDI IS NOT A QUATTRO, SO I WAS MISLEAD INTO BUYING A FAULTY VEHICLE.. MY PAPERWORK DOCUMENTATION SAYS 2005 AUDI A4 QUATTRO 1.8T SO I HAD TO PAY TO GET TOWED OUT OF THE SNOW BECAUSE THE AUDI IS ONLY 2 WHEEL DRIVE.. I WILL NEVER EVER PURCHASE A VW/AUDI VEHICLE AGAIN AND I ALWAYS TELL PEOPLE DON'T GET A VW/AUDI BECAUSE THEY ARE HORRIBLE UNRELIABLE CARS. I HAVE PUT SO MUCH MONEY INTO THIS JUNK AUDI THAT JUST CONSTANTLY HAS PROBLEMS, I COULD HAVE BOUGHT A NEW CAR AGAIN BY NOW . I'M VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH VW/AUDI. I HAVE WASTED SO MUCH MONEY ON DIAGNOSTIC REPAIR CHECKS, BECAUSE THE [XXX] CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REPEATEDLY KEEPS COMING ON THE DASHBOARD. I CAN'T GET MY CAR SMOG APPROVED WITHOUT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BEING OFF, SO I AM RELENTLESSLY DUMPING MONEY I SIMPLY DON'T HAVE INTO THIS POS AUDI. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10557821

55,000 miles · Nov 27, 2013
Exterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 AUDI A4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEAD LIGHTS FAILED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO ENGAGE THE LIGHTS FOR RE-ILLUMINATION HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 AUDI A4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEAD LIGHTS FAILED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO ENGAGE THE LIGHTS FOR RE-ILLUMINATION HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.

NHTSA ODI #10554010

120,000 miles · Nov 19, 2013
Exterior Lighting

LEFT DIPPED AND RIGHT DIPPED HEADLIGHT ON DASH WARNING. LIGHTS WILL FLICKER THEN JUST SHUT COMPLETELY OFF. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10552843

30,000 miles · Sep 25, 2013
Exterior Lighting

THE RIGHT HEADLIGHT WILL DIP AND THEN TURN OFF WHILE DRIVING. YOU CAN TURN THE LIGHTS OFF AND BACK ON AND IT WILL TEMPORARILY SOLVE THE PROBLEM BUT WILL TURN OFF AGAIN RANDOMLY. THIS PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR CPO IN LATE 2008 BUT HAS CONTINUED TO GET WORSE TO THE POINT WHERE NOW IT GENERALLY HAPPENS ONCE EVE…

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THE RIGHT HEADLIGHT WILL DIP AND THEN TURN OFF WHILE DRIVING. YOU CAN TURN THE LIGHTS OFF AND BACK ON AND IT WILL TEMPORARILY SOLVE THE PROBLEM BUT WILL TURN OFF AGAIN RANDOMLY. THIS PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR CPO IN LATE 2008 BUT HAS CONTINUED TO GET WORSE TO THE POINT WHERE NOW IT GENERALLY HAPPENS ONCE EVERY FEW MINUTES WHILE THE LIGHTS ARE ON FORCING ME TO CONTINUALLY TURN THE LIGHTS OFF AND ON THE WHILE DRIVING WHICH IS VERY DANGEROUS, NOT TO MENTION EXTREMELY ANNOYING TO NOT ONLY MYSELF BUT OTHER DRIVERS AS WELL. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10545338

80,000 miles · Sep 24, 2013
Exterior Lighting

SINCE I PURCHASED MY 2005 AUDI A4 2.0L AT MY LOCAL AUDI/PORSCHE DEALERSHIP, I HAVE HAD RECURRING ISSUES WITH MY HEADLIGHTS. IT STARTED WITH SHUDDERING AND FLICKERING WHILE IDLED, AND NOW THE PROBLEM IS SO BAD THAT MY LEFT LIGHT WILL ACTUALLY SHUDDER, FLICKER, AND GO COMPLETELY OUT. I HAVE TO MANUALLY SWITCH MY LIGHTS OFF AND BAC…

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SINCE I PURCHASED MY 2005 AUDI A4 2.0L AT MY LOCAL AUDI/PORSCHE DEALERSHIP, I HAVE HAD RECURRING ISSUES WITH MY HEADLIGHTS. IT STARTED WITH SHUDDERING AND FLICKERING WHILE IDLED, AND NOW THE PROBLEM IS SO BAD THAT MY LEFT LIGHT WILL ACTUALLY SHUDDER, FLICKER, AND GO COMPLETELY OUT. I HAVE TO MANUALLY SWITCH MY LIGHTS OFF AND BACK ON (VERY DANGEROUS AT NIGHT) TO GET THEM BACK ON, ONLY TO EVENTUALLY SHUDDER AND GO OUT YET AGAIN. I'VE TAKEN IT TO THE AUDI DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES AND THEY COULDN'T DUPLICATE THE ISSUE AND WHEN I BROUGHT IT TO THEM WITH THE HEADLIGHT COMPLETELY OUT, OF COURSE IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY SO THEY WANT TO CHARGE ME AN ARM AND A LEG (OVER $1000) TO FIX JUST ONE HEADLIGHT EVEN THOUGH THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE THAT YOU CAN GOOGLE "AUDI A4 DIPPED HEADLIGHT" AND GET THOUSANDS OF FORUMS FULL OF COMPLAINTS. THE DEALERSHIP WANTS TO GO THROUGH EVERYTHING THEY CAN TO NICKEL AND DIME WITH NEW BULBS THAT DON'T FIX THIS HUGE SAFETY PROBLEM. THE REAL PROBLEM IS THE BALLASTS AND IGNITER. I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY OUTRAGEOUS AMOUNTS OF MONEY FOR AN ISSUE THAT'S AN OBVIOUS ISSUE ACROSS THE BOARD WITH THIS MODEL OF AUDI. I'M NOW AFRAID TO DRIVE AT NIGHT, ESPECIALLY IN RURAL AREAS WITH LITTLE LIGHTING BECAUSE MY HEADLIGHTS ARE SO UNDEPENDABLE. THIS IS NOT OK, AND AUDI CONTINUALLY REFUSES TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10545091

80,000 miles · Sep 16, 2013
Exterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 AUDI A4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, BOTH OF THE HEADLIGHTS STARTED FLICKERING ON AND OFF AS THE LEFT DIP LIGHT WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN WHEN THE FAILURE WAS ACTUALLY OCCURRING…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 AUDI A4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, BOTH OF THE HEADLIGHTS STARTED FLICKERING ON AND OFF AS THE LEFT DIP LIGHT WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN WHEN THE FAILURE WAS ACTUALLY OCCURRING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 105,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10543830

59,000 miles · Aug 9, 2013
Exterior Lighting

THE HEADLIGHTS(HID) FLICKER AND SOMETIMES GO OFF FOR A FEW SECONDS. I HAVE NOT HAD A TOTAL FAILURE YET; ALTHOUGH, I HAVE BEEN FRIGHTENED. THE FLICKERING HAPPENS ON A WEEKLY BASIS. THE TOTAL LIGHTS OUT HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10534497

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.