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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.

About this comparison →

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
75,000 miles · May 4, 2017
Air Bags

TAKATA RECALL I HAVE RECEIVED A LETTER INFORMING ME ABOUT THE RECALL ABOUT A YEAR AGO. DESPITE MY CAR BEING IN ZONE A (CA) AND 12 YEARS OLD (ADDITIONAL RISK FACTOR) THERE IS STILL NO RESOLUTION FROM AUDI. CALLS TO A FEW AUDI DEALERS SERVICE DEPARTMENT REVEAL THAT THE PART IS AVAILABLE. I CONTACTED AUDI A NUMBER OF TIMES AND THE…

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TAKATA RECALL I HAVE RECEIVED A LETTER INFORMING ME ABOUT THE RECALL ABOUT A YEAR AGO. DESPITE MY CAR BEING IN ZONE A (CA) AND 12 YEARS OLD (ADDITIONAL RISK FACTOR) THERE IS STILL NO RESOLUTION FROM AUDI. CALLS TO A FEW AUDI DEALERS SERVICE DEPARTMENT REVEAL THAT THE PART IS AVAILABLE. I CONTACTED AUDI A NUMBER OF TIMES AND THEY INSIST THAT REPAIR IS NOT AVAILABLE AND I SHOULD CONTACT NHTSA BECAUSE YOU MANAGE THE SCHEDULE. SINCE WE HAVE CHILD SEAT IN THE BACK AND THE PASSENGER SEAT IS UNSAFE THE CAR IS UNUSABLE FOR US AS A FAMILY; WHEN WE TRAVEL I HAVE TO RENT A CAR. AT THE SAME TIME I CANNOT SELL IT WITH A PENDING RECALL.

NHTSA ODI #10983437

Mileage unknown · Apr 25, 2017
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 AUDI A4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V382000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT H…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 AUDI A4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V382000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PART DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI #10980459

69,286 miles · Apr 13, 2017
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 AUDI A4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NEED TO BE SCHEDULED FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V382000 (AIR BAGS) AND 17V032000 (AIR BAGS). …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 AUDI A4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NEED TO BE SCHEDULED FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V382000 (AIR BAGS) AND 17V032000 (AIR BAGS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,286.

NHTSA ODI #10972272

Mileage unknown · Mar 22, 2017
Air Bags

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 AUDI A4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V382000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF TH…

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TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 AUDI A4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V382000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT PROVIDED. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 05/16/17*LJ UPDATED 08/15/2017*JS

NHTSA ODI #10967685

Mileage unknown · Feb 28, 2017
Air Bags

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 AUDI A4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V382000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSU…

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TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 AUDI A4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V382000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10957612

Mileage unknown · Feb 16, 2017
Air Bags

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 AUDI A4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V382000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE …

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TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 AUDI A4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V382000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 05/02/17*LJ UPDATED 05/26/2017*JS

NHTSA ODI #10955095

Mileage unknown · Feb 9, 2017
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 AUDI A4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V382000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART NEEDED WAS UNAVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI #10953662

Mileage unknown · Feb 3, 2017
Air Bags

TAKATA RECALL, NO REMEDIES AVAILABLE YET

NHTSA ODI #10949269

38,000 miles · Feb 1, 2017
Power Train

WE ARE THE 2ND OWNER OF AN AUDI A4 CONVERTIBLE, PURCHASED IN NOVEMBER OF 2010 WITH 25K MILES. WITHIN TWO YEARS, WE BEGAN TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE CVT TRANSMISSION AND HAD TO HAVE THE TCM REPLACED, WHICH WAS LATER REIMBURSED BY AUDI AS A RESULT OF A CLASS-ACTION LAWSUIT. IN JANUARY OF 2014, AT 38K MILES, AUDI DIAGNOSED THE TRANS…

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WE ARE THE 2ND OWNER OF AN AUDI A4 CONVERTIBLE, PURCHASED IN NOVEMBER OF 2010 WITH 25K MILES. WITHIN TWO YEARS, WE BEGAN TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE CVT TRANSMISSION AND HAD TO HAVE THE TCM REPLACED, WHICH WAS LATER REIMBURSED BY AUDI AS A RESULT OF A CLASS-ACTION LAWSUIT. IN JANUARY OF 2014, AT 38K MILES, AUDI DIAGNOSED THE TRANSMISSION AS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDING REPLACEMENT, TRANSMISSION SLIPPING WHEN COLD, VEHICLE SHUDDERING. ON COMPLAINT TO AUDI, THEY AGREED TO COVER 50% OF THE COSTS, WHICH WOULD BE APPROXIMATELY $7,000 WHICH RESULTED IN MY WIFE BEING AFRAID TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE IN COLD WEATHER. REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AT HALF COST. AT 47K MILES, AGAIN COLD WEATHER, THE PROBLEM HAS WORSENED, VEHICLE OFTEN WON'T REVERSE AND TRANSMISSION LOCKS UP UNEXPECTEDLY. AS THE VEHICLE CANNOT BE DRIVEN SAFELY, MY WIFE WILL NOT DRIVE IT UNTIL IT IS SAFE AGAIN. AS THERE IS DOCUMENTED EVIDENCE OF KNOWN ISSUES WITH THIS TRANSMISSION (US DISTRICT COURT # CV11-00665 BRO AGRX), AUDI SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR 100% OF THE COSTS TO REPAIR AND CVT TRANSMISSION WHICH RESULTS IN A VEHICLE BEING UNSAFE TO OPERATE.

NHTSA ODI #10948846

135,000 miles · Jan 24, 2017
Air Bags

TAKATA RECALL. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DRIVE ANYBODY IN MY CAR FOR 8 MONTHS NOW, UNLESS I WANT TO FORCE THEM TO SIT IN THE BACK. IT IS RIDICULOUS THAT I HAVE NOT EVEN BEEN TOLD WHEN THE AIRBAG INFLATION WILL BE FIXED AND/OR REPLACED, AND AM JUST TOLD TO CONTINUE NOT LETTING ANYONE SIT IN THE PASSENGERS SEAT.

NHTSA ODI #10947403

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.