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2005 Audi S4

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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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

34 reports with mileage · 9 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 33 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

2 crash reports0 fire reports1 injury reports

What owners actually said

43 reports
57,000 miles · Mar 23, 2011
Exterior Lighting

I OWN A 2005.5 AUDI S4 B7. THE HEADLIGHTS GO OUT. WHILE DRIVING THE CAR, ONE OF THE HEADLIGHTS BEGINS TO FLICKER ON AND OFF. THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN, IT JUST SHUTS OFF COMPLETELY. I HAVE TO TURN THE LIGHTS COMPLETELY OFF AND THEN TURN THEM BACK ON TO MAKE THE LIGHT THAT JUST SHUT OFF GO BACK ON AGAIN. SOMETIMES I HAVE TO DO TH…

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I OWN A 2005.5 AUDI S4 B7. THE HEADLIGHTS GO OUT. WHILE DRIVING THE CAR, ONE OF THE HEADLIGHTS BEGINS TO FLICKER ON AND OFF. THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN, IT JUST SHUTS OFF COMPLETELY. I HAVE TO TURN THE LIGHTS COMPLETELY OFF AND THEN TURN THEM BACK ON TO MAKE THE LIGHT THAT JUST SHUT OFF GO BACK ON AGAIN. SOMETIMES I HAVE TO DO THIS THREE OR FOUR TIMES BEFORE THE LIGHT CONTINUES TO STAY ON. THERE HAVE BEEN A COUPLE TIMES THAT BOTH LIGHTS FAILED. MAJOR DRIVING PROBLEM AT NIGHT. ONCE I CYCLE THROUGH THIS THE LIGHT DOES STAY ON FOR THE REST OF MY DRIVING TIME. I HAVE LOOKED ON LINE AND IT SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH MANY OTHER AUDI OWNERS. AUDI SAID THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS. WELL, IT SEEMS IF IT IS HAPPENING TO MANY OTHER AUDI DRIVERS, AUDI SHOULD BE RECALLING THESE LIGHTS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10392609

40,000 miles · Feb 27, 2011
Exterior Lighting

HEADLIGHTS FLICKER AND SHUT DOWN. THIS OCCURS MOSTLY UNDER DECELERATION BUT CAN FREQUENTLY OCCUR DURING ACCELERATION AND TURNING. HEADLIGHTS RUN NORMALLY UNDER STEADY STATE SPEED OR AT REST. DEALERSHIP CLAIMS NO ISSUE. INDEPENDENT AUDI SPECIALIST HAS CONFIRMED THE PROBLEM AND SWAPPED BULBS (LEFT-RIGHT) WITHOUT EFFECT. THIS H…

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HEADLIGHTS FLICKER AND SHUT DOWN. THIS OCCURS MOSTLY UNDER DECELERATION BUT CAN FREQUENTLY OCCUR DURING ACCELERATION AND TURNING. HEADLIGHTS RUN NORMALLY UNDER STEADY STATE SPEED OR AT REST. DEALERSHIP CLAIMS NO ISSUE. INDEPENDENT AUDI SPECIALIST HAS CONFIRMED THE PROBLEM AND SWAPPED BULBS (LEFT-RIGHT) WITHOUT EFFECT. THIS HAS BEEN OCCURRING FOR OVER FOUR YEARS AND GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE, TO THE POINT THAT EACH TIME THE CAR IS DRIVEN THE LIGHTS NEED TO BE RE-IGNITED A MINIMUM OF 5 TIMES DURING A 30 MINUTE DRIVE. SAFETY ISSUE AS LIGHTS TURN OFF AT NEARLY ALL BRAKING SITUATIONS AND DRIVER MUST DIVERT ATTENTION TO CONTROLS TO RE-ILLUMINATE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10384675

Mileage unknown · Jan 17, 2011
Exterior Lighting

HEADLAMP OR HEADLIGHT DIP PROBLEM ON AUDI S4 WITH HID LIGHTS. CANNOT BE FIXED BY AUDI. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10376926

55,000 miles · Jan 10, 2011
Exterior Lighting

AUDI: HEADLIGHT VIBRATION, 2005.5 S4. UNDER CERTAIN OPERATING CONDITIONS, SUCH AS AT IDLE, VIBRATIONS OR RESONANCES IN THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE CAN CAUSE THE HEADLIGHTS TO VIBRATE AND TURN OFF. HAPPENS MOST FREQUENTLY WHEN CAR IS STARTING UP OR COLD. CAN SPONTANEOUSLY FLICKER OR TURN OFF WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. OCCURS ABOUT 1…

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AUDI: HEADLIGHT VIBRATION, 2005.5 S4. UNDER CERTAIN OPERATING CONDITIONS, SUCH AS AT IDLE, VIBRATIONS OR RESONANCES IN THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE CAN CAUSE THE HEADLIGHTS TO VIBRATE AND TURN OFF. HAPPENS MOST FREQUENTLY WHEN CAR IS STARTING UP OR COLD. CAN SPONTANEOUSLY FLICKER OR TURN OFF WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. OCCURS ABOUT 1 OUT OF 3 TIMES WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. ASKED DEALER TO LOOK AT IT, SAID THERE WAS NO ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10375519

63,400 miles · Nov 7, 2010
Exterior Lighting

2005 AUDI S4 - EXPERIENCING "DIPPED HEADLIGHT" ERROR WHERE THE HEADLIGHTS FLICKER THEN SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING. THE HEADLIGHT CAN BE TURNED BACK ON ONLY IF THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH IS TURNED OFF THEN TURNED BACK ON. THIS CORRECTS THE PROBLEM TEMPORARILY, WITH THE HEADLIGHT FLICKERING AGAIN THEN SHUTTING OFF. THE PROBLEM IS PERSISTE…

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2005 AUDI S4 - EXPERIENCING "DIPPED HEADLIGHT" ERROR WHERE THE HEADLIGHTS FLICKER THEN SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING. THE HEADLIGHT CAN BE TURNED BACK ON ONLY IF THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH IS TURNED OFF THEN TURNED BACK ON. THIS CORRECTS THE PROBLEM TEMPORARILY, WITH THE HEADLIGHT FLICKERING AGAIN THEN SHUTTING OFF. THE PROBLEM IS PERSISTENT AND IS A SAFETY ISSUE. TOOK MY CAR TO AUDI DEALER BUT THEY COULD NOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND THEREFORE WOULD NOT FIX IT. I'VE READ THOUSANDS OF OTHER COMPLAINTS OF HIS ISSUE ONLINE.

NHTSA ODI #10364354

50,000 miles · Sep 4, 2010
Exterior Lighting

I HAVE A 2005 AUDI S4 AND MY HEADLIGHTS FLICKER AND GO OUT WHILE DRIVING ALMOST EVERY TIME I HAVE THEM ON. SOMETIMES IT IS ONE AND SOMETIMES BOTH AND I GET A MESSAGE ON MY DASH BOARD THAT THE AFFECTED HEADLIGHT IS DIPPED. IF I TURN THE LIGHTS OFF THEN BACK ON THE AFFECTED HEADLIGHT WILL USUALLY COME BACK ON. SOMETIMES THAT DOESN…

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I HAVE A 2005 AUDI S4 AND MY HEADLIGHTS FLICKER AND GO OUT WHILE DRIVING ALMOST EVERY TIME I HAVE THEM ON. SOMETIMES IT IS ONE AND SOMETIMES BOTH AND I GET A MESSAGE ON MY DASH BOARD THAT THE AFFECTED HEADLIGHT IS DIPPED. IF I TURN THE LIGHTS OFF THEN BACK ON THE AFFECTED HEADLIGHT WILL USUALLY COME BACK ON. SOMETIMES THAT DOESN'T WORK AND THE CAR HAS TO BE TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED. HEADLIGHTS TURNING OFF WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. WHEN I BROUGHT IT TO THE ATTENTION OF THE AUDI DEALERSHIP THEY SAY THEY CAN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10353854

46,000 miles · Aug 14, 2010
Exterior Lighting

MY CAR IS A 2005.5 AUDI S4. WHEN I DRIVE AT NIGHT, THE HEADLIGHTS TURN OFF AT RANDOM. IT WILL SOMETIMES BE ONE, BUT TONIGHT BOTH WENT OUT. IT OCCURS EVERY NIGHT I DRIVE THE CAR. THE BULBS HAVE BEEN REPLACED, THE BALLASTS AND THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10349379

70,600 miles · Jul 28, 2010
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

CAR STARTED MISFIRING AND WITHIN LESS THAN 5 MILES IN THE HIGHWAY THEN STARTED TO BUILD UP SMOKE INSIDE THE CABIN, CAR THEN STOPPED AND TOWED TO A MECHANICS WHO CONFIRM THE DIAGNOSIS OF MISFIRING OF 3 CYLINDERS AND FOUND OVERHEATING OF THE PASSENGER SIDE CATALYTIC CONVERTER THAT LEAD TO A MELTING A CONNECTOR OF THE TRANSMISSION.…

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CAR STARTED MISFIRING AND WITHIN LESS THAN 5 MILES IN THE HIGHWAY THEN STARTED TO BUILD UP SMOKE INSIDE THE CABIN, CAR THEN STOPPED AND TOWED TO A MECHANICS WHO CONFIRM THE DIAGNOSIS OF MISFIRING OF 3 CYLINDERS AND FOUND OVERHEATING OF THE PASSENGER SIDE CATALYTIC CONVERTER THAT LEAD TO A MELTING A CONNECTOR OF THE TRANSMISSION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10345903

42,000 miles · May 14, 2010
Exterior Lighting

FOLLOWING A COLD START, THE MAIN BEAM HEADLIGHT WILL FLICKER FOR APPROXIMATELY 5-10 SECONDS, THEN FULLY DISCHARGE. THIS WILL REPEAT FOR SEVERAL MINUTES, TYPICALLY RESULTING IN THE 'RIGHT HEADLIGHT DIPPED' WARNING ILLUMINATING ON THE DASH DISPLAY AND THE HEADLIGHT FAILING TO LIGHT. I THINK THIS POSES A SAFETY RISK AS THE PROBLE…

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FOLLOWING A COLD START, THE MAIN BEAM HEADLIGHT WILL FLICKER FOR APPROXIMATELY 5-10 SECONDS, THEN FULLY DISCHARGE. THIS WILL REPEAT FOR SEVERAL MINUTES, TYPICALLY RESULTING IN THE 'RIGHT HEADLIGHT DIPPED' WARNING ILLUMINATING ON THE DASH DISPLAY AND THE HEADLIGHT FAILING TO LIGHT. I THINK THIS POSES A SAFETY RISK AS THE PROBLEM IS CONSISTENT AND RISKS THE DRIVER'S NIGHT VISION. WHEN THE WEATHER IS COLD (<40 DEGREES F), THE PROBLEM IS MUCH MORE CONSISTENT AND PERSISTS EVEN AFTER THE ENGINE HAS WARMED. IN WARM WEATHER, THE PROBLEM SOMETIMES STOPS AFTER ~10 TO 15 MINUTES OF DRIVING, WHEN THE ENGINE HAS WARMED UP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10330468

50,000 miles · Apr 20, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingExterior LightingFuel System, Gasoline

FRONT HEADLIGHTS (BOTH SIDES) FLICKER(BLINK) BUT NOT ALL THE TIME. WHEN THEY FLICKER I TURN THEM OFF AND THEN TURN ON AGAIN, THEN THEY ARE FINE. BUT I AM WORRIED THAT IT MAY GO BAD DURING DRIVING CAUSING SAFETY ISSUES. ITS NOT THE BULB ISSUES AS ON-BOARD DIAGNOSTICS WOULDN'T DETECT THE PROBLEM. IT HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES OVE…

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FRONT HEADLIGHTS (BOTH SIDES) FLICKER(BLINK) BUT NOT ALL THE TIME. WHEN THEY FLICKER I TURN THEM OFF AND THEN TURN ON AGAIN, THEN THEY ARE FINE. BUT I AM WORRIED THAT IT MAY GO BAD DURING DRIVING CAUSING SAFETY ISSUES. ITS NOT THE BULB ISSUES AS ON-BOARD DIAGNOSTICS WOULDN'T DETECT THE PROBLEM. IT HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES OVER LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS. I TRIED FINDING SOLUTION ONLINE AND FOUND THIS FORUM HTTP://FORUMS.AUDIWORLD.COM/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?P=23809262. THIS TELLS ME THIS PROBLEM IS PART OF NOTORIOUS DESIGN BY AUDI OF AMERICA. MY CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND AUDI WOULDN'T TAKE CARE OF IT AS THEY HAVE PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE TO SORT OUT OTHER MECHANICAL ISSUES WITH MY CAR WHICH HAS ONLY 50000 MILES. THOSE ISSUES INCLUDE FAILING OF FUEL PUMPS, LEAKING OF TRANSMISSION FLUID AND MELTING OF GASKET COVER CAPS (MAIN) LEADING TO INCONVENIENCE AND FINANCIAL STRESS FOR US AND ON A CAR WHICH IS NOT EVEN 12 MONTHS OUT OF WARRANTY. I REQUEST YOU TO DO YOUR RESEARCH AND HOPE THEY DO A RECALL FOR THESE FAULTY HEADLIGHTS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10326620

Official recalls

2

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.

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.