2004 Audi A4 recalls & problems

The 2004 Audi A4 has 3 safety recalls and 189 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is fuel system, gasoline (48 complaints).

Recalls3safety recalls

Complaints189filed by owners

Crashes · fires8 · 3reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths6 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 16V382000 · Jun 1, 2016 · 194,453 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: 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.

Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: 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.

Engine and engine cooling › Engine

NHTSA recall 14E007000 · Mar 7, 2014 · 50 vehicles

Problem: The Gates Corporation (Gates) is recalling certain aftermarket Tru-Flow Water Pumps, part number TFW 41127, sold at certain NAPA Auto Parts and/or installed by automotive service technicians after November 1, 2013 (and manufactured August 2013 through October 2013) that have a black-colored pulley/sprocket or do not have 'US9377' stamped on the water pump housing. These service replacement parts were sold for use in model year 1999-2005 Audi A4, 2000-2006 Audi TT, 1998-2005 Volkswagen Beetle, 1999-2006 Golf, 1999-2008 and 2011-2013 Volkswagen Jetta, and 2000-2005 Volkswagen Passat. In the affected water pumps, the pulley or sprocket that turns the timing belt may develop microfractures causing the timing belt to fail.

Risk: A failure of the timing belt may cause the engine to shut down, potentially increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Fix: Gates will notify owners, and dealers will replace the water pump, free of charge. The recall began during May 2014. Owners may contact The Gates Corporation at 1-303-744-1911.

Exterior lighting › Headlights

NHTSA recall 05V096000 · Mar 15, 2005 · 9,965 vehicles

Problem: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY OF XENON HEADLAMP COATING DEGRADATION OVER TIME. THE LUMINOUS TRANSMITTANCE OF THE HEADLAMP MAY DECREASE OVER A PERIOD OF TIME.

Risk: THIS CONDITION COULD AFFECT A DRIVER'S FIELD OF VIEW, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LEFT AND RIGHT XENON HEADLAMP REFLECTORS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 11, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AUDI AT 1-800-822-2834.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2004 Audi A4 4-DR. w/SAB

Overall	Not Rated
Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	★★★★★
Rollover risk	10.7%

2004 Audi A4 Avant 4-DR. w/SAB

Overall	Not Rated
Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

2004 Audi A4 Cabriolet Convertible

Overall	Not Rated
Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

A4 Cabriolet

23mpg combined

City / highway	20 / 28 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

1.8 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (variable gear ratios) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel

A4

23mpg combined

City / highway	20 / 27 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

1.8 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (variable gear ratios) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel

A4

23mpg combined

City / highway	20 / 29 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

1.8 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel

A4 quattro

22mpg combined

City / highway	19 / 27 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

1.8 L · 4 cyl · Manual 6-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,750/year to fuel

A4 Avant quattro

22mpg combined

City / highway	19 / 28 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

1.8 L · 4 cyl · Manual 6-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,750/year to fuel

A4 Cabriolet

21mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 25 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (variable gear ratios) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,900/year to fuel

A4

21mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 26 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (variable gear ratios) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,900/year to fuel

A4 quattro

21mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 26 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

1.8 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S5) · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,900/year to fuel

A4 Avant quattro

21mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 26 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

1.8 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S5) · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,900/year to fuel

A4 Cabriolet quattro

19mpg combined

City / highway	16 / 23 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S5) · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,350/year to fuel

A4 quattro

19mpg combined

City / highway	16 / 24 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

3 L · 6 cyl · Manual 6-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,350/year to fuel

A4 quattro

19mpg combined

City / highway	16 / 23 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S5) · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,350/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Fuel system, gasoline Delivery › Fuel pump; Storage › Tank assembly › Filler pipe and cap	48	1	1	0	61,000 mi
Air bags Frontal; Side/window	26	6	1	5	78,223 mi
Engine and engine cooling Engine; Exhaust system	21	0	0	0	63,500 mi
Visibility Windshield; Power window devices and controls	17	0	0	0	54,000 mi
Tires Sidewall	16	0	0	0	6,500 mi
Vehicle speed control Accelerator pedal	16	1	0	1	48,500 mi
Electrical system Ignition; Instrument cluster/panel	15	0	1	0	62,241 mi
Exterior lighting	14	0	1	0	80,000 mi
Power train Automatic transmission; Clutch assembly	12	1	0	0	41,000 mi
Engine	7	0	1	0	109,750 mi
Unknown or other	6	0	1	0	79,901 mi
Fuel system, other Delivery › Fuel pump	5	0	0	0	82,000 mi

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

May 5, 2023Air bags
******* DELETE VOQ ******* THIS COMPLAINT IS BEING MARKED FOR DELETION BECAUSE IT IS REQUESTED BY THE CONSUMER THAT THEY WISH TO HAVE IT REMOVED*DJR ******* DELETE VOQ *******
Sep 7, 2022 · fireElectrical system
This took place about a week ago. The car was parked in our driveway when the fire started. My husband had returned home just 15 minutes prior to the fire starting. I noticed there was smoke coming in our living room window. Then I looked at our security camas. And saw smoke pouring out from underneath the hood of my car. We tried to put the fire out with our two hose system set up and it wouldn't go out. So we knew it was electrical. We couldn't get close enough to open the hood so I couldn't pour baking soda on it. Two fire extinguishers later like 10 minutes the firefighters showed up and we're able to put it out. They confirmed that the arch came from the battery terminals /cables. Two…
Sep 20, 2021 · 86,000 milesVisibility › Windshield
The contact owns a 2004 Audi A4. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the rear windshield became detached from the soft top. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer to be inspected. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and was awaiting a response. The failure mileage was approximately 86,000.
Aug 23, 2021Electrical system
PRNDS appeared in red on my dash and then started blinking. Went on line regarding this and read about a TCM switch or a lever switch malfunction.Have an appt with mechanic on 8/26/21. From what I have read we are looking at a cost prohibitive repair of several thousands of dollars. Does Audi have any responsibility? Apparently it is a common complaint with the A4 model. Felt loss of power when decelerating.
Oct 23, 2020 · 113,000 milesAir bags
I WAS DRIVING TO JACKSONVILLE FLORIDA AND CAR HAD SHUT OFF ON ME ON THE HIGHWAY IN YULEE FLORIDA I WAS STUCK ON THE HIGHWAY FOR 7 HRS MY CAR IS STUCK IN FLORIDA
Mar 19, 2020 · 157,000 miles · fireAir bags
I ORIGINALLY HAD 3 RECALLS ON MY VEHICLE I CALLED IN TO SEE ABOUT GETTING THEM FIXED FREE OF CHARGE AS EXPLAINED IN THE RECALL TECH BULLETIN .THE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE PROCEEDED IN GETTING ALL OF MY INFORMATION THEN AFTER DOING SO TELLS ME THERE ARE NO RECALLS ON MY VEHICLE AND PROCEEDED TO UPDATE MY CARS INFO SHORTLY AFTER I WENT BACK TO THE ORIGINAL SITE OF THIS RECALL PUT IN MY CARS INFO AGAIN AND ALL THE RECALLS THAT WAS ONCE AVAILABLE FOR MY VEHICLE WAS MYSTERIOUSLY GONE.I NEVER RECEIVED A NOTICE AND NEVER GOT IT FIXED. NOW THE RECALL THAT WAS ORIGINALLY POSTED ARE STARTING TO BE NOTICEABLE ON MY VEHICLE SUCH AS THE DEFECTIVE WATER PUMP, DEFECTIVE HEADLIGHTS AND DEFECTIVE…
Jan 31, 2020 · 156,000 milesFuel/propulsion system
WHEN ENGINE IS UNDER LOAD WITH A FAULTY FUEL PUMP, THE ENGINE WILL STALL WHILST MOVING WITHOUT TURNING MOTOR OFF. ONLY REMEDY IS TO TURN ENGINE OFF AND ON, SINCE THE FUEL PUMP WILL NOT START ITSELF BACK ON AFTER THE STALL.
Oct 10, 2019 · 99,872 milesUnknown or other
MY VEHICLE STARTED UP FINE AND I WAS DRIVING TO WORK, I WAS IDLING AT THE RED LIGHT AND MY CAR SHUT OFF AND SIGNALED THE BATTERY LIGHT. WE TRIED TO JUMP IT THINKING IT WAS THE BATTERY LIKE IT SIGNALED, AND IT WASNT SO WE HAD TO TOW IT. THE CAR STILL DOESNT START. IT CRANKS BUT WONT START AND I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION, NO WARNING LIGHTS BEFORE HAND AT ALL.

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

PE08027 · opened Apr 14, 2008 · closed Aug 6, 2008ENGINE STALLING - FUEL PUMP FAILURE
IN RESPONSE TO ODI'S INFORMATION REQUEST FOR PE08-027, VOLKSWAGEN AG (VW) STATED THAT IT BELIEVES THAT THE POSSIBLE CAUSAL OR CONTRIBUTORY FACTORS OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES COULD RESULT FROM EXCESSIVE ACCUMULATION OF FOREIGN MATERIALS IN THE FUEL FILTER.IN RARE CASES, THE FUEL FILTER COULD BECOME CLOGGED, WHICH CAN CAUSE INCREASED PRESSURE ON THE PUMP.VW INDICATED THAT ENGINE STALLS RESULTING FROM THIS CONDITION ARE RARE AND WOULD BE PRECEDED BY SYMPTOMS SUCH AS REDUCED ENGINE POWER, NOISE OR HESITATION.ODI'S ANALYSIS OF COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY DATA DETERMINED THAT THE RATE OF ENGINE STALL INCIDENTS RESULTING FROM FUEL PUMP FAILURE IS LOW AT APPROXIMATELY 0.2 PERCENT AFTER THREE YEARS IN SERVICE. ON JANUARY 17, 2006, VW SUBMITTED A DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT TO ODI CONCERNING A SAFETY RECALL TO ADDRESS A DEFECT IN THE FUEL PUMPS OF APPROXIMATELY 74,000 MODEL YEAR (MY)…