The 2005 Audi A4 has 4 safety recalls and 219 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is exterior lighting (101 complaints).
Recalls4safety recalls
Complaints219filed by owners
Crashes · fires7 · 3reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths8 · 0reported in complaints
2005 Audi A4 in an NHTSA crash test
Safety recalls
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
NHTSA recall 18V427000 · Jun 22, 2018 · 237,947 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (ODI)
Problem: 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.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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.
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
NHTSA recall 17V032000 · Jan 11, 2017 · 33,421 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (ODI)
Problem: 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.
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. 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.
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.
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
2005 Audi A4 4-DR. w/SAB
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
★★★★★
Rollover risk
10.7%
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
24mpg combined
City / highway
21 / 30 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (variable gear ratios) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,400/year to fuel
A4
24mpg combined
City / highway
20 / 31 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,400/year to fuel
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
23mpg combined
City / highway
20 / 28 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 6-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel
A4 Avant quattro
23mpg combined
City / highway
20 / 28 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 6-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel
A4
22mpg combined
City / highway
19 / 26 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (variable gear ratios) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,750/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 quattro
22mpg combined
City / highway
19 / 27 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S6) · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,750/year to fuel
A4 Avant quattro
22mpg combined
City / highway
19 / 27 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S6) · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,750/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*
Exterior lighting Headlights
101
0
0
0
58,700 mi
Air bags Frontal › Sensor/control module; Frontal
55
7
0
6
58,500 mi
Electrical system
24
0
3
0
60,000 mi
Power train Automatic transmission; Automatic transmission › Control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Jun 18, 2026Air 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 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.
Aug 21, 2024Air bags 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,
Dec 8, 2023 · crash · 2 injuriesAir bags 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.
May 10, 2023Engine Came to a stop sign car completely cut off and wouldnât start again.
Aug 1, 2022Exterior 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 duplicate this issue on the right side/passenger side. All new parts were installed.
Jan 4, 2021Air 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.
Jul 2, 2020 · 145,210 miles · 1 injuryAir bags 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…
Jun 11, 2005Air bags AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
