- The 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.
- The risk
- An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- The 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.
Vehicle safety record
2005 Audi A4 Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 219 complaints about the 2005 Audi A4 with NHTSA, most often about the lights (101) and the airbags (54). Those complaints describe 7 crashes, 3 fires and 8 injuries. It is covered by 4 recalls, the latest in June 2018 for the inflator module. For comparison, the 2004 has 189 and the 2006 has 298.
NHTSA data checked
FFar more problems than a typical A4 year, for its age
#61 most complained-about 2005 vehicle
- Complaints
- 219
- Recalls
- 4
- Crashes
- 7
- Fires
- 3
- Injuries
- 8
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 2005 Audi A4 problems
Share of all 219 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
2005 Audi A4 recalls 4
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
- The 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.
- The risk
- An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- The 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.
- The 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.
- The risk
- An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- The 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.
- The 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.
- The risk
- A failure of the timing belt may cause the engine to shut down, potentially increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
- The 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.
What owners say
Be the first A4 owner to share.
Problems or none - your experience is exactly what the next buyer is looking for. Write it now
219 complaints about the 2005 Audi A4
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners. Page 1 of 9.
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.
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,
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.
Came to a stop sign car completely cut off and wouldn't start again.
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.
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.
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...
Read the full complaint
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 explained what had happened and left my information. I have not heard anything back from them since. I have not driven the car it had been sitting in driveway since this happened.
AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON
Air bag light on,ran code, states bad igniter ran google search says 2005 a4 qualifies for recall audi dealer states not on list for airbag recall this is a safety issue and should be repaired at no cost to me
Noticed air bag lights on didnt think quick , also I notuced electrical issue here & there. Engine runs & sounds louder when using a/c. When you go to shut off vehicle theres a loud thump thump noise at the end fir about 3 mins or so , problems starting the engine , back windshield wiper turns on by its self , a week ago the light in the bavk turns on by it self. Other engine problems not sure if all tied in together I just started my purchase on 7/21/2020 from a car dealer. Had it checked by 2 people & one said...
Read the full complaint
air leak showing from diagnostic machine . My dealer put on machine & said didnt see nothing wrong. Power steering goes out have to fill almost every 2-3 days. My dealer said dont put more cause it could mess up engine. So I didnt & 2 days later driving 15 -20 mph on residential street it starts sounding like its going to stop so I presumed to shut off engine . Chevk under the hood & the power steering fluid was bone dey smoking slightly , & belt was pulled out a& shredded & it wouldnt even turm on enough to get a full start & dealer came & towed it back. Now he saying I need a new engine
After 10 years of use, turning left the rubber wheel bearing on the driver side makes a pop noise. Not from driving erradic but from typical wear and tear. Also, there is an mph check engine light that comes on but when plugged up to a code reader, no problems are found. Cars wont pass smog with check engine lights on, so this is a major concern. If there are no mechanical issues why would the check engine light come on? I think computers in luxury cars back then were a bit too advanced for their time and weren't...
Read the full complaint
very well thought out. Air bag had a random deployment when I popped the hood and unscrewed the pressure on the radiator fluid. Going to need this vin added to the recall for airbags to get a new one.
Tamara recall. I have tried for several months to get this replaced as the year and make of my vehicle are in the target area for possible defect. I was originally told by the local audi dealership that my vehicle was not eligible for the recall even though I presented them with paperwork. I spoke with them again today and I was informed that they have no timeframe for repair and out me on a call list. This is our family vehicle. I am a parent and I work in emergency medicine. This greatly concerns me as I have see traumatic injuries on a regular basis.
Car rear ended another car at about 30 mph and the airbags did. Or deploy.
'Takata recall' I made appointments and registered to get my airbag replaced on numerous occasions. In june I made an appointment at the elmwood park location and when I got their the guy lied and said the computers are down he didn't want to help me. They have the parts available and don't want to fix it it is now 2018 and no one from audi called me and my vehicle is registered with them. So my air bag can rupture at any time I was in a car accident on 1/4/17 I was intentionally rear ended by a white bmw and I...
Read the full complaint
was in the car with my 8 year old nephew and mom who was in the front passenger seat I could have been killed and seriously injured. Not only that my gas tank fuel injector the air pressure is off causing it to stop constantly while getting gas. Third I had this p2005 and p2006 error code which is the intake air exchange manifold flap check engine light on which is a manufacturing error when I went to get it replaced costing me 1,800 the light is still on and the same error code is back 2 months later nothing was fixed on my car period and on 10/31/17 I went to audi in upper saddle river and they did not fix it either of find a dealer with the airbag near by that has the parts to replace it tho could have cost me and my passengers their life and this isn't unacceptable for audi to treat customers like that regardless of my vehicle being old new or brought from a third party dealership all audi owners should be treated equally and remedies be address according to law and recall. Being that a safety recall is issued customer preference is null and void because safety and wealth has no bearing in who gets first dibs on airbags no audi owner should get preference over the other whether it be they brought their car directly from the audi dealership or not and that the impression I'm getting and based on my experience not all customers and owner are treated equally
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2005 audi a4. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 17v032000 (air bags); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer (audi manhattan, 800 11th ave, new york, ny 10019) was contacted and confirmed that the parts were not available for the recall remedy. The manufacturer was not contacted. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available.
Takata recall for defective front passenger airbag was issued on may 27, 2016. One year and a half later, audi has failed to replace the defective airbag or to provide a safe loaner vehicle.
Takata recall. Airbags are on backorder. Dealership has not received enough to replace recalled ones. This is a safety issue for drivers
Takata recall- went to audi dallas and they said they could not fix thee problem. I asked when they would have the fix avaialable, they said they did not have a date.
Takata recall. A recall notice was issued in january 2017 for a takata airbag in this vehicle. I have called two dealers repeatedly during 2017, in ithaca and cicero, however replacement airbags remain unavailable. Since I received the recall notice, I have stopped carrying passengers in the front passenger seat of my vehicle. This has impeded use of the vehicle. It is unacceptable to put another person at risk of injury.
Takata recall was issued in january of 2017 and I have been driving an unsafe vehicle for 10 months with no resolution in sight. I have contacted audi and there is no expected availability date or remedy. I just received a message company has filed for bankruptcy and unsure what recourse exists.
Takata recall remedy is not available. We need to get this fixed asap.
Takata recall - received post card from tk holdings inc. Informing me about the chapter 11 case, and the recall which was instituted on january 11, 2017, of which I was never informed. I am now informed and according to the latest information - recall incomplete remedy not yet available. So, in the meantime, apparently I'm driving a dangerous vehicle. Nothing , as of yet, has happened and I certainly will strive to keep it that way.
While driving, the headlight flickers and goes out. If headlights are turned off and back on, headlight works just fine. When I searched on the internet many individuals with this car make have had the same problem. Replacing the bulb does not fix the problem. Some individuals have said that audi dealerships say they don't know how to fix the problem
2005 Audi a5. Consumer writes in regards to frontal passenger airbag safety recall. *Ld the consumer stated the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time completing the recall repair. Updated 10/23/2017*js
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2005 audi a4. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 17v032000 (air bags); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. Audi danbury (25 sugar hollow rd, danbury, ct 06810 (203) 744-5202) was contacted and confirmed that the parts were not available for the recall remedy. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue, but was not able to confirm when...
Read the full complaint
the parts were to become available. The contact stated that a case was opened with the manufacturer. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available.
Audi A4: every year compared
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 142 | 2 | D |
| 2008 | 191 | 4 | D |
| 2007 | 0 | 3 | A |
| 2006 | 298 | 3 | F |
| 2005 | 219 | 4 | F |
| 2004 | 189 | 3 | D |
| 2003 | 215 | 4 | F |
| 2002 | 189 | 2 | F |
| 2001 | 130 | 3 | D |
2005 Audi A4 vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 Audi A4 | 219 | 4 | F | |
| 2005 Mercedes-Benz E-Class | 532 | 0 | F | Compare |
| 2005 BMW 3 Series | 227 | 0 | F | Compare |
| 2005 BMW 5 Series | 192 | 5 | F | Compare |
| 2005 Mercedes-Benz C-Class | 140 | 0 | C | Compare |
| 2005 Volvo S60 | 44 | 4 | D | Compare |
| 2005 BMW 330I | 0 | 5 | C | Compare |
| 2005 Lexus IS | 0 | 1 | B | Compare |
| 2005 Audi A6 | 0 | 3 | A | Compare |
More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.
Questions about the 2005 Audi A4
Does the 2005 Audi A4 have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2005 Audi A4: inflator module (June 2018); inflator module (January 2017); inflator module (June 2016); engine (March 2014). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
What are the most common problems with the 2005 Audi A4?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the lights (101), airbags (54), electrical system (24).
How many complaints has the 2005 Audi A4 had?
219 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on December 14, 2004 and the latest on June 18, 2026. Of these, 7 describe a crash and 3 a fire, and together they report 8 injuries and 0 deaths.
Is the 2005 Audi A4 a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 21 out of 100 (grade F: far more problems than a typical Audi A4 year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
Which Audi A4 years have the most complaints?
2006 (298), 1998 (258), 2005 (219). See every Audi A4 year compared.
What should I do if my 2005 Audi A4 has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data