2004 Audi A4: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 189 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is fuel system, gasoline (24% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jun 2016
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 189 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“******* 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 *******”Owner report · Air Bags · May 2023
“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.”Owner report · Visibility · Sep 2021
“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.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Aug 2021
Show 7 more owner reports
“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”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Oct 2020
“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.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Jan 2020
“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 report · Unknown Or Other · Oct 2019
“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2004 audi a4. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 18v427000 (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. Audi north miami (1995 ne 142nd st, north miami, fl 33181, (305) 952-5900) was contacted and confirmed that the parts were not available for the recall remedy. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and was not able to confirm when the parts were to become available. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jun 2018
“The hid xenon headlights have dimmed to the point where driving at night could become difficult. There is a recall (05v096000) for 2004 audi a4's with hid headlights but this VIN. Is not included. Possibly a known problem to audi.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Apr 2018
“My audi stopped blowing out heat first and then the check engine light came on. When I took it to get the check engine light code tested it read pressure default. Not long after my air bag light came on. Now my car is leaking coolant.”Owner report · Air Bags · Mar 2018
“On february 20th I was putting some items in car.. I started my car to get it warm it was very cold outside. For ten to 15 minutes the car sat and was idling. I came inside to get last few items to load into vehicle. I opened back passenger door when a loud sound as if a gunshot went off. To my surprise the front airbag deployed smoke and debris through out me and my car.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jan 2018
When filing, owners marked a crash in 8 of these complaints and injuries in 6 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
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.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Remedy: 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.
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.
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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2004 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact A4 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2004 Audi A4 reliable?
NHTSA has 189 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2004 Audi A4. The most complained-about area is fuel system, gasoline (24% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2004 Audi A4 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 60,000 miles or less.
Does the 2004 Audi A4 have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning engine and engine cooling:engine. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.