2005 Audi S4: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 43 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is exterior lighting (70% of complaints); the 2007 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jun 2018
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 43 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Takata recall. I received two letters from audi in march 2017 and recently a third letter in march 2018 informing me of the passenger frontal airbag inflator problem. The most recent letter states that it is dangerous to drive and the airbag could explode causing serious injury or death. I called audi service in april 2017 and again in april 2018 and they said they do not have a fix for the problem and have no time frame for when it will be available. How can I continue to drive a car that has significant risk to cause injury and they will not fix it for over a year?”Owner report · Air Bags · Apr 2018
“The complaint is about the motors losing oil every 1000 miles a 1qt is need each time. The engine is caused and burns oil fast to the motor to lose oil more rapidly. Needs to be replaced. My motor is losing oil! And so do other models havening this problems isnt good.”Owner report · Engine · Nov 2017
“Takata recall 1. The left headlight flickers. 2. It then turns itself off 3. The message "left dipped headlight" appears 4. This happens while my vehicle is parked and in motion so it is a very serious safety risk. I have had both headlights go out at night while driving with my 2 year old in the car!”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Nov 2017
Show 7 more owner reports
“Heated seat element burned or melted the seat while the car was off overnight. Passenger seat leather is now separated, shriveled (hard as a rock) and would have burned the passenger if they had been in the seat.”Owner report · Electrical System · Oct 2015
“As I was driving on the freeway my headlight went out with and the message, "right dipped headlight" came on. When this happen I stopped to fill up with gas and when I started the car the message was gone and the headlight was back on. This has happened a several more times since then. *tr”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Feb 2014
“Tl* the contact owns 2005 audi s4. The contact stated that the hid headlights would intermittently flicker. The contact also stated that both headlights would dip and as result, an error light was illuminated. The failure recurred at various speeds. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 65,000. The VIN was not available.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Oct 2013
“Tl* the contact owns a 2005 audi s4. The contact stated that while driving 70 mph, the headlights became dim with low visibility. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and the headlights were diagnosed with having a reflector failure. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was been of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 70000.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Sep 2012
“Happens all the time "right dipped headlight" "left dipped headlight" dealers refuse to fix it even though it keeps happening to all their cars. It's a safety issue not wear and tear. Headlights keep failing regardless if you replace them or not. I have replaced the entire assembly and this issue still keeps happening. *tr”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Sep 2011
“Hello - I have an audi 2005.5 audi s4 avant that the headlights continue to dip and go out while driving. Good thing both it hasn't happened to both at the same time. I'm able to turn off and turn on an generally they will come back on, other times not. *kb”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Jul 2011
“Tl* the contact owns a 2005 audi s4. The contact stated that while driving approximately 10 mph, the headlights began to flicker and suddenly shut off. The vehicle was stopped and shut off. After restarting, the headlights functioned properly. The failure occurred intermittently and occurred while parked or while driving at different speeds. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the mechanic was unable to diagnose the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Mar 2011
When filing, owners marked a crash in 2 of these complaints and injuries in 1 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
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.
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.
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.
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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2005 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact S4 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 2005 Audi S4 reliable?
NHTSA has 43 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 2005 Audi S4. The most complained-about area is exterior lighting (70% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2005 Audi S4 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 56,000 miles or less.
Does the 2005 Audi S4 have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module. 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.