2004 Audi A4

◆ Worse than typical
2004 Audi A4
RENDERED 2026-08-02T13:00:06.164Z

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Audi A4 Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2004 highlighted. 1995: 1 complaints 1995 1996: 89 complaints 1997: 98 complaints 1998: 258 complaints 1999: 190 complaints 1999 2000: 96 complaints 2001: 131 complaints 2002: 181 complaints 2003: 210 complaints 2003 2004: 189 complaints 2004 2005: 219 complaints 2006: 295 complaints 2007: 196 complaints 2007 2008: 175 complaints 2009: 120 complaints 2010: 64 complaints 2011: 11 complaints 2011 2012: 19 complaints 2013: 24 complaints 2014: 31 complaints 2015: 18 complaints 2015 2016: 11 complaints 2017: 54 complaints 2018: 44 complaints 2019: 10 complaints 2019 2020: 124 complaints 2021: 11 complaints 2022: 6 complaints 2023: 9 complaints 2023 2024: 2 complaints 2024
2004: 189 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19951
199689
199798
1998258
1999190
200096
2001131
2002181
2003210
2004189
2005219
2006295
2007196
2008175
2009120
201064
201111
201219
201324
201431
201518
201611
201754
201844
201910
2020124
202111
20226
20239
20242

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 19%

19% of complaints: fuel system, gasoline — 35 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE
AIR BAGS 10%

10% of complaints: air bags — 18 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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...

NHTSA ODI report, 20200814

EXTERIOR LIGHTING 7%

7% of complaints: exterior lighting — 14 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

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...

NHTSA ODI report, 20200814

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 6%

6% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 12 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

I WAS DRIVING OUR 2004 AUDI A4 ON A TWO LANE ROAD AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120530

ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS OVER THE PAST 3 YEARS, WE HAVE LOST CONTROL OF ACCELERATION IN OUR 2004 A4.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120418

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 6%

6% of complaints: fuel system, gasoline — 12 distinct reports on file.

SAFETY TIMELINE

2004 — complaint volume: 189
R 20050411 — exterior lighting

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.

Campaign 05V096000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20080414 — PE (closed 20080806)

ENGINE STALLING - FUEL PUMP FAILURE

R 20140501 — engine and engine cooling

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...

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.

Campaign 14E007000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20170428 — air bags

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

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.

Campaign 16V382000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2004 Audi A4 — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for fuel system, gasoline issues (35 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (18 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for exterior lighting issues (14 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 05V096000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 14E007000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 16V382000 (air bags) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2014 ▲ 2018 ▲ 2017

WORST YEARS

■ 2006 ■ 1998 ◆ 2005

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2004 Audi A4 reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2004 Audi A4 is rated "worse than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2004 Audi A4?

The most-reported component is fuel system, gasoline, accounting for 19% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2004 Audi A4 have?

3 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.