MYRModel Year Report

2005 Audi A4

◆ Worse than typical
2005 Audi A4
BUILT 2026-08-02

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, 2005 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 2005: 219 complaints 2005 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
2005: 219 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

EXTERIOR LIGHTING 44%

44% of complaints: exterior lighting — 97 distinct reports on file.

AIR BAGS 22%

22% of complaints: air bags — 49 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20231209

'TAKATA RECALL' I MADE APPOINTMENTS AND REGISTERED TO GET MY AIRBAG REPLACED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180208

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 AUDI A4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE HIS VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120328

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 11%

11% of complaints: electrical system — 24 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND MY CAR STARTS SMOKING AND CATCHS ON FIRE

NHTSA ODI report, 20150802

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...

NHTSA ODI report, 20250106

POWER TRAIN 5%

5% of complaints: power train — 10 distinct reports on file.

ENGINE 5%

5% of complaints: engine — 10 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

'TAKATA RECALL' I MADE APPOINTMENTS AND REGISTERED TO GET MY AIRBAG REPLACED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180208

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND MY CAR STARTS SMOKING AND CATCHS ON FIRE

NHTSA ODI report, 20150802

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 2005 — complaint volume: 219
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

R 20180330 — 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. The recall began March 30, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.

Campaign 17V032000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20180629 — air bags

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

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.

Campaign 18V427000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2005 Audi A4 — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for exterior lighting issues (97 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (49 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (24 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 14E007000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 16V382000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 17V032000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 18V427000 (air bags) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2014 ▲ 2018 ▲ 2017

WORST YEARS

■ 2006 ■ 1998 ◆ 2003

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2005 Audi A4 reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2005 Audi A4 is rated "worse than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2005 Audi A4?

The most-reported component is exterior lighting, accounting for 44% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2005 Audi A4 have?

4 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.