MYRModel Year Report

2005 Audi S4

● Typical for this model
2005 Audi S4
RENDERED 2026-11-01T15:51:50.825Z

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of 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
43
Recalls
2

Campaigns on file for 2005

Investigations
0

None on file

Top problem
Exterior lighting

79% of complaints

Complaints per year

1992: 5 complaints 1992 1993: 16 complaints 1994: 7 complaints 1995: 1 complaint 1996: 0 complaints 1996 2000: 143 complaints 2001: 87 complaints 2002: 22 complaints 2003: 1 complaint 2004: 29 complaints 2005: 43 complaints 2005 43 2006: 30 complaints 2007: 13 complaints 2008: 4 complaints 2009: 0 complaints 2010: 60 complaints 2011: 26 complaints 2011 2012: 22 complaints 2013: 33 complaints 2014: 17 complaints 2015: 1 complaint 2015 2018: 7 complaints 2019: 2 complaints 2020: 17 complaints 2021: 2 complaints 2021 2022: 1 complaint
1992: 5 complaints 1992 1993: 16 complaints 1994: 7 complaints 1994 1995: 1 complaint 1996: 0 complaints 1996 2000: 143 complaints 2001: 87 complaints 2001 2002: 22 complaints 2003: 1 complaint 2003 2004: 29 complaints 2005: 43 complaints 2005 43 2006: 30 complaints 2007: 13 complaints 2007 2008: 4 complaints 2009: 0 complaints 2009 2010: 60 complaints 2011: 26 complaints 2011 2012: 22 complaints 2013: 33 complaints 2013 2014: 17 complaints 2015: 1 complaint 2015 2018: 7 complaints 2019: 2 complaints 2019 2020: 17 complaints 2021: 2 complaints 2021 2022: 1 complaint
1992: 5 complaints 1992 1993: 16 complaints 1994: 7 complaints 1994 1995: 1 complaint 1996: 0 complaints 1996 2000: 143 complaints 2001: 87 complaints 2001 2002: 22 complaints 2003: 1 complaint 2003 2004: 29 complaints 2005: 43 complaints 2005 43 2006: 30 complaints 2007: 13 complaints 2007 2008: 4 complaints 2009: 0 complaints 2009 2010: 60 complaints 2011: 26 complaints 2011 2012: 22 complaints 2013: 33 complaints 2013 2014: 17 complaints 2015: 1 complaint 2015 2018: 7 complaints 2019: 2 complaints 2019 2020: 17 complaints 2021: 2 complaints 2021 2022: 1 complaint

2005: 43 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19890
19900
19910
19925
199316
19947
19951
19960
2000143
200187
200222
20031
200429
200543
200630
200713
20084
20090
201060
201126
201222
201333
201417
20151
20187
20192
202017
20212
20221

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Exterior lighting

79% · 34 reports

Most commonly citing headlights.

Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2017-11-10

The xenon headlights in my S4 go out as the car is in motion. The light may flicker. The headlight may "Dip." The light shuts off and I have to stop the car and shut off the lights and then turn them back on for the light to reignite.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-11-24

My car is a 2005.5 Audi S4 with bi-xenon hid headlights. I almost always get a dipped headlight error whenever I turn on the headlights. It occurs more often on the driver's side headlight.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-11-14

Electrical system

12% · 5 reports

Most commonly citing fuses and circuit breakers and instrument cluster/panel.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

In August 2006 while driving my 2005 Audi S4 convertible on a busy street in bloomington, Indiana at 45-50 MPH, my car died without warning...I.e. No power steering, brakes.

NHTSA ODI report, 2007-05-28

Also filed under Air bags and service brakes, hydraulic

Air bags

9% · 4 reports

Most commonly citing frontal.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-04-18

Engine and engine cooling

7% · 3 reports

Most commonly citing engine.

Visibility/wiper

2% · 1 report

Safety timeline

2 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    2018-03-30Air bags17V032000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. R
    2018-06-29Air bags18V427000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2005 Audi S4 — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Exterior lighting: 34 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 5 reports on file for this year.
  • Air bags: 4 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 17V032000 · Air bags
  • Recall 18V427000 · Air bags
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years2 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2005 Audi S4 reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2005 Audi S4 is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2005 Audi S4?
The most-reported component is exterior lighting, accounting for 79% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2005 Audi S4 have?
2 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.