2005 Audi S4

● Typical for this model

2005 Audi S4
RENDERED 2026-09-17T01:41:26.185Z

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 PER YEAR

2005: 43 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
1989	0
1990	0
1991	0
1992	5
1993	16
1994	7
1995	1
1996	0
2000	143
2001	87
2002	22
2003	1
2004	29
2005	43
2006	30
2007	13
2008	4
2009	0
2010	60
2011	26
2012	22
2013	33
2014	17
2015	1
2018	7
2019	2
2020	16
2021	2
2022	1

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

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

EXTERIOR LIGHTING 79%

79% of complaints: exterior lighting — 34 distinct reports on file, 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, 20171110

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, 20121124

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, 20121114

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 12%

12% of complaints: electrical system — 5 distinct reports on file, 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, 20070528

Also filed under AIR BAGS and SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

AIR BAGS 9%

9% of complaints: air bags — 4 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frontal.

CRASH INJURY

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, 20180418

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 7%

7% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 3 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing engine.

VISIBILITY/WIPER 2%

2% of complaints: visibility/wiper — 1 distinct report on file.

SAFETY TIMELINE

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