repaired · 2019 Q3
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
2005 Audi A4Problems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 219 owner complaints about the 2005 Audi A4, most often about the exterior lighting. It is covered by 3 safety recalls, and for recall 17V-032 the manufacturer reports only 17% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through June 18, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2005 Audi A4 has problems
219 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
101Exterior lighting
54Air bags7 crash/fire/injury
24Electrical system3 crash/fire/injury
16Power train
10Engine
9Fuel system, gasoline
8Engine and engine cooling
8Vehicle speed control
6Steering
2612 other systems3 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Exterior lighting | 101 | 0 |
| Air bags | 54 | 7 |
| Electrical system | 24 | 3 |
| Power train | 16 | 0 |
| Engine | 10 | 2 |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 9 | 1 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 8 | 1 |
| Vehicle speed control | 8 | 1 |
| Steering | 6 | 1 |
| 12 other systems | 26 | 3 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
3 recalls
2005 Audi A4 recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2018 Q2
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
repaired · 2018 Q2
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Audi.
Mileage at failure
When do exterior lighting problems start?
59kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 88 exterior lighting complaints. 88% were reported before 100,000 miles.
6under 30k miles77under 100k miles11100k miles or more
Best & worst years
2005 vs. every other A4 year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the A4 median. How we score
'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2005 Audi A4 safety ratings
2005 Audi A4 4-DR. w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
Side barrierNot rated
- Rollover: 4 stars (10.7% risk)
- Stability control: Standard
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
In owners' words
What A4 owners report
Recent exterior lighting complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
Headlights flickering. Must turn off the headlights and turn them back on for this issue to go away. All headlight components were replaced including the bulb and this issue still is there. The Audi dealerships seem to not know how to fix this issue. This issue is only on the left side/driver side.…
WHILE DRIVING, THE HEADLIGHT FLICKERS AND GOES OUT. IF HEADLIGHTS ARE TURNED OFF AND BACK ON, HEADLIGHT WORKS JUST FINE. WHEN I SEARCHED ON THE INTERNET MANY INDIVIDUALS WITH THIS CAR MAKE HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. REPLACING THE BULB DOES NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. SOME INDIVIDUALS HAVE SAID THAT AUDI…
MY RIGHT HEADLIGHT HAS BEEN FLICKERING FOR ABOUT 3 MONTHS, AND A FEW TIMES IT HAS GONE OUT COMPLETELY. TURNING THE HEADLIGHTS OFF AND BACK ON FIXES IT FOR A COUPLE DAYS. I WAITED TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER UNTIL IT NEEDED MAINTENANCE, AND ALSO SO THERE WOULD BE MORE DTC EVIDENCE FOR THEM TO…
Own a 2005 A4?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.