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 S4Problems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 43 owner complaints about the 2005 Audi S4, most often about the exterior lighting. It is covered by 2 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 22, 2018. Updated daily. Photo: MercurySable99, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2005 Audi S4 has problems
43 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
33Exterior lighting
5Electrical system1 crash/fire/injury
4Air bags2 crash/fire/injury
3Engine and engine cooling
1Seats
1Service brakes, hydraulic
1Steering
1Visibility
1Visibility/wiper
33 other systems
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Exterior lighting | 33 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 5 | 1 |
| Air bags | 4 | 2 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 3 | 0 |
| Seats | 1 | 0 |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 1 | 1 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility/wiper | 1 | 0 |
| 3 other systems | 3 | 0 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
2 recalls
2005 Audi S4 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.
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?
55kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 26 exterior lighting complaints. 92% were reported before 100,000 miles.
1under 30k miles24under 100k miles2100k miles or more
Best & worst years
2005 vs. every other S4 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 S4 median. How we score
'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'18'19'20'21'22
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2005 Audi S4 safety ratings
2005 Audi S4 4-DR. w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
- Rollover: 4 stars (10.7% risk)
- Stability control: Standard
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
In owners' words
What S4 owners report
Recent exterior lighting complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 AUDI S4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EXTERIOR HEADLAMPS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V382000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT…
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. I HAVE HAD BOTH HEADLIGHTS GO OUT AT NIGHT WHILE DRIVING WITH MY 2 YEAR OLD IN THE…
MY DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT FREQUENTLY GOES OUT WITH THE MESSAGE, "LEFT DIPPED HEADLIGHT." IF I TURN THE LIGHTS OFF AND BACK ON SOMETIMES THE LIGHT COMES BACK ON, SOMETIMES NOT.
Own a 2005 S4?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.