The contact's husband owned a 2005 Audi A4. The contact received several recall letters and cards from the federal safety agency and Audi manufacturer for a Takata Air Bag recall. The contact stated that the last notification received stated that the owner could die if the recall was not completed. The contact was adamant and would like the mailing address to be removed from the recall distribution list because the vehicle was no longer owned. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance.
The worst 2005 Audi A4 problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Lights101
- Airbags54
- Electrical24
- Engine18
- Transmission16
- Fuel system12
- Acceleration8
- Steering6
- Visibility5
- Tires4
- Body3
- Driver assistance3
- Locks3
- Brakes2
- Seat belts1
- Suspension1
- Wheels1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2005 Audi A4
Headlights 97Airbag light 11Stalling 8Check engine light 7Fuel pump 7Loss of power 5
Recalls 3
Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module
- What is wrong
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2005-2008 Audi A4 Sedan, A4 Avant, S4 Avant and S4 Sedan, 2007-2008 RS4 Sedan, 2004 RS4 Cabriolet, 2007-2009 A4 Cabriolet and S4 Cabriolet, 2005-2011 A6 Sedan, 2006-2011 A6 Avant, and 2007-2011 S6 Sedan vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
- Risk
- An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- 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. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69R7. Note: This recall supersedes recalls 16V382, 17V032 and 18V004 and includes vehicles that may have had their air bag previously replaced under one of those campaigns.
Recall number 18V427000 · Recall details
Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module
- What is wrong
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2009 Audi A4 Cabriolet, S4 Cabriolet, A6 Avant, A6 Sedan and S6 Sedan vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Additionally, unless included in "Zone B" above, Volkswagen is recalling certain 2005-2008 Audi A4 Avant, A4 Sedan, A6 Sedan, S4 Avant and S4 Sedan vehicles, 2007-2008 A4 Cabriolet, RS4 Sedan, S4 Cabriolet and S6 Sedan vehicles, and 2006-2008 A6 Avant and 2008 RS4 Cabriolet vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
- Risk
- An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- 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. Note: This recall has been superseded by recall number 18V427.
Recall number 17V032000 · Recall details
Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module
- What is wrong
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 Audi A4, and 2005-2011 Audi A6 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Volkswagen is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 Audi A4, and 2005-2008 Audi A6 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Lastly, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Volkswagen is recalling model year 2004 Audi A4 vehicles originally sold, or registered, in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
- Risk
- An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- 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.
Recall number 16V382000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2005 Audi A4 334
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- This bulletin provides information on the additional reporting requirements for safety related inquiries.
- Inside the Rings | Volume 12, Spring 2023
- In conjunction with the New Mexico DMV, Audi will be sending Takata airbag recall reminder notices to...
- In conjunction with the Massachusetts DMV, Audi will be sending Takata airbag recall reminder notices to...
- In conjunction with the Colorado DMV, Audi will be sending Takata airbag recall reminder notices to...
- Takata recall and 3G turndown
- In conjunction with the New York DMV, Audi will be sending Takata airbag recall reminder notices to...
- In conjunction with the South Carolina Department of Public Safety, Audi is sending Takata airbag recall...
- In conjunction with the Georgia Department of Revenue
- In conjunction with the Georgia Department of Revenue
2005 Audi A4 fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4‑cyl | FWD | 20-21 | 30-31 | 24 |
| 1.8L 4‑cyl | FWD | 20 | 27-29 | 23 |
| 2.0L 4‑cyl | 4WD | 19-20 | 27-28 | 22-23 |
| 3.0L 6‑cyl | FWD | 18-19 | 26 | 21-22 |
| 1.8L 4‑cyl | 4WD | 18-19 | 26-28 | 21-22 |
| 3.0L 6‑cyl | 4WD | 16 | 24 | 19 |
| 3.1L 6‑cyl | 4WD | 17 | 24 | 19 |
What 2005 Audi A4 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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 sheet we did not see it,we are senior,
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. On 12/8/23, my daughter was involved in a serious front-end collation with another vehicle. The airbags in the Audi did not deploy. The other vehicle (which sustained less damage) did deploy. Without the airbags, her face hit the steering wheel, causing a large laceration to her eyelid and significant bruising and swelling to her face.
Came to a stop sign car completely cut off and wouldn’t start again.
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. The dealer could not duplicate this issue on the right side/passenger side. All new parts were installed.
Despite the passenger air bag being replaced a few years ago; I continue to get warning light and now is not function. Albany audi says there is no recall and it will cost me $150 to diagnose. I have spoken with several mechanics who attest to problems with recalled replacement bags.
On july 2, 2020 I was in a city street sitting at a stop light waiting for it to turn green when all of a sudden the steering wheel, driver side seat and the driver side curtain airbags deployed hitting me. I was in a state of shock since I was not moving or had not been hit. I had to move the car over into a parking lot. The horn was honking and would not stop so I had to take out fuse. I did not know what to do so I called a family friend to come help tow the car back to my house since I was not far from it. Then on july 5, 2020 I received a post card in the mail from audi dealership saying there was a urgent airbag safety recall. So on july 6, 2020 I contacted the dealership and explained what had happened and left my information. I have not heard anything back from them since. I have not driven the car it had been sitting in driveway since this happened.
Air bag light is on
Air bag light on,ran code, states bad igniter ran google search says 2005 a4 qualifies for recall audi dealer states not on list for airbag recall this is a safety issue and should be repaired at no cost to me
Noticed air bag lights on didnt think quick , also I notuced electrical issue here & there. Engine runs & sounds louder when using A/C. When you go to shut off vehicle theres a loud thump thump noise at the end fir about 3 mins or so , problems starting the engine , back windshield wiper turns on by its self , a week ago the light in the bavk turns on by it self. Other engine problems not sure if all tied in together I just started my purchase on 7/21/2020 from a car dealer. Had it checked by 2 people & one said air leak showing from diagnostic machine . My dealer put on machine & said didnt see nothing wrong. Power steering goes out have to fill almost every 2-3 days. My dealer said dont put more cause it could mess up engine. So I didnt & 2 days later driving 15 -20 MPH on residential street it starts sounding like its going to stop so I presumed to shut off engine . Chevk under the hood & the power steering fluid was bone dey smoking slightly , & belt was pulled out a& shredded & it wouldnt even turm on enough to get a full start & dealer came & towed it back. Now he saying I need a new engine
Compare the 2005 Audi A4
A4 vs Mercedes-Benz C300A4 vs BMW 328IA4 vs Cadillac CTSA4 vs Lincoln MKZA4 vs Lexus ES350A4 vs Acura TLX
Other model years
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Questions about the 2005 Audi A4
Is the 2005 Audi A4 reliable?
Owners have filed 219 complaints about the 2005 Audi A4, 3.8 times a typical A4 model year. It is one of the years we flag to avoid.
What is the 2005 Audi A4 year score?
The 2005 Audi A4 scores 25 out of 100 (poor). The score compares it with the other model years of the Audi A4: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2005 Audi A4?
Lights, with 101 complaints, typically around 59,000 miles. Next is airbags (54).
How many recalls does the 2005 Audi A4 have?
3 recalls, covering air bags.
What gas mileage does the 2005 Audi A4 get?
Official estimates for the 2005 Audi A4 range from 19 to 24 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.0L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 20-21 city and 30-31 highway.
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