2005 Audi A4 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
267 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2005 Audi A4, alongside 4 recall campaigns and 0 defect investigations. It scores 82/100 on the trouble index — a below-average year for this model. Electrical leads the reports, typically around 59,250 miles.
Below average
Where 2005 sits among all A4 years
What owners report
“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…”— owner report to NHTSA, 2005 A4
“Takata recall-as of today, i haven't received any recall or remedy information from the manufacturer”— owner report to NHTSA, 2005 A4
Mileage when trouble shows up
Among the 200 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 59,505 miles. Half of those reports fall between 48,000 and 92,000 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.
Recalls (4)
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…
Fix: 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…
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,…
Fix: 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…
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,…
Fix: 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…
The Gates Corporation (Gates) is recalling certain aftermarket Tru-Flow Water Pumps, part number TFW 41127, sold at certain NAPA Auto Parts and/or installed by automotive service technicians after November 1, 2013 (and manufactured August 2013 through October…
Fix: Gates will notify owners, and dealers will replace the water pump, free of charge. The recall began during May 2014. Owners may contact The Gates Corporation at 1-303-744-1911.
Technical service bulletins
334 manufacturer communications — service bulletins, the biggest share on electrical and engine — are on file for the 2005 Audi A4. A TSB is factory repair guidance, not a recall — the repair is not automatically free.
Complaint history for this model year
When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.
Questions buyers ask
Is the 2005 Audi A4 reliable?
The 2005 Audi A4 drew 267 complaints in federal safety records — a below-average year for this model. Its trouble index is 82/100, scored against the model's worst year (1998).
What are the most common 2005 Audi A4 problems?
The top reported problems for the 2005 Audi A4 are electrical (125 complaints), airbags (55), and engine (18).
At what mileage do 2005 Audi A4 problems show up?
Owners most often report 2005 Audi A4 problems around 59,505 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 48,000 and 92,000 miles.
Does the 2005 Audi A4 have recalls?
4 recall campaigns apply to the 2005 Audi A4. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer.
Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.