2005 Audi A4 Reliability Report

NHTSA data as of Oct 15, 2026Published Oct 19, 2026

Caution

Ranks 19th of 24 A4 years we score.

Owner complaints: 262; 33 are recall notices
Per 10,000 cars: 48.4; 47,280 made for the U.S.
Vs the average car: 1.3×; same age, 1× is average
Serious outcomes: 59; crash, fire, injury, stall or tow
Recalls: 3
NHTSA crash rating: Not rated; no overall rating before 2011

← 2004 A4 2006 A4 →

Should You Buy the 2005 Audi A4?

Only after careful checks. Our reliability score for the 2005 Audi A4 is 67 out of 100, which rates Caution. Owners reported about 1.3 times as many problems as for the average car of the same age. It ranks 19th of the 24 A4 years we score.

The most reported problem is the headlights, mostly works on and off (133 of 262 complaints). Owners also complain about airbag warning lights and the transmission computer or software. 59 of the 262 complaints describe a serious outcome, such as a crash, a fire, an injury or stalling while driving.

It has 3 recalls. Audi also offers three warranty extensions that may still apply, for problems with the transmission, lights and airbags. For comparison, the 2004 scores 65.

Before you buy, check that the recalls were done, ask an Audi dealer about warranty extension AWA-13-04 and get an independent inspection. The full checklist is at the end of this page.

Pros

No do-not-drive or park-outside recalls
3 Audi warranty extensions may cover repairs

Cons

About 1.3 times the problems of the average car its age
Headlights: works on and off133 complaints
Airbag warning light12 complaints
Transmission computer: fault code8 complaints

How the 2005 A4 Earned Its Score

Every model year starts at 100. Each part takes points away when this year has more problems than the average car of the same age. How we score

Score breakdown
Item	Vs average	Points lost
Starting score		100
Serious problems	1.0×	−17
Everyday problems	1.8×	−10
Problems in the last two years	Not counted	–
Recalls	0.96×	−6
Score		67

Problems in the last two years are not counted for the 2005 A4. If it were exactly average, its 47,280 cars would draw about 1.1 complaints in two years at this age, too few to compare. Their 30% moves to serious and everyday problems, which count for 80% of this score instead of 50%.

What Owners Report

We read all 262 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2005 Audi A4, one by one, and grouped them by the problem they describe. The most reported problems come first. A complaint that describes more than one problem is counted under each, so the counts add up to more than 262.

Headlights: works on and off
133 complaints (51%)
Problems that come and go, water leaking in and a feature that stopped working. 19 of these 133 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often loss of visibility. In 22 complaints, the dealer could not find or fix the problem, and in 16 it came back after a repair. Median mileage when it started: about 59,000 miles.
Airbag warning light
12 complaints (5%)
Warning lights and a stored fault code. Median mileage when it started: about 48,000 miles.
Transmission computer: fault code
8 complaints (3%)
A stored fault code, a failure and harsh or delayed shifts. 1 of these 8 complaints describes a serious outcome: stalling or losing power while driving. Median mileage when it started: about 50,000 miles.
Frontal airbags: no deployment in a crash
7 complaints (3%)
No deployment in a crash and deployment with no crash. 1 of these 7 complaints describes a serious outcome: a crash. Median mileage when it started: about 37,000 miles.
Fuel pump: stalling
7 complaints (3%)
Stalling, surging and a loss of power. 3 of these 7 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving. Median mileage when it started: about 50,000 miles.
Engine failure
5 complaints (2%)
A failure, unusual noises and damage. Median mileage when it started: about 100,000 miles.
Convertible top rear window: parts breaking or coming apart
5 complaints (2%)
Parts breaking or coming apart. Median mileage when it started: about 49,000 miles.
Stall (cause not stated)
4 complaints (2%)
Stalling. 1 of these 4 complaints describes a serious outcome: a car that would not start. Median mileage when it started: about 53,000 miles.
Steering: a hard pedal or less assist
4 complaints (2%)
A hard pedal or less assist, vibration or shudder and shattering or cracking. Median mileage when it started: about 95,000 miles.
Tires: parts breaking or coming apart
4 complaints (2%)
Parts breaking or coming apart, early wear and damage. 2 of these 4 complaints describe a serious outcome. Median mileage when it started: about 73,000 miles.
Transmission: harsh or delayed shifts
4 complaints (2%)
Harsh or delayed shifts, damage and failure or loss of drive. 2 of these 4 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving. Median mileage when it started: about 43,000 miles.
Accelerator pedal: sticking or stiffness
3 complaints (1%)
Sticking or stiffness. All 3 describe a serious outcome, most often sudden acceleration or braking. Median mileage when it started: about 95,000 miles.
Car not starting (cause not stated)
3 complaints (1%)
The car not starting. 2 of these 3 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often a car that would not start. Median mileage when it started: about 125,000 miles.
Timing chain or camshaft: parts breaking or coming apart
3 complaints (1%)
Parts breaking or coming apart and damage. Median mileage when it started: about 100,000 miles.
CVT: slipping
2 complaints (under 1%)
Slipping. 1 of these 2 complaints describes a serious outcome.

Show 13 more problems

Airbags: no deployment in a crash
2 complaints (under 1%)
No deployment in a crash and deployment with no crash.
Brakes: loss of braking
2 complaints (under 1%)
Loss of braking. 1 of these 2 complaints describes a serious outcome: a crash.
Check engine light (cause not stated)
2 complaints (under 1%)
Warning lights.
Cooling system: shattering or cracking
2 complaints (under 1%)
Shattering or cracking and a failure.
Engine (misfire codes): rough running or misfires
2 complaints (under 1%)
Rough running or misfires.
Fuel system: stopped working
2 complaints (under 1%)
A feature that stopped working.
Ignition coils or spark plugs: a loss of power
2 complaints (under 1%)
A loss of power and a failure that needed a new part.
Electrical system (unspecified): a fire
2 complaints (under 1%)
A fire and damage. 1 of these 2 complaints describes a serious outcome: a fire.
Trunk latch failure
2 complaints (under 1%)
A failure that needed a new part and not closing or latching.
Vehicle fire (cause not stated)
2 complaints (under 1%)
A fire. Both describe a serious outcome, most often a fire.
Poor acceleration (cause not stated)
2 complaints (under 1%)
Hesitation and surging. 1 of these 2 complaints describes a serious outcome.
Unintended acceleration (cause not stated)
2 complaints (under 1%)
Sudden acceleration. Both describe a serious outcome, most often sudden acceleration or braking.
Wiring, fuses or body control module: damage
2 complaints (under 1%)
Damage and stalling.

Reported Once (35)

Show the 35 problems reported once

ABS: stopped working
Uneven tire wear: pulling or wandering
Engine oil consumption: burning or using oil
Engine sensors or computer: stalling
Exhaust or catalytic converter: overheating
Exterior lights: works on and off
Fuel gauge or level sensor: wrong readings
Fumes in cabin (cause not stated)
Horn: the system acting on its own
Intake manifold or runner flaps: fault code
Interior trim: damage
Noise (cause not stated)
Oil pressure failure
Airbag sensor failure
Belt: parts breaking or coming apart
Convertible top: water leaking in
Floor mat retention system: parts breaking or coming apart
Fuel filter: unusual noises
Gasket cover caps: damage
Low pressure fuel sensor failure
Rollover protection: the system acting on its own
Seat heater: damage
Throttle: sticking or stiffness
Power windows or regulator: stopped working
Seat belts: parts breaking or coming apart
Seats: damage
Side or curtain airbags: deployment with no crash
Taillights or brake lights: the system acting on its own
Transmission fluid leak
Shifter or park: stopped working
Turbocharger failure
Wheel bearings: unusual noises
Wheel rim: damage
Windows or locks or sunroof (operate by themselves): the system acting on its own
Windshield wipers: the system acting on its own

How the 2005 Audi A4 Compares With Other Years

The other A4 years of the 2nd generation (B6), 2002 to 2005, and the years just before and after it.

Year	Rating	Score	Vs average	Per 10k cars	Recalls	Most reported problem
2006	Caution	68	1.2×	54.3	4	Headlights: works on and off
2005 This year	Caution	67	1.3×	48.4	3	Headlights: works on and off
2004	Caution	65	1.6×	45.2	2	Fuel pump: stalling
2003	Caution	65	1.6×	43.6	3	Fuel pump: stalling
2002	Caution	65	1.7×	52.3	1	Ignition coils or spark plugs failure
2001	Caution	68	1.3×	49.5	1	Instrument cluster: stopped working

See every A4 year

2005 Audi A4 Recalls

Three recalls cover the 2005 Audi A4. The most recent was issued in June 2018: “Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode.” A VIN check at NHTSA shows which are still open on a given car.

Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
NHTSA 18V427000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Jun 22, 2018. By the third quarter of 2019, 41% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture, January 2017
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
NHTSA 17V032000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Jan 11, 2017. By the second quarter of 2018, 17% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture, June 2016
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
NHTSA 16V382000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Jun 1, 2016. By the second quarter of 2018, 33% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.

2005 Audi A4 Warranty Extensions and Programs

Audi has three warranty extensions for the 2005 Audi A4, separate from its recalls. They are for problems with the transmission, lights and airbags. Whether one applies to a car depends on its VIN, which an Audi dealer can check.

Warranty extensionAudi AWA-13-04
CVT transmission and control module failures
The problem:
The bulletin names no symptom. Under a class action settlement, Audi extended the warranty on parts of the factory CVT transmission.
The fix:
An Audi dealer diagnoses and repairs or replaces the covered CVT parts. Which parts are covered depends on the model year.
Who qualifies:
Certain 2002 to 2006 A4 and A6 with the factory CVT. Control module: 2003 to 2006. Valve body: 2003 and 2004. Rest of the transmission: 2002 to 2004, only with proof of the owner's manual transmission maintenance.
Coverage:
10 years or 100,000 miles from the original in-service date, whichever comes first.
Audi's bulletin (PDF)
Warranty extensionAudi AWA-13-06
HID headlight control unit and bulb failures
The problem:
The bulletin names no symptom. Under a settlement, Audi extended the warranty on factory HID headlight control units and, on some cars, the HID bulbs.
The fix:
An Audi dealer repairs or replaces the HID headlight control units, or the HID bulbs on 2005 A4 B6 cars.
Who qualifies:
Control units: certain 2005 and 2006 A4 B7 with factory HID headlights. Bulbs: certain 2005 A4 B6. Damage from accidents, misuse, neglect or storms is not covered.
Coverage:
5 years or 50,000 miles from the original in-service date, whichever comes first. A problem documented within that time is still covered later.
Audi's bulletin (PDF)
Warranty extensionAudi AWA-22-04
Takata driver or passenger airbag inflator failure
The problem:
The driver or passenger Takata airbag inflator can fail from a defect. This extension is for cars in the Takata inflator recall.
The fix:
An Audi dealer diagnoses the inflators and replaces a failed inflator for free. Inoperable or totaled cars and salvage, rebuilt or flood titles are not covered.
Who qualifies:
Cars in the Takata recall. After the main term, coverage lasts 75,000 miles from the recall repair or a time limit, whichever is greater: November 10, 2023, or 2 years if repaired after November 10, 2021.
Coverage:
10 years from the recall repair or 150,000 miles from the original in-service date, whichever comes first. Then a further period applies.
Audi's bulletin (PDF)

NHTSA Crash Test Ratings

NHTSA gave the 2005 A4 no overall, frontal or side rating. It did rate each seat in those tests and lists the seat ratings under Rating Breakdown on its page. We show them the same way below. These tests are from before 2011, so the stars are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and newer models. See the 2005 A4 ratings on NHTSA.gov.

4-door and S4 4-door, all with side airbags

OverallNot rated

Frontal crashNot rated

Driver seat4/5

Passenger seat4/5

Side crashNot rated

Front seat5/5

Rear seat4/5

Rollover4/5

Check Before You Buy

A checklist for the 2005 A4, from its three recalls, three Audi warranty extensions that may still apply and the problems owners report most.

Confirm the Recalls Were Done

Ask the seller for proof that each of these recalls was repaired.

Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode NHTSA 18V427000
Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture, January 2017 NHTSA 17V032000
Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture, June 2016 NHTSA 16V382000

Ask an Audi Dealer

Ask whether each of these warranty extensions applies to this VIN, and whether the work was done.

AWA-13-04: CVT transmission and control module failures
AWA-13-06: HID headlight control unit and bulb failures
AWA-22-04: takata driver or passenger airbag inflator failure

On the Test Drive

Accelerate gently from a stop and again at 20 to 40 mph. Shudder, slipping or harsh shifts are warning signs. Ask for the transmission fluid records.
Confirm every airbag recall on this VIN has been repaired before you buy.
Confirm any fuel pump recall was done. Hard starting or stalling is a warning sign.

Ask the Seller

Ask whether any of these were ever repaired, and ask to see the receipts.

Headlights
Airbag warning lights
Transmission computer or software
Also ask for the service records, especially oil changes and transmission fluid changes.

Before You Pay

Get an independent pre-purchase inspection from a mechanic you choose.
Decode the VIN to confirm the model year, engine and trim.
Check the title for salvage, flood or rebuilt branding.

What to do next

All A4 Years →Best years and years to avoid, side by side.Compare With Other Years →Put up to four model years side by side.Find Warranty Extensions →Repairs Audi may still cover for this year.Decode a VIN →Confirm the exact year, engine and trim of a car.