VehicleVerdict

2005 Audi S4 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 54 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 6.0 times the median S4 year — the 2005 model ranks #4 of 29 S4 years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

The trouble concentrates in one system: lighting issues account for 63% of all reports (34 of 54), far ahead of electrical system at 5.

54

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

0

Investigations

4

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2005 compare to other S4 years?

S4 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2005 highlighted171 complaints1989: 0 complaints1990: 0 complaints1991: 0 complaints1992: 5 complaints1993: 18 complaints1994: 8 complaints1995: 1 complaints1996: 0 complaints2000: 171 complaints2001: 92 complaints2002: 31 complaints2003: 1 complaints2004: 37 complaints2005: 54 complaints2006: 37 complaints2007: 21 complaints2008: 4 complaints2009: 0 complaints2010: 73 complaints2011: 34 complaints2012: 27 complaints2013: 34 complaints2014: 23 complaints2015: 1 complaints2018: 9 complaints2019: 3 complaints2020: 34 complaints2021: 2 complaints2022: 1 complaints
S4 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2005 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all S4 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2005 Audi S4 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Lighting3463%
Electrical System59%
Airbags47%
Engine47%
Visibility & Wipers24%
Fuel System12%
Brakes12%
Seats12%
Steering12%
Transmission12%

Does the 2005 Audi S4 have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

18V427000AirbagsJune 22, 2018 · 237,947 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

17V032000AirbagsJanuary 11, 2017 · 33,421 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 AUDI S4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE HEADLIGHTS BECAME DIM WITH LOW VISIBILITY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND THE HEADLIGHTS WERE DIAGNOSED WITH HAVING A REFLECTOR FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS BEEN OF THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · September 9, 2012

“IN AUGUST 2006 WHILE DRIVING MY 2005 AUDI S4 CONVERTIBLE ON A BUSY STREET IN BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA AT 45-50 MPH, MY CAR DIED WITHOUT WARNING...I.E. NO POWER STEERING, BRAKES. I WAS ABLE TO NAVIGATE IT OFF-ROAD AND THEN TOWED TO ROYAL AUDI IN BLOOMINGTON, IN. THEY KEPT THE CAR OVER A MONTH THINKING…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · January 11, 2007 · crash

“FAILURE OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DURING A FRONT END COLLISION WHILE THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED-NO ONE WAS OCCUPYING THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE POINT OF IMPACT WAS CENTER BETWEEN THE TWO HEADLIGHTS. *TR”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · June 14, 2008 · crash

“CAR STARTED MISFIRING AND WITHIN LESS THAN 5 MILES IN THE HIGHWAY THEN STARTED TO BUILD UP SMOKE INSIDE THE CABIN, CAR THEN STOPPED AND TOWED TO A MECHANICS WHO CONFIRM THE DIAGNOSIS OF MISFIRING OF 3 CYLINDERS AND FOUND OVERHEATING OF THE PASSENGER SIDE CATALYTIC CONVERTER THAT LEAD TO A MELTING A…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · July 27, 2010

“DRIVER HEADLIGHT DIPPED INFO ON DASH. HEADLIGHT TURNS OFF OR FLICKERS TILL IT TURNS OFF AND MUST TURN ALL LIGHTS OFF ON THE CAR WHILE DRIVING AND RESET LIGHTS TO ACTIVATE HEADLIGHT BACK ON. SOMETIMES THIS DOES NOT WORK AND FORCED TO DRIVE WITH ONE HEADLIGHT WITH IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS CONDITION,…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · February 16, 2015

2005 Audi S4 — common questions

Is the 2005 Audi S4 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 54 complaints put the 2005 model at #4 of 29 S4 years. It is one of the S4 years to avoid.

What are the most common 2005 S4 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are lighting (34 complaints), electrical system (5 complaints), airbags (4 complaints).

Does the 2005 Audi S4 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2005 Audi S4. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Audi S4 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the S4 years to avoid are 2000, 2001, 2010, 2005, 2004, 2006, 2013, 2020, 2011, 2002. The cleanest record among S4 years belongs to 2009.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.