2005 Audi S4 recalls and problems

The 2005 Audi S4 has 2 safety recalls and 43 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Audi dealer.

Recalls
2
Complaints
43
Crashes / fires
2 / 0
Injuries / deaths
1 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2005 Audi S4 vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2005 Audi S4 recalls

Recall 18V-427: Air Bags

Reported Jun 22, 2018 · 237,947 vehicles affected · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Problem: 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.

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 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 17V-032: Air Bags

Reported Jan 11, 2017 · 33,421 vehicles affected · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Problem: 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.

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 1-800-253-2834. Note: This recall has been superseded by recall number 18V427.

2005 Audi S4 problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Exterior Lighting34
Electrical System5
Air Bags4
Engine and Engine Cooling3
Service Brakes, Hydraulic1
Visibility1
Power Train1
Fuel System, Gasoline1
Visibility/Wiper1
Seats1
Steering1
Engine1

Most reported parts

  • Exterior Lighting › Headlights — 5
  • Air Bags › Frontal — 2
  • Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine — 2
  • Electrical System › Wiring › Fuses and Circuit Breakers — 1
  • Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel — 1
  • Power Train › Automatic Transmission — 1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 57,000 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2005 Audi S4 complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Air Bags · reported Apr 18, 2018
Takata recall. I received two letters from audi in march 2017 and recently a third letter in march 2018 informing me of the passenger frontal airbag inflator problem. The most recent letter states that it is dangerous to drive and the airbag could explode causing serious injury or death. I called audi service in april 2017 and again in april 2018 and they said they do not have a fix for the problem and have no time frame for when it will be available. How can I continue to drive a car that has significant risk to cause injury and they will not fix it for over a year?
Exterior Lighting · at 90,256 miles · reported Nov 10, 2017
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 car!
Engine · reported Nov 9, 2017
The complaint is about the motors losing oil every 1000 miles a 1qt is need each time. The engine is caused and burns oil fast to the motor to lose oil more rapidly. Needs to be replaced. My motor is losing oil! And so do other models havening this problems isnt good.
Steering · at 95,000 miles · reported Sep 14, 2017
I was on my way to substitute teach at an elementary school in santa cruz, ca and so was in the middle of a lot of early traffic at a left turn signal when I heard a very strange rumble. I thought it was another car as my car had just been in for a 95,000 mile service a few weeks earlier. However, part way through the turn I was almost unable to steer the car. I had to fight the car to keep it from hitting a bicyclist and to get it off to the side of the road where it then stopped steering and died. At that point it was blocking two cars in a driveway, but I could not steer it at all. This was…
Exterior Lighting · at 75,000 miles · reported Apr 25, 2016
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.

Other Audi S4 years

Compare all Audi S4 years · All Audi models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2005 Audi S4 have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2005 Audi S4: 18V-427 (air bags), 17V-032 (air bags). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2005 Audi S4?

Owners report exterior lighting problems most often (34 reports), followed by electrical system (5). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 57,000 miles.

Are Audi recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Audi dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.