2005 Audi S4 problems
The Audi S4 is the high performance variant of Audi's compact executive car A4. The original Audi S4, built from 1991 until 1994, was a performance-oriented version of Audi's 100 saloon/sedan. All subsequent S4s since 1997 have been based on the Audi A4; and as the A4 has evolved from one generation to the next, so has the S4.
Like its regular A4 counterpart, all S4 variants have had longitudinally oriented, front-mounted engines. All versions of the S4 have their transmission mounted immediately at the rear of the engine in a longitudinal orientation, in the form of a transaxle, and like all Audi "S" cars, are only available as standard with Audi's quattro all-wheel drive (AWD) system, using a Torsen-based centre differential system. A more powerful internal combustion engine, larger upgraded brakes, firmer suspension, larger wheels, and distinctive sheetmetal, styling clues and badging have always been amongst the many upgrades the S4 receives over its mainstream 100 and A4 siblings. In markets where the even higher-performance Audi RS 4 is not offered, the S4 is the top-of-the-line trim of the A4 family.
A single turbocharged 2.2-litre inline five-cylinder powered the original C4 version, and a 2.7-litre twin turbocharged V6 engine was found in the B5 generation. The B6 and B7 versions shared a common 4.2-litre V8 engine, the first time that a V8 engine was placed in a compact executive car, placing it in direct competition with the BMW M3 (3.2 L inline 6) and Mercedes-Benz C32 AMG (3.2-litre supercharged V6). The B8 generation uses a supercharged 3.0-litre V6 TFSI engine and competed with the BMW 335i, BMW 335i/340i xDrive, and Mercedes-Benz C350. The current B9 generation is powered by a turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 TFSI engine, with rivals including the BMW M340i xDrive and Mercedes-Benz C450 AMG/Mercedes-AMG C43 4MATIC.
All versions of the S4 have been manufactured at Audi's plant in Ingolstadt, Germany; they are, or have been available as a four-door five-seat saloon and a five-door five-seat Avant (Audi's name for an estate car/station wagon) body styles since the model's inception in 1991. A two-door four-seat Cabriolet (convertible) S4 variant was introduced as part of the B6 and B7 generation A4 lineups. The B8 Cabriolet has now been built off the A5 coupe body style and the "S" variant is marketed under the Audi S5 nameplate.
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Common 2005 Audi S4 problems
Based on complaints from owners of the 2005 Audi S4, several common problems have been reported:
- Brake Issues:
Some owners have experienced problems with the brakes on the Audi S4. One owner reported having to repair the brakes at around 16,000 miles, with further issues arising at 25,000 miles. The repair cost for brake issues is approximately $850.
- Bucking Problem:
Another reported problem is the car bucking without warning, especially when drivers brake suddenly and then accelerate quickly. This issue can lead to a scary driving experience, with the bucking starting around 5,050 miles. Owners have found it challenging to get help from dealerships to address this problem.
These common problems highlight some of the challenges that owners of the 2005 Audi S4 may face, ranging from engine-related issues to brake and driving performance concerns. It's essential for potential buyers to be aware of these issues and consider them when evaluating the purchase of this vehicle.
Is the Audi S4 engine reliable?
The S4 is known to have a lot of issues like a failed thermostat, turbocharger failure, engine oil leaks, and premature brake wear, among others. Maintaining an unreliable sedan like the Audi S4 can be costly, but facing a few common issues is worth it if owning a high-performance car can give you a lot of joy.
How many miles can an S4 last?
You can expect the average Audi S4 to last up to and potentially over 100,000 miles without the need for significant repairs, but only if you take the time to perform routine maintenance while driving in a safe and controlled manner.
What is the 0 to 60 time for a 2005 Audi S4?
5.6 seconds
Is the 2005 Audi S4 a powerful car? It depends on your definition of powerful. All 2005 S4 trim variations have 340 horsepower , with a 0-60 time of 5.6 seconds.
What engine does a 2005 Audi S4 have?
4.2 L V82005 Audi S4 / Engine
This was based on the latest Volkswagen Group B6 (PL46) platform used by the then current Audi B6 A4. Despite having moved to an entirely new platform, one of the S4's most publicised new features was its new engine - a 4.2-litre V8 engine.
Is the Audi S4 engine reliable?
The S4 is known to have a lot of issues like a failed thermostat, turbocharger failure, engine oil leaks, and premature brake wear, among others. Maintaining an unreliable sedan like the Audi S4 can be costly, but facing a few common issues is worth it if owning a high-performance car can give you a lot of joy.
What generation is the 2005 Audi S4?
B6 (Typ 8E/8H, 2003–2005) The third generation Audi S4 quattro (Type 8E — saloon: 8E2, Avant: 8E5, and Cabriolet: 8H7) debuted its saloon and Avant bodystyles in Europe in March 2003, and appeared in North America slightly later.
How many miles do Audi s4s last for?
A well maintained AUDI can be expected to last a LONG LONG time, as in twenty or thirty years and three or four hundred thousand miles.
Is Audi A4 or S4 better?
S4 Horsepower. Whichever model you choose, enjoy responsive power delivery and a smooth and quiet ride. The 2023 Audi A4 delivers 201 horsepower or 261 horsepower, depending on the engine option you choose, while the 2023 Audi S4 equipped with the larger V6 engine produces a mighty 349 horsepower.
2005 Audi S4 car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Audi S4 problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Exterior lighting problems
- Electrical system problems
- Air bags problems
- Engine and engine cooling problems
- Engine problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 2005 Audi S4 vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
Latest 25 complaints 2005 Audi S4
The NHTSA has received 43 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2005 Audi S4. Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for 2005 Audi S4 vehicles.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING,AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2016-05-27
- VIN: WAUGL68E05A
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING,AIR BAGS
- Summary: TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 AUDI S4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EXTERIOR HEADLAMPS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V382000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. AUDI PACIFIC (20460 HAWTHORNE BLVD, TORRANCE, CA) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. AUDI PACIFIC WAS ALSO CONTACTED REGARDING THE EXTERIOR LIGHTING FAILURE, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE REPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2018-04-17
- VIN: WAUUL78E65A
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: 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 PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2017-11-09
- VIN: WAUGL68E15A
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: 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 PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2017-11-09
- VIN: WAUPL68E05A
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: 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 PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2017-09-13
- VIN: WAUPL68E25A
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: 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 ON THE STREET DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE DEL MAR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. I CALLED FARMERS INSURANCE AND MONTEREY PENINSULA AUDI WHERE IT WAS TOWED. I WAS TOLD THE STEERING COLUMN HAD CRACKED AND THE FLUID HAD LEAKED OUT. I WAS ALSO TOLD THERE WAS NO WAY TO BE ABLE TO DIAGNOSE THIS IN ROUTINE SERVICES.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2007-10-29
- VIN: WAUXL68E15A
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: 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.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SEATS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2015-10-31
- VIN: WUARL48HX5K
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SEATS
- Summary: HEATED SEAT ELEMENT BURNED OR MELTED THE SEAT WHILE THE CAR WAS OFF OVERNIGHT. PASSENGER SEAT LEATHER IS NOW SEPARATED, SHRIVELED (HARD AS A ROCK) AND WOULD HAVE BURNED THE PASSENGER IF THEY HAD BEEN IN THE SEAT.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING,VISIBILITY/WIPER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2015-02-16
- VIN: WAUPL68E15A
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING,VISIBILITY/WIPER
- Summary: 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, POLICE HAVE CITIED ME TWICE FOR FAULTY HEADLIGHT EQUIPMENT. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE. THERE WILL EVENTUALLY BE A FATALITY CRASH INVOLVING THIS ISSUE WITH DIPPED HEADLIGHTS ON AUDI VEHICLE'S. ALSO THIS HAPPENS AT ALL SPEEDS FROM 0 TO 70 MPH. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR 6 MONTHS AND GOING TO CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT SOON ON I95 IN MIAMI AS I DRIVE HOME FROM WORK AT 0430 A.M. *TR
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2014-02-10
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY MY HEADLIGHT WENT OUT WITH AND THE MESSAGE, "RIGHT DIPPED HEADLIGHT" CAME ON. WHEN THIS HAPPEN I STOPPED TO FILL UP WITH GAS AND WHEN I STARTED THE CAR THE MESSAGE WAS GONE AND THE HEADLIGHT WAS BACK ON. THIS HAS HAPPENED A SEVERAL MORE TIMES SINCE THEN. *TR
EXTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2014-05-19
- VIN: WAUBL68E35A
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: BOUGHT THIS CAR FROM DEALER, USED, LOW MILEAGE, GREAT CAR. HEADLIGHTS WERE FILLED WITH CONDENSATION. DEALER SAID TO DRY THEM OUT AND RE-SEAL THEM. THAT DIDN'T WORK. THERE IS STILL WATER IN BOTH HEADLIGHTS. IT HASN'T RAINED AND HAS NOT BEEN HUMID OUTSIDE. PULLED OVER THE FIRST NIGHT AND TOLD THEY WERE A SAFETY CONCERN AND NEEDED TO GET THEM FIXED, LUCKILY JUST A WARNING ISSUED, NO TICKET. I CAN'T SEE AT NIGHT WITH THE AMOUNT OF CONDENSATION/WATER THAT HAS ACCUMULATED IN BOTH HEADLIGHTS. THIS SHOULD BE A PROBLEM THAT AUDI RECALLS. IT'S NOT SAFE DUE TO DECREASED VISIBILITY, NO VISIBILITY AT TIMES, AND THE CAR WON'T PASS THE STATE INSPECTION UNTIL THIS PROBLEM IS FIXED. OBVIOUSLY THERE IS NO WARRANTY AND THE DEALERSHIP TOTALLY BLEW OFF MY CONCERNS TELLING ME SOME BS STORY ABOUT HOW TO FIX IT MYSELF BECAUSE THEIR LABOR RATES WERE SO HIGH. THIS VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE TO OPERATE WITH DEFECTIVE HEADLIGHTS AND I REALLY HOPE AUDI ADDRESSES THIS ISSUE. BOUGHT A CAR AND CAN'T EVEN PASS INSPECTION TO DRIVE IT, WORTHLESS VEHICLE AND MONEY SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY. NOT HAPPY. *TR
EXTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2013-10-15
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2005 AUDI S4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HID HEADLIGHTS WOULD INTERMITTENTLY FLICKER. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT BOTH HEADLIGHTS WOULD DIP AND AS RESULT, AN ERROR LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2012-09-09
- VIN: WAUPL68EX5A
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: 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 ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70000.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2011-09-21
- VIN: WAUGL68E65A
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: HAPPENS ALL THE TIME "RIGHT DIPPED HEADLIGHT" "LEFT DIPPED HEADLIGHT" DEALERS REFUSE TO FIX IT EVEN THOUGH IT KEEPS HAPPENING TO ALL THEIR CARS. IT'S A SAFETY ISSUE NOT WEAR AND TEAR. HEADLIGHTS KEEP FAILING REGARDLESS IF YOU REPLACE THEM OR NOT. I HAVE REPLACED THE ENTIRE ASSEMBLY AND THIS ISSUE STILL KEEPS HAPPENING. *TR
EXTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2010-11-10
- VIN: WAUGL68E75A
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: THE XENON HEADLIGHTS IN MY S4 GO OUT AS THE CAR IS IN MOTION. THE LIGHT MAY FLICKER. THE HEADLIGHT MAY "DIP." THE LIGHT SHUTS OFF AND I HAVE TO STOP THE CAR AND SHUT OFF THE LIGHTS AND THEN TURN THEM BACK ON FOR THE LIGHT TO REIGNITE. THE BULB AND CONTROL UNIT WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. NOW TWO YEARS LATER THE SAME THING IS HAPPENING. IT SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH AUDI'S (BASED ON FORUM DISCUSSION). *TR
EXTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2009-11-02
- VIN: WAUGL78E85A
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: MY CAR IS A 2005.5 AUDI S4 WITH BI-XENON HID HEADLIGHTS. I ALMOST ALWAYS GET A DIPPED HEADLIGHT ERROR WHENEVER I TURN ON THE HEADLIGHTS. IT OCCURS MORE OFTEN ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT. THIS WILL RANDOMLY HAPPEN BUT I HAVE NOTICED THAT IT OCCURS MORE FREQUENTLY RIGHT AFTER THE HEADLIGHTS ARE SWITCHED ON. IT WILL ALSO HAPPEN WHEN THE ROAD IS EITHER ON AN INCLINE OR DECLINE, OR REALLY WHEN THE ROAD IS NOT FLAT. THE DIPPED HEADLIGHT ERROR IS CHARACTERIZED BY A FLICKERING, THEN A DIMMING, THEN ULTIMATELY, THE LIGHT TURNS OFF. THE ONLY WAY TO RE-IGNITE THE LIGHT IS TO COMPLETELY TURN OFF THE LIGHT SWITCH THEN TURN IT BACK ON AGAIN. ALTHOUGH THE AFFECTED HEADLIGHT WILL COME ON, IT WILL EVENTUALLY DIP AGAIN. I FEEL THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN BOTH TO ME AS A MOTORIST, TO OTHER MOTORISTS, AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, TO PEDESTRIANS. THIS WILL HAPPEN AT ANY SPEED - BOTH ON THE HIGHWAY OR ON RESIDENTIAL STREETS. ASIDE FROM THE OBVIOUS SAFETY ISSUE WITH THE HEADLIGHT/S COMPLETELY SHUTTING DOWN, THE PRECEDING FLICKERING CAN ALSO POSE A SERIOUS PUBLIC SAFETY HAZARD AS IT MAY CONFUSE ONCOMING VEHICLE AND PEDESTRIAN TRAFFIC. I HAVE TRIED UNSUCCESSFULLY TO HAVE THIS REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY FROM AUDI MANY TIMES. AND I WAS ALWAYS TOLD THAT THEY COULD NOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM EVEN AS IT OCCURS AS SOON AS I DRIVE AWAY. I SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND FOUND MANY SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH OTHER AUDI A4/S4 OWNERS. I FEEL THIS IS CAUSE FOR AUDI TO RECTIFY THIS PROBLEM AT THEIR EXPENSE WITH THE OBVIOUS SAFETY REASONS FOREMOST IN MIND AND WITH THE PREVALENT PROBLEM WHICH COULD SUGGEST A MANUFACTURER PROBLEM. *TR
EXTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2012-06-02
- VIN: WAUPL68E85A
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT WITH THE LOW BEAMS ILLUMINATED THE LEFT HEADLIGHT WILL TURN OFF AND THE CAR WILL WARN OF A INOPERATIVE "DIPPED HEADLIGHT". THE HEADLIGHT WILL FLICKER ON AND OFF AT TIMES AND THIS CAUSES DISCONCERTING DRIVING CONDITIONS FOR BOTH THE DRIVER AND OTHER CARS IN THE VICINITY. EVERY TIME THE LIGHT FLICKERS, THE WARNING SYSTEM CHIMES AND ALERTS TO THE MALFUNCTIONING HEADLIGHT. OTHER DRIVERS ARE CONFUSED BECAUSE THEY SEE YOUR HEADLIGHTS FLASHING AT THEM FOR NO APPARENT REASON. IF THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH IS CYCLED TO "OFF" AND BACK TO "ON", THE HEADLAMP IS RESTORED UNTIL THE NEXT OCCURRENCE. IT IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AT NIGHT WITH ONE HEADLAMP FLICKERING OR COMPLETELY INOPERATIVE. IT IS DANGEROUS TO HAVE TO CYCLE THE HEADLAMP SWITCH WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC IN AN ATTEMPT TO RESTORE PROPER ILLUMINATION. I HAVE ALSO HAD THE PROBLEM BRIEFLY OCCUR IN THE RIGHT HEADLAMP. I DRIVE IN FEAR THAT BOTH HEADLAMPS WILL GO OUT AT THE SAME TIME AND THERE IS NOTHING I CAN DO TO PREDICT WHEN THIS MIGHT HAPPEN. BESIDES THE LEGAL RAMIFICATIONS OF BEING TICKETED FOR MALFUNCTIONING LIGHTING, THERE IS A VERY REAL SAFETY ISSUE THAT HAS NOT BEEN ADDRESSED BY THIS MANUFACTURER. THIS COMPLAINT IS WIDESPREAD BY HUNDREDS OF OWNERS ON MANY OWNER INTEREST WEB BOARDS. THERE HAS NOT BEEN A CLEARLY DEFINED SOLUTION AND OWNERS CONTINUE TO SPEND MONEY CHASING A PROBLEM WHOSE OWNERSHIP SHOULD REST ENTIRELY WITH AUDI OF NORTH AMERICA. I URGE THE NHTSA TO PURSUE A RESOLUTION WITH THE MANUFACTURER FOR THIS SERIOUS SAFETY DEFECT. *TR
EXTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2012-01-11
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: HEADLIGHTS DIP AND GO COMPLETELY DARK. TURNED OFF AND AFTER A SHORT TIME PERIOD HEADLIGHT COMES BACK ON. *TR
EXTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2011-03-10
- VIN: WAUGL68E75A
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 AUDI S4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE HEADLIGHTS BEGAN TO FLICKER AND SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AND SHUT OFF. AFTER RESTARTING, THE HEADLIGHTS FUNCTIONED PROPERLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY AND OCCURRED WHILE PARKED OR WHILE DRIVING AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHERE THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2011-07-12
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: HELLO - I HAVE AN AUDI 2005.5 AUDI S4 AVANT THAT THE HEADLIGHTS CONTINUE TO DIP AND GO OUT WHILE DRIVING. GOOD THING BOTH IT HASN'T HAPPENED TO BOTH AT THE SAME TIME. I'M ABLE TO TURN OFF AND TURN ON AN GENERALLY THEY WILL COME BACK ON, OTHER TIMES NOT. *KB
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2011-04-25
- VIN: WAUGL68EX5A
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: 2005.5 AUDI S4. 104,000 MILES. CHAIN TENSIONER DAMAGED. CAUSE DAMAGE TO ENGINE. ENGINE SHOULD BE REPLACED. *TR
EXTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2011-03-22
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: I OWN A 2005.5 AUDI S4 B7. THE HEADLIGHTS GO OUT. WHILE DRIVING THE CAR, ONE OF THE HEADLIGHTS BEGINS TO FLICKER ON AND OFF. THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN, IT JUST SHUTS OFF COMPLETELY. I HAVE TO TURN THE LIGHTS COMPLETELY OFF AND THEN TURN THEM BACK ON TO MAKE THE LIGHT THAT JUST SHUT OFF GO BACK ON AGAIN. SOMETIMES I HAVE TO DO THIS THREE OR FOUR TIMES BEFORE THE LIGHT CONTINUES TO STAY ON. THERE HAVE BEEN A COUPLE TIMES THAT BOTH LIGHTS FAILED. MAJOR DRIVING PROBLEM AT NIGHT. ONCE I CYCLE THROUGH THIS THE LIGHT DOES STAY ON FOR THE REST OF MY DRIVING TIME. I HAVE LOOKED ON LINE AND IT SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH MANY OTHER AUDI OWNERS. AUDI SAID THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS. WELL, IT SEEMS IF IT IS HAPPENING TO MANY OTHER AUDI DRIVERS, AUDI SHOULD BE RECALLING THESE LIGHTS. *TR
EXTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2011-02-26
- VIN: WAUGL78E95A
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: HEADLIGHTS FLICKER AND SHUT DOWN. THIS OCCURS MOSTLY UNDER DECELERATION BUT CAN FREQUENTLY OCCUR DURING ACCELERATION AND TURNING. HEADLIGHTS RUN NORMALLY UNDER STEADY STATE SPEED OR AT REST. DEALERSHIP CLAIMS NO ISSUE. INDEPENDENT AUDI SPECIALIST HAS CONFIRMED THE PROBLEM AND SWAPPED BULBS (LEFT-RIGHT) WITHOUT EFFECT. THIS HAS BEEN OCCURRING FOR OVER FOUR YEARS AND GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE, TO THE POINT THAT EACH TIME THE CAR IS DRIVEN THE LIGHTS NEED TO BE RE-IGNITED A MINIMUM OF 5 TIMES DURING A 30 MINUTE DRIVE. SAFETY ISSUE AS LIGHTS TURN OFF AT NEARLY ALL BRAKING SITUATIONS AND DRIVER MUST DIVERT ATTENTION TO CONTROLS TO RE-ILLUMINATE. *TR
EXTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2010-12-01
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: HEADLAMP OR HEADLIGHT DIP PROBLEM ON AUDI S4 WITH HID LIGHTS. CANNOT BE FIXED BY AUDI. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
EXTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2010-01-10
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: AUDI: HEADLIGHT VIBRATION, 2005.5 S4. UNDER CERTAIN OPERATING CONDITIONS, SUCH AS AT IDLE, VIBRATIONS OR RESONANCES IN THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE CAN CAUSE THE HEADLIGHTS TO VIBRATE AND TURN OFF. HAPPENS MOST FREQUENTLY WHEN CAR IS STARTING UP OR COLD. CAN SPONTANEOUSLY FLICKER OR TURN OFF WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. OCCURS ABOUT 1 OUT OF 3 TIMES WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. ASKED DEALER TO LOOK AT IT, SAID THERE WAS NO ISSUE. *TR
EXTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2010-11-04
- VIN: WAUGL78E95A
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: 2005 AUDI S4 - EXPERIENCING "DIPPED HEADLIGHT" ERROR WHERE THE HEADLIGHTS FLICKER THEN SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING. THE HEADLIGHT CAN BE TURNED BACK ON ONLY IF THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH IS TURNED OFF THEN TURNED BACK ON. THIS CORRECTS THE PROBLEM TEMPORARILY, WITH THE HEADLIGHT FLICKERING AGAIN THEN SHUTTING OFF. THE PROBLEM IS PERSISTENT AND IS A SAFETY ISSUE. TOOK MY CAR TO AUDI DEALER BUT THEY COULD NOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND THEREFORE WOULD NOT FIX IT. I'VE READ THOUSANDS OF OTHER COMPLAINTS OF HIS ISSUE ONLINE.
2005 Audi S4 recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 2 recalls for different components of the 2005 Audi S4.
- Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
- Components: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
- Summary: 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.
- Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
- Components: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
- Summary: 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.
Negative 2005 Audi S4 car reviews
Positive 2005 Audi S4 car reviews
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The convertible we offer is the most reasonably priced 8cyl/4wd/4 season 2+2 for snow covered Northeast states. There is no other convertible in this class that can claim this. The coach builders from Karmann, Germany have done an excellent job with the fit and finish. This car is almost like a hand-made jewel for this price range.
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I traded in my 2002 S4 with Triptonic. Although I was sad to give up the visceral whine of the twin turbos, the burble of the V8's exhaust is now music to my ears. The 2005.5 model cost $14,000 more than the 2002, but it comes with a lot more content, such as Recaro seats to die for, puddle lights, automatic headlights, rain sensing windshield wipers, and more. These features make the price easier to swallow. This is a sports sedan for mature drivers, not a frantic M3 or boy racer STI. It is easy to drive fast responsibly. The paddle shifters can be activated while in
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I must say, I have never had a better car than this Audi. The 4.2 litre V8 with 5 valves per cylinder produces so much horsepower that you are just thrown in your chair when you touch the pedal. I have driven both this Audi and a Porsche, and while both were really fast, this Audi has more to offer for a lower price. If you're looking for a beautiful family car that drives like a Ferrari, the Audi S4 is definitely your best buy!
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I bought the car used from an Audi dealership. Although I paid a little more buying the car from an Audi dealer, the added warranty of purchasing a certified car was well worth the additional cost. The car is a monster! I have owned all different types of American performance cars, but they are not even in the same category as this car. The performance, handling, and braking are nothing short of phenomenal! However, there are a couple of downsides. The gas mileage is poor (18mpg if you're lucky) and the interior is a little cramped. But overall, it's a great car! Just be careful, if you test drive one, you'll be taking it home!
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I traded my 2000 s4 twin turbo for this v-8 model and WOW. It handles great and accelerates great. I thought they couldn't improve on the '00 model, but was I wrong. What an upgrade! Drive this and it sells itself.
Additional sources
More sources of information about 2005 Audi S4 problems:
Buying a 2005 S4 (B6) - AudiWorld Forums
May 2, 2011 ... You guys need to search this site and Audizine.com. You will find MANY issues and concerns with this car. I'm not even going to start listing ...
Should i buy this S4? High mileage reliability issues?
Dec 18, 2014 ... I found a car with a good price but i question it's reliability because of its high mileage. It's a 2005 B6 Audi S4 with 125k miles (Link to the ...
Anyone know of any problems with 2005 Audi S4 convertible ...
Mar 9, 2009 ... I am thinking of purchasing this car and have heard horror stories about Audi's electrical and transmission issues.
Is the 2005 audi s4 good? : r/whatcarshouldIbuy
Sep 5, 2018 ... It's a 13 year old German car which is not great for reliability and costs a lot to fix. Upvote
Here's Why The V8 Audi S4 Is An Awful Used Car
Dec 30, 2014 ... No problem. The parts alone are three grand, and then you have to consider the hours you'll spend under the car, covered in grease, wondering ...
Other years of Audi S4
Are you having problems with your 2005 Audi S4?
Vinnie Treutel 2024-11-09
This car was so much fun to drive and I loved it! However, now that it has 75k miles on it, I would be happy to get rid of it and never buy Audi again. Since I first bought it, there have been numerous problems that have added up to be quite outrageous! The original top failed during a rainstorm, causing the car to flood. I spent $9k replacing the control panel and rewiring the car. Unfortunately, the new top hasn't worked for a year and Audi USA is now involved, but still no satisfactory resolution. The starter broke and the car fan wouldn't shut off, draining the battery until I needed a tow to get it repaired. There have been so many other issues!
Ryley Marvin 2024-07-07
I loved my Audi. It was flawless with only 20k miles. However, it caught fire on its own in the middle of the night due to an electrical fire originating under the driver's seat. The potential damage to my house was significant, but fortunately, the windows were closed. This incident highlights the importance of regular maintenance and safety checks to prevent such occurrences.