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2004 Audi A4 Owner Complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full

Data refreshed

Complaints on fileComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
189
Latest May 5, 2023
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
11
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
0
Reports on file since May 25, 2004

What this page shows

Our database holds 189 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2004 Audi A4. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Complaints, most recent first

Showing 1–25 of 189 · page 1 of 8

Airbags
Filed May 5, 2023

******* DELETE VOQ ******* THIS COMPLAINT IS BEING MARKED FOR DELETION BECAUSE IT IS REQUESTED BY THE CONSUMER THAT THEY WISH TO HAVE IT REMOVED*DJR ******* DELETE VOQ *******

NHTSA ID
11520694
Incident
May 5, 2023
Electrical
Filed Sep 16, 2022
Fire reported

This took place about a week ago. The car was parked in our driveway when the fire started. My husband had returned home just 15 minutes prior to the fire starting. I noticed there was smoke coming in our living room window. Then I looked at our security camas. And saw smoke pouring out from underneath the hood of my car. We tried to put the fire out with our two hose system set up and it wouldn't go out. So we knew it was electrical. We couldn't get close enough to open the hood so I couldn't pour baking soda on it. Two fire extinguishers later like 10 minutes the firefighters showed up and we're able to put it out. They confirmed that the arch came from the battery terminals /cables. Two of the fireman said they'd never seen anything like this before. Then the car tried to START ITSELF as my husband and the two fireman were standing right in front of the Audi. They had to cut the remaining battery cable that wasn't completely burned through before it stopped. My neighbor has a recording of the whole incident. The engine compartment is destroyed! The engine might be all right but we don't have the finances to do anything but clean up. Oh and for extra fun one of the fireman took an ax the the hood of the A4 cabriolet I have had for maybe a month. Now we have no car and no real means of being able to fix it.

NHTSA ID
11484914
Incident
Sep 7, 2022
Visibility
Filed Sep 29, 2021

The contact owns a 2004 Audi A4. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the rear windshield became detached from the soft top. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer to be inspected. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and was awaiting a response. The failure mileage was approximately 86,000.

NHTSA ID
11434910
Incident
Sep 20, 2021
Mileage
86,000 mi
ElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Aug 23, 2021

PRNDS appeared in red on my dash and then started blinking. Went on line regarding this and read about a TCM switch or a lever switch malfunction.Have an appt with mechanic on 8/26/21. From what I have read we are looking at a cost prohibitive repair of several thousands of dollars. Does Audi have any responsibility? Apparently it is a common complaint with the A4 model. Felt loss of power when decelerating.

NHTSA ID
11430229
Incident
Aug 23, 2021
AirbagsEngineExterior lighting
Filed Oct 27, 2020

I WAS DRIVING TO JACKSONVILLE FLORIDA AND CAR HAD SHUT OFF ON ME ON THE HIGHWAY IN YULEE FLORIDA I WAS STUCK ON THE HIGHWAY FOR 7 HRS MY CAR IS STUCK IN FLORIDA

NHTSA ID
11366758
Incident
Oct 23, 2020
Mileage
113,000 mi
AirbagsEngineExterior lighting
Filed Aug 14, 2020
Fire reported

I ORIGINALLY HAD 3 RECALLS ON MY VEHICLE I CALLED IN TO SEE ABOUT GETTING THEM FIXED FREE OF CHARGE AS EXPLAINED IN THE RECALL TECH BULLETIN .THE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE PROCEEDED IN GETTING ALL OF MY INFORMATION THEN AFTER DOING SO TELLS ME THERE ARE NO RECALLS ON MY VEHICLE AND PROCEEDED TO UPDATE MY CARS INFO SHORTLY AFTER I WENT BACK TO THE ORIGINAL SITE OF THIS RECALL PUT IN MY CARS INFO AGAIN AND ALL THE RECALLS THAT WAS ONCE AVAILABLE FOR MY VEHICLE WAS MYSTERIOUSLY GONE.I NEVER RECEIVED A NOTICE AND NEVER GOT IT FIXED. NOW THE RECALL THAT WAS ORIGINALLY POSTED ARE STARTING TO BE NOTICEABLE ON MY VEHICLE SUCH AS THE DEFECTIVE WATER PUMP, DEFECTIVE HEADLIGHTS AND DEFECTIVE AIRBAG SITUATION WHAT CAN I HAVE DONE ABOUT THIS ISSUE

NHTSA ID
11349159
Incident
Mar 19, 2020
Mileage
157,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Feb 3, 2020

WHEN ENGINE IS UNDER LOAD WITH A FAULTY FUEL PUMP, THE ENGINE WILL STALL WHILST MOVING WITHOUT TURNING MOTOR OFF. ONLY REMEDY IS TO TURN ENGINE OFF AND ON, SINCE THE FUEL PUMP WILL NOT START ITSELF BACK ON AFTER THE STALL.

NHTSA ID
11306781
Incident
Jan 31, 2020
Mileage
156,000 mi
Filed Oct 11, 2019

MY VEHICLE STARTED UP FINE AND I WAS DRIVING TO WORK, I WAS IDLING AT THE RED LIGHT AND MY CAR SHUT OFF AND SIGNALED THE BATTERY LIGHT. WE TRIED TO JUMP IT THINKING IT WAS THE BATTERY LIKE IT SIGNALED, AND IT WASNT SO WE HAD TO TOW IT. THE CAR STILL DOESNT START. IT CRANKS BUT WONT START AND I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION, NO WARNING LIGHTS BEFORE HAND AT ALL.

NHTSA ID
11267983
Incident
Oct 10, 2019
Mileage
99,872 mi
Airbags
Filed Aug 21, 2018

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 AUDI A4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V427000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. AUDI NORTH MIAMI (1995 NE 142ND ST, NORTH MIAMI, FL 33181, (305) 952-5900) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID
11121507
Incident
Jun 30, 2018
AirbagsEngine
Filed May 7, 2018

MY AUDI STOPPED BLOWING OUT HEAT FIRST AND THEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. WHEN I TOOK IT TO GET THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CODE TESTED IT READ PRESSURE DEFAULT. NOT LONG AFTER MY AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON. NOW MY CAR IS LEAKING COOLANT.

NHTSA ID
11092200
Incident
Mar 1, 2018
Exterior lighting
Filed Apr 16, 2018

THE HID XENON HEADLIGHTS HAVE DIMMED TO THE POINT WHERE DRIVING AT NIGHT COULD BECOME DIFFICULT. THERE IS A RECALL (05V096000) FOR 2004 AUDI A4'S WITH HID HEADLIGHTS BUT THIS VIN. IS NOT INCLUDED. POSSIBLY A KNOWN PROBLEM TO AUDI.

NHTSA ID
11088398
Incident
Apr 16, 2018
Mileage
80,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Feb 22, 2018

ON FEBRUARY 20TH I WAS PUTTING SOME ITEMS IN CAR.. I STARTED MY CAR TO GET IT WARM IT WAS VERY COLD OUTSIDE. FOR TEN TO 15 MINUTES THE CAR SAT AND WAS IDLING. I CAME INSIDE TO GET LAST FEW ITEMS TO LOAD INTO VEHICLE. I OPENED BACK PASSENGER DOOR WHEN A LOUD SOUND AS IF A GUNSHOT WENT OFF. TO MY SURPRISE THE FRONT AIRBAG DEPLOYED SMOKE AND DEBRIS THROUGH OUT ME AND MY CAR.

NHTSA ID
11074279
Incident
Jan 20, 2018
Mileage
189,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Oct 27, 2017

TAKATA AIRBAG INFLATORS, I GOT IN MY CAR AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON FOR NO REASON , AND IT IS STILL ON. FOR MORE THAN 3 MONTHS NOW

NHTSA ID
11040583
Incident
Aug 6, 2017
Mileage
96,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Nov 17, 2016

GAS PEDAL BECAME STUCK WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. I WAS ABLE TO PULL TO THE SHOULDER BY PUTTING THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL AND TURNING OFF THE VEHICLE. NOT SURE EXACTLY HOW THIS OCCURRED, BUT IT APPEARED THAT THE PEDAL ACCELERATED ON IT'S OWN. I SENT AN EMAIL TO AUDI TO SEE IF THERE WERE ANY INCIDENCES SIMILAR TO THIS. THE INCIDENT OCCURRED ON NOVEMBER 12, 2016.

NHTSA ID
10926739
Incident
Nov 12, 2016
Mileage
161,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Nov 9, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 AUDI A4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V382000 (AIR BAGS) AND 16V079000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10925190
Incident
Nov 9, 2016
Body & structure
Filed Aug 28, 2016

REAR WINDOW OF CONVERTIBLE SOFT TOP FOR 2004 AUDI A4 CABRIOLET. AN OLD ISSUE OFTEN SUFFERED BY AUDI CABRIOLETS FROM 2003-2009. CLAIMED TO BE CAUSED BY THE ADHESIVE THAT AUDI USES. THIS CAN BE CAUSED BY KEEPING THE CAR OUTSIDE INSTEAD OF IN A GARAGE AS PROLONGED EXPOSURE TO SUNLIGHT CAUSES THE ADHESIVE TO GIVE AWAY AND FAIL, CAUSING THE REAR WINDOW TO SEPARATE FROM THE OUTER LAYER OF THE TOP AND DROP. WHILE THE WINDOW IS STILL TECHNICALLY ATTACHED TO THE INNER LAYER OF THE TOP, THE WINDOW NO LONGER PROTECTS AGAINST WATER. AS A RESULT RAIN CAN SEEP INTO THE NON WATER RESISTANT INNER LAYER OF THE TOP AND THEN CAUSE WATER DAMAGE TO THE REAR SEATS. THIS IS THE CASE WITH MY OWN CAR AND WITH A LARGE ENOUGH NUMBER OF CABRIOLETS THAT THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN SETTLED FRANKLY, A GOOD 10 YEARS AGO WHEN THE FIRST CASES WERE BEING NOTICED. I HAVE AS MANY OTHERS HAVE, ATTEMPTED TO USE A TEMPORARY FIX AND AS A RESULT, THERE IS A CLEAR INDUSTRIAL ADHESIVE AROUND THE TOP AND REAR WINDOW TO ATTEMPT TO FIX THIS, IT FAILS WITH CONTINUED USE.

NHTSA ID
10902055
Incident
Apr 10, 2015
Mileage
90,000 mi
Engine
Filed Aug 24, 2016

OIL DIPSTICK & SUPPORT TUBE, MADE OF PLASTIC, CRACKS - BRAKES INTO PIECES , BOTH ON THE DIPSTICK & TUBE THAT CAN EASILY GO DOWN THE TUBE INTO THE OIL BELOW. LOOKS LIKE A POOR ENGINEERING DECISION TO USE PLASTIC THAT AFTER YEARS OF HEATING TO NEAR ENGIND TEMPATURES THEN COOLING HAS A HIGH PROBABILITY OF CRANCKIN AND HAVING PIECES FALL INTO THE ENGINE OIL SUPPLY - POSSIBALLY CAUSING ENGIND DAMAGE OR FALIURE. SHOULD BE REPLACED EVERY 5 YEARS OR WITH A METAL STRUCTURE THAT DOESN'T CRACK/BREAK OFF INTO PIECES. I WOULD THINK FROM THE YOUTUBE COMPLAINTS ON HOW TO REPLACE IT I AM NOT ALONE WITH THIS PROIBLEM. DEALER PART SALES MIGHT CONFIRM THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID
10898191
Incident
Aug 19, 2016
Mileage
53,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jun 29, 2016

ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS THE AUTOMATIC BRAKE SYSTEM ENGAGES THE BRAKES WITH NO WARNING. THIS DANGEROUS AND POSSIBLY DEADLY SITUATION HAS BEEN REPORTED TO THE MANUFACTURER AND MANY AUTHORIZED DEALERS.

NHTSA ID
10881370
Incident
Jun 11, 2016
Mileage
46,946 mi
Filed Apr 22, 2016

PREMATURE REAR WINDOW LEAK DUE TO GLUE PROBLEM WHICH RESULTS IN REPLACING COMPLETE TOP DEALERSHIP SAID WINDOW WAS REPAIRED BEFORE ON PREVIOUS OWNER.

NHTSA ID
10860940
Incident
Apr 3, 2016
Mileage
69,802 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Jan 2, 2016

WHEN COLD TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE AND LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ARE USED. DASH WILL READ OUT WITH (LEFT HEADLIGHT DIPPED) ERROR. SEEMS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE AMONG THIS CAR MODEL

NHTSA ID
10817383
Incident
Jan 1, 2016
Mileage
11,186 mi
Airbags
Filed Nov 11, 2015

AIR BAG LITE STAYS ON

NHTSA ID
10789834
Incident
Nov 1, 2015
Mileage
154,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jul 25, 2015

ELECTRONIC DEFICIENCY OVERRIDING SPEEDOMETER AND ODOMETER ON THE CAR. WHEN CAR IS FIRST STARTED...THREE LOUD BEEPS OCCUR AND THE ABS AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS START BLINKING ON AND OFF. FOLLOWING THE THREE LOUD BEEPS BOTH THE SPEEDOMETER AND ODOMETER ARE DISABLED. WHEN DRIVING, THE SPEEDOMETER DOES NOT INDICATE THE SPEED OF THE VEHICLE AND THE ODOMETER DOES NOT INDICATE ANY MILEAGE DRIVEN.

NHTSA ID
10743455
Incident
Jun 5, 2015
Mileage
93,000 mi
Engine
Filed May 1, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 AUDI A4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. IN ADDITION, THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE OIL PRESSURE WAS DISPLAYED ACROSS THE MESSAGE BOARD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AN OIL CHANGE WAS PREVIOUSLY PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,500.

NHTSA ID
10713987
Incident
Apr 29, 2015
Mileage
106,500 mi
Airbags
Filed Mar 6, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 AUDI A4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ID
10692557
Incident
Nov 3, 2014
Mileage
100,000 mi
Driver assistanceFuel system
Filed Dec 2, 2014

WAS DRIVING ON FREEWAY FOR A FEW HOURS DURING WHICH CAR WAS RUNNING FINE, AND CAR SUDDENLY LOST POWER JUST AFTER I GOT OFF FREEWAY AND APPROACHED A MOUNTAIN ROAD INCLINE. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT, OR PRIOR SYMPTOMS TO ENGINE FAILURE, IT JUST STOPPED. WITH HELP, I WAS ABLE TO GET CAR OUT OF THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD AND TO SAFETY. TRIED TO TROUBLESHOOT, USED ENGINE ERROR CODE READER, AND NO FAULT CODES FOUND. PERFORMED BASICS CHECKED FOR POTENTIAL FUEL VAPOR LOCK DUE TO ALTITUDE; CHECKED OIL, COOLANT AND FUEL LEVELS- AND ALL LEVELS WERE OK. BATTERY WAS FUNCTIONING - AS RADIO, LIGHTS WORKED. CAR HAS BEEN CONSISTENTLY SERVICED AND MAINTENANCE WAS CURRENT. CAR WAS TOWED TO NEAREST DEALER, DIAGNOSIS BY DEALER FUEL PUMP FAILURE DUE TO CLOGGED FUEL FILTER. MY ISSUE IS THAT AUDI DOES NOT INDICATE SERVICE MAINTENANCE FOR FUEL FILTER. THERE IS NOT ANY MAINTENANCE RECOMMENDATIONS OR GUIDANCE IN EITHER THE OWNER'S MANUAL OR PUBLISHED LIST OF RECOMMENDED SERVICES TO REPLACE OR CHECK FILER. THERE ALSO WERE NOT ANY WARNING LIGHTS, FAULT CODES OR INDICATIONS TO WATCH FOR. I FEEL THAT IT IS NEGLIGENT OF THE MANUFACTURER TO NOT INDICATE ANY SERVICE INTERVAL TO CHANGE FUEL FILTER IN ORDER TO PREVENT FUEL PUMP FAILURE, AND TO ENSURE THE SAFE OPERATING CONDITIONS OF THE VEHICLE. THE CAR LOST POWER ON A WINDING MOUNTAIN ROAD AND PUT ME AT DANGER WITHOUT WARNING. I AM CURIOUS IF THIS FUEL PUMP INCIDENT COULD BE ASSOCIATED WITH KNOWN FUEL PUMP ISSUES, NHTSA #PE08027. KEY SIDE NOTES, WHILE I AM THE SECOND REGISTERED OWNER, THIS CAR WAS PURCHASED BY MY FATHER WHO WAS THE ORIGINAL OWNER, BUT FOR INSURANCE AND REGISTRATION PURPOSES THE VEHICLE WAS TRANSFERRED OVER TO ME, BUT I HAVE ALL ORIGINAL RECORDS OF THE VEHICLE AND CAN VERIFY ALL MAINTENANCE SERVICES HAVE BEEN PERFORMED. *JS

NHTSA ID
10661575
Incident
Nov 26, 2014
Mileage
90,700 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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