Owners have filed 54 complaints
about the 2005 Audi S4 with NHTSA between 2006 and 2018.
The largest single group is the lights.
Across this model's run it ranks 5 of 14 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 55
Against the median year of the Audi S4. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 48
9.3% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 27
16% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
1,000 – 9,999 miles
12.3%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
36.8%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
1329.5%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
1738.6%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
511.4%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
511.4%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Oct 2006peak 4Apr 2018
Recalls on the 2005 Audi S4
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
United States — NHTSA
18V427000
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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.
17V032000
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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 deplo
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 37,000 milesAshland, MACrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
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.
NHTSA complaint #10255287 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 10,000 milesOwensboro, KYCrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
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 MAYBE I NEEDED A NEW ENGINE. HOWEVER, EVENTUALLY THEY SAID IT WAS A FUSE WHICH WAS REPLACED AND THE CAR DROVE FINE. HOWEVER, DRIVING CROSS-COUNTRY IN JANUARY 2007 WHILE ON I40 IN WEST OKLAHOMA, TRYING TO PASS AN ENORMOUS TRUCK, I FOUND I HAD NO BRAKES AND REAR-ENDED ANOTHER SIMILAR LARGE TRUCK ,TOTALING MY CAR. DESPITE A SEVERE ACCIDENT NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED EITHER ON THE DRIVERS OR PASSENGER'S SIDE.
NHTSA complaint #10191844 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 10,000 milesOwensboro, KYCrash
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
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 MAYBE I NEEDED A NEW ENGINE. HOWEVER, EVENTUALLY THEY SAID IT WAS A FUSE WHICH WAS REPLACED AND THE CAR DROVE FINE. HOWEVER, DRIVING CROSS-COUNTRY IN JANUARY 2007 WHILE ON I40 IN WEST OKLAHOMA, TRYING TO PASS AN ENORMOUS TRUCK, I FOUND I HAD NO BRAKES AND REAR-ENDED ANOTHER SIMILAR LARGE TRUCK ,TOTALING MY CAR. DESPITE A SEVERE ACCIDENT NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED EITHER ON THE DRIVERS OR PASSENGER'S SIDE.
NHTSA complaint #10191844 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 10,000 milesOwensboro, KYCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
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 MAYBE I NEEDED A NEW ENGINE. HOWEVER, EVENTUALLY THEY SAID IT WAS A FUSE WHICH WAS REPLACED AND THE CAR DROVE FINE. HOWEVER, DRIVING CROSS-COUNTRY IN JANUARY 2007 WHILE ON I40 IN WEST OKLAHOMA, TRYING TO PASS AN ENORMOUS TRUCK, I FOUND I HAD NO BRAKES AND REAR-ENDED ANOTHER SIMILAR LARGE TRUCK ,TOTALING MY CAR. DESPITE A SEVERE ACCIDENT NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED EITHER ON THE DRIVERS OR PASSENGER'S SIDE.
NHTSA complaint #10191844 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
SAN Pedro, CA
AIR BAGS
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.
NHTSA complaint #11090304 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Pedro, CA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
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.
NHTSA complaint #11090304 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW York, NY
AIR BAGS
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?
NHTSA complaint #11088781 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 90,256 milesSalunga, PA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
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!
NHTSA complaint #11045079 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hicksville, NY
ENGINE
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.
NHTSA complaint #11044873 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 95,000 milesCapitola, CA
STEERING
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.
NHTSA complaint #11023457 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 75,000 milesArnold, MD
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
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.
NHTSA complaint #10861392 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 111,300 milesDesoto, TX
SEATS
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.
NHTSA complaint #10806322 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 111,300 milesDesoto, TX
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #10806322 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 95,000 milesMiramar, FL
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
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.
NHTSA complaint #10683731 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 95,000 milesMiramar, FL
VISIBILITY/WIPER
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.
NHTSA complaint #10683731 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 65,000 milesLouisville, KY
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
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.
NHTSA complaint #10604899 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 65,000 milesLouisville, KY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #10604899 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 67,000 milesHamilton, MA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
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.
NHTSA complaint #10593093 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 65,000 milesStreetsboro, OH
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
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.
NHTSA complaint #10560372 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 70,000 milesLubbock, TX
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
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.
NHTSA complaint #10542618 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 40,000 milesStratford, CT
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
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.
NHTSA complaint #10513999 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 48,500 milesWinchester, KY
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
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).
NHTSA complaint #10485922 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 60,438 milesVerona, NJ
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
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.
NHTSA complaint #10484689 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 106,250 milesWinter Haven, FL
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
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.
NHTSA complaint #10460374 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Davidsonville, MD
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
HEADLIGHTS DIP AND GO COMPLETELY DARK. TURNED OFF AND AFTER A SHORT TIME PERIOD HEADLIGHT COMES BACK ON.
NHTSA complaint #10443438 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 110,000 milesIncline Village, NV
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
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.
NHTSA complaint #10415507 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 40,000 milesNewntripoi, PA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
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.
NHTSA complaint #10413870 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 40,000 milesNewntripoi, PA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
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.
NHTSA complaint #10413870 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 104,000 milesOlive Branch, MS
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
2005.5 AUDI S4. 104,000 MILES. CHAIN TENSIONER DAMAGED. CAUSE DAMAGE TO ENGINE. ENGINE SHOULD BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10398800 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.