How many recalls does the 2005 Audi S4 have?

The 2005 Audi S4 has 2 NHTSA safety recall campaigns on record.

How do I check if my 2005 Audi S4 has an open recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN at NHTSA's official recall lookup (nhtsa.gov/recalls) to see open, unrepaired recalls for your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are free.

What do owners complain about most on the 2005 Audi S4?

Of 54 NHTSA complaints on file, the most-reported component is exterior lighting.

2005 Audi S4 Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 2005 Audi S4 has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 271,368 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 54 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the exterior lighting. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

AIR BAGS 18V427000 2018-06-22 237,947 affected

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…

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,…

AIR BAGS 17V032000 2017-01-11 33,421 affected

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,…

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 Note: This recall has been superseded by recall number 18V427.

Complaints by component

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

AIR BAGS

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS

ENGINE

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Total complaints54

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“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…”

AIR BAGS · reported 2018-04-17

“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.”

ENGINE · reported 2017-11-09

“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…”

EXTERIOR LIGHTING · reported 2017-11-09

“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,…”

STEERING · reported 2017-09-13

“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…”

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS · reported 2016-05-27

“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…”

AIR BAGS · reported 2016-05-27

“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.”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · reported 2015-10-31

“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.”

SEATS · reported 2015-10-31

Sources & methodology

Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2005 Audi S4 as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.