2005 Audi S4
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Visibility & Lighting
Visibility & Lighting leads by volume: 34 of 43 complaints (79%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (1) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed rose from 29 in 2004 to 43 in 2005.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | vs. 2005 Compact Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 4,300–4,850 | 4,850 | 4,850 | 4,850–5,150 | |
| Combined MPG | 16–18 | 16 | 16 | 15–16 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 13–16 / 20–22 | 13–14 / 20–21 | 13–14 / 20–21 | 13–14 / 19–21 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 494–555 | 555 | 555 | 555–592 | |
| Complaints filed | 29 | 43 | 30 | 13 | |
| Recalls issued | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
| Injuries reported | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2005 Audi S4 have?
2 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2005 Audi S4?
Visibility & Lighting: 34 of 43 NHTSA complaints (79%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2005 Audi S4 get?
EPA rates it 16 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2005 Audi S4?
EPA estimates $4,850 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (6)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Manual 6-spd | 8 | 4.2L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Subcompact Cars | 13 mpg (low) | 20 mpg (low) | 16 mpg | $4,850 | 555 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (S6) | 8 | 4.2L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Subcompact Cars | 14 mpg (high) | 20 mpg (low) | 16 mpg | $4,850 | 555 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Manual 6-spd | 8 | 4.2L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Compact Cars | 13 mpg (low) | 20 mpg (low) | 16 mpg | $4,850 | 555 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic (S6) | 8 | 4.2L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Compact Cars | 14 mpg (high) | 21 mpg (high) | 16 mpg | $4,850 | 555 g/mi |
| Configuration 5 | Manual 6-spd | 8 | 4.2L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Small Station Wagons | 13 mpg (low) | 20 mpg (low) | 16 mpg | $4,850 | 555 g/mi |
| Configuration 6 | Automatic (S6) | 8 | 4.2L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Small Station Wagons | 14 mpg (high) | 21 mpg (high) | 16 mpg | $4,850 | 555 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 4 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 34 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (2)
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE · Campaign 18V427000 · Jun 26, 2018
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 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.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE · Campaign 17V032000 · Jan 13, 2017
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, 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.