2004 Audi A4: common problems and reliability

The 2004 Audi A4 has 567 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 3 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are fuel system and gasoline. Owners most often flag excessive oil consumption – very frequent.

Safety record for the 2004 model year

567
Owner complaints
3
Recalls
24
Crash reports
9
Fire reports

Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2004 Audi A4 vehicles (US, public record).

Is 2004 a good year for the A4?

Across the 23 A4 model years we track, complaint volume runs from 8 (2019) to 673 (2007). With 567 complaints, the 2004 A4 sits abovethe model's median of 109.

These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.

Where owners report problems

fuel system
153
gasoline
138
air bags
78
engine and engine cooling
54
visibility
48

Recalls affecting the 2004 A4

air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module

Campaign 16V382000

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 Audi A4, and 2005-2011 Audi A6 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Loui

engine and engine cooling:engine

Campaign 14E007000

The Gates Corporation (Gates) is recalling certain aftermarket Tru-Flow Water Pumps, part number TFW 41127, sold at certain NAPA Auto Parts and/or installed by automotive service technicians after November 1, 2013 (and m

exterior lighting:headlights

Campaign 05V096000

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY OF XENON HEADLAMP COATING DEGRADATION OVER TIME. THE LUMINOUS TRANSMITTANCE OF THE HEADLAMP MAY DECREASE OVER A PERIOD OF TIME.

What owners report on the 2005-2008 A4

Owners of the 2005-2008 Audi A4 express a mix of strong affection and resigned frustration. Many praise the car’s solid feel, comfortable seating, and the 3.2L V6 engine, calling it the "best ICE ever" and "fun." The 1.8T is noted as easy to work on with cheap

  • B8/B8.5 Generation (2008-2016) 2.0T:*
  • Excessive oil consumption – very frequent.
  • Timing chain tensioner/guide failure leading to catastrophic engine damage – very frequent.
  • Water pump and thermostat housing failure – very frequent.
  • High-pressure fuel pump (HPFP) cam follower wear – recurrent.

Owner insights for the 2005-2008 A4. Read the full 2005-2008 owner report.

Typical used price

Used A4 listings typically run $10,061–$18,889 across 2006 to 2024 model years.

Other A4 model years

Compare every A4 year side by side to see how 2004 ranks against the rest.

Compare the A4 against its rivals