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2005 Audi S4: common problems and reliability
· 2004-2008One of the worst S4 years.
One of the Audi S4 years to avoid. All S4 years
43 owner complaints, most about exterior lighting. 2 recalls.
Should I buy a 2005 S4?The 2005 Audi S4 has 43 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 2 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are exterior lighting and electrical system. Owners most often flag timing chain guide and tensioner failure.
Safety record for the 2005 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2005 Audi S4 vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other S4 years only. How we score it
Is 2005 a good year for the S4?
Across the 18 S4 model years we track, complaint volume runs from 1 (2022) to 148 (2000). With 43 complaints, the 2005 S4 sits above the model's median of 22.
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
Recalls affecting the 2005 S4
air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
Campaign 18V427000Volkswagen 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.
air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
Campaign 17V032000Volkswagen 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.
What owners report on the 2004-2008 S4
Owner sentiment for this generation is sharply divided: nearly everyone praises the 4.2L V8's sound, power, and the way the car drives, but the same discussions are dominated by warnings about running costs and major engine work.
- Very frequentTiming chain guide and tensioner failure
- Very frequentTiming chain service cost and engine-out labor
- RecurrentOil consumption
- RecurrentScored cylinders requiring engine replacement
- RecurrentCold-start timing chain rattle
Owner insights for the 2004-2008 S4. Read the full 2004-2008 owner report.
Typical used price
Used S4 listings typically run $18,495–$33,900 across 2010 to 2023 model years.
Other S4 model years
Compare every S4 year side by side to see how 2005 ranks against the rest.
Compare the S4 against its rivals
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