2005 Audi A4 Airbags Problems
NHTSA lists 54 airbag complaints for the 2005 Audi A4, 25% of all complaints filed for the year, including 6 crashes and 6 injuries. Three Takata-related recalls (18V427000, 17V032000, 16V382000) cover the passenger frontal airbag inflator on this model year.
- Airbags complaints
- 54
- 25% of 219 complaints
- All complaints this year
- 219
- Crashes reported
- 6
- Fires reported
- 0
- Injuries reported
- 6
- Median mileage
- 59,000 mi
- Related recalls
- 3
Typical airbag symptoms owners report
- Airbags failed to deploy during low-speed and moderate-speed frontal or side collisions, in some cases with injuries reported.
- Airbag warning light illuminates intermittently and stays on despite dealer visits, sensor cleaning, and wiring repairs.
- Driver side airbag units and connectors were replaced multiple times without permanently fixing the recurring warning light.
- Owners reported long delays getting the Takata-related passenger airbag recall remedy performed, with dealers unable to provide parts.
- Some owners were told to avoid using the front passenger seat until the recall repair was completed due to inflator risk.
When 2005 Audi A4 airbag complaints were filed
First complaint May 4, 2005, latest Jun 18, 2026.
Airbags recalls for the 2005 Audi A4
- NHTSA 18V427000Jun 22, 2018Airbags237,947 vehicles
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.
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.
- NHTSA 17V032000Jan 11, 2017Airbags33,421 vehicles
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 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.
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 16V382000Jun 1, 2016Airbags194,453 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
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, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Volkswagen is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 Audi A4, and 2005-2008 Audi A6 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, 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." Lastly, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Volkswagen is recalling model year 2004 Audi A4 vehicles originally sold, or 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, and 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.
Risk: 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. Owner notification letters were mailed April 28, 2017. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-822-2834.
Airbags complaints by A4 model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How many airbag complaints does NHTSA have for the 2005 Audi A4?
- NHTSA lists 54 airbag complaints for the 2005 Audi A4, which is 25% of all 219 complaints filed for that model year.
- Is there an airbag recall for the 2005 Audi A4?
- Yes. Three recalls cover airbags on this model year: 18V427000, 17V032000, and 16V382000, all involving the passenger frontal airbag inflator.
- Did the airbag problems cause crashes or injuries?
- NHTSA data tied to this complaint category shows 6 crashes and 6 injuries for the 2005 Audi A4.
- At what mileage do airbag problems typically show up?
- The median mileage at failure for airbag complaints on the 2005 Audi A4 is 59,000 miles.
- Do other Audi A4 model years have similar airbag complaint rates?
- The 2007 and 2008 A4 have higher airbag complaint shares, at 61% and 66% of their total complaints respectively, compared to 25% for 2005.