Model year
2004 Audi A4
NHTSA lists 2 recalls and 189 complaints for the 2004 Audi A4 (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). The components listed on the most complaints are FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE (35), AIR BAGS (18), EXTERIOR LIGHTING (14). NHTSA lists 1 investigation. NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here. EPA rates it 19–23 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $3,550–$4,350, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2000 96 complaints
- 2001 131 complaints
- 2002 181 complaints
- 2003 210 complaints
- 2004 189 complaints
- 2005 219 complaints
- 2006 295 complaints
- 2007 196 complaints
- 2008 175 complaints
- 2009 120 complaints
- 2010 64 complaints
- 2011 11 complaints
- 2012 19 complaints
- 2013 24 complaints
- 2014 32 complaints
- 2015 19 complaints
- 2016 11 complaints
- 2017 56 complaints
- 2018 45 complaints
- 2019 10 complaints
- 2020 128 complaints
- 2021 11 complaints
- 2022 6 complaints
- 2023 10 complaints
- 2024 2 complaints
- 2025 1 complaints
Recalls
16V382000 · Jun 1, 2016
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,…
05V096000 · Mar 15, 2005
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
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.
Complaints
189 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 8, fire flag on 3, injury field 6, deaths field 0. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Investigations
| Action | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| PE08027 | ENGINE STALLING - FUEL PUMP FAILURE · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP; FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY; FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | Apr 14, 2008 | Aug 6, 2008 |
Safety ratings
NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here.
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A4 Cabriolet · 1.8L · Automatic (variable gear ratios) · Front-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 20 | 28 | 23 | — | — | $3,550 |
| A4 Cabriolet · 3L · Automatic (variable gear ratios) · Front-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 18 | 25 | 21 | — | — | $3,900 |
| A4 Cabriolet quattro · 3L · Automatic (S5) · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 16 | 23 | 19 | — | — | $4,350 |
| A4 · 1.8L · Automatic (variable gear ratios) · Front-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 20 | 27 | 23 | — | — | $3,550 |
| A4 · 1.8L · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 20 | 29 | 23 | — | — | $3,550 |
| A4 · 3L · Automatic (variable gear ratios) · Front-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 18 | 26 | 21 | — | — | $3,900 |
| A4 quattro · 1.8L · Manual 6-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 19 | 27 | 22 | — | — | $3,750 |
| A4 quattro · 1.8L · Automatic (S5) · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 18 | 26 | 21 | — | — | $3,900 |
| A4 quattro · 3L · Manual 6-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 16 | 24 | 19 | — | — | $4,350 |
| A4 quattro · 3L · Automatic (S5) · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 16 | 23 | 19 | — | — | $4,350 |
| A4 Avant quattro · 1.8L · Manual 6-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 19 | 28 | 22 | — | — | $3,750 |
| A4 Avant quattro · 1.8L · Automatic (S5) · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 18 | 26 | 21 | — | — | $3,900 |
2 more configurations are in the EPA file and are not listed in this table. The fuel-cost calculator lists every configuration.
Open this model year in the fuel-cost calculator. The calculator starts with no fuel price filled in.
Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2004 Audi A4 at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.