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2004 Audi A4 Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2004 Audi A4 has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 7 recurring issue clusters, led by “Accelerator pedal stuck or uncommanded acceleration.” Audi follows the VW Group Longlife service rhythm: oil and minor service every 10,000 miles or 12 months, whichever comes first, using oil that meets VW 502 00 / 504 00 (or 508 00 for newer 0W-20 engines) — generic synthetic does not qualify. S tronic dual-clutch gearboxes need fluid service every 40,000 miles despite 'lifetime fill' claims. Fully electric models (e-tron, e-tron GT) skip oil service entirely but keep brake-fluid, cabin-filter, and coolant-circuit intervals.

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No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2004 Audi A4.

Reported to NHTSA

Accelerator pedal stuck or uncommanded acceleration

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

13 NHTSA complaints · 2004-06 → 2016-11

“I WAS DRIVING OUR 2004 AUDI A4 ON A TWO LANE ROAD AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH. MOVED INTO THE LEFT HAND LANE AND ACCELERATED TO 35 MPH TO PASS A CAR AND WHEN RELEASING MY FOOT FROM THE GAS PEDAL, THE GAS PEDAL CONTINUED TO DEPRESS ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR ON ITS OWN AND THE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10460093
“DRIVING SOUTH ON NJ TURNPIKE AT APPROX 65MPH. ATTEMPT TO PULL TO LEFT LANE AND PASS, DRIVER PRESSES ON GAS PEDAL AND THE PEDAL DROPS COMPLETELY TO FLOOR AND CAR ACCELERATES OUT OF CONTROL. THROUGH HEAVY BRAKE APPLICATION CAR IS SLOWED AND PULLED TO SHOULDER AND STOPPED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10287292
“ACCELERATOR STUCK FULL OPEN WHILE IT WAS PUSHED TO THE FLOORBOARD WHEN ACCELERATING ONTO A FREEWAY. HAD TO STAND ON THE BRAKES WITH ONE FOOT AND STOMP REPEATEDLY ON THE ACCELERATOR WITH THE OTHER UNTIL THE ACCELERATOR RELEASED.*AK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10186336

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Headlight 'dipped' warning and headlight outage

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

11 NHTSA complaints · 2008-12 → 2018-04

“LEFT XENON HEADLIGHT BEGAN TO FLICKER, AND AFTER DRIVING FOR A FEW MORE DAYS, IT WENT OUT COMPLETELY. I REPLACED THE BULB, BUT THE HEADLIGHT STILL DOES NOT WORK. EVERYTHING I HAVE READ ONLINE INDICATES THE BALLAST OR IGNITER MIGHT NEED REPLACEMENT. THIS IS EXTREMELY DAN”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10330297
“1. THE LEFT HEADLIGHT FLICKERS 2. IT THEN TURNS ITSELF OFF 3. THE MESSAGE "LEFT DIPPED HEADLIGHT" APPEARS 4. THE MESSAGE IS CHANGED TO A SIGN INDICATING THAT THE LIGHTBULB HAS FAILED. 5. HEADLIGHT COMPLETELY OUT NOW 6. REPLACED BULB TWICE 7. AUDI NOW SUGGESTS ITS IGNITE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10250258
“"INTERMITTENT HEADLIGHT MALFUNCTION. OVER THE COURSE OF A YEAR AND A HALF OF OWNERSHIP, THE RIGHT HEADLIGHT HAS MALFUNCTIONED (TURNED OFF), WITH NO CONSISTENT CAUSE APPARENT. THE SPECIFIC ERROR MESSAGE THAT APPEARS IN THE DRIVER INFORMATION SCREEN IS "RIGHT HEADLIGHT DI”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10341062

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Transmission control fault with flashing PRNDS

POWER TRAIN

11 NHTSA complaints · 2004-08 → 2021-08

“I FIRST HAD A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT POP ON MY 04 AUDI A4 CVT THE CODE NUMBER 17090, THEN FLASHING PNDR INDICATOR LIGHTS. AFTER DOING MANY HOURS OF RESEARCH AND HEARING OTHER STORIES ABOUT AUDI CVT ISSUES, I CAME TO A CONCLUSION THAT THE ISSUE LIES WITHIN THE TCM (TRANSMISS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10493664
“THE VEHICLE ACCORDING TO THE AUDI DEALER HAS A BAD AUTOMATIC TCM TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE THAT CAUSES THE CAR TO SLIP GEARS OR NOT SHIFT DOWN WHEN COMING SLOWING DOWN AND THEN NEEDING TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WILL STAY LOCKED IN 3RD GEAR AND WHEN PULLING OUT ON TO”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10427880
“MY CAR INTERMITTENTLY DOES NOT MOVE WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PUT IN DRIVE. THIS HAS ONLY HAPPENED SO FAR WHEN THE ENGINE IS COLD. IT HAPPENED TO ME YESTERDAY AS I WAS TRYING TO PULL OUT INTO AN INTERSECTION AND THE CAR BEHIND ME ALMOST HIT ME BECAUSE IT LOOKED LIKE I SHOULD”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10153428

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Windshield wipers stopping during use

VISIBILITY

7 NHTSA complaints · 2007-06 → 2011-08

“WHILE DRIVING ON RTE 495 IN LITTLETON, MA IN THE PASSING LANE, WE WERE CAUGHT IN A THUNDER STORM WITH HEAVY RAIN. I TURNED ON THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS THAT INITIALLY RAN SLOWLY BUT THEN STOPPED COMPLETELY IN THE UP POSITION. HAD TO PULL IT MEDIAN AS VISIBILITY WAS VERY LIM”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10339636
“WIPERS STOPPED WORKING DURING A RAIN STORM, LEFT THE BLADE UP AND IN MY VIEW. TURNED THE WIPERS OFF THEN BACK TO THE ON POSITION TO SEE IF THAT WOULD RETRACT THEM. THEY MOVED ABOUT AN INCH AND THEN THE WINDOW CRACKED RIGHT ABOVE THE DRIVERS SIDE WIPER ARM. WIPERS WORK F”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10281379
“WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED OPERATING WHEN IN USE WHILE DRIVING DOWN INTERSTATE. DEALER EXPLAINED THEY WERE AWARE OF THIS ISSUE, INDICATED IT WAS A POOR MECHANICAL ASSEMBLY DESIGN AND THE BUSHINGS CORRODE. THEY WOULD REPLACE BUT WOULD NOT COVER UNDER WARRANTY. *TR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10228921

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Fuel pump failure and engine stall

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

53 NHTSA complaints · 2007-05 → 2020-02

“DRIVING ALONG AT 55MPH, CAR LOST ALL POWER. I DRIFTED TO THE SHOULDER, LUCKILY THERE WAS A WIDE SHOULDER. AFTER AN HOUR WAITING FOR A TWO TRUCK I OPENED THE FUSE BOX TO SEE IF I COULD SEE AN ISSUE. FOUND THAT THE FUEL PUMP FUSE WAS BLOWN. REPLACED FUSE, CAR STARTED IMME”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10296281
“MY 2004 AUDI A4 STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION WHILE I WAS IN THE PROCESS OF MAKING A LEFT TURN INTO ANOTHER STREET. I WAS STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS BUSY STREET FOR ALMOST AN HOUR UNTIL A TOW TRUCK COULD ARRIVE FROM THE AUDI DEALER. AN OFFICER FROM THE CH”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10211549
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 AUDI A4. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 50 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED A LOUD, ABNORMAL NOISE AND PROCEEDED TO STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10384210

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Air bag warning light illuminated

AIR BAGS

11 NHTSA complaints · 2004-12 → 2017-10

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 AUDI A4. AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10658583
“PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON DUE TO PASSENGER SEAT HARNESS ISSUES. THERE IS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN HOWEVER AUDI WILL NOT REPAIR THIS ISSUE. *TR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10285618
“DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE AIRBAG LIGHT FLASHED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO DETERMINED WATER ENTERED INTO THE AIRBAG CONTACTS LOCATED UNDER THE CUP HOLDER. TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM THE CONTACTS WERE CLEANED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10173034

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Tire sidewall bubbles and separations

TIRES

11 NHTSA complaints · 2004-07 → 2011-01

“AM THE OWNER OF A 2004 AUDI A-4 EQUIPPED WITH PIRELLI P-6 P235/45 R-17 TIRES. THESE TIRES ARE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT AND THE VEHICLE. AT APPROXIMATELY 12000 MILES THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE DEVELOPED A LARGE SIDEWALL BUBBLE. THIS TIRE WAS IMMEDIATELY REPLACED. NOW A WEEK L”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10118334
“2004 AUDI A4 WITH PIRELLI 94V M+S TIRES WITH 3754 MILES DELIVERED TO US ON APRIL 15, 2004 HAD ONE TIRE THAT RIPPED APART AT THE SIDEWALL. LUCKILY NO DAMAGE OR INJURY. *JB CLEARLY THE TIRES ARE DEFECTIVE. ARE THERE REPORTS CONCERNING THESE TIRES? I WISH TO SUBMIT AN COMP”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10082489
“BUBBLES IN PIRELLI P6 ALL SEASON TIRES AFTER 6000 MILES OF USE, NORMAL DRIVING. *JB”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10152487

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter (Longlife Service)

Every 10,000 mi

Replace oil and filter every 10,000 miles or 12 months with VW 502 00 / 504 00 / 508 00 spec oil. S and RS models driven hard: many owners shorten to 5,000-7,500 miles. Wrong-spec oil is the leading cause of TFSI timing-chain tensioner and PCV problems.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 10,000 mi

Rotate every 10,000 miles with the oil service. quattro models: keep all four tires within 4/32" of each other — mismatched wear stresses the center differential.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 10,000 mi

Inspect pads, rotors, and wear sensors every 10,000 miles. Audi uses electronic pad-wear sensors on most models — replace the sensor with the pads.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 24,000 mi

Replace DOT 4 brake fluid every 2 years regardless of mileage — Audi's published schedule is time-based because the fluid absorbs moisture.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

S tronic Dual-Clutch Fluid

Every 40,000 mi

S tronic (DSG) gearboxes on A3/S3/RS 3, Q3, TT, and many A5/Q5 models: replace fluid and filter every 40,000 miles with the VW Group-spec fluid for your gearbox code. Skipping this service is the most common cause of mechatronic failure.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$470–$640

Shop

~$330–$450

DIY

Pro only

VW/Audi DSG service needs a fluid-fill procedure at a specific temperature — shop equipment territory.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

quattro Coupling Fluid (Transverse Models)

Every 40,000 mi

A3/S3/RS 3, Q3, and TT use a Haldex-style rear coupling: replace its fluid roughly every 40,000 miles (some model years specify sooner — check your manual). Longitudinal quattro (A5-A8, Q5, Q8) has no coupling service; see differential fluid instead.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$220–$290

Shop

~$155–$205

DIY

~$40–$90

VW/Audi/Volvo AWD coupling — specific fluid required. Filter usually swapped at the same time.

Spark Plugs

Every 40,000 mi

TFSI turbo engines: new plugs every 40,000 miles. RS models with the 2.5 TFSI five-cylinder: consider 30,000 miles under track or hard street use.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Engine Air Filter

Every 40,000 mi

Replace every 40,000 miles; inspect at 20,000 on turbocharged engines — a clogged filter shows up as sluggish boost response first.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Timing Chain (EA888 — Inspect Tensioner)

On condition / lifetime

2.0 TFSI (EA888) engines before roughly 2013 had timing-chain tensioner failures — have the tensioner revision checked by 80,000 miles on earlier cars. Later engines carry the updated design with no scheduled service.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Pro only

Timing chains are normally lifetime. Listen for rattle on cold start — that's the actionable signal. Replacement is major work, quote separately.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Differential Fluid (Longitudinal quattro)

Every 60,000 mi

Q5, Q8, and A5-A8 quattro: independent Audi specialists recommend front/rear differential fluid service around 60,000 miles even where Audi lists it as lifetime fill.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$150–$195

Shop

~$105–$135

DIY

~$20–$50

Drain plug + fill plug — straightforward DIY. AWD vehicles have two; budget for both.

Dust & Pollen Filter

Every 20,000 mi

Replace the cabin air filter every 20,000 miles or 2 years. Audi specifies an activated-carbon filter on most models.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

G12evo / G13 Coolant

On condition / lifetime

Audi coolant is labeled lifetime fill. Independent VW/Audi specialists recommend a refresh around 5 years or 100,000 miles to protect the water pump and thermostat housing — and only with the correct pink/lilac VW Group coolant.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

19 crashes 1990–2024

How the 19 occupant deaths break down

13

driver deaths

6

passenger deaths

19

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2005 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

8

complaints mentioning a crash

3

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2004 Audi A4 reflects Audi's published service intervals and the Audi Service Interval Display system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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