Is the 2004 Audi A4 a bad year?
189 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other A4 years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2004 Audi A4 are in line with other A4 years. Fuel system stands out for this year: see below.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2004 A4 owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 63,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel systemSTANDS OUT | 56 (30%) | 48k–78k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Air bags | 26 (14%) | 45k–103k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Engine | 22 (12%) | 52k–106k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Speed control | 16 (8%) | 36k–94k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Electrical system | 15 (8%) | 42k–92k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Exterior lighting | 14 (7%) | 49k–81k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 12 (6%) | 40k–99k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Visibility and wipers | 16 (8%) | 29k–62k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Tires | 16 (8%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Brakes | 5 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 63,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 189 complaints: 8 mention a crash · 3 mention a fire · 5 report an injury.
No complaints in the last 12 months; the newest was filed in May 2023.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
Recalls for the 2004 Audi A4: 3
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. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
These service replacement parts were sold for use in model year 1999-2005 Audi A4, 2000-2006 Audi TT, 1998-2005 Volkswagen Beetle, 1999-2006 Golf, 1999-2008 and 2011-2013 Volkswagen Jetta, and 2000-2005 Volkswagen Passat. A failure of the timing belt may cause the engine to shut down, potentially increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
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. This condition could affect a driver's field of view, increasing the risk of a crash.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Audi: 120
Repair instructions Audi sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2004 Audi A4. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Engine, on some vehicles, would run irregularly or have malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) on or possible filter element for camshaft adjustment valve can loosen…
As the sump pan gasket settles, the torque of the bolts decreases and the seal may leak
Vehicle lacks power or will not move after stop due to simultaneous depressing of the brake and accelerator pedals
Audi is extending the New Vehicle Limited Warranty to 10 years or 100,000 miles, whichever occurs first…
NHTSA defect investigations: 1
Engine stalling - fuel pump failure
Neighbouring years
2003 A4: 210 complaints, keep it, but watch the transmission · 2005 A4: 219 complaints, keep it.
Every Audi A4 year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · All A4 years side by side
Other Audi models: Audi A3 · Audi A3 Cabriolet · Audi A4 Allroad · Audi A5 · Audi A6 · Audi A8 · Audi Q3 · Audi Q5 · Audi Q7 · Audi Q8 · Audi S4 · Audi TT · Audi e-tron. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2004 Audi A4 a bad year?
189 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other A4 years. At 63,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Audi A4?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: fuel system (56), air bags (26), engine (22), speed control (16), electrical system (15).
How many recalls does the 2004 Audi A4 have?
3 recall campaigns list this model year: Air bags (NHTSA 16V-382), Engine (NHTSA 14E007000), Exterior lighting (NHTSA 05V-096). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.