Does the 2004 Audi S4 have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2004 Audi S4, the most recent reported on March 15, 2005 (Exterior lighting: headlights). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What are the most common problems with the 2004 Audi S4?

Owners have filed 29 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is engine and engine cooling (12 complaints), followed by power train (5).

How many 2004 Audi S4 complaints mention a crash or fire?

0 of 29 complaints report a crash and 1 a fire; 0 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

2004 Audi S4 recalls and problems

1 recall and 29 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2004 Audi S4.

recalls

owner complaints

complaints mentioning a crash

mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2004 Audi S4 recalls

Exterior lighting: headlights

NHTSA campaign 05V096000 · reported March 15, 2005 · VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC · 9,965 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: 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.
The risk: This condition could affect a driver's field of view, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the left and right xenon headlamp reflectors free of charge. The recall began on april 11, 2005. Owners may contact audi at 1-800-822-2834.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

Engine and engine cooling12
Power train5
Engine3
Exterior lighting3
Visibility3
Electrical system2
Steering2
Air bags1
Seat belts1
Service brakes, hydraulic1

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Jul 30, 2018 · Tires · 105,000 miles
HANKOOK TIRES, VENTUS S1 NOBLE 2 SPLITTING OUTSIDE SIDEWALL, CAUSED TO DEPRESSURE TIRE, WHICH CAUSED TO CRACK TIRE ON THE INNER SIDEWALL SUBSEQUENTLY LED TO MANUFACTURER CLAIM BLAME ON MY VEHICLE. THE TIRE MODEL IS UNDER A RECALL, BUT IN DIFFERENT SIZE, BUT IDENTICAL WALLS, MANUFACTURING PROCESS. MY VEHICLE'S TIRE…

Oct 24, 2017 · Engine · 102,000 miles
AFTER ENGINE COOLS DOWN, TIMING CHAIN RATTLE CAN BE HEARD UPON STARTING THE CAR. CHAIN RATTLE MEANS THAT PLASTIC GUIDES OR ADJUSTERS ARE WORN, AND MIGHT GO ANY SECOND. SPOKE WITH AUDI REP ONLINE, WHICH ADVISES ME THAT THIS IS NORMAL, AND EXPECTED. KNOWING BASICS OF ENGINES AND TRANSMISSION, I DIDN'T BELIEVE THAT…

May 17, 2016 · Electrical system
XENON HEADLAMPS WIRING ALL CORRODED AND BARE WITH NO INSULATION LEFT. CHECK WITH AUDI AND THEY SAID OUR VEHICLE AND VIN IS NOT PART OF ANY RECALL. YET RCORRD-05V096-4498 IN YOUR DATABASE SHOWS A MOFIFICATION LETTER FROM VW TO INCLUDE OUR VIN. THERE IS NO RECORD ACCORDING TO AUDI SERVICE SHOPS THAT SHOW ANY RECALL WORK…

Aug 10, 2015 · Exterior lighting · 79,000 miles · fire reported
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 AUDI S4. WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, THE LOW BEAM HEAD LAMPS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE WITHOUT WARNING. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO THE HEAD LAMP BULBS, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE WIRING WAS BURNED AND DAMAGED. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN…

Dec 17, 2014 · Engine · 111 miles
ON SATURDAY MORNING 12/15/2014 START MY CARD AND HEARD A RATTLE NOISE ON THE ENGINE, FIRST TIME IT MAKE THAT NOISE SINCE I BOUGHT IT. ON MY WAY TO WORK I STARTED HEARING THE RATTLE NOISE AGAIN BUT THIS TIME IT WAS LOUDER I WAS DRIVING AROUND 40 MPH WHEN THIS HAPPENED. THE CAR STARTED VIBRATING AND KEPT MAKING THE…

S4 model years compared

Year	Recalls	Complaints	Crashes	Fires
2001	1	87	4	0
2002	1	22	0	0
2003	1	1	0	0
2004	1	29	0	1
2005	2	43	2	0
2006	2	30	0	0
2007	2	13	1	1

Across all years, the 2000 S4 has the most complaints (143). All Audi S4 years →

Questions

Does the 2004 Audi S4 have any recalls?: Yes. NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2004 Audi S4, the most recent reported on March 15, 2005 (Exterior lighting: headlights). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Audi S4?: Owners have filed 29 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is engine and engine cooling (12 complaints), followed by power train (5).
How many 2004 Audi S4 complaints mention a crash or fire?: 0 of 29 complaints report a crash and 1 a fire; 0 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received July 30, 2018.