2004 Audi A4 Reliability ReportKeepScore 68/100 · top failure points · buy or avoid
Quick Facts · 2004 Audi A4
- Scores 4 points below the strongest nearby year — the 2006 Audi A4 earns a 72.
- The system most likely to surface first: transmission (multitronic cvt) (critical severity).
- Has 3 NHTSA recalls on record — the most notable involves the air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module.
2004 Audi A4: Buy or Avoid?
The 2004 Audi A4, while offering a premium driving experience, presents a moderate reliability risk for used car buyers. Its sophisticated engineering leads to higher potential repair costs, especially concerning its complex Multitronic CVT transmission and common electrical gremlins. Proceed with caution and a thorough pre-purchase inspection to avoid significant financial surprises.
Biggest Strengths
- Excellent build quality and robust chassis
- Engaging driving dynamics and comfortable ride
- Relatively rust-resistant body (compared to some contemporaries)
2004 Audi A4 — Known Trouble Spots
The systems that break first on the 2004 Audi A4. Mileage windows, repair costs, and fix-before-you-buy notes are in the full report.
Safety Recalls on the 2004 Audi A4
3 recalls on record from NHTSA. Check your VIN atnhtsa.gov to see if the repair was performed.
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.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
The Gates Corporation (Gates) is recalling certain aftermarket Tru-Flow Water Pumps, part number TFW 41127, sold at certain NAPA Auto Parts and/or installed by automotive service technicians after November 1, 2013 (and manufactured August 2013 through October 2013) that have a black-colored pulley/sprocket or do not have 'US9377' stamped on the water pump housing. 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. In the affected water pumps, the pulley or sprocket that turns the timing belt may develop microfractures causing the timing belt to fail.
What breaks on the 2004 Audi A4?
Full reliability breakdown — engine, transmission, rust, electrical. With repair costs and mileage danger zones.
OwnerKeep Passport · $499 · one-time
Just bought a 2004 Audi A4? Keep it that way.
Snap a receipt — AI logs it. Build an OwnerScore. Sell with a buyer-ready Passport dossier.
Audi A4 — Year-by-Year Comparison
Compare KeepScores across nearby years of the Audi A4. Click any year for its full report.
Competing 2004s Worth a Look
Similar class, similar year range — ranked by KeepScore.
Relevant Products for Your 2004 Audi A4
Parts and accessories matched to your 2004 Audi A4
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Comparisons
Just bought a 2004 Audi A4? Keep it that way.
OwnerKeep Passport turns your Audi A4's care history into a luxury digital vault — AI-logged receipts, an OwnerScore that pays at resale, and a buyer-ready dossier in one tap.
- AI receipt OCR — snap and log
- Fuel & mileage tracker
- Tri-Score OwnerScore
- One-tap resale dossier PDF
Recommended Reading for the Audi A4
Most Reliable Cars to Buy Used (Top 10 Ranked)
Get our expert-ranked list of the 10 most reliable used cars you can buy today, saving money and avoiding future headaches with smart choices.
Jeep Wrangler vs Toyota 4Runner: Which Lasts Longer?
Get the definitive answer: Which truly lasts longer, the Jeep Wrangler or Toyota 4Runner? Our comparison reveals their long-term durability.
Toyota Tacoma vs Chevy Colorado: Reliability Compared
Explore a head-to-head reliability comparison of the Toyota Tacoma vs. Chevy Colorado. Discover which truck truly stands out for long-term dependability.
