2004 Audi A4 Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 14about this part
- Share
- 7%of 189 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 80,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 14 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2004 Audi A4, 7% of the 189 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 80,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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 dangerous, given that the headlights spontaneously stop working while driving.”
NHTSA complaint #10330297, filed 2010-05, 101,000 miles“I was driving to jacksonville florida and car had shut off on me on the highway in yulee florida I was stuck on the highway for 7 hrs my car is stuck in florida”
NHTSA complaint #11366758, filed 2020-10, 113,000 miles“I originally had 3 recalls on my vehicle I called in to see about getting them fixed free of charge as explained in the recall tech bulletin .the customer service representative proceeded in getting all of my information then after doing so tells me there are no recalls on my vehicle and proceeded to update my cars info shortly after I went back to the original site of this recall put in my cars info again and all the recalls that was once available for my vehicle was mysteriously gone.I never received a notice and never got it fixed. …”
NHTSA complaint #11349159, filed 2020-08, 157,000 miles“I purchased a used 2004 Audi A4 in november 2007 from an Audi dealership. In the fall of 2008, both my headlights and both taillights all went out within a month of each other. I brought the car into the Audi dealership and paid for service replacement bulbs for all four lights. About a month ago, my car dashboard gave a warning that my rear left fog light went out. I have not replaced that yet, as I do not use my fog lights. Last week, I got another dashboard message that my right front headlight has dipped. The right headlight is now much more dim than the left one. …”
NHTSA complaint #10358006, filed 2010-09, 50,000 miles“The hid xenon headlights have dimmed to the point where driving at night could become difficult. There is a recall (05v096000) for 2004 Audi A4's with hid headlights but this VIN. Is not included. Possibly a known problem to Audi.”
NHTSA complaint #11088398, filed 2018-04, 80,000 milesRelated recalls
- 05V096000Mar 15, 2005On certain passenger vehicles, there is a possibility of xenon headlamp coating degradation over time. The luminous transmittance of the headlamp may decrease…Covers: Audi A4 2003–2004, S4 2003–2004
Related service bulletins
- 10169118Dec 6, 2019Exterior lights, moisture accumulation 2013-2021 A3 Cabriolet, 2016-2018 Sportback, 2004-2005 A4 Cabriolet, 2004-2008 S4 Cabriolet, 2008 RS4 Cabriolet, 2010-2021 A4 allroad…
- 10127856Jul 31, 2017This informational bulletin contains technical information for when there is condensation visible on the inside of the headlight, taillight, fog light, side marker light, front…
- 10120003Apr 17, 2015Supersedes Technical Service Bulletin Group 94 number 12-92 dated October 24, 2012. Condensation is visible on the inside of the headlight, taillight, fog light, side marker…
- 10122766Oct 24, 2012Supersedes Technical Service Bulletin Group 94 number 11-52 dated October 11, 2011. Condensation is visible on the inside of the headlight, taillight, fog light, side marker…
- 10035345Oct 20, 2010Audi: daytime running lights do not work. Daytime running lights do not work on vehicles with xenon headlights. The thumb wheel or option for daytime running lights is turned off…
- 10032251Nov 29, 2007Audi: automatic headlight switches on and off without reason. Automatic headlight switches on too early or too late, switches off too late or comes on too late when the sun…
- 10025703Feb 26, 2007Exterior lights, mositure accumulation.
- 10022141Feb 26, 2007Headlight aiming, using hella universal beamsetter.
Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 1 | 1% |
| 2017 | 1 | 2% |
| 2015 | 2 | 11% |
| 2014 | 1 | 3% |
| 2010 | 2 | 3% |
| 2009 | 4 | 3% |
| 2008 | 11 | 6% |
| 2007 | 8 | 4% |
| 2006 | 159 | 54% |
| 2005 | 101 | 46% |
| 2004 | 14 | 7% |
| 2003 | 23 | 11% |
| 2002 | 17 | 9% |
| 2001 | 3 | 2% |
| 2000 | 2 | 2% |
| 1999 | 4 | 2% |
| 1998 | 5 | 2% |
| 1997 | 3 | 3% |
| 1996 | 5 | 6% |
Other parts of the 2004 Audi A4
56 complaintsAir bags
26 complaintsEngine cooling
18 complaintsTires
16 complaintsVehicle speed control
16 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
16 complaintsElectrical system
15 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
12 complaintsEngine
7 complaintsOther or unknown
6 complaintsBrakes
5 complaintsBody and structure
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2004 Audi A4
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology