2004 Audi A4 Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems
- Complaints
- 16about this part
- Share
- 8%of 189 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 53,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 16 complaints about the visibility of the 2004 Audi A4, 8% of the 189 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 53,000 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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 fine as long as I leave a cracked windshield in place. Replace it and they work intermittently until the window cracks again.”
NHTSA complaint #10281379, filed 2009-08, 45,000 miles“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 limited.”
NHTSA complaint #10339636, filed 2010-06, 85,760 miles“My vehicle is a 2004 Audi A4 cabriolet with a 1.8t engine. Windshield wipers stop working. While driving on the pa turnpike in the rain my windshield wipers stopped in the middle of the windshield and would not move. I was lucky it wasn't at night because I was unable to see the lanes in the road or other cars in front of me. I pulled over and waited for the rain to stop. When I contacted the Audi dealership to ask what they thought it could be I was told that it was most likely caused by the windshield wiper transmission becoming corroded with rust and being unable to move. …”
NHTSA complaint #10419854, filed 2011-08, 90,000 miles“My 2004 Audi A4 3.0 cabriolet has windshield wipers which at about 8,000 miles of wear began to make an unbearably loud, rythmically repetitive sound on the driver's side. The selling dealer, cherry hill imports, has repeatedly looked at the problem and said there is nothing unusual about this sound, but the car did not do it when it was new. In severe weather , I have resorted to turning off the wipers for a few seconds at a time in order not to be hypnotized by the repetitive sound of the defect. …”
NHTSA complaint #10104593, filed 2004-12, 8,000 miles“2004 Audi A4 quattro wipers started to run slowly. Sometimes would stop in the middle of the windshield. Ran slowly for a couple of weeks. Finally, drivers side wiper disengaged from linkage and actually cracked my windshield. Took it to shop for repair, and was told that the wiper transmission was broken and needed to be repaired. When calling for parts, shop found out that this part is in high demand due to an apparent design defect. Read more about others with similar problems online. This will end up costing me close to $1000 to replace that bad wiper assembly and my windshield. …”
NHTSA complaint #10235557, filed 2008-07, 54,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10124806Sep 23, 2014Windshield is streaked, has a snakeskin appearance, or its surface feels rough. Residue from industrial fallout as well as normal road dirt and grime may accumulate on windshield.
- 10124645Aug 14, 2013Windshield is streaked, has a snakeskin appearance, or its surface feels rough. Residue from industrial fallout as well as normal road dirt and grime may accumulate on windshield.
- 10124516Jul 2, 2013Supersedes Technical Service Bulletin Group 61 number 12-16 dated July 6, 2012. Convertible top is inoperative. All switches and sensors check OK. Convertible top movement…
- 10066972Jul 2, 2013Summary to be provided on a future date.
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 1 | 1% |
| 2018 | 1 | 2% |
| 2015 | 1 | 5% |
| 2014 | 1 | 3% |
| 2010 | 1 | 2% |
| 2009 | 6 | 5% |
| 2008 | 3 | 2% |
| 2006 | 5 | 2% |
| 2005 | 5 | 2% |
| 2004 | 16 | 8% |
| 2003 | 20 | 10% |
| 2002 | 11 | 6% |
| 2001 | 3 | 2% |
| 2000 | 5 | 5% |
| 1999 | 5 | 3% |
| 1998 | 8 | 3% |
| 1997 | 4 | 4% |
| 1996 | 6 | 7% |
Other parts of the 2004 Audi A4
56 complaintsAir bags
26 complaintsEngine cooling
18 complaintsTires
16 complaintsVehicle speed control
16 complaintsElectrical system
15 complaintsExterior lighting
14 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 28, 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