general problems of the 2004 Audi A4

Ten problems related to electrical system have been reported for the 2004 Audi A4. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2004 Audi A4 based on all problems reported for the 2004 A4.

1 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 09/07/2022

This took place about a week ago. The car was parked in our driveway when the fire started. My husband had returned home just 15 minutes prior to the fire starting. I noticed there was smoke coming in our living room window. Then I looked at our security camas. And saw smoke pouring out from underneath the hood of my car. We tried to put the fire out with our two hose system set up and it wouldn't go out. So we knew it was electrical. We couldn't get close enough to open the hood so I couldn't pour baking soda on it. Two fire extinguishers later like 10 minutes the firefighters showed up and we're able to put it out. They confirmed that the arch came from the battery terminals /cables. Two of the fireman said they'd never seen anything like this before. Then the car tried to start itself as my husband and the two fireman were standing right in front of the Audi. They had to cut the remaining battery cable that wasn't completely burned through before it stopped. My neighbor has a recording of the whole incident. The engine compartment is destroyed! the engine might be all right but we don't have the finances to do anything but clean up. Oh and for extra fun one of the fireman took an ax the the hood of the A4 cabriolet I have had for maybe a month. Now we have no car and no real means of being able to fix it.

2 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 08/23/2021

Prnds appeared in red on my dash and then started blinking. Went on line regarding this and read about a tcm switch or a lever switch malfunction. Have an appt with mechanic on 8/26/21. From what I have read we are looking at a cost prohibitive repair of several thousands of dollars. Does Audi have any responsibility? apparently it is a common complaint with the A4 model. Felt loss of power when decelerating.

3 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 06/05/2015

Electronic deficiency overriding speedometer and odometer on the car. When car is first started. . . Three loud beeps occur and the abs and brake warning lights start blinking on and off. Following the three loud beeps both the speedometer and odometer are disabled. When driving, the speedometer does not indicate the speed of the vehicle and the odometer does not indicate any mileage driven.

4 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 10/28/2013

I was driving my 2004 Audi A4 (1. 8, convertible) on a local road at approx 30mph, when the accelerator suddenly dropped from under my foot and the car accelerated very rapidly. It felt like the cruise control had come on by itself (the cruise control was completely off at the time). I put the car in neutral and pulled over. When I shut the car off, the gas pedal popped up and felt normal. When I turned the car back on several times, it continued to immediately accelerate all the way with the gas pedal dropping to the floor. The car is now being towed to a mechanic. Had I been in a tighter situation at the time, it could've been ugly.

5 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 09/23/2011

The vehicle according to the Audi dealer has a bad automatic tcm transmission control module that causes the car to slip gears or not shift down when coming slowing down and then needing to accelerate. The vehicle will stay locked in 3rd gear and when pulling out on to the freeway or a busy street it makes it difficult to get up to speed. When parked on a slanted driveway or street the vehicle may not engage a gear once it has been selected and the car will roll down hill.

6 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 07/08/2010

2004 Audi A4 1. 8t engine sludge--complete engine failure. Audi absurdly refuses to honor their own extended warranty on the basis the car was run without oil. The engine failed internally because there was and is sludge blocking lubrication ports to the moving parts, I. E. , failure. This is my executive synopsis, but I have volumes of supporting evidence, unbelievable as it is to think this could happen in America.

7 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 02/17/2010

The contact owns a 2004 Audi A4. The contact stated that while driving 50 mph, the vehicle began to lose power. The vehicle was restarted and functioned properly. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection where they stated that they could not determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired and the failure recurred several times later. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 34,000.

8 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 01/08/2010

While driving the car, there was a pop, then the car started running poorly. I stopped the car and checked the gauges; the check engine light was on. I returned home and called the dealer who suggested I call for a tow truck and have it brought in. He said that the vehicle couldn't be driven in this condition. He told me it was probably the coil pack. I called a tow truck and it was taken to the dealer. They replaced the coil pack that had been recalled at no charge to me, it has run fine since.

9 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 12/01/2009

I own a 2004 Audi A4 and last year my passengers side headlight started to flicker and would even go out as I was driving! major safety hazard! I am on many Audi forums and there are pages and pages of the same issue! do you know how dangerous this is for me and my children! and last time I went to Audi to fix my right (drivers side) headlight it cost me over $1,000 dollars. I just do not have the money for that right now and I think it is ridiculous that Audi customers all have the same problems and the NHTSA or Audi are doing nothing to solve it. I keep this car up in immaculate condition with folder and folders of service pages so its not from neglect and everyone else is having the same problem! I don't know if you know how dangerous it is because the only way to turn my passenger side headlight back on when it goes out is to pull over shut my lights and turn them back on then it comes back on and will either stay on for a little bit and then start flickering again and go out again. I am taking my life in my hands driving this car and its my only car to commute with. This issue needs to be fixed very soon!.

10 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 08/07/2003

Vehicle heated up under the steering column, especially when driving 50 mph or greater. Consumer took vehicle to the dealer, and they test drove the vehicle for eight days and found the same flaw as the consumer. Manufacturer indicated that the vehicle was operating under normal range, and there was nothing they could do.


Other Electrical System related problems of the 2004 Audi A4


Safety Ratings of A4 Cars
Fuel Economy of A4 Vehicles
A4 Service Bulletins
A4 Safety Recalls
A4 Defect Investigations