Headlights problems of the 2005 Audi A4 - part 1

74 problems related to headlights have been reported for the 2005 Audi A4. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2005 Audi A4 based on all problems reported for the 2005 A4.

1 Headlights problem

Failure Date: 10/21/2017

While driving, the headlight flickers and goes out. If headlights are turned off and back on, headlight works just fine. When I searched on the internet many individuals with this car make have had the same problem. Replacing the bulb does not fix the problem. Some individuals have said that Audi dealerships say they don't know how to fix the problem.

2 Headlights problem

Failure Date: 02/08/2016

My right headlight has been flickering for about 3 months, and a few times it has gone out completely. Turning the headlights off and back on fixes it for a couple days. I waited to take it to the dealer until it needed maintenance, and also so there would be more dtc evidence for them to troubleshoot with. The left headlight started doing the same thing so I took it in. Audi cannot replicate and will not replace the headlights.

3 Headlights problem

Failure Date: 09/14/2015

So I was driving from work like around 10:25 pm Monday night September 14 2015 when I notice that the right headlight of my car started flickering and all the sudden went off which caused me to not being able to see that well, and there were pedestrians walking on the road which caused me to drive more slow than the allowed speed limit good thing it wasn't far from home where it happen. . . Next day the light came back on and same thing happened again the light started flickering again and it went off at this point I've been looking around to actually fixed this issue with no luck also I've seen a lot people complaints about the same issue which they called the dipped headlight issue. . T.

4 Headlights problem

Failure Date: 06/04/2015

Headlights dip and continue to flicker and turn off during mild driving. This becomes dangerous when driving at night and the lights turn off due to the flicker.

5 Headlights problem

Failure Date: 01/28/2015

Right side headlight will go out randomly and is very unsafe. I have replaced light bulb and problem still exists. I have read many problems and Audi is aware of this but chooses not to do anything.

6 Headlights problem

Failure Date: 06/18/2014

I was driving down the highway and have continuously gotten the "dipped light" warning on my display. My lights procceded to flicker and then shut off. I was driving right next to a car and had to pull over because the wouldn't come on. It took 15 minutes before the headlights returned to normal. I was extremely scared when my headlights turned off. This is a big safety issue and has occurred 3 times since then. I have replaced the bulbs and that did not solve the problem. I know there is a TSB for this problem, but I think there is a need for a recall as I almost got into an accident on the highway.

7 Headlights problem

Failure Date: 04/01/2014

The contact owns a 2005 Audi A4. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 70 mph, the headlights failed without warning. The failure recurred constantly. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed, but the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 112,000.

8 Headlights problem

Failure Date: 09/06/2013

The contact owns a 2005 Audi A4. The contact stated that while driving 70 mph, both of the headlights started flickering on and off as the left dip light warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where they stated that the contact would have to bring the vehicle in when the failure was actually occurring. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000. The current mileage was 105,000. The VIN was not available.

9 Headlights problem

Failure Date: 08/15/2013

Left and right headlights dipped automatically, will also go off; headlight will also flicker before dipping; have gone to have fixed but dealer unable to determine problem; they indicate they need to get them tp replicate the error but could not duplicate; this is a serious safety problem that the dealer appears not willing to fix; appears to be a problem with Audi's overall;.

10 Headlights problem

Failure Date: 03/11/2013

Right headlight flickered and went out. Instruments indicated right headlight dipped. Cycled power on lights and lights returned for 30 sec and then continued problem.

11 Headlights problem

Failure Date: 11/01/2012

Left dipped and right dipped headlight on dash warning. Lights will flicker then just shut completely off.

12 Headlights problem

Failure Date: 10/31/2012

Problem: the left headlight flickers, I receive a warning message that "left headlight dipped, then the left headlight will go out. To "reset" this, I can turn my lights off, then turn them on again, but I can only do this when stopped, as it's unsafe to do this while driving at night. Once I turn them on again, they'll be ok again for a while, but the process will repeat itself again.

13 Headlights problem

Failure Date: 10/22/2012

Problem of "dipped" headlight on my 2005. 5 A4 b7. Purchased the car used in 2009 and have had this issue since purchase. Asked mechanics to investigate but had found nothing wrong. Usually it was just one side, either left or right (both have occurred multiple times). The other day was the third or fourth instance where both sides threw the "dipped" error, leaving me barreling down the highway at 75mph with no lights. While power cycling them usually brings them back, this is completely dangerous and unacceptable behavior for a vehicle that is allegedly working properly. It is clear to me, as an engineer myself, that this is a gross short-coming in design of the electrical system used to drive the lights. Either the wiring, or ballasts are malfunctioning. Audi has done nothing to ameliorate or warn me of this issue.

14 Headlights problem

Failure Date: 10/01/2012

The headlights(hid) flicker and sometimes go off for a few seconds. I have not had a total failure yet; although, I have been frightened. The flickering happens on a weekly basis. The total lights out has happened 3 times.

15 Headlights problem

Failure Date: 08/11/2012

Right headlight dipped warning. Right headlight will flicker and then shut off. I suspect a faulty igniter ballast. Many others have had the same issue with the 2005. 5-2008 xenon headlights. Creates a dangerous situation.

16 Headlights problem

Failure Date: 01/15/2012

The right main headlight flickered multiple times while driving and then shut off. A message appeared "right dipped headlight". The headlights were turned off and on again and the problem persisted. The problem has continued to occur for the past year almost every time the headlights turn on.

17 Headlights problem

Failure Date: 12/15/2011

Wife was driving home from work at night, when error message "left dipped headlight" appeared, and she noticed left low beam headlight not working. Replaced with new bulb and still not working. A few months later, now both left and right headlights not working. This vehicle is no longer safe to drive at night.

18 Headlights problem

Failure Date: 11/30/2011

5 minutes after driving the vehicle to work as I do everyday, the error message on the dash read "left headlight dipped", losing one side of the lighting to the vehicle. It continued to do this each day afterward whenever driving in the early morning or evening when lights would be required. A few months after, the right side had dipped as well. I looked up some possible scenarios of what was causing this issue and found a few things but have not pinpointed the issue; will have to try the dealership soon. 1) change out the bulbs (bi-xenon) 2) change out the ballasts 3) some other issue this is a safety concern of mine and many others as one day both lights will go dark while driving at night and will surely induce some type of accident. I hope that the dot will strongly consider forcing Audi to resolve this issue as this is a preventable situation. Thank you,.

19 Headlights problem

Failure Date: 11/14/2011

While driving either during the day or during the night either one of the lights will start flickering and then eventually go out completely. While driving home one the freeway one night the right side started to flicker and then went out completely. . . I turned the lights off and then turned them on and the light worked perfectly fine for 5 mins or so and then the same thing happened again! the next day as I was going to work early in the morning (while it was still a little dark) the same thing happened again. . . But this time with the left side. It started to flicker and then it went out completely. I turned the lights off and turned them back on and the light worked as if nothing happened. I called an Audi dealer and they said to bring the car in to get this issue fixed. . . They quoted me at $180 for the bulb and a grand total of $450 for the bulb plus installation. I just recently bought the car and ive been reading online about all the people that are having the same problem with their headlights. . . . I think its only fair to have a recall due to a poor design because I dont think its very safe for me or anyone to drive with one headlight and then having the chance of the other headlight going out at the same time!.

20 Headlights problem

Failure Date: 10/25/2011

The right headlight goes out and flickers on my Audi A4 quattro t 2005 and it has happened daily and ive been reading about it in blogs and nothin.

21 Headlights problem

Failure Date: 10/22/2011

Left front headlight will turn off suddenly or continuous flicker without warning. I often receive a "left headlight dipped" warning on my dashboard. The problem is especially bad when the headlights are set to "auto. " Audi is aware of this issue, but does not yet have a reliable fix for this issue, and they have not voluntarily issued a recall. My left headlight will go out in both dry and wet weather. I'm pretty sure it is a wiring/design defect. It is very dangerous and distracting when my left headlight dips without warning. My Audi owners are experiencing this issue. Please push Audi to issue a recall.

22 Headlights problem

Failure Date: 09/16/2011

Left or right headlights flicker and fail every time I use my headlights. No worse or better with bumpy roads. After a light goes out, turning the lights off and back on temporarily fixes the problem. But a few moments later the light flickers and fails. Most recent failure was when going around a corner at night. Oncoming traffic did not see me and nearly crashed head on. Newley purchased car and headlights failed first night. I have researched the problem online and read dozens of threads with seemingly hundreds of people with the same problem. Absolutely shocked Audi has not put out a recall. Serious safety issue with no current solution. The question is out of all the deadly accidents in Audi cars, how many had this issue as a factor. I don't envy the person quickly driving down a winding back road, when their headlights go out an instant before a quick turn they wont see and wrap their car around a tree.

23 Headlights problem

Failure Date: 06/15/2011

My Audi A4 currently has an issue with the headlights going out. When I turn it on, one of the headlights will start flickering and then dip, getting a warning light on the dash that specifies the headlight has dipped. This has happened on both the left and right headlight. The problem is intermittent and tends to happen early after driving, usually when roads are uneven or going over speed bumps. I have taken it to the dealer who said they could not replicate the problem and advised replacing the bulbs at the cost of over $700. They did not gaurantee it would fix the problem. I was able to replicate the problem as soon as I drove off the lot. Apparently other drivers have complained about this issue. This is an extreme safety and hazard issue as it occurs while I am driving. If you turn off the headlights and turn it back on, they will sometimes stay on but more often will flicker and then go off again. I believe this is a manufacturing issue vs. Wear and tear and would like Audi to permanently fix the issue at their expense.

24 Headlights problem

Failure Date: 06/01/2011

Front head lights flicker, then go out, resulting in a "dipped headlight" message. Once, they both went to out once. To fix the problem, I have to pull over, turn the engine and lights off and restart. Sometimes they "dip" again and sometimes they stay on. I try not to drive the car at night.

25 Headlights problem

Failure Date: 05/25/2011

Vibrations on the road or at idle cause my Audi A4 (b7)'s headlights to flicker or even turn off for a brief moment! it occurs at least once every night, and so far Audi has issued no remedies. I have the xenon bulbs.

26 Headlights problem

Failure Date: 05/25/2011

While driving the headlights (either left or right or sometimes both) will just go out. Happens on the freeway, happens in the driveway or on a surfice road. . . It happens nearly every time I drive with the headlights on. Audi can't replicate the issue when I bring it in and doesn't have a fix. Many people report that replacing headlight bulb or ballace didn't fix problem. This is very dangerious as they just flicker and go out. There really should be a recall as this is a very common issue on the A4.

27 Headlights problem

Failure Date: 05/20/2011

My Audi A4 constantly will get a dipped headlight, meaning that the hid lights will dip and fail to stay on. It happens on both sides and will happen at night. I have driven in complete darkness and had both lights fail, if I turn the lights off for a few seconds and back on they will reset but it does not take long before they do it again and it is something that concerns me anytime I drive during dark times. I live in a area with snow and ice in the winter and also have to deal with deer and pedestrians during the summer. My lights going out all of a sudden for no reason has me questioning the safety my car provides. I am concerned that I may have my lights go out and wreck, or potentially hit a animal or person.

28 Headlights problem

Failure Date: 03/20/2011

2005 Audi A4 2. 0t - headlights malfunction. Warning sign comes on "left/right headlight dipped out". During night, this is extremely dangerous. Only way to get lights back on is to either turn headlights off and back on again or pull over, turn car off and restart. This is only a temporary fix though. Within 10 to 15 min, the headlight will "dip" out again (light flickers and goes out). Changing bulbs do not help. Changing ballast does not help. Within a 20 mile stretch, my headlights will "dip out" and black out on average of 3 times. This makes for very unsafe driving conditions.

29 Headlights problem

Failure Date: 02/05/2011

Defective headlight assembly. Google "dipped headlight Audi". Causes rampant flickering that blinds everyone on the road or turn off your headlight and drive in the dark at night. Changed bulb does not fix it. Changed ballast does not fix it.

30 Headlights problem

Failure Date: 01/20/2011

Problem occurs when the lights are turned on at night, the right headlight begins to flicker and then shuts off with an error, "right dipped headlight". It occurs every night, which is dangerous and hazardous and makes it difficult to see and obscures the view to drivers of oncoming traffic. This problem is being suffered by a large numbers of owners and it should be recalled by the manufacturer.

31 Headlights problem

Failure Date: 01/10/2011

My 2005. 5 Audi A4 quattro frequently experiences hid headlight problems, typically starting with a rapidly flickering headlight and then followed by the headlight(s) extinguishing. When this happens, there is a right or left dipped bulb failure indicated on the dashboard. The headlights can be restored by cycling power. This problem is occurring more frequently; currently it occurs at least every 30 minutes and seems to be triggered when braking the car to a stop, gently accelerating in lower gears, or when turning while climbing or descending steep hills. When this condition is experienced, the headlights flicker rapidly and eventually extinguish. Restoring the affected headlight requires me to either pull off the road and cycle power or to manually turn the lights off and on while driving. This is unsafe, probably illegal, and very annoying to the driver and others in traffic. I had this condition repaired previously under warranty (40k miles), but it has recently returned and worsened. My Audi now has 92k miles and is out of warranty. I am surprised that Audi has not offered a cost-free recall action to fix this safety problem, particularly given its prevalence in Audi A4's. The cost to repair this obvious design defect is high and apparently could involve replacement of the hid bulbs, igniters, and sensors.

32 Headlights problem

Failure Date: 12/29/2010

Over the course of nearly two years of ownership, the right and left headlights have malfunctioned (turned off), with no consistent cause apparent. The specific error message that appears in the driver information screen is "right/left headlight dipped". This condition is both unsafe, and illegal - as many states will issue a traffic violation for driving with a non-functioning headlight. It has happened about 7-8 times, the headlight flickers, then goes out, but will come back on when the car is restarted, then be fine for weeks or months at a time. The dealership has been notified of the problem on at least 3 visits, and has claimed that everything is fine and they can not reproduce said error. They have suggested/guessed that it is the xenon light bulb itself, however it has checked out fine each time, and as mentioned, has functioned flawlessly after each occurrence with merely a restart of the vehicle. No parts have been repaired or replaced, however they have claimed to perform a visual inspection of the electrical connections on at least one visit. Given the availability of information online and by word of mouth from other fellow Audi owners, this problem is not limited to just my case. I would like Audi to step up and address this issue not only for their own pr, but for their customers' safety.

33 Headlights problem

Failure Date: 12/06/2010

Headlights will turn off for no reason. Foglights will also cycle on and off. No solution. Extremely dangerous situation.

34 Headlights problem

Failure Date: 12/01/2010

Audi A4 2005 headlights went out at exactly the same time.

35 Headlights problem

Failure Date: 11/28/2010

The passenger side xenon headlight unit flickers off and on and eventually go out while driving at night. Turning headlights off and on while temporarily relieve the problem (sometimes less a few seconds, others time 30 min or hour). When problem started a couple years ago , time between the problem was long (weeks). The problem has persisted and now happens every time I drive at night. When problem first occurred (car under warranty, ~45k miles), nothing was found to be an issue by the dealership as the problem could not be replicated at the point of inspection. Unfortunately, the car is now out of warranty. From things I've read, Audi failed to program fault tests for the headlights, making the problem hard to diagnose. Additionally, many Audi owners spent large amounts of money trying to replace bulbs and replace ballasts (very expensive) only to have the problem persist. I've encountered a couple owners that have actually had charred connectors of the electrical connections affiliated with the lighting system (fire hazard?). The defective nature of the system is an obvious safety issue. Please help facilitate an acceptable response program from Audi.


Other Exterior Lighting related problems of the 2005 Audi A4


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