Makes›Audi›S4›2005

2005 Audi S4

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2005 models.

Audi S4
Pictured: 2018 Audi S4 3.0T Premium Plus in Daytona Gray Pearl, front right. Photo: Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Subcompact Cars
Body styles
Avant 4dr Wagon AWD, Cabriolet 4dr Conv AWD, Sedan 4dr Sedan AWD
Engines
4.2L 8-cyl
Drivetrain
4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
MPG (best)
16 combined · 14 city / 21 hwy
Length
179.1–180.7 in
Curb weight
3,825–4,090 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
2 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

Nothing stands out against similar models in the data.

Watch out for

  • Below-average fuel economyBest version gets 16 MPG combined, 23% below the 2005 subcompact car average of 20.9 MPG.
  • Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 9 similar 2005 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2005 Audi S4 is a subcompact car offered with a 4.2L 8-cyl engine and 4-wheel or all-wheel drive.

It measures about 179 inches long and 70 inches wide on a 104-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,935 lb (Avant 4dr Wagon AWD).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 16 MPG combined (14 city / 21 highway), 23% worse than the 2005 subcompact car average of 20.9 MPG, for an estimated $5,150 a year in fuel.

It has 2 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 8 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the exterior lighting.

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
Avant 4dr Wagon AWD179.1 in69.7 in56.3 in104.3 in59.4 / 59.1 in3,935 lb59/41
Cabriolet 4dr Conv AWD179.9 in70.5 in54.7 in104.3 in59.8 / 59.4 in4,090 lb53/47
Sedan 4dr Sedan AWD180.7 in69.7 in56.3 in104.3 in59.1 / 59.1 in3,825 lb53/47

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
S4 Cabriolet4.2L 8-cylManual 6-spd4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive13 / 20 / 16-23%$5,150555
S4 Cabriolet4.2L 8-cylAutomatic (S6)4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive14 / 20 / 16-23%$5,150555
S44.2L 8-cylManual 6-spd4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive13 / 20 / 16-31%$5,150555
S44.2L 8-cylAutomatic (S6)4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive14 / 21 / 16-31%$5,150555
S4 Avant4.2L 8-cylManual 6-spd4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive13 / 20 / 16-29%$5,150555
S4 Avant4.2L 8-cylAutomatic (S6)4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive14 / 21 / 16-29%$5,150555
Spend $13,750Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
20.9 MPG2005 Subcompact Cars average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2005 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2005 Audi S4 under the current (2011+) test program.

Similar 2005 subcompact cars

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2005 Audi S4 (this car)16 MPGNot rated2
2005 Lexus IS18 MPGNot rated0
2005 Audi A424 MPGNot rated3
2005 Volvo S6022 MPGNot rated2
2005 BMW 6 Series19 MPGNot rated2
2005 Infiniti G3520 MPGNot rated1
2005 Volvo S4022 MPGNot rated1

Recalls (2)

Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module · Jun 22, 2018

NHTSA campaign 18V427000 · 237,947 vehicles

Problem
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2005-2008 Audi A4 Sedan, A4 Avant, S4 Avant and S4 Sedan, 2007-2008 RS4 Sedan, 2004 RS4 Cabriolet, 2007-2009 A4 Cabriolet and S4 Cabriolet, 2005-2011 A6 Sedan, 2006-2011 A6 Avant, and 2007-2011 S6 Sedan vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix
Audi has notified owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag with an alternate remedy part, free of charge. The recall began June 29, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69R7. Note: This recall supersedes recalls 16V382, 17V032 and 18V004 and includes vehicles that may have had their air bag previously replaced under one of those campaigns.
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module · Jan 11, 2017

NHTSA campaign 17V032000 · 33,421 vehicles

Problem
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2009 Audi A4 Cabriolet, S4 Cabriolet, A6 Avant, A6 Sedan and S6 Sedan vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, the 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." Additionally, unless included in "Zone B" above, Volkswagen is recalling certain 2005-2008 Audi A4 Avant, A4 Sedan, A6 Sedan, S4 Avant and S4 Sedan vehicles, 2007-2008 A4 Cabriolet, RS4 Sedan, S4 Cabriolet and S6 Sedan vehicles, and 2006-2008 A6 Avant and 2008 RS4 Cabriolet vehicles originally sold, or ever 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 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.
Risk
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix
Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 30, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Note: This recall has been superseded by recall number 18V427.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2005 Audi S4 is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

8Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
0Involved a crash
0Involved a fire
0Injuries reported
95,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Exterior Lighting3
Air Bags2
Visibility/Wiper1
Electrical System1
Seats1
Steering1
Engine1
Exterior Lighting › Headlights1
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
15/02: 115/11: 116/04: 117/09: 117/11: 218/04: 215/0215/1116/0417/0917/1118/04max 2

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2005 Audi S4 buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 2 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Exterior Lighting — 3 owner reports. Check all exterior lights, wipers and the windshield for cracks.
  3. Air Bags — 2 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
  4. Visibility/Wiper — 1 owner reports. Check all exterior lights, wipers and the windshield for cracks.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 95,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2005 Audi S4. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other S4 years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2025 S424187.8 inNot rated00
2024 S424187.8 inNot rated00
2023 S424187.8 inNot rated00
2022 S424187.8 inNot rated11
2021 S423187.8 inNot rated42
2020 S423187.8 inNot rated317
2019 S424186.2 inNot rated12
2018 S424186.2 inNot rated27
2016 S421185 inNot rated00
2015 S421185 inNot rated11
2014 S421185 inNot rated117
2013 S421185 inNot rated115

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Audi. How we calculate this →