Research · Subcompact Cars
2004 Audi A4 CabrioletRecalls, problems, MPG & safety
NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 189 owner complaints for the 2004 Audi A4 Cabriolet. Most complaints involve fuel system, gasoline (46) and air bags (26). The EPA rates it 19–23 mpg combined.
Combined MPG
19–23mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
189
Top: fuel system, gasoline
Fuel cost / yr
$3,350est.
EPA estimate, best version
Safety recalls
NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2004 Audi A4 Cabriolet as of Nov 8, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 8, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
Owner complaints by component
189 complaints filed with NHTSA · May 2004 – May 2023
- Fuel system, gasoline46
- Air bags26
- Engine and engine cooling18
- Visibility16
- Vehicle speed control16
- Tires16
- Electrical system15
- Exterior lighting14
- Power train12
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 8, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
What owners report most
Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component
Fuel system, gasoline
46 reports1 crash1 fire
“FUEL PUMP FAILURE WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. LUCKILY, WAS ABLE TO EXIT, BUT POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS. SIMILAR EXPERIENCE TO THE MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS ALREADY FILED. SAME MODEL FROM PREVIOUS YEAR RECALLED FOR THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM, BUT AUDI HAS NOT DONE SO FOR 2004 WHICH IT SHOULD DEFINITELY DO! OUR CAR HAS LESS THAN 60,000 MILES, AND THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING! ALSO HAD TO REPLACE COILS BEFORE AUDI EVENTUALLY RECALLED, BUT THEY DID NOT REFUND THE FULL. *TR”
Air bags
26 reports6 crashes1 fire
“******* DELETE VOQ ******* THIS COMPLAINT IS BEING MARKED FOR DELETION BECAUSE IT IS REQUESTED BY THE CONSUMER THAT THEY WISH TO HAVE IT REMOVED*DJR ******* DELETE VOQ *******”
Engine and engine cooling
18 reports
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 AUDI A4. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF SEVERAL WARNING LIGHTS. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND IT WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED DUE TO A LACK OF LUBRICATION AND AN INTERNAL COMPRESSION FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE ENGINE WAS REBUILT. AFTER THE REPAIRS, THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCES THE FAILURE WITH THE SPORADIC ILLUMINATION OF THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT. THE CONTACT STATED HE PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC WHICH LOCATED THE FAILURE AS A MULTI-CYLINDER MISFIRE. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE BE TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED WITH HIS SAFETY WHEN OPERATING THE VEHICLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000. UPDATED 04/25/11 *BF UPDATED 04/27/11”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 8, 2026
Engines, transmissions & drive
3 versions rated by the EPA
- EPA class
- Subcompact Cars
- Engines
- 1.8L 4-cyl turbo · 3.0L 6-cyl
- Transmissions
- Automatic (variable gear ratios) · Automatic (S5)
- Drive
- Front-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Premium Gasoline
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 8, 2026EPA listing
EPA fuel economy by version
City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A4 Cabriolet Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.8 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 20 | 28 | 23 | $3,350 | 386 |
| A4 Cabriolet Auto (variable gear ratios), 6 cyl, 3.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 25 | 21 | $3,700 | 423 |
| A4 Cabriolet quattro Auto (S5), 6 cyl, 3.0 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 16 | 23 | 19 | $4,050 | 468 |
- 23mpg comb.
- 21mpg comb.
- 19mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 8, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2004 Audi A4 Cabriolet as of Nov 8, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 8, 2026Vehicle 1016
Maintenance basics
General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
- Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
6–12 months - Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
Every oil change - Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
1–2 years - Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
1–2 years - Brake fluid—
2–3 years - Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
5–10 years - Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
— - 12V battery—
3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
2004 A4 Cabriolet questions
How many recalls does the 2004 Audi A4 Cabriolet have?
0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Nov 8, 2026.
What are the most common 2004 Audi A4 Cabriolet problems?
Owners filed 189 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are fuel system, gasoline (46), air bags (26), engine and engine cooling (18). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
What MPG does the 2004 Audi A4 Cabriolet get?
The EPA rates the 2004 Audi A4 Cabriolet at 19–23 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).
Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 8, 2026