What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

1998 Audi A4

Typical pattern

4.5% of complaints about the 1998 Audi A4 came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 1998 vehicle — around the middle of the 180 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 5.8 yr in service. The most-reported system is service brakes, hydraulic (95 complaints), typically at 3.3 yr or about 82,500 miles.

Complaints
267
Median age at failure
5.8 yr
Median mileage
82,000 n=122
Crash / fire / tow
7.1% of reports
Safety recalls
6

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Service brakes, hydraulic
95 reports · 82,500 mi
3.3 yr
3.2%
Engine cooling
30 reports · 75,000 mi
5.8 yr
3.3%
Suspension
24 reports · 101,000 mi
6.8 yr
0%
Steering
20 reports · 74,000 mi
6.5 yr
10%
Electrical system
20 reports · 82,000 mi
4.8 yr
5%
Air bags
17 reports · 89,000 mi
4.6 yr
29.4%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

22V471000 2022-07-01
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 1998 Audi A8 and 1997-1998 Audi A4 vehicles equipped with Non-Azide Driver air bag Inflators (NADI) that do not contain phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. Due to a manufacturing issue, the NADI inflator may absorb moisture, causing the inflator to explode or the air bag cushion to underinflate.

The inflator could explode during air bag deployment, resulting in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants. An underinflated air bag may not properly protect the occupant. These scenarios increase the risk of serious injury or death.

06E060000 2006-06-29
Exterior lighting

CERTAIN AAI MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LIST PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH

06E049000 2006-05-24
Exterior lighting

CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

99V248000 1999-09-13
Steering:linkages:rod:relay:connecting

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE TIE RODS OF THE STEERING ASSEMBLY ARE PROTECTED ON EACH SIDE BY A SEAL TO PREVENT MOISTURE AND DUST PARTICLES FROM ENTERING THE SWIVEL BEARING MECHANISM. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT SOME TIE ROD SEALS MAY NOT SEAL PROPERLY.

IF MOISTURE AND/OR DUST PARTICLES ENTER THE SWIVEL BEARING MECHANISM, THE SWIVEL BEARING COULD WEAR OVER TIME DIMINISHING THE STEERING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.

99V131001 1999-05-21
Service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuum:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. A CONTROL VALVE IN THE VACUUM HOSE CONNECTING THE BRAKE BOOSTER TO THE INTAKE MANIFOLD MAY NOT OPEN OR CLOSE FULLY AT TEMPERATURES BELOW -4 F UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS.

THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE INSUFFICIENT VACUUM TO BE PROVIDED TO THE BRAKE BOOSTER.

98V134000 1998-06-22
Engine and engine cooling:cooling system

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. IF THE ENGINE BACKFIRES DURING A COLD-START, AN AIR SCREEN WHICH IS LOOSELY SEATED IN THE AIR FLOW METER CAN BECOME DAMAGED.

SCREEN PIECES COULD ENTER THE INTAKE AIR FLOW SYSTEM AND PREVENT THE THROTTLE PLATE FROM RETURNING TO ITS FULL IDLE POSITION.

In owners’ own words

Air bags mileage not reported 1.1 yr in service
VEHICLE BRUSHED CURB CAUSING DAMAGE TO TIRE SIDEWALLS WHEN FALSE DEPLOYMENT OF SIDE AIR BAG OCCURED.
Air bags mileage not reported 1.3 yr in service crash / fire / tow
WHILE DRIVINGTHE ABS BRAKING SYSTM WHICH IS ACTIVATED MALFUNCTIONED, HAVING NO BRAKING ABILITY, AND CAUSING A FRONTAL IMPACT. THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S AIRBAGS DID DEPLOY BUT NOT ALL THE WAY. ALSO, SEATBELT TENSIONER MALFUNCTIONED, WHICH DID NOT HOLD PROPERLY THE OCCUPANT, AND OCCUPANT SUSTAINED A BROKEN BONE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
Air bags mileage not reported 4 mo in service crash / fire / tow
PASSENGER'S AIRBAG DEPLOYED UPON IMPACT. NO PASSENGER OR PARCEL ON PASSENGER'S SEAT, DRIVERS BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. AUDI CONTINUES TO DENY A PROBLEM EXISTED. AUDI'S OWN DOCUMENTATION DESCRIBES A NO PASSENGER LOCK OUT SWITCH TO PREVENT DEPLOYMENT OF THE PASSENGER'S AIRBAG WHEN NO PASSENGER OR (HEAVY PARCEL?) IS PRESENT. I WAS THE ONLY OCCUPANT IN THE CAR, HAD MY SEAT BELT BUCKLED, PRETENSIONER FOR MY SEAT BELT FIRED BUT MY AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. AN INTERLOCK, BY DEFINITION, IS EITHER ON OR OFF. AN INTERLOCK OR LOCK OUT DEVICE DOES NOT ACT AS A "MAYBE ON" OR "MAYBE OFF" GATE.
Service brakes, hydraulic mileage not reported 1.3 yr in service crash / fire / tow
WHILE DRIVINGTHE ABS BRAKING SYSTM WHICH IS ACTIVATED MALFUNCTIONED, HAVING NO BRAKING ABILITY, AND CAUSING A FRONTAL IMPACT. THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S AIRBAGS DID DEPLOY BUT NOT ALL THE WAY. ALSO, SEATBELT TENSIONER MALFUNCTIONED, WHICH DID NOT HOLD PROPERLY THE OCCUPANT, AND OCCUPANT SUSTAINED A BROKEN BONE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

Other A4 model years

2020201820172010200920082007200620052004200320022001200019991998

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