NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
12 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Jun 19, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling
1997 AUDI A4 QUATTRO LEASE WITH ENGINE PROBLEMS CUSTOMER STATES THAT AUDI CORPORATION IS FULLY AWARE OF THE PROBLEMS WITH SLOG AND DID NOT SEND HIM A LETTER**CC THE CONSUMER STATED THE OIL PUMP FAILED WHICH CAUSED OIL STARVATION TO THE ENGINE, WHICH NOW SOUNDS LIKE A DIESEL ENGINE. THE CONSUMER MECHANICS INFORMED THE CONSUMER …
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1997 AUDI A4 QUATTRO LEASE WITH ENGINE PROBLEMS CUSTOMER STATES THAT AUDI CORPORATION IS FULLY AWARE OF THE PROBLEMS WITH SLOG AND DID NOT SEND HIM A LETTER**CC THE CONSUMER STATED THE OIL PUMP FAILED WHICH CAUSED OIL STARVATION TO THE ENGINE, WHICH NOW SOUNDS LIKE A DIESEL ENGINE. THE CONSUMER MECHANICS INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE MANUFACTURER WAS FULLY AWARE OF AN OIL SLUDGE PROBLEM FROM THE USE OF INFERIOR ENGINE OIL OR FROM INFREQUENT OIL CHANGES, CAN CLOG THE OIL PUMP. THE CONSUMER STATED HE NEVER RECEIVED A LETTER REGARDING AN OIL SLUDGE PROBLEM. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10194438
89,000 miles · Nov 24, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling
WE HAVE EXPERIENCED AN OIL SLUDGE RELATED FAILURE ON OUR 1997 AUDI A4. INGRID EVERT, FROM THE OFFICE OF AUDI OF AMERICA'S MARK TRAHAN, HAS TOLD ME THAT MY CAR WILL NOT BE COVERED BY THEIR EXTENDED WARRANTY, DESPITE THE FACT THAT MY CAR IS WITHIN THE VIN RANGE AFFECTED BY WHAT IS, IN HER WORDS, A "MANUFACTURING DEFECT". HER REA…
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WE HAVE EXPERIENCED AN OIL SLUDGE RELATED FAILURE ON OUR 1997 AUDI A4. INGRID EVERT, FROM THE OFFICE OF AUDI OF AMERICA'S MARK TRAHAN, HAS TOLD ME THAT MY CAR WILL NOT BE COVERED BY THEIR EXTENDED WARRANTY, DESPITE THE FACT THAT MY CAR IS WITHIN THE VIN RANGE AFFECTED BY WHAT IS, IN HER WORDS, A "MANUFACTURING DEFECT". HER REASON FOR REFUSAL IS THE FACT THAT I CHANGE MY OWN OIL AND THUS LACK RECEIPTS. SO, ALTHOUGH MY CAR IS WITHIN THE AFFECTED VIN RANGE, AND I HAVE PERFORMED ALL OIL CHANGES IN EXCESS OF THE MANUFACTURER'S RECOMMENDATIONS, AND MANY OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING THIS FAILURE REGARDLESS OF THE MAINTENANCE PERFORMED ON THE CAR, MY CAR IS NOT COVERED. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10100490
Mileage unknown · Apr 24, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
THE TIMING BELT BROKE, WHICH CAUSED DAMAGED TO THE ENGINE. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10017560
64,000 miles · Feb 18, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
TIMING BELT TENSIONER FAILED AT 64K. MECHANIC SAID THAT THE TIMING BELT WAS VIRTUALLY UNDER NO TENSION AND WOULD HAVE FAILED IMMEDIATELY IF NOT CAUGHT BY A VIBRATING SOUND FROM IDLE TO 2200RPM.
NHTSA ODI #10007751
Mileage unknown · Oct 25, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE TIMING GEAR BELT BROKE, CAUSING TO PULL OUT OF THE ROAD. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. TS
NHTSA ODI #8021571
Mileage unknown · Aug 7, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE STALLED ON THE ROAD DUE TO TIMING BELT FAILURE RESULTING IN MAJOR ENGINE DAMAGE. *YH
NHTSA ODI #8015754
Mileage unknown · Mar 29, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
TIMING BELT HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 60,000 MILES WHICH INTERFERED WITH ENGINE VALVES, VALVES WERE BENT. *AK WHILE TRAVELING THE ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE MECHANIC AND IDENTIFIED THAT THE STARTER WAS BROKEN. THE STARTER WAS REPLACED BUT FURTHER DIAGNOSIS LED TO FINDING THAT THE TIMING BELT BROKE WHICH CAUS…
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TIMING BELT HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 60,000 MILES WHICH INTERFERED WITH ENGINE VALVES, VALVES WERE BENT. *AK WHILE TRAVELING THE ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE MECHANIC AND IDENTIFIED THAT THE STARTER WAS BROKEN. THE STARTER WAS REPLACED BUT FURTHER DIAGNOSIS LED TO FINDING THAT THE TIMING BELT BROKE WHICH CAUSED THE STARTER TO FAIL, BENDING VALVES AND DAMAGING THE HEAD. ALL WERE REPLACED. *JG
NHTSA ODI #8006653
Mileage unknown · Jan 15, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
I HAVE CONTACTED AUDI OF AMERICA SEVERAL TIMES BECAUSE I DO NOT FEEL I SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CHARGES INCURRED OF APPROXIMATELY $4000. DUE TO THE FACT THE NEW TENSIONSER PURCHASED FROM THE DEALER IS TOTALLY DIFFERENT THEN THE ORIGINAL AND DUE TO THE FAILED TENSIONER / TIMING BELT DAMAGED MY CYLINDER HEAD AND VALVES.*AK
NHTSA ODI #756903
Mileage unknown · Aug 27, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH VEHICLE STALLED, EITHER TIMING BELT OR TIMING BELT TENSIONER WAS CAUSE FOR STALLING. *AK
NHTSA ODI #895189
Mileage unknown · Dec 18, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 50 MPH ALL OF A SUDDEN ENGINE STALLED. THEN, VEHICLE WAS TOWED, AND A TECHINICIAN SAID IT WAS A BROKEN TIMING BELT. CONSUMER BELIEVED THAT THIS WAS TOO EARLY TO HAPPEN. *AK
NHTSA ODI #876686
Official recalls
6Jul 1, 2022
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver's air bag inflator with an alternative inflator of a different design, free of charge. Owner notification letters were sent September 21, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 69BT. The vehicles in this recall were mistakenly omitted from recall 20V-056. All vehicle owners have already been notified by mail and informed that the remedy is available.
Oct 23, 2006
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, AS A RESULT OF A PROBLEM IN THE PRODUCTION PROCESS OF THE IGNITION SWITCH, THE ANCHOR POINT OF THE SPRING MAY CRACK. THIS COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE THE RETURN SPRING FORCE TO BE INSUFFICIENT FOR RETURNING THE IGNITION KEY TO THE RUNNING POSITION AFTER STARTING THE ENGINE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAUSES ELECTRICAL ACCESSORIES SUCH AS WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND HEADLIGHTS TO BECOME INOPERATIVE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW IGNITION SWITCH WITH AN OPTIMIZED ANCHOR POINT FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 27, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AUDI AT 1-800-822-2834. NOTE: THIS RECALL SUPERSEDES THE REMEDY PROGRAM UNDER A PREVIOUS RECALL (PLEASE SEE 00V317).
Oct 11, 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE PLASTIC IGNITION SWITCH HOUSING CAN FRACTURE AT THE RETURN SPRING ANCHOR POINT. FRACTURE OF THE HOUSING COULD CAUSE THE RETURN SPRING FORCE TO BE INSUFFICIENT FOR RETURNING THE IGNITION KEY TO THE RUNNING POSITION AFTER STARTING THE ENGINE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAUSES ELECTRICAL ACCESSORIES SUCH AS WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND HEADLIGHTS TO BECOME INOPERATIVE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.
May 21, 1999
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE INSUFFICIENT VACUUM TO BE PROVIDED TO THE BRAKE BOOSTER.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A VACUUM BY-PASS SYSTEM INTO VEHICLES OPERATED IN THESE STATES WHICH IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE SUFFICIENT VACUUM FOR FULL BRAKE ASSIST UNDER ALL WEATHER CONDITIONS.
Oct 8, 1997
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE DISCHARGE OF STATIC ELECTRICITY UNDER LOW HUMIDITY CONDITIONS CAN ACTIVATE THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG WHEN THE DRIVER ENTERS OR EXITS THE VEHICLE AND FORMS AN ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT BY TOUCHING CERTAIN AREAS OF THE STEERING WHEEL.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: ACTIVATION OF THE AIR BAG UNDER THESE CONDITIONS CAN CAUSE PERSONAL INJURY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A GROUND WIRE ON THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG.
Jul 22, 1997
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE REAR SEAT BELT RETRACTORS MAY NOT LOCK PROPERLY WHEN ENGAGED, OR NOT REMAIN LOCKED AFTER BEING ENGAGED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, AN IMPROPERLY LOCKING SEAT BELT COULD CAUSE INJURY TO AN OCCUPANT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
4EA00021 · Degraded Braking In Wet Weather
Opened Aug 11, 2000 · Closed Mar 29, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
There is no summary currently available
PE00016 · Degraded Braking Wet Weather Condition
Opened Apr 4, 2000 · Closed Aug 11, 2000
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System
There is no summary currently available
RQ00009 · Ignition Switch
Opened Mar 21, 2000 · Closed Nov 30, 2000
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System
There is no summary currently available
Additional source detail variants (2)
Electrical System
There is no summary currently available
Electrical System
There is no summary currently available
RQ99008 · Power Brake Booster Vacuum BY-PASS
Opened Jun 1, 1999 · Closed Nov 14, 2000
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
There is no summary currently available
Illustration