Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
20–25K
425–50K
650–75K
1175–100K
9100–150K
10150K+
42 reports with mileage · 56 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Electrical System. Review the 33 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Suspension. Review the 19 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
7 crash reports3 fire reports4 injury reports
What owners actually said
98 reports
Mileage unknown · Mar 19, 2003
Suspension
UPPER AND LOWER CONTROL ARMS (ALL 4) FOR THE FRONT SUSPENSION HAVE FAILED AND MUST BE REPLACE AGAIN. SQUEEZING/CRUNCHING NOISE AT LOW SPEED AND OVER BUMPS. HAVE BEEN REPLACED- LESS THAN 15K MILES AGO BY AUDI DEALER AND THEY'VE WORN OUT ALREADY. THIS IS A POOR DESIGN AND AUDI NEEDS TO COME THROUGH WITH A SOLUTION FOR ITS CUSTO…
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UPPER AND LOWER CONTROL ARMS (ALL 4) FOR THE FRONT SUSPENSION HAVE FAILED AND MUST BE REPLACE AGAIN. SQUEEZING/CRUNCHING NOISE AT LOW SPEED AND OVER BUMPS. HAVE BEEN REPLACED- LESS THAN 15K MILES AGO BY AUDI DEALER AND THEY'VE WORN OUT ALREADY. THIS IS A POOR DESIGN AND AUDI NEEDS TO COME THROUGH WITH A SOLUTION FOR ITS CUSTOMERS. THIS IS A SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLAR REPAIR JOB! *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10010751
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
40,000 miles · Feb 4, 2003
Suspension
FRONT CONTROL ARMS ARE NOTORIOUS FOR MAKING CLUNKING NOISE. YOU CAN REPLACE THEM EVERY 6 MONTHS AND PROBLEM STARTS ALL OVER. THIS IS SAFETY DESIGN FLAW THAT AUDI NEEDS TO ASSIST IN REPAIRS OR RECALL.
NHTSA ODI #10005311
40,000 miles · Feb 4, 2003
Suspension
FRONT CONTROL ARMS
NHTSA ODI #10005309
81,000 miles · Jan 29, 2003
Seats
THE SEAT HEATER WAS TOO HOT AND BURNED HOLES THROUGH HE SEAT. PH *TS *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10004864
64,000 miles · Dec 31, 2002
Steering
VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME DEFECT WITH THE TIE RODS AS STATED IN RECALL NUMBER 99 V 248 000, BUT VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED, CAUSE RECALL IS ON THE LATER YEAR VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE DETAILS. TS
NHTSA ODI #10001775
Mileage unknown · Nov 18, 2002
Suspension
THERE HAVE BEEN CRACKING NOISES IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION. CONCERNED THAT SOMETHING WOULD BE BREAKING, I TOOK THE CAR TO A SERVICE SHOP THAT DOES WORK FOR THE AUDI DEALERSHIP. THEY INDICATED THAT THE CRACKING WAS A PROBLEM ALREADY IDENTIFIED BY AUDI AND A KIT HAS BEEN ASSEMBLED TO FIX IT. WHEN WE PURCHASED THE AUDI, WE WERE ASSUR…
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THERE HAVE BEEN CRACKING NOISES IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION. CONCERNED THAT SOMETHING WOULD BE BREAKING, I TOOK THE CAR TO A SERVICE SHOP THAT DOES WORK FOR THE AUDI DEALERSHIP. THEY INDICATED THAT THE CRACKING WAS A PROBLEM ALREADY IDENTIFIED BY AUDI AND A KIT HAS BEEN ASSEMBLED TO FIX IT. WHEN WE PURCHASED THE AUDI, WE WERE ASSURED THAT WE HAD THE SPECIAL AUDI ASSURED FOR PREOWNED VEHICLES. WELL WHEN WE CALLED THEM TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THEY DENIED EVERYTHING AND PROCEEDED TO TELL ME THAT IT WAS WEAR AND TEAR AND THEREFORE I HAD TO PAY FOR IT. SINCE WHEN DO AUTO MAKERS ISSUE AN ALERT WITH A FIX IT KIT FOR ALL A4 S FROM 1996 TO 1998 AND CLAIM IT IS THE OWNERS FAULT. THIS IS A DESIGN PROBLEM THAT THEY REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE. I CALLED CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY WERE RUDE TO THE POINT OF SAYING THAT IT ISN'T THEIR PROBLEM. IT IS MINE. I SENT A COMPLAINT TO THE NYS ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE WITH ASSORTED ATTACHMENTS AND THEY REPLIED ON SEPT 6, 2002 SAID THAT THEY HAD FORWARDED THE INFORMATION ON TO YOU AND TO CONTACT NHTSA IF I HAD NOT HEARD SOMETHING IN A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME. IT HAS BEEN 2 MONTHS AND I HAVE NOT HEARD FROM YOU. WOULD YOU PLEASE CHECK YOUR RECORDS AND LOCATE THE FORM FROM THE NYS ATTY GENS OFFICE AND GET BACK TO ME WITH SOME INFO. I REALLY THINK AUDI SHOULD PAY FOR THESE REPAIRS SINCE IT IS A DESIGN OR MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND NOT FROM USE BY THE OWNERS (THE PREVIOUS OWNER AND ME). THANK YOU FOR YOUR ANTICIPATED HELP AND THANK YOU FOR LISTENING TO ME. DT
NHTSA ODI #769872
Mileage unknown · Nov 4, 2002
Equipment
A/C COMPRESSOR FAILURE CAUSED CAR TO DIE WHILE DRIVING. LOW MILEAGE OF CAR INDICATES THAT PART IS DEFECTIVE. DEFECT LIKE THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS, AS IT COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. I WAS LUCKY BUT THE NEXT PERSON MIGHT NOT BE. DT
NHTSA ODI #769261
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 · Oct 4, 2002
Suspension
ON TWO OCCASIONS THE FRONT CONTROL ARMS FAILED. NLM
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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