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1998 Audi A4

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most A4 years

Owner complaints for the 1998 Audi A4 are substantially higher than the model-year median of 76.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

102 reports with mileage · 156 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.

  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 112 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 28 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Suspension. Review the 24 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

6 crash reports2 fire reports10 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

23 reports
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63,500 miles · Feb 4, 2003
Electrical System

THE PROBLEM: IGNITION SWITCH RETURN SPRING THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH MY IGNITION SWITCH. AFTER STARING THE ENGINE, THE RETURN SPRING DOES NOT FULLY RETURN THE KEY TO THE RUN POSITION, CAUSING A MALFUNCTION OF THE HEADLIGHTS AND CLIMATE CONTROL. I HAVE FOUND A RECALL NOTICE (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NO. 97V115000) DESCRIBING THIS EXACT P…

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THE PROBLEM: IGNITION SWITCH RETURN SPRING THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH MY IGNITION SWITCH. AFTER STARING THE ENGINE, THE RETURN SPRING DOES NOT FULLY RETURN THE KEY TO THE RUN POSITION, CAUSING A MALFUNCTION OF THE HEADLIGHTS AND CLIMATE CONTROL. I HAVE FOUND A RECALL NOTICE (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NO. 97V115000) DESCRIBING THIS EXACT PROBLEM FOR AUDI A4 VEHICLES WHICH AFFECTS VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN 10/1995 AND 8/1997 (MY VEHICLE WAS BUILT WITHIN THIS TIME PERIOD, ON AUG 13TH, 1997). I REPORTED THIS INFORMATION TO AUDI CUSTOMER ASSURANCE AND THEY REFUSED TO PERFORM THE RECALL BECAUSE THE RECALL NOTICE DOES NOT SPECIFY "MODEL YEAR 1998". PLEASE CONSIDER EXPANDING THE EXISTING RECALL TO COVER 1998 VEHICLES. COMMENT: OBVIOUSLY, CONTAINMENT OF THE FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH WAS NOT LIMITED TO 1997 VEHICLES (NOTE- THE PROBLEM WAS NOT CALLED TO THEIR ATTENTION UNTIL OCT 24, 2000. HOW CAN CONTAINMENT HAPPEN EFFECTIVELY LONG AFTER THE VEHICLES ARE DELIVERED TO CUSTOMERS?). AUDI HAS NOT CONTAINED THE FAULTY SWITCH TO THE VEHICLES SPECIFIED IN THE RECALL.

NHTSA ODI #10005244

Mileage unknown · Jul 25, 2002
Electrical System

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH ON THE VEHICLE HAS GONE OUT, WHEN THE CONSUMER TRIED TO START THE VEHICLE, IT WOULD NOT START UP CAUSING THE STARTER SWITCH TO BURN OUT. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON VEHICLE RELATING TO IGNITION SWITCH.*JB

NHTSA ODI #8014694

Mileage unknown · Jul 23, 2002
Electrical System

MY CAR WAS MADE IN MARCH 1997, IF IT IS NOT ON RECALL, WHY IT HAS AN IGNITION SWITCH # 4A0-905849 WHICH IS DEFECTIVE INSTEAD OF #4B0-905849 WICH REQUIRES A DIFFERENT SWITCH HOUSING . I CAN SEND YOU A PICTURE OF AN ORIGINAL BROKEN SWITCH IF YOU GIVE ME AN EMAIL ADDRESS.*AK

NHTSA ODI #764637

Mileage unknown · Oct 10, 2001
Electrical System

AUDI CURRENTLY HAS RECALL FOR DEFECTIVE IGNITION SWITCH/SPRING PART ON 96-97 MODEL YEAR A4'S. SUSPECT EARLY 98 MODELS HAVE SAME DEFECTIVE PART. PROBLEM IS CAR ACCESSORIES WILL NOT FUNCTION SUCH AS LIGHTS, A/C, ETC, AND ENGINE WILL SOMETIMES "SHUFF OFF" WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH OTHER EARLY 98 OWNERS WHO HAVE EXP…

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AUDI CURRENTLY HAS RECALL FOR DEFECTIVE IGNITION SWITCH/SPRING PART ON 96-97 MODEL YEAR A4'S. SUSPECT EARLY 98 MODELS HAVE SAME DEFECTIVE PART. PROBLEM IS CAR ACCESSORIES WILL NOT FUNCTION SUCH AS LIGHTS, A/C, ETC, AND ENGINE WILL SOMETIMES "SHUFF OFF" WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH OTHER EARLY 98 OWNERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED SAME PROBLEM AND HAVE HAD THE IGINITION SWITCH REPLACED.. REPAIR COST WAS OVER $300. WOULD LIKE TO HAVE AUDI REQUEST RECALL OF 98 MODELS AND PROVIDE REFUND TO OWNERS WHO HAVE ALREADY PAID FOR THIS REPAIR AND REPLACEMENT.*AK

NHTSA ODI #753053

Mileage unknown · Jul 1, 2001
Electrical System

CONSUMER STATES IGNITION SWITCH HOUSING IS DEFECTIVE, THE RETURN SPRING FORCE IS INSUFFICIENT FOR RETURNING THE IGNITION KEY TO THE RUNNING POSITION AFTER STARTING THE ENGINE, CONSUMER STATES THIS CAUSES ELECTRICAL ACCESSORIES SUCH AS THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND HEADLIGHTS TO BECOME INOPERATIVE, DEALERSHIP HAS REPLACED IGNITION SW…

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CONSUMER STATES IGNITION SWITCH HOUSING IS DEFECTIVE, THE RETURN SPRING FORCE IS INSUFFICIENT FOR RETURNING THE IGNITION KEY TO THE RUNNING POSITION AFTER STARTING THE ENGINE, CONSUMER STATES THIS CAUSES ELECTRICAL ACCESSORIES SUCH AS THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND HEADLIGHTS TO BECOME INOPERATIVE, DEALERSHIP HAS REPLACED IGNITION SWITCH.*JB

NHTSA ODI #561871

Mileage unknown · Dec 27, 2000
Electrical System

CAR STALLED DURING HIGHWAY DRIVING, LOST ALL POWER. COMPUTER REPORTS NOTHING WRONG. *AK

NHTSA ODI #738338

Mileage unknown · Dec 27, 2000
Electrical System

CAR SIMPLY TURNED ITSELF OFF AT 65 MPH. EVENTUALLY RESTARTED. COMPUTER SAYS NO PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ODI #738335

Mileage unknown · Nov 27, 2000
Electrical System

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #736922

Mileage unknown · Nov 8, 2000
Electrical System

WHEN IGNITION TURNED ON A STEADY LOUD CLICKING SOUND FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT BEGINS. ENGINE WLL START BUT ONLY AFTER EXCESSIVE CRANKING. *AK

NHTSA ODI #735988

Mileage unknown · Sep 19, 2000
Electrical System

CAR QUIT RUNNING. WOULD NOT RESTART.

NHTSA ODI #731848

Official recalls

4

22V471000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

Jul 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.

99V248000 · Steering:linkages:rod:relay:connecting

Sep 13, 1999

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TIE RODS.

99V131001 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

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.

98V134000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System

Jun 22, 1998

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.

Consequence & remedy

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

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A RETAINING RING TO HOLD THE AIR SCREEN IN PLACE.

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

5

EA04017 · STUCK-OPEN Throttle

Opened Jun 30, 2004 · Closed Feb 10, 2005

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System

VWOA HAS RECALLED APPROXIMATELY 28,300 MY 1998-99 A6 VEHICLES IN COLD WEATHER STATES THAT EXPERIENCED THE HIGHEST RATE OF THROTTLE ICING INCIDENTS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES (04V-495).THE FAILURE RATE IN THE A4 AND PASSAT VEHICLES IS MUCH LOWER THAN IN THE RECALLED VEHICLES.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE EXPERIENCE IN THE A4 AND PASSAT VEHICLES.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS FOR THE AUDI A4 OR VW PASSAT VEHICLES.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY A CHANGE IN CIRCUMSTANCES. FOR FURTHER DETAILS SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.

PE02008 · Brake And Clutch Pedal Bracket

Opened Jan 23, 2002 · Closed Jul 12, 2002

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic

No summary supplied.

EA00021 · 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

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