I WAS WONDERING IF YOU COULD OFFER ANY ADVICE. I HAVE A 1998 AUDI A4 THAT WAS PURCHASED IN JULY, 1997 AND HAS APPROXIMATELY 45,000 ROAD MILES. IT HAS HAD A NUMBER OF PROBLEMS THROUGH THE YEARS, THE MOST RECENT OF WHICH WAS A BROKEN (NOT WORN) CLUTCH THAT WAS REPAIRED LAST MONTH. I CONTACTED AUDI USA AND REQUESTED THAT THEY HE…
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I WAS WONDERING IF YOU COULD OFFER ANY ADVICE. I HAVE A 1998 AUDI A4 THAT WAS PURCHASED IN JULY, 1997 AND HAS APPROXIMATELY 45,000 ROAD MILES. IT HAS HAD A NUMBER OF PROBLEMS THROUGH THE YEARS, THE MOST RECENT OF WHICH WAS A BROKEN (NOT WORN) CLUTCH THAT WAS REPAIRED LAST MONTH. I CONTACTED AUDI USA AND REQUESTED THAT THEY HELP PAY FOR THIS VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR. THEY REFUSED, STATING THAT THE CAR IS WELL OUTSIDE THEIR 3 YEAR/36,000 MILE WARANTY PERIOD. I GRANT THEM THAT, BUT A NUMBER OF OTHER MANUFACTURERS HAVE 7 OR EVEN 10 YEAR POWERTRAIN WARRANTIES. MY OVERALL SATISFACTION WITH THIS VEHICLE IS AT AN ALL-TIME LOW. ADDITIONALLY, I BELIEVE THAT A BROKEN CLUTCH COULD CAUSE SERIOUS PERSONAL HARM IF IT WERE TO RESULT IN TOTAL CLUTCH FAILURE WHILE ON THE ROAD AND SUBSEQUENT LOSS OF CONTROL (MY CLUTCH APPARENTLY FAILED "PARTIALLY" ALLOWING ME TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO AN AUDI REPAIR FACILITY). ARE THERE ANY OPTIONS FOR FURTHER PURSUIT OF THIS ISSUE? THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. ROBERT A. WEATHERLY, MD
NHTSA ODI #10040983
Mileage unknown · Apr 19, 2001
Power TrainService Brakes, HydraulicCrashInjury
MALFUNCTIONING OF HOUSING FOR BRAKES AND CLUTCH CAUSED BRAKE FAILURE WHICH RESULTED IN A VEHICLE CRASH. DRIVER RECEIVED SEVERE INJURIES. *JB
NHTSA ODI #886354
Mileage unknown · Feb 23, 2000
Power Train
AFTER DRIVING VEHICLE CONSUMER PARKED IT. BUT, WHEN CONSUMER TRY TO START AND MOVE, VEHICLE DID NOT MOVE. VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP, AND TECHNICIAN SAID THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE DRIVESHAFT. *AK
NHTSA ODI #857428
Mileage unknown · Jan 31, 2000
Power Train
CAR WOULD POP OUT OF FIRST GEAR AT SLOW SPEEDS DURING A TURN. HAD TO FIGHT WITH DEALER & AUDI OF AMERICA FOR 4 MONTHS BEFORE THEY WOULD ACKNOWLEDGE A PROBLEM OR FIX IT. THEY FINALLY REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION, AND THAT SOLVED THE PROBLEM. WE HAVE SEVERAL OTHER NON-SAFETY PROBLEMS THAT THE DEALER IS SLOW TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND REPA…
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CAR WOULD POP OUT OF FIRST GEAR AT SLOW SPEEDS DURING A TURN. HAD TO FIGHT WITH DEALER & AUDI OF AMERICA FOR 4 MONTHS BEFORE THEY WOULD ACKNOWLEDGE A PROBLEM OR FIX IT. THEY FINALLY REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION, AND THAT SOLVED THE PROBLEM. WE HAVE SEVERAL OTHER NON-SAFETY PROBLEMS THAT THE DEALER IS SLOW TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND REPAIR. WE SWITCHED DEALERS IN THE DENVER AREA TO MCDONALD AFTER THE PROBLEMS WITH PRESTIGE. MCDONALD'S ATTITUDE TOWARDS CUSTOMER SERVICE IS NO BETTER. IF YOU WANT A REPORT/COMPLAINT ON THE ADDITIONAL, NON-SAFETY RELATED PROBLEMS, LET US KNOW. *AK
NHTSA ODI #718107
Mileage unknown · Aug 12, 1998
Power Train
CONSUMER WAS CHECKING OUT THE VEHICLE AND THE HEADREST, WHEN PRESSURE WAS APPLIED, WOULD NOT STAY IN PLACE, WOULD SLIDE DOWN. DEALER CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #826586
Mileage unknown · Jul 11, 1998
Power Train
THE GEAR SHIFT KICKS FORWARD UPON ENGAGING IN SECOND GEAR.
NHTSA ODI #538120
Mileage unknown · Aug 8, 1997
Power Train
TRANSMISSION SHIFTER FAILED AFTER THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED IN THE REVERSE DIRECTION WHILE THE SHFTER WAS IN DRIVE.
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.
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.
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. 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
1998 Audi A4 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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