← New search

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.

About this comparison →

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

Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints

112 reports
Clear category filter
97,555 miles · Sep 9, 2011
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE CONTROL MODULATOR UNIT FAILED, AND NOW I HAVE BRAKES THAT DO NOT WORK. AT THE SLIGHTEST PEDAL PRESSURE, ALL 4 WHEELS WILL HAVE A STRONG PULSATING, GIVING YOU ABOUT 1/3 OF THE BRAKING PRESSURE THAT IS NEEDED. VOLKSWAGENS USED A NEARLY IDENTICAL PART, AND THEIR ABS CONTROLLER IS UNDER RECALL, I DO NOT UNDERS…

Read full complaint

THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE CONTROL MODULATOR UNIT FAILED, AND NOW I HAVE BRAKES THAT DO NOT WORK. AT THE SLIGHTEST PEDAL PRESSURE, ALL 4 WHEELS WILL HAVE A STRONG PULSATING, GIVING YOU ABOUT 1/3 OF THE BRAKING PRESSURE THAT IS NEEDED. VOLKSWAGENS USED A NEARLY IDENTICAL PART, AND THEIR ABS CONTROLLER IS UNDER RECALL, I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY NHTSA, CANNOT FORCE AUDI OF AMERICA TO DO THE SAME. THANK YOU *TR

NHTSA ODI #10424468

133,500 miles · Sep 22, 2010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 AUDI A4. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, HE NOTICE THE ABS LIGHT WAS ON AND THE BRAKE LIGHT WAS FLASHING ON THE DASHBOARD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS A MECHANIC AND TRIED TO SCAN INFORMATION FROM THE ABS MODULAR AND WAS UNABLE TOO. HE STATED HE WAS UNABLE TO REPAIR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCH…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 AUDI A4. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, HE NOTICE THE ABS LIGHT WAS ON AND THE BRAKE LIGHT WAS FLASHING ON THE DASHBOARD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS A MECHANIC AND TRIED TO SCAN INFORMATION FROM THE ABS MODULAR AND WAS UNABLE TOO. HE STATED HE WAS UNABLE TO REPAIR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED USED SEPTEMBER 28, 2005. THE CONTACT PURCHASED THE VEHICLE USED WITH THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 133,500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 270,000.

NHTSA ODI #10356938

95,000 miles · Feb 8, 2010
EquipmentService Brakes, Hydraulic

THE ABS CONTROL UNIT ON MY AUDI A4 FAILED AFTER 95,000 MILES. I HAVE NO ANTI-LOCK BRAKING AND AUDI HAS DENIED ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE PART SINCE IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY. SEARCHING THROUGH AUDI FORUMS I FOUND THIS FAILURE TO BE VERY COMMON AND EVERYONE HAD NO ABS UNTIL THE CONTROL UNIT WAS REPLACED WHICH COST AN AVERAGE OF $1500…

Read full complaint

THE ABS CONTROL UNIT ON MY AUDI A4 FAILED AFTER 95,000 MILES. I HAVE NO ANTI-LOCK BRAKING AND AUDI HAS DENIED ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE PART SINCE IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY. SEARCHING THROUGH AUDI FORUMS I FOUND THIS FAILURE TO BE VERY COMMON AND EVERYONE HAD NO ABS UNTIL THE CONTROL UNIT WAS REPLACED WHICH COST AN AVERAGE OF $1500+. THERE WERE NO EVENTS THAT LEAD UP TO THE FAILURE, I STARTED THE CAR ONE DAY AND THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT STARTED FLASHING ON MY DASH. I TESTED THE ABS AND FOUND THAT IT INDEED DOES NOT PREVENT MY BRAKES FROM LOCKING UP. NEARLY THREE YEARS LATER, THE PART HAS NOT BEEN FIXED DUE TO THE HIGH COST TO REPAIR IT.

NHTSA ODI #10307355

114,788 miles · Sep 20, 2008
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

OUT OF NOWHERE, ABS LIGHT ON, BRAKE LIGHT FLASHING. TOOK TO SHOP, THEY STATED THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THE ABS MODULE TO LOCK OUT COMMUNICATIONS; 1400 + FOR THE REPAIR. THIS IS AN EXPENSIVE CAR; I FIND IT OUTRAGEOUS THE ELECTRONIC MODULE IS OUTSIDE, SUBJECT TO WEATHER CONDITIONS AND SALT. PLEASE SEE MY COMPLAINT ON COIL S…

Read full complaint

OUT OF NOWHERE, ABS LIGHT ON, BRAKE LIGHT FLASHING. TOOK TO SHOP, THEY STATED THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THE ABS MODULE TO LOCK OUT COMMUNICATIONS; 1400 + FOR THE REPAIR. THIS IS AN EXPENSIVE CAR; I FIND IT OUTRAGEOUS THE ELECTRONIC MODULE IS OUTSIDE, SUBJECT TO WEATHER CONDITIONS AND SALT. PLEASE SEE MY COMPLAINT ON COIL SPRINGS AS WELL. RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET AND IT SEEMS THIS IS USUAL AND CUSTOMARY FOR THIS MODEL, I FEEL NHTSA NEEDS TO STEP UP HERE AND CALL AUDI ON THE TABLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10242985

130,000 miles · Jun 26, 2008
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 AUDI A4. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE ABS WARNING LIGHTS SPORADICALLY ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ANTILOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE FAILED, AND THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COSTS. THE COST WOULD EXCEED $1,100 BECAUSE THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THAT COMP…

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 AUDI A4. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE ABS WARNING LIGHTS SPORADICALLY ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ANTILOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE FAILED, AND THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COSTS. THE COST WOULD EXCEED $1,100 BECAUSE THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THAT COMPONENT. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 130,000.

NHTSA ODI #10232381

80,000 miles · Nov 14, 2006
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ABS/BRAKE LIGHT JUST STARTED FLASHING. THE ABS BRAKES ARE NOT WORKING ABS MODULE IS THE CAUSE. UNDER HARD BRAKING OR WET CONDITIONS THE CAR SLIDES LOOSES TRACTION. OLD PART IS STILL IN CAR TO EXPENSIVE TO REPLACE RIGHT NOW. HAD CAR LOOKED AT BY CERTIFIED MECHANIC AND THEY TOLD ME ABS MODULE IS THE PROBLEM. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10173437

Mileage unknown · Aug 3, 2006
SeatsService Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed ControlInjury

1. HEATED SEAT BURNED THROUGH THE LEATHER BURNING THE BACK OF MY LEG WHEN ON THE LOWEST SETTING(1/6). 2. THE CRUISE CONTROL WORKS ABOUT 1% OF THE TIME AND WILL ENGAGE UNEXPECTEDLY IF NOT TURNED OFF. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10164350

82,500 miles · May 28, 2006
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ABS COMPUTER OUT. FROM PEOPLE I HAVE TALKED TO IT'S A FREQUENT PROBLEM IN THESE CARS. IT IS QUITE EXPENSIVE TO REPLACE. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10158469

67,532 miles · Mar 14, 2006
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

THE ABS CONTROL UNIT ON MY AUDI A4 FAILED AFTER ONLY 67,000 MILES. I HAVE NO ANTI-LOCK BRAKING WHATSOEVER, AND AUDI HAS DENIED ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE PART SINCE IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY. SEARCHING THROUGH AUDI FORUMS I FOUND THIS FAILURE TO BE VERY COMMON AND EVERYONE HAD NO ABS UNTIL THE CONTROL UNIT WAS REPLACED WHICH COST …

Read full complaint

THE ABS CONTROL UNIT ON MY AUDI A4 FAILED AFTER ONLY 67,000 MILES. I HAVE NO ANTI-LOCK BRAKING WHATSOEVER, AND AUDI HAS DENIED ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE PART SINCE IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY. SEARCHING THROUGH AUDI FORUMS I FOUND THIS FAILURE TO BE VERY COMMON AND EVERYONE HAD NO ABS UNTIL THE CONTROL UNIT WAS REPLACED WHICH COST AN AVERAGE OF $1500+. THERE WERE NO EVENTS THAT LEAD UP TO THE FAILURE, I STARTED THE CAR ONE DAY AND THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT STARTED FLASHING ON MY DASH. I TESTED THE ABS ON AN ICY ROAD AND FOUND THAT IT INDEED DOES NOT PREVENT MY BRAKES FROM LOCKING UP.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10152664

Mileage unknown · Feb 28, 2006
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

FAILURE OF ABS MODULE, 1998 AUDI A4. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10151447

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