← 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
82,000 miles · Jun 5, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ABS LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY AND ABS SYSTEM IS NOT FUNCTIONAL. ABS SYSTEM ALSO USED IN ELECTRONIC DIFFERENTIAL CONTROL. AUDI DEALER DIAGNOSED AS A ABS CONTROL UNIT FAILURE WITH PART COST OF $2600 PLUS LABOR AND WAS REPAIRED BY AUDI DEALER. CONTACTED AUDI CUSTOMER CARE AND THEY DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THIS IS A VER…

Read full complaint

ABS LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY AND ABS SYSTEM IS NOT FUNCTIONAL. ABS SYSTEM ALSO USED IN ELECTRONIC DIFFERENTIAL CONTROL. AUDI DEALER DIAGNOSED AS A ABS CONTROL UNIT FAILURE WITH PART COST OF $2600 PLUS LABOR AND WAS REPAIRED BY AUDI DEALER. CONTACTED AUDI CUSTOMER CARE AND THEY DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THIS IS A VERY REAL SAFETY ISSUE AND BASED ON INTERNET SEARCHES HAS AFFECTED HUNDREDS OF AUDI AND VW VEHICLES. THIS APPEARS TO BE A FAULTY DESIGN OF A CRITICAL SAFETY COMPONENT AND WARRANTS FURTHER INVESTIGATION.

NHTSA ODI #10124248

98,950 miles · Apr 19, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ABS LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING. PULLED OVER AND CHECKED OWNER'S MANUAL WHICH INDICATED LOSS OF ABS, BUT FULL CONVENTIONAL BRAKE POWER. BLINKING LIGHTS WENT OFF BY THEMSELVES AFTER FEW MINUTES. SINCE THE WARNING, I AM EXPERIENCING SLIGHT RESISTANCE FROM BRAKE PEDAL OCCASIONALLY. JUDGING BY POSTINGS ON AUDI WORLD.…

Read full complaint

ABS LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING. PULLED OVER AND CHECKED OWNER'S MANUAL WHICH INDICATED LOSS OF ABS, BUT FULL CONVENTIONAL BRAKE POWER. BLINKING LIGHTS WENT OFF BY THEMSELVES AFTER FEW MINUTES. SINCE THE WARNING, I AM EXPERIENCING SLIGHT RESISTANCE FROM BRAKE PEDAL OCCASIONALLY. JUDGING BY POSTINGS ON AUDI WORLD.COM, THIS HAS HAPPENED TO SEVERAL PEOPLE. WAITING TO GET APPOINTMENT FOR DIAGNOSTICS AND PART REPLACEMENT IF NECESSARY.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10118117

55,500 miles · Apr 14, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ABS LIGHT AND BLINKING BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON INTERMITTENTLY AFTER 55800 MILES. DIAGNOSED AS (POSSIBLY) A BAD ABS CONTROL MODULE. ALSO TOLD IT COULD BE A BAD INSTRUMENT PANEL. COST OF $2200 QUOTED FOR ABS CONTROL MODULE REPLACEMENT WITH NO GUARANTEE THAT IT WOULD SOLVE THE PROBLEM. AS A RESULT ABS CONTROL MODULE NOT REPLACED RE…

Read full complaint

ABS LIGHT AND BLINKING BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON INTERMITTENTLY AFTER 55800 MILES. DIAGNOSED AS (POSSIBLY) A BAD ABS CONTROL MODULE. ALSO TOLD IT COULD BE A BAD INSTRUMENT PANEL. COST OF $2200 QUOTED FOR ABS CONTROL MODULE REPLACEMENT WITH NO GUARANTEE THAT IT WOULD SOLVE THE PROBLEM. AS A RESULT ABS CONTROL MODULE NOT REPLACED REDUCING SAFETY OF VEHICLE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10116909

80,000 miles · Mar 31, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WH INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE ABS BRAKE MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10117144

92,000 miles · Feb 25, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

CAR: 1998 A4 AUDI AVANT QUATTRO, BOUGHT NEW. ABS CONTROLLER MODULE FAILED IN 2004, AUDI SHOULD DO A RECALL FOR SAFETY REASONS. NO THERE WERE NO DEATHS OR INJURIES, IS THIS A REASON TO HAVE A RECALL WHEN PEOPLE DIE?? *NM

NHTSA ODI #10112170

756,023 miles · Feb 9, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE ,AND STAYED ON UNTIL VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10111182

60,000 miles · Feb 6, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

1998 AUDI A4 2.8 QUATTRO- MY ABS SENSOR HAS FAILED. ABS LIGHT IS ON. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10109955

65,000 miles · Jan 12, 2005
Service Brakes, AirService Brakes, Hydraulic

AFTER ONLY 65000 MILES ON MY 1998 AUDI A4 I HAVE BEEN FORCED TO REPLACE MAJOR ABS COMPONENTS BECAUSE OF NUMEROUS FAILURES. THE ABS SYSTEM WORKS INTERMITTENTLY, AND THERE IS NO INDICATION OF WHEN IT WILL FAIL. A BRAKE LIGHT WILL COME ON, THEN GO OFF, INDICATING THERE IS TROUBLE, BUT AT TIMES THE LIGHT WILL BE OFF AND IT IS NOT UN…

Read full complaint

AFTER ONLY 65000 MILES ON MY 1998 AUDI A4 I HAVE BEEN FORCED TO REPLACE MAJOR ABS COMPONENTS BECAUSE OF NUMEROUS FAILURES. THE ABS SYSTEM WORKS INTERMITTENTLY, AND THERE IS NO INDICATION OF WHEN IT WILL FAIL. A BRAKE LIGHT WILL COME ON, THEN GO OFF, INDICATING THERE IS TROUBLE, BUT AT TIMES THE LIGHT WILL BE OFF AND IT IS NOT UNTIL YOU BEGIN TO BRAKE THAT YOU REALIZE THE ABS IS NON-FUNCTIONAL. AUDI HAS BEEN VERY SLOW TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM, REQUIRING A 2 WEEK WAIT JUST TO DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE. THEN REQUIRING $2300 TO MAKE A 6 YEAR OLD CAR SAFE TO DRIVE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10106199

50,002 miles · Dec 8, 2004
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ONCE VEHICLE WARMS ABS LIGHT COMES ON ,AND THE SYSTEM IS INOPERABLE. CONSUMER HAD NOT SERVICED THE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10103373

98,000 miles · Aug 20, 2004
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

AUDI A4 QUATTRO, 1998, 2.8L ABS CONTROL MODULE FAILURE. ABS LIGHT AND BLINKING BREAK LIGHT DISPLAYED ON DASH WARNING LIGHTS. CARRERA MOTORS OF BEND, OR DEFINED THE PROBLEM AS NO COMMUNICATION/FAULTY ABS CONTROL MODULE /N #8E0 614 111M . *AK

NHTSA ODI #10088292

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