I HAVE A 1998.5 AUDI A4 QUATTRO V6 WITH THE SPORTS PACKAGE. MANY HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT CONTROL ARMS FAILING AND THERE HAS EVEN BEEN NEWS OF AUDI/VW HAVING A RECALL FOR THEM IN EUROPE, BUT NOT THE U.S. MANY HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT WHEELS FALLING OFF DUE TO BAD CONTROL ARMS AND MINE HAVE BEEN REPLACED DUE TO NOISE AND TORN WORN OU…
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I HAVE A 1998.5 AUDI A4 QUATTRO V6 WITH THE SPORTS PACKAGE. MANY HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT CONTROL ARMS FAILING AND THERE HAS EVEN BEEN NEWS OF AUDI/VW HAVING A RECALL FOR THEM IN EUROPE, BUT NOT THE U.S. MANY HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT WHEELS FALLING OFF DUE TO BAD CONTROL ARMS AND MINE HAVE BEEN REPLACED DUE TO NOISE AND TORN WORN OUT CONTROL ARMS. THEY FAILED AT 77,000 MILES AND HAD TO HAVE ALL OF THEM REPLACED (ABOUT $900 W/LABOR). MY VIN# IS WAUED28D8WA35854. MY CURRENT CONTROL ARMS ARE STARTING TO MAKE NOISE AGAIN AND I REALLY FEEL UNSAFE AFTER HEARING ABOUT WHEELS FALLING OFF DUE TO BAD CONTROL ARMS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10091160
Mileage unknown · Sep 16, 2004
Suspension
WHILE TURNING LEFT AT 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED AND THE DRIVER HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR. SUDDENLY THE PASSENGER LOWER CONTROL ARM BROKE. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND PULL OVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED HOME. THE CONSUMER WILL GET IN CONTACT WITH THE DEALER IN THE NEAR FUTURE. PL…
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WHILE TURNING LEFT AT 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED AND THE DRIVER HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR. SUDDENLY THE PASSENGER LOWER CONTROL ARM BROKE. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND PULL OVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED HOME. THE CONSUMER WILL GET IN CONTACT WITH THE DEALER IN THE NEAR FUTURE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10092524
Mileage unknown · Aug 4, 2004
SteeringSuspension
MY 1998 AUDI A4 TQM HAS 85K MILES ONIT. I JUST HAD ALL THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS REPLACED FOR A SECOND TIME (FIRST TIEM DONE UNDER RECALL) BECAUS EIT WAS CREAKING AND GROWNING. BOTH TIE RODSENDS AND ONE UPPER CONTROL ARM WERE FOUND TO HAVE FAILED AS WELL. AUDI ADVISES THESE ARE "WEAR ITEMS" EVEN THOUGH THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS …
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MY 1998 AUDI A4 TQM HAS 85K MILES ONIT. I JUST HAD ALL THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS REPLACED FOR A SECOND TIME (FIRST TIEM DONE UNDER RECALL) BECAUS EIT WAS CREAKING AND GROWNING. BOTH TIE RODSENDS AND ONE UPPER CONTROL ARM WERE FOUND TO HAVE FAILED AS WELL. AUDI ADVISES THESE ARE "WEAR ITEMS" EVEN THOUGH THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS WER EORIGINALLY REPLACED UNDER RECALL, AND HAVE ONLY 45000 MILES ON THEM! *AK
NHTSA ODI #10086184
Mileage unknown · Jun 5, 2004
Suspension
WAS SLOWING DOWN FOR A RED LIGHT WHEN THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM FAILED AT THE BALL JOINT. WAS PROBABLY TRAVELING 10-15 MPH IN TRAFFIC ON A 50MPH ROAD. THE FRONT LEFT HIT THE GROUND AND THE CAR STOPPED QUICKLY. THE WHEEL WAS PUSHED BACK INTO THE WHEEL WELL CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE FENDER. THE CONTROL ARM HAS BEEN REPL…
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WAS SLOWING DOWN FOR A RED LIGHT WHEN THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM FAILED AT THE BALL JOINT. WAS PROBABLY TRAVELING 10-15 MPH IN TRAFFIC ON A 50MPH ROAD. THE FRONT LEFT HIT THE GROUND AND THE CAR STOPPED QUICKLY. THE WHEEL WAS PUSHED BACK INTO THE WHEEL WELL CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE FENDER. THE CONTROL ARM HAS BEEN REPLACED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10074860
101,000 miles · Mar 9, 2004
Suspension
1998 AUDI A4 FWD / 101,000 MILES / BROKEN DRIVERS SIDE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM / FRONT SUSPENSION COMPONENT (LOWER FRONT CONTROL ARM) SNAPPED AT BUSHING AS I WAS PARKING. CAR WAS RENDERED LIMP AND COULD NOT BE TOWED DUE TO PROBABLE FENDER DAMAGE THAT WOULD BE CAUSED BY DRAGGING LIMP WHEEL. HAD THIS COMPONENT BROKEN AT HIGHER S…
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1998 AUDI A4 FWD / 101,000 MILES / BROKEN DRIVERS SIDE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM / FRONT SUSPENSION COMPONENT (LOWER FRONT CONTROL ARM) SNAPPED AT BUSHING AS I WAS PARKING. CAR WAS RENDERED LIMP AND COULD NOT BE TOWED DUE TO PROBABLE FENDER DAMAGE THAT WOULD BE CAUSED BY DRAGGING LIMP WHEEL. HAD THIS COMPONENT BROKEN AT HIGHER SPEEDS A CATASTROPHIC ACCIDENT WOULD HAVE BEEN UNAVOIDABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10060852
Mileage unknown · Sep 6, 2003
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, HydraulicSuspension
MULTITUDE OF PROBS. W/ ALMOST EVERY ASPECT (BRAKES, ENGINE VALVES, OIL LIGHT STAYS ON, RAIN LEAKS, BAD WHEEL BEARINGS, ETC.) OF THIS CAR. MOST FRUSTRATING HAS BEEN RUDE AND INCOMPETENT SERVICE BY AUDI DEALER. AFTER AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR TO THE REAR WHEEL BEARINGS THE DEALER SAID THAT ALTHOUGH NOT ALL THE NOISE WAS GONE, THE CAR W…
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MULTITUDE OF PROBS. W/ ALMOST EVERY ASPECT (BRAKES, ENGINE VALVES, OIL LIGHT STAYS ON, RAIN LEAKS, BAD WHEEL BEARINGS, ETC.) OF THIS CAR. MOST FRUSTRATING HAS BEEN RUDE AND INCOMPETENT SERVICE BY AUDI DEALER. AFTER AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR TO THE REAR WHEEL BEARINGS THE DEALER SAID THAT ALTHOUGH NOT ALL THE NOISE WAS GONE, THE CAR WAS SAFE ENOUGH TO DRIVE TO CALIF.,(WE LIVE IN NJ). WE DID NOT BELIEVE THE DEALER BECAUSE A LOUD GRINDING NOISE REMAINED AND TOOK IT TO ANOTHER SHOP WHERE BOTH FRONT CONTROL ARMS WERE FOUND TO BE DAMAGED. WE WERE ADVISED NOT TO DRIVE THE CAR AS IT WAS NOT SAFE TO DO SO . *AK
NHTSA ODI #10037337
59,000 miles · Jul 29, 2003
Suspension
THE CONTROL ARMS (CAR HAS: 4 UPPER AND 4 LOWER IN TOTAL) HAVE FAILED 3X IN 2 YEARS. THESE ARE DEFECTIVE AND AUDI KNOWS IT. THE ARMS CONTAIN A BUSHING THAT WEARS OUT CAUSING THE SUSPENSION TO MAKE CREAKING AND RATTLING NOISES.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10030356
Mileage unknown · Jun 5, 2002
Suspension
CONSUMER IS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH FRONT SUSPENSION, AND THERE IS A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE LOWER CONTROL ARM. CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK *MJ
NHTSA ODI #8011153
Mileage unknown · Apr 13, 2001
Suspension
LOWER CONTROL ARM HAS WORN OUT AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT 40,000 MILES. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE CAUSE OF PREMATURE FAILURE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #885828
Mileage unknown · Aug 30, 2000
Suspension
THE LEFT LOWER CONTROL ARM HAS BEEN REPLACED. THIS IS A VERY COMMON OCCURANCE AMONG A4 OWNERS. AUDI HAS REFUSED TO REPLACE THE RIGHT LOWER CONTROL ARM AFTER IT HAD BEGUN SHOWING SIMILAR PROBLEMS. AUDIWORLD.COM LISTS WELL OVER 50 PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD CONTROL ARMS REPLACED. I FELT YOU SHOULD BE NOTIFIED.
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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