IllustrationCONSUMER 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
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all A4 years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
10–25K
825–50K
2750–75K
3875–100K
20100–150K
8150K+
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
What owners actually said
258 reportsMY 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
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
WHILE DRIVING, A BRICK HIT BOTTOM OF VEHICLE AND DRIVER?S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED CAUSING MINOR BURNS AND BRUISES TO THE DRIVER, CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE SENSOR HAD BEEN HIT BY THE BRICK CAUSING THE AIR BAG TO DEPLOY. *YD
IF BRAKES ARE COLD (NOT USED FOR MORE THAN 15 MINUTES ON A FREEWAY) AND THE WEATHER IS COLD AND WET, THE BRAKES WILL NOT GRIP FOR THE FIRST ONE TO TWO SECONDS. AT BEST, ONLY ONE OR TWO MAY SLIGHTLY GRIP MAKING THE CAR SWERVE TO ONE SIDE. CHECKING THE AUDIWORLD.COM WEB SITE FORUMS SHOWS THAT THIS IS A COMMON AND SERIOUS SAFETY …
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IF BRAKES ARE COLD (NOT USED FOR MORE THAN 15 MINUTES ON A FREEWAY) AND THE WEATHER IS COLD AND WET, THE BRAKES WILL NOT GRIP FOR THE FIRST ONE TO TWO SECONDS. AT BEST, ONLY ONE OR TWO MAY SLIGHTLY GRIP MAKING THE CAR SWERVE TO ONE SIDE. CHECKING THE AUDIWORLD.COM WEB SITE FORUMS SHOWS THAT THIS IS A COMMON AND SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM.*AK
VECHICLE HAS A SEVERE DECREASE IN BREAKING POWER IN WET CONDITIONS, ESPECIALLY IN COLDER WEATHER. IT TAKES UP TO 5 SECONDS FOR THE VECHICLE TO START TO SLOW DOWN IN THESE CONDITIONS.*AK
WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT TIMING BELT TENSIONER HAD BROKEN, AND CAUSED EXTENSIVE ENGINE DAMAGE. ENGINE HAS TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
WHEN PARALLEL PARKING NOTICED DIFFICULTY IN THE STEERING, LATER NOICE BROKEN WIRES AT FRONT OF ENGINE. BRAKES HAVE ALWAYS REQUIRED EXTRA EFFORT AND PERFORMED POORLY.
PUMPS ARE MADE OF HARD BRITTLE PLASTIC WHICH FAILS IN HEAT/COLD ENGINE BAY. CRACKS IN THE PUMP BODY ALLOW THE WASHER FLUID TO DRAIN (SUDDENLY) LEAVING NO ABILITY TO CLEAR THE WINDSHIELD OF BUGS/SALT. DEALER REPORTS THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AND KEEPS A READY SUPPLY OF REPLACEMENTS ON HAND. HOWEVER COST ($60) OF PARTS AN…
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PUMPS ARE MADE OF HARD BRITTLE PLASTIC WHICH FAILS IN HEAT/COLD ENGINE BAY. CRACKS IN THE PUMP BODY ALLOW THE WASHER FLUID TO DRAIN (SUDDENLY) LEAVING NO ABILITY TO CLEAR THE WINDSHIELD OF BUGS/SALT. DEALER REPORTS THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AND KEEPS A READY SUPPLY OF REPLACEMENTS ON HAND. HOWEVER COST ($60) OF PARTS AND DIFFICULTY OF ACCESS (1HR DISASSEMBLY/REASSEMBLY, $80+) MAKES THIS AN EXPENSIVE FAILURE. I BELIEVE A PRICE CONCESSION SHOULD BE OFFERED FOR OUT-OF-WARRANTY FAILURES AT LESS THAN REASONABLE LIFE FAILURES.
TIMING BELT BROKE & CAUSED MAJOR ENGINE DAMAGE. *AK
Official recalls
422V471000 · 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
5EA04017 · 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