← 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

What owners actually said

258 reports
110,000 miles · Nov 28, 2011
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

ON A 1998 A4 QUATTRO AUDI, IT IS THE 2ND TIME THAT THE HEADLIGHTS SWITCH FAILS, THE FIRST TIME WAS 6 MONTHS AGO AND HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN SWITCH PACKAGE. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME, AND THIS TIME I WAS ON A HIGHWAY AROUND 11:00 PM WITH NO HEADLIGHTS AT ALL, IN THIS CAR IF THE HEADLIGHTS DON'T WORK, ALSO T…

Read full complaint

ON A 1998 A4 QUATTRO AUDI, IT IS THE 2ND TIME THAT THE HEADLIGHTS SWITCH FAILS, THE FIRST TIME WAS 6 MONTHS AGO AND HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN SWITCH PACKAGE. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME, AND THIS TIME I WAS ON A HIGHWAY AROUND 11:00 PM WITH NO HEADLIGHTS AT ALL, IN THIS CAR IF THE HEADLIGHTS DON'T WORK, ALSO THE FOG LIGHTS DON'T WORK TOO, SO SUDDENLY YOU END AT THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT ON A HIGHWAY WITH NO LIGHTS AT ALL. THIS DEFINITELY IS A HIGH RISK SITUATION BECAUSE YOU CAN NOT DRIVE WITH OUT HEADLIGHTS IT IS LIKE BLIND DRIVING. I BEEN SEARCHING ON THE WEB AND IT LOOKS LIKE A VERY COMMON FAILURE ON THIS CAR BUT THERE IS NO RECALL AT ALL FOR THIS YET. *KB

NHTSA ODI #10437558

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

120,000 miles · Mar 15, 2011
Service Brakes, Electric

FAULTY ABS MODULE IN MY 1998 AUDI A4 1.8T. THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENT TO THE ABS SYSTEM FAILS IN MANY OF THESE SIMILAR YEAR AUDIS AND VWS, AND IT APPEARS TO BE A BIG PROBLEM. THE FAILURE OF THIS COMPONENT CAN CAUSE DEADLY ACCIDENTS, AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY AUDI. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10390185

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

Mileage unknown · Feb 3, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control

1998 AUDI A4 2.8 - DRIVING ALONG HIGHWAY, IN 7 DEGREE TEMP, CAR STARTED ACCELERATING ( FEELS LIKE IT IS DRIVING ITSELF) EVEN AFTER FOOT WAS REMOVED FROM PEDAL AND FULL FORCE HAD TO BE APPLIED TO BRAKE TO STOP THE CAR AT WHICH POINT IT WENT INTO HIGH REV AND ENGINE WAS IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF. MECHANIC COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG.…

Read full complaint

1998 AUDI A4 2.8 - DRIVING ALONG HIGHWAY, IN 7 DEGREE TEMP, CAR STARTED ACCELERATING ( FEELS LIKE IT IS DRIVING ITSELF) EVEN AFTER FOOT WAS REMOVED FROM PEDAL AND FULL FORCE HAD TO BE APPLIED TO BRAKE TO STOP THE CAR AT WHICH POINT IT WENT INTO HIGH REV AND ENGINE WAS IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF. MECHANIC COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG. THIS CAR ALSO HAD 2 SIMILAR INCIDENT (ONCE WHEN NEW) AND ONCE A NUMBER OF YEARS AGO. AFTER MUCH BACK AND FORTH WITH AUDI, THEY TOOK THE CAR IN, AND SAID THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG. AS A PRECAUTION I HAD THE CRUISE CONTROL DISCONNECTED AND THE THROTTLE BODY CABLE REPLACED SO FELT THE CAR WAS SAFE. (ALL AT MY EXPENSE) *TR

NHTSA ODI #10304665

152,000 miles · Jan 11, 2010
SteeringSuspension

CONTROL ARM ON MY 1998 AUDI A4 FRACTURED WHEN PULLING OUT OF A PARKING LOT, CAUSING COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. AUDI TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN NHTSA # 10016418, #11242004 COMPONENT DESCRIPTION: 22. SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM BULLETIN NUMBER: 11242004 BULLETIN DATE: NOV 2004 VEHICLE: 1,998 AUDI A4 …

Read full complaint

CONTROL ARM ON MY 1998 AUDI A4 FRACTURED WHEN PULLING OUT OF A PARKING LOT, CAUSING COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. AUDI TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN NHTSA # 10016418, #11242004 COMPONENT DESCRIPTION: 22. SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM BULLETIN NUMBER: 11242004 BULLETIN DATE: NOV 2004 VEHICLE: 1,998 AUDI A4 SUMMARY: SERVICE ACTION JE CAMPAIGN-CHECK/REPLACE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER CONTROL ARMS. AUDI HAS FOUND THAT IN RARE CASES, ONE OR BOTH FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER CONTROL ARMS ON AFFECTED VEHICLES CAN EXHIBIT WEAR, EVEN THOUGH THE DAMAGE TO THE RUBBER BO ( NHTSA ITEM NUMBER - 10016418 ). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10299063

74,000 miles · Nov 16, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 AUDI A4. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HER PLACE OF RESIDENCE. A MECHANIC STATED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN HAD FRACTURED WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE TO STALL. SHE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER IN REFERENCE TO A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT REGARDING TIMING…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 AUDI A4. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HER PLACE OF RESIDENCE. A MECHANIC STATED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN HAD FRACTURED WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE TO STALL. SHE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER IN REFERENCE TO A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT REGARDING TIMING CHAIN FAILURE. A REPRESENTATIVE STATED THAT BECAUSE THE VEHICLE EXCEEDED 70,000 MILES SHE WAS INELIGIBLE FOR A FREE REMEDY. HOWEVER SHE NOTED THAT THE OWNERS MANUAL STATED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN SHOULD BE REPLACED AT 90,000. SHE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING THE ENGINE REBUILT BY A INDEPENDENT TECHNICIAN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 74,000.

NHTSA ODI #10292390

170,000 miles · Oct 27, 2009
Steering

TIE ROD FAILURE RESULTING IS A COMPROMISE OF STEERING CONTROL AS DESCRIBED IN NHTSA 99V248000. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10290010

97,000 miles · Sep 20, 2009
Electronic Stability Control (esc)

HI. I HAVE A 1998 AUDI A4 6 CYLINDER QUATRO5 SPEED. IT HAS 97K MILES. THE ABS LIGHT HAS COME ON AND I UNDERSTAND THAT IT IS A COMMON FAILURE. APPROX. $1700 REPAIR AT THE DEALER. I UNDERSTAND THAT VW HAS HAD A RECALL FOR EXACTLY THE SAME ISSUE WITH EXACTLY THE SAME PART. IT SEEMS LIKE SUCH A RECALL SHOULD EXTEND THE AUDI U…

Read full complaint

HI. I HAVE A 1998 AUDI A4 6 CYLINDER QUATRO5 SPEED. IT HAS 97K MILES. THE ABS LIGHT HAS COME ON AND I UNDERSTAND THAT IT IS A COMMON FAILURE. APPROX. $1700 REPAIR AT THE DEALER. I UNDERSTAND THAT VW HAS HAD A RECALL FOR EXACTLY THE SAME ISSUE WITH EXACTLY THE SAME PART. IT SEEMS LIKE SUCH A RECALL SHOULD EXTEND THE AUDI USING THE SAME PART, WHICH HAS A HIGH FAILURE RATE. IT SEEMS TO BE A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE RECALLED AND REPAIRED BY AUDI. CAN YOU HELP ME UNDERSTAND WHY A PART AND SAFETY ISSUE WOULD BE RECALLED FOR VW BUT NOT FOR AUDI? HERE IS A LINK TO FURTHER INFORMATION: THANKS! HTTP://AUDI-VW-ABS-RECALL.BLOGSPOT.COM/2005/07/AUDI-AND-VW-PLEASE-RECALL-CARS-BETWEEN.HTML. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10284675

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