Illustration1998 AUDI A4 QUATTRO TIMING BELT BROKE CAUSING FAILURE WHILE DRIVING AND SEVERE DAMAGE TO ENGINE. *NM
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 reportsI HAVE A 1998 AUDI A4 AVANT, 2.8 V6, MANUAL TRANSMISSION. AFTER 45K MILES THE CRUISE CONTROL MODULE ("BRAIN") FAILED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. AT 91K MILES THE ABS BRAIN FAILED. WAS THERE, OR WILL THERE BE, A RECALL ON THESE ITEMS?
DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 AUDI A4. THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON AND THE BRAKE LIGHT FLASHED INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING. THE BRAKE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON FOR THE PAST TWO DAYS. *NM
ABS LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT STARTED UP ON THE DASH, CHECKED THE OWNERS BOOK AND IT TOLD YOU TO CANTACT THE AUDI DEALER. CONATACTED THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT IT COSTS A LOT ON MONEY, QUOTE FOR THE PART WAS $2711.00, NOT INSTALLED. WENT TO THE WEB AND FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS A BIG ISSUE, AND THAT THERE IS NO RECALL. POOR DESIGN AN…
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ABS LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT STARTED UP ON THE DASH, CHECKED THE OWNERS BOOK AND IT TOLD YOU TO CANTACT THE AUDI DEALER. CONATACTED THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT IT COSTS A LOT ON MONEY, QUOTE FOR THE PART WAS $2711.00, NOT INSTALLED. WENT TO THE WEB AND FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS A BIG ISSUE, AND THAT THERE IS NO RECALL. POOR DESIGN AND A VERY EXPENSIVE PART, WHO IS MAKING MONEY OUT OF THIS SAFETY ISSUE. MILES ON THE CAR 82K
NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS, NO MODIFICATIONS TO VEHICLE, AT 80K MILES THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE MODULE FAILS AND THE ABS NO LONGER WORKS. THE BRAKES ARE PRONE TO LOCKING UP. THE REPLACEMENT PART FOR THE VEHICLE WHEN OUT OF WARRANTY IS $1200. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING IT AS LITTLE AS POSSIBLE UNTIL I CAN SAVE FOR THE REPAIR. ADDITIONALLY, TH…
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NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS, NO MODIFICATIONS TO VEHICLE, AT 80K MILES THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE MODULE FAILS AND THE ABS NO LONGER WORKS. THE BRAKES ARE PRONE TO LOCKING UP. THE REPLACEMENT PART FOR THE VEHICLE WHEN OUT OF WARRANTY IS $1200. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING IT AS LITTLE AS POSSIBLE UNTIL I CAN SAVE FOR THE REPAIR. ADDITIONALLY, THE CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING OUT OF THE BLUE AT 55K MILES. THIS MODULE HAS NOT BEEN REPLACED EITHER DUE TO COST.
ABS AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS ARE ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH. TOOK IT TO A DEALER AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO COMMUNICATION WITH THE ABS CONTROLLER. DEALER WANTED $2600 FOR PARTS PLUS $450 (3 HRS) TO REPLACE. VEHICLE ONLY HAS 51000 MILES!
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…
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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.
I OWN AN AUDI A4, AND HAVE OBSERVED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE MIRROR TARNISHES SEVERALY. I HAVE PERSONALLY EXPERIENCED THIS SAFETY HAZARD AND HAVE OBSERVED MANY OTHER AUDI VEHICLES WITH SIMILAR DEFECTIVE MIRRORS. RESPECTFULLY REQUEST THAT THIS GET LOOKED INTO AND A RECALL NOTICE BE ISSUED FOR REPLACEMENT MIRRORS.
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.…
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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
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…
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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
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