1997 Audi A4: complaints, problems and recalls

VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME DEFECT WITH THE TIE RODS AS STATED IN RECALL NUMBER 99 V 248 000, BUT VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED, CAUSE RECALL IS ON THE LATER YEAR VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE DETAILS. TS

Owner-reported narrative. 64,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10001775 at NHTSA ↗

THE SEAT HEATER WAS TOO HOT AND BURNED HOLES THROUGH HE SEAT. PH *TS *NLM

Owner-reported narrative. 81,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10004864 at NHTSA ↗

FRONT CONTROL ARMS

Owner-reported narrative. 40,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10005309 at NHTSA ↗

FRONT CONTROL ARMS ARE NOTORIOUS FOR MAKING CLUNKING NOISE. YOU CAN REPLACE THEM EVERY 6 MONTHS AND PROBLEM STARTS ALL OVER. THIS IS SAFETY DESIGN FLAW THAT AUDI NEEDS TO ASSIST IN REPAIRS OR RECALL.

Owner-reported narrative. 40,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10005311 at NHTSA ↗

TIMING BELT TENSIONER FAILED AT 64K. MECHANIC SAID THAT THE TIMING BELT WAS VIRTUALLY UNDER NO TENSION AND WOULD HAVE FAILED IMMEDIATELY IF NOT CAUGHT BY A VIBRATING SOUND FROM IDLE TO 2200RPM.

Owner-reported narrative. 64,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10007751 at NHTSA ↗

UPPER AND LOWER CONTROL ARMS (ALL 4) FOR THE FRONT SUSPENSION HAVE FAILED AND MUST BE REPLACE AGAIN. SQUEEZING/CRUNCHING NOISE AT LOW SPEED AND OVER BUMPS. HAVE BEEN REPLACED- LESS THAN 15K MILES AGO BY AUDI DEALER AND THEY'VE WORN OUT ALREADY. THIS IS A POOR DESIGN AND AUDI NEEDS TO COME THROUGH WITH A SOLUTION FOR ITS CUSTOMERS. THIS IS A SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLAR REPAIR JOB! *NLM

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10010751 at NHTSA ↗

FRONT CONTROL ARM BALL JOINTS CLUNK AND SQUEAK, THEY REQUIRE REPLACEMENT DUE TO POOR DESIGN.

Owner-reported narrative. 80,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10016783 at NHTSA ↗

THE TIMING BELT BROKE, WHICH CAUSED DAMAGED TO THE ENGINE. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10017560 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2000-10-11 (October 11, 2000)

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE PLASTIC IGNITION SWITCH HOUSING CAN FRACTURE AT THE RETURN SPRING ANCHOR POINT. FRACTURE OF THE HOUSING COULD CAUSE THE RETURN SPRING FORCE TO BE INSUFFICIENT FOR RETURNING THE IGNITION KEY TO THE RUNNING POSITION AFTER STARTING THE ENGINE.

Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAUSES ELECTRICAL ACCESSORIES SUCH AS WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND HEADLIGHTS TO BECOME INOPERATIVE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.

Reported: 2006-10-23 (October 23, 2006)

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, AS A RESULT OF A PROBLEM IN THE PRODUCTION PROCESS OF THE IGNITION SWITCH, THE ANCHOR POINT OF THE SPRING MAY CRACK. THIS COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE THE RETURN SPRING FORCE TO BE INSUFFICIENT FOR RETURNING THE IGNITION KEY TO THE RUNNING POSITION AFTER STARTING THE ENGINE.

Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAUSES ELECTRICAL ACCESSORIES SUCH AS WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND HEADLIGHTS TO BECOME INOPERATIVE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW IGNITION SWITCH WITH AN OPTIMIZED ANCHOR POINT FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 27, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AUDI AT 1-800-822-2834. NOTE: THIS RECALL SUPERSEDES THE REMEDY PROGRAM UNDER A PREVIOUS RECALL (PLEASE SEE 00V317).

Reported: 2022-07-01 (July 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: 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.

Reported: 1997-07-22 (July 22, 1997)

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE REAR SEAT BELT RETRACTORS MAY NOT LOCK PROPERLY WHEN ENGAGED, OR NOT REMAIN LOCKED AFTER BEING ENGAGED.

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, AN IMPROPERLY LOCKING SEAT BELT COULD CAUSE INJURY TO AN OCCUPANT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY.

Reported: 1997-10-08 (October 8, 1997)

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE DISCHARGE OF STATIC ELECTRICITY UNDER LOW HUMIDITY CONDITIONS CAN ACTIVATE THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG WHEN THE DRIVER ENTERS OR EXITS THE VEHICLE AND FORMS AN ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT BY TOUCHING CERTAIN AREAS OF THE STEERING WHEEL.

Consequence: ACTIVATION OF THE AIR BAG UNDER THESE CONDITIONS CAN CAUSE PERSONAL INJURY.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A GROUND WIRE ON THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG.

Reported: 1999-05-21 (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: 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.