1998 Audi A4: complaints, problems and recalls

THE PROBLEM: IGNITION SWITCH RETURN SPRING THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH MY IGNITION SWITCH. AFTER STARING THE ENGINE, THE RETURN SPRING DOES NOT FULLY RETURN THE KEY TO THE RUN POSITION, CAUSING A MALFUNCTION OF THE HEADLIGHTS AND CLIMATE CONTROL. I HAVE FOUND A RECALL NOTICE (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NO. 97V115000) DESCRIBING THIS EXACT PROBLEM FOR AUDI A4 VEHICLES WHICH AFFECTS VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN 10/1995 AND 8/1997 (MY VEHICLE WAS BUILT WITHIN THIS TIME PERIOD, ON AUG 13TH, 1997). I REPORTED THIS INFORMATION TO AUDI CUSTOMER ASSURANCE AND THE…

Owner-reported narrative. 63,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10005244 at NHTSA ↗

CAR WAS SERVICED FOR AN OIL LEAK AND WHAT THE MECHANIC FOUND WAS THE BALL BEARINGS OIL PASSAGE SEALS WERE LEAKING FROM THE FRONT OF THE CYLINDER HEADS. REPAIR WOULD BE $4,000 FOR PARTS ALONE. LABOR WOULD BE ADDITIONAL. CAR IS LESS THAN 5 YEARS OLD. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10008511 at NHTSA ↗

I HAVE HAD MANY CLOSE CALLS IN RAINY WEATHER WHEN TRYING TO STOP IN MY 1998 AUDI A4 1.8T QUATTRO. IN DRY WEATHER BRAKING IS FINE. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. I AM MORE THAN CERTAIN I WOULD HAVE HIT SOMEONE IF I WOULD NOT KEEP A GREATER DISTANCE KNOWING THE HORRIBLE BRAKING PERFORMANCE IN WET WEATHER.*JB

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10010117 at NHTSA ↗

ENGINE COOLANT TEMPERATURE SENSOR FAILED, LEAKING COOLANT INTO THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE AND WIRE HARNESS, CAUSING SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLARS OF DAMAGE

Owner-reported narrative. 50,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10013910 at NHTSA ↗

TIMING BELT TENSIONER FAILED CAUSING REPLACEMENT OF TIMING BELT AND TENSIONER AT 40000. KNOWN ISSUE WITH AUDI THAT TENSIONER FAILS AS THEY HAVE A REPLACEMENT KIT WITH NEW TYPE OF TENSIONER. YET, WILL NOT COVER COST OF REPLACEMENT OF FAILED TENSIONER OR TIMING BELT.*JB

Owner-reported narrative. 42,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10014271 at NHTSA ↗

CAR EXPERIENCES DIMINISHED BRAKING ABILITIES UNDER WET/COLD CONDITIONS. IF ROADS ARE WET, EVEN IF ABOVE FREEZING CONDITIONS, BRAKING SUDDENLY TO AVOID OTHER TRAFFIC RESULTS IN NEAR CRASHES OR DANGEROUS SWERVING TO AVOID ACCIDENT. THIS IS NOT DUE TO POOR ROAD CONDITIONS BUT DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE AUDI'S BRAKING ABILITIES IN WET CONDITIONS. VERY DANGEROUS AND UNPREDICTABLE. HAVE RECENTLY TRADED IN VEHICLE AND INCURRED LARGE FINANCIAL LOSS DUE TO THIS AND OTHER SERIOUS PROBLEMS. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. 82,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10016424 at NHTSA ↗

1998 AUDI A4 1.8 LITER QUATTRO. EXPERIENCING REDUCED BRAKING CAPABILITY WHEN BRAKES ARE WET. THIS IS THE EXACT COMPLAINT BEING INVESTIGATED IN NHTSA ACTION NUMBER PE00016. THE BRAKES WORK FINE WHEN DRY, BUT EFFECTIVENESS IS GREATLY REDUCED WHEN WET, AND STOPPING DISTANCE INCREASES SIGNIFICANTLY, CAUSING A SAFETY CONCERN. *NLM

Owner-reported narrative. 40,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10018404 at NHTSA ↗

TERRIBLE WET BRAKING PERFORMANCE, THE FIRST 1 OR 2 PEDAL APPLICATIONS IN THE RAIN CAUSE NO SLOWING DOWN. THE PEDAL NEEDS TO BE PUMPED TO DRY THE ROTOR. I WENT THROUGH SEVERAL BRAKE PAD COMPOUNDS WITH NO IMPROVEMENT. OF ALL THE AUDIS THAT I OWNED, THE A4 BRAKES ARE THE WORST. HELL, THESE BRAKES ARE THE WORST OF ALL THE CARS THAT I OWNED! *NLM

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10023068 at NHTSA ↗

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: 1998-06-22 (June 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: 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.

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.

Reported: 1999-09-13 (September 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: 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.