1997 Audi A4 Problems

Typical for Model

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 1997 Audi A4. Part of Generation 1 (B5) — 1996–2001.

19961998
Complaints
119
Crashes
9
Fires
3
Injuries
8
Fatalities
Recalls
1

Worst 1997 Audi A4 Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#124 complaints

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

Avg mileage:133,718 mi
#29 complaints

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

Avg mileage:64,000 mi
#39 complaints

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

Crash-related:1
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1997 Audi A4.

ComponentComplaintsCrashesFiresAvg MileageVolume
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH24133,718 mi
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE964,000 mi
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP91
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM796,000 mi
SUSPENSION:FRONT640,000 mi
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM542,730 mi
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION461,000 mi
SEATS412,040,560 mi
UNKNOWN OR OTHER4
AIR BAGS33778,853 mi
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE389,000 mi
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY364,000 mi
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL318,000 mi
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM21114,228 mi
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY2176,000 mi
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION252,000 mi
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER2181,000 mi
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC21
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR2118,000 mi
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS1
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER1
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS140,000 mi
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH197,000 mi
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:FLASHER UNIT1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP1
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION1
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)1
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY176,000 mi

Recalls for 1997 Audi A4

1 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~28,624 vehicles.

22V471000AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
~28,624 affected

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.

Other Audi A4 Years

Wider context: See the full Audi A4 reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

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