1998 Audi A4 Problems

High Complaint Volume

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 1998 Audi A4. Part of Generation 1 (B5) — 1996–2001.

19971999
Complaints
321
Crashes
9
Fires
2
Injuries
16
Fatalities
Recalls
1

Worst 1998 Audi A4 Problems

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

#159 complaints

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

Avg mileage:144,486 mi
Crash-related:1
#218 complaints

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC

#315 complaints

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

Avg mileage:90,626 mi
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1998 Audi A4.

ComponentComplaintsCrashesFiresAvg MileageVolume
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP591144,486 mi
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC18
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE1590,626 mi
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY1358,935 mi
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH1271,750 mi
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS1174,278 mi
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE1057,963 mi
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL10195,734 mi
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE989,500 mi
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC986,645 mi
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM898,632 mi
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL7279,000 mi
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM7
AIR BAGS6149,476 mi
SUSPENSION:FRONT6114,037 mi
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION5
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE576,000 mi
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS51
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER ARM562,000 mi
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM41155,500 mi
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER4
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:ABS WARNING LIGHT470,650 mi
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR4
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER468,000 mi
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW31114,000 mi
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING379,500 mi
EXTERIOR LIGHTING3150,000 mi
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS3
STEERING3161,000 mi
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM354,500 mi

Recalls for 1998 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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