Menu

1997 Audi A4Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 98 owner complaints about the 1997 Audi A4, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 6 safety recalls.

60
CarFlaw IndexSolid year32% below the A4 median · #13 of 27 years by complaints
Safety recalls6Free fix at dealersOwner complaints9814 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage118kElectrical system, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through July 1, 2022. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1997 Audi A4 has problems

98 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Electrical system332
Suspension191
Service brakes, hydraulic143
Engine and engine cooling120
Power train50
Visibility40
Seats42
Steering40
Vehicle speed control40
7 other systems114

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

6 recalls

1997 Audi A4 recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Driver side: inflator module

Recall 22V-471 · Jul 1, 2022 · 28,624 vehicles

Risk. The inflator could explode during air bag deployment, resulting in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Ignition: switch

Recall 06V-403 · Oct 23, 2006 · 28,594 vehicles

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

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Ignition: switch

Recall 00V-317 · Oct 11, 2000 · 27,900 vehicles

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

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Vacuum: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall 99V-131 · May 21, 1999 · 88,121 vehicles

Risk. THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE INSUFFICIENT VACUUM TO BE PROVIDED TO THE BRAKE BOOSTER.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 2 more recalls
–no report yet

Seat belts: rear/other

Recall 97V-115 · Jul 22, 1997 · 12 vehicles

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

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Audi.

Mileage at failure

When do electrical system problems start?

118kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 21 electrical system complaints. 38% were reported before 100,000 miles.

Only 42% of complaints for this model year include a mileage.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
0under 30k miles8under 100k miles13100k miles or more
Best & worst years

1997 vs. every other A4 year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the A4 median. How we score

'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

1997 Audi A4 safety ratings

1997 Audi A4 4-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
4 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1997 Audi A4, and the recalls they led to.

  1. DEGRADED BRAKING IN WET WEATHEREA00021 · closed Mar 29, 2002
    No recall
  2. DEGRADED BRAKING WET WEATHER CONDITIONPE00016 · closed Aug 11, 2000
    No recall
  3. IGNITION SWITCHRQ00009 · closed Nov 30, 2000
    Led to recall 00V-317
  4. POWER BRAKE BOOSTER VACUUM BY-PASSRQ99008 · closed Nov 14, 2000
    Led to recall 99V-131
In owners' words

What A4 owners report

Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

I RECEIVED SAFETY RECALL JS FOR THE AUDI A4 IGNITION SWITCH IN NOVEMBER 2006 AND COMPLIED WITH THE INSTRUCTIONS BY BRINGING THE CAR TO THE DEALER FOR A REPLACEMENT SWITCH IN JANUARY 2007. THE DEALER DID NOT DO THE REPAIR BECAUSE THEY SAID MY CAR ALREADY HAD THE CORRECT SWITCH. IN JUNE 2008, THIS…
Complaint 10233056 · Jul 2, 2008 · 92,457 miles
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 AUDI A4. IN JANUARY OF 2004, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED OF A RECALL ON HIS VEHICLE REGARDING THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE DEALER PERFORMED THE RECALL REPAIR FOR FREE; HOWEVER, THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED IN 2007. THE DEALER CONDUCTED A VISUAL INSPECTION. A TECHNICIAN STATED THAT…
Complaint 10231179 · Jun 16, 2008 · 67,487 miles
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 AUDI A4. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 06V403000 (IGNITION SWITCH). WHEN THE CONTACT WENT TO RETRIEVE THE VEHICLE FROM THE DEALER, IT FAILED TO START. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY COULD ONLY RELEASE THE KEYS AND VEHICLE TO A TOW SERVICE. THE INVOICE…
Complaint 10198335 · Aug 2, 2007 · 165,522 miles

Own a 1997 A4?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.