no report yet
Driver side: inflator module
Risk. The inflator could explode during air bag deployment, resulting in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants.
1998 Audi A4Problems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 258 owner complaints about the 1998 Audi A4, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic. It is covered by 4 safety recalls.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through July 1, 2022. Updated daily.
Complaints by system
Where the 1998 Audi A4 has problems
258 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
112Service brakes, hydraulic3 crash/fire/injury
28Engine and engine cooling1 crash/fire/injury
24Suspension
23Electrical system1 crash/fire/injury
23Steering2 crash/fire/injury
16Air bags
13Vehicle speed control
10Service brakes, air
8Visibility
3815 other systems5 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 112 | 3 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 28 | 1 |
| Suspension | 24 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 23 | 1 |
| Steering | 23 | 2 |
| Air bags | 16 | 5 |
| Vehicle speed control | 13 | 2 |
| Service brakes, air | 10 | 0 |
| Visibility | 8 | 0 |
| 15 other systems | 38 | 5 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
4 recalls
1998 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
Relay: connecting
Risk. 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.
no report yet
Vacuum: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Risk. THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE INSUFFICIENT VACUUM TO BE PROVIDED TO THE BRAKE BOOSTER.
no report yet
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system
Risk. SCREEN PIECES COULD ENTER THE INTAKE AIR FLOW SYSTEM AND PREVENT THE THROTTLE PLATE FROM RETURNING TO ITS FULL IDLE POSITION.
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 service brakes, hydraulic problems start?
82kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 31 service brakes, hydraulic complaints. 74% were reported before 100,000 miles.
Only 39% of complaints for this model year include a mileage.
0under 30k miles23under 100k miles8100k miles or more
Best & worst years
1998 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
5 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 1998 Audi A4, and the recalls they led to.
- DEGRADED BRAKING IN WET WEATHERNo recall
- STUCK-OPEN THROTTLELed to recall 04V-495
- DEGRADED BRAKING WET WEATHER CONDITIONNo recall
- BRAKE AND CLUTCH PEDAL BRACKETNo recall
- POWER BRAKE BOOSTER VACUUM BY-PASSLed to recall 99V-131
In owners' words
What A4 owners report
Recent service brakes, hydraulic complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE CONTROL MODULATOR UNIT FAILED, AND NOW I HAVE BRAKES THAT DO NOT WORK. AT THE SLIGHTEST PEDAL PRESSURE, ALL 4 WHEELS WILL HAVE A STRONG PULSATING, GIVING YOU ABOUT 1/3 OF THE BRAKING PRESSURE THAT IS NEEDED. VOLKSWAGENS USED A NEARLY IDENTICAL PART, AND THEIR ABS CONTROLLER IS…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 AUDI A4. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, HE NOTICE THE ABS LIGHT WAS ON AND THE BRAKE LIGHT WAS FLASHING ON THE DASHBOARD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS A MECHANIC AND TRIED TO SCAN INFORMATION FROM THE ABS MODULAR AND WAS UNABLE TOO. HE STATED HE WAS UNABLE TO REPAIR THE…
THE ABS CONTROL UNIT ON MY AUDI A4 FAILED AFTER 95,000 MILES. I HAVE NO ANTI-LOCK BRAKING AND AUDI HAS DENIED ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE PART SINCE IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY. SEARCHING THROUGH AUDI FORUMS I FOUND THIS FAILURE TO BE VERY COMMON AND EVERYONE HAD NO ABS UNTIL THE CONTROL UNIT WAS REPLACED…
Own a 1998 A4?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.