1996 AUDI A4 — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
133
Owner Complaints
6
Recalls
13
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 1996 AUDI A4
The 1996 AUDI A4 has received a total of 133 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 6 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH, EXTERIOR LIGHTING. 13 technical service bulletins have been issued by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Electrical Systemignitionswitch (17 complaints), Suspensionfrontcontrol Arm (9 complaints), and Service Brakes Hydraulicantilocktraction Controlelectronic Limited Slip (7 complaints).
Recalls for the 1996 AUDI A4
NHTSA has recorded 6 recalls for the 1996 AUDI A4, potentially affecting up to 214,415 vehicles.
Recall 06V403000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
| 28,594 vehicles affected
Defect: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, AS A RESULT OF A PROBLEM IN THE PRODUCTION PROCESS OF THE IGNITION SWITCH, THE ANCHOR POINT OF THE SPRING MAY CRACK. THIS COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE THE RETURN SPRING FORCE TO BE INSUFFICIENT FOR RETURNING THE IGNITION KEY TO THE RUNNING POSITION AFTER STARTING THE ENGINE.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAUSES ELECTRICAL ACCESSORIES SUCH AS WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND HEADLIGHTS TO BECOME INOPERATIVE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW IGNITION SWITCH WITH AN OPTIMIZED ANCHOR POINT FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 27, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AUDI AT 1-800-822-2834. NOTE: THIS RECALL SUPERSEDES THE REMEDY PROGRAM UNDER A PREVIOUS RECALL (PLEASE...
View full details →Recall 06E060000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING
| 87,745 vehicles affected
Defect: CERTAIN AAI MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LIST PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Consequence: LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH
Remedy: AAI MOTORSPORTS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AAI MOTORSPORTS AT 909-923-9188.
View full details →Recall 06E049000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING
| 27,176 vehicles affected
Defect: CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.
View full details →Recall 00V317000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
| 27,900 vehicles affected
Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE PLASTIC IGNITION SWITCH HOUSING CAN FRACTURE AT THE RETURN SPRING ANCHOR POINT. FRACTURE OF THE HOUSING COULD CAUSE THE RETURN SPRING FORCE TO BE INSUFFICIENT FOR RETURNING THE IGNITION KEY TO THE RUNNING POSITION AFTER STARTING THE ENGINE.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAUSES ELECTRICAL ACCESSORIES SUCH AS WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND HEADLIGHTS TO BECOME INOPERATIVE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.
View full details →Recall 97V175000 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
| 39,300 vehicles affected
Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE DISCHARGE OF STATIC ELECTRICITY UNDER LOW HUMIDITY CONDITIONS CAN ACTIVATE THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG WHEN THE DRIVER ENTERS OR EXITS THE VEHICLE AND FORMS AN ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT BY TOUCHING CERTAIN AREAS OF THE STEERING WHEEL.
Consequence: ACTIVATION OF THE AIR BAG UNDER THESE CONDITIONS CAN CAUSE PERSONAL INJURY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A GROUND WIRE ON THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG.
View full details →Recall 96V088000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
| 3,700 vehicles affected
Defect: THE HORN CAN WORK ONLY INTERMITTENTLY DUE TO INSUFFICIENT ELECTRICAL GROUND CONTACT.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD PREVENT A DRIVER FROM SOUNDING A WARNING BY USING THE HORN INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy: CORRECTIVE ACTION: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A GROUND CONTACT SPRING WHICH WILL ENHANCE THE ELECTRICAL GROUND CONNECTION.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 1996 AUDI A4
133 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1996 AUDI A4. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
Most Recent Complaints
WHILE DRIVING WEST ON PENNSYLVANIA RT. 401 I DROVE OVER A SMALL BUMP IN THE ROAD, WHERE A DRAIN IS BURIED UNDER THE ROAD, AND THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT LOWER A ARM SNAPPED IN HALF AT A SPEED OF 45 MPH CAUSING A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE AND THE CAR TO GRIND TO A HALT ON THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD.
I HAVE 1996 AUDI A4 AND EXPERIENCING THE SAME RECALL PROBLEM AS NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 06V403000, WHICH IS NOT ABLE TO RETURN THE IGNITION KEY TO THE RUNNING POSITION AFTER STARTING THE ENGINE. THIS CONDITION CAUSING ELECTRICAL ACCESSORIES SUCH AS WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND HEADLIGHTS TO BECOME INOPERATIVE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. I SEE THE FOLLOWING RECALL ON YOUR WEBSITE. BUT WHEN I CONTACT AUDI AT 1-800-822-2834, THEY SAYS MY 1996 AUDI A4 IS NOT QUALIFIED FOR THIS RECALL. VEHICLE MAKE / MODEL: MODEL YEAR(S): AUDI / A4 1996-1997 MANUFACTURER: VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC MFR'S REPORT DATE: OCT 20, 2006 NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 06V403000 N/A NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: N/A COMPONENT: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH POTENTIAL NUMBER OF UNITS AFFECTED: 28594. *TR
I HAVE 1996 AUDI A4 AND EXPERIENCING THE SAME RECALL PROBLEM AS NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 06V403000, WHICH IS NOT ABLE TO RETURN THE IGNITION KEY TO THE RUNNING POSITION AFTER STARTING THE ENGINE. THIS CONDITION CAUSING ELECTRICAL ACCESSORIES SUCH AS WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND HEADLIGHTS TO BECOME INOPERATIVE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. I SEE THE FOLLOWING RECALL ON YOUR WEBSITE. BUT WHEN I CONTACT AUDI AT 1-800-822-2834, THEY SAYS MY 1996 AUDI A4 IS NOT QUALIFIED FOR THIS RECALL. VEHICLE MAKE / MODEL: MODEL YEAR(S): AUDI / A4 1996-1997 MANUFACTURER: VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC MFR'S REPORT DATE: OCT 20, 2006 NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 06V403000 N/A NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: N/A COMPONENT: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH POTENTIAL NUMBER OF UNITS AFFECTED: 28594. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 AUDI A4. THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD SQUEALING NOISE OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE WHEN HE STARTED THE IGNITION. THE RPM'S INCREASED AND THE IGNITION KEY FAILED TO RETURN TO THE ENGINE RUNNING POSITION. IMMEDIATELY, THE IGNITION KEY WAS TURNED MANUALLY TO THE "ON" POSITION TO RESUME NORMAL OPERATION. IN ADDITION, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND HEADLIGHTS BECAME INOPERATIVE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V403000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH) WAS REFERENCED. THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL, BUT THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 132,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 AUDI A4. THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD SQUEALING NOISE OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE WHEN HE STARTED THE IGNITION. THE RPM'S INCREASED AND THE IGNITION KEY FAILED TO RETURN TO THE ENGINE RUNNING POSITION. IMMEDIATELY, THE IGNITION KEY WAS TURNED MANUALLY TO THE "ON" POSITION TO RESUME NORMAL OPERATION. IN ADDITION, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND HEADLIGHTS BECAME INOPERATIVE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V403000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH) WAS REFERENCED. THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL, BUT THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 132,000.
Safety Rating for the 1996 AUDI A4
NHTSA has not yet tested the 1996 AUDI A4 in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 1996 AUDI A4
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. has issued 13 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 1996 AUDI A4. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
2013_06_ATU Audi — EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL
This document contains information on the Audi side assist update.
TSB-45-08-04 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
AUDI: ABS ACTIVATES DURING LIGHT BRAKE APPLICATION . CONTROL NOISES ARE HEARD FROM THE ABS UNIT AT LOW SPEED WITHOUT BRAKE APPLICATION. *PE
TSB-45-08-04 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
AUDI: ABS ACTIVATES DURING LIGHT BRAKE APPLICATION . CONTROL NOISES ARE HEARD FROM THE ABS UNIT AT LOW SPEED WITHOUT BRAKE APPLICATION. *PE
TSB-45-08-04 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:WHEEL SPEED SENSOR/TONE RING
AUDI: ABS ACTIVATES DURING LIGHT BRAKE APPLICATION . CONTROL NOISES ARE HEARD FROM THE ABS UNIT AT LOW SPEED WITHOUT BRAKE APPLICATION. *PE
11242004 — SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM
SERVICE ACTION JE CAMPAIGN-CHECK/REPLACE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER CONTROL ARMS. AUDI HAS FOUND THAT IN RARE CASES, ONE OR BOTH FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER CONTROL ARMS ON AFFECTED VEHICLES CAN EXHIBIT WEAR, EVEN THOUGH THE DAMAGE TO THE RUBBER BOOTS IS NOT OBVIOUS. *SC
042804 — SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM
SERVICE ACTION TO INSPECT LOWER CONTROL ARM SEALS. *TT
9804 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
VEHICLE EXHIBITING A WHINING / WHIRRING TYPE NOISE AT CERTAIN MPH RANGES. *TT
A9815 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
SUBJECT ON ELECTRICAL WIRING DIAGRAMS, TROUBLESHOOTING & COMPONENT LOCATIONS TECHNICAL BULLETIN NO. 8. *YC
9802 — SUSPENSION:FRONT
CLUNKING OR RATTLING NOISE FROM ONE OR BOTH SIDES OF FRONT SUSPENSION WHEN DRIVING OVER ROUGH ROADS. *YC
9801I — POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
INFORMATION ON SERVICING CLUTCH AND CLUTCH CONTROLS ON VEHICLES WITH FWD MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS. *TT
Showing 10 of 13 technical service bulletins.
NHTSA Investigations for the 1996 AUDI A4
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the AUDI A4
- 1995 AUDI A4 — 1 complaint
- 1996 AUDI A4 (current)
- 1997 AUDI A4 — 119 complaints
- 1998 AUDI A4 — 321 complaints
- 1999 AUDI A4 — 242 complaints
- 2000 AUDI A4 — 115 complaints
- 2001 AUDI A4 — 152 complaints