1997 AUDI A4 — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
119
Owner Complaints
8
Recalls
10
Service Bulletins
1
Investigation
Overview of the 1997 AUDI A4
The 1997 AUDI A4 has received a total of 119 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 8 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH, EXTERIOR LIGHTING. 10 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 (24 complaints), Engine And Engine Coolingengine (9 complaints), and Service Brakes Hydraulicantilocktraction Controlelectronic Limited Slip (9 complaints).
Recalls for the 1997 AUDI A4
NHTSA has recorded 8 recalls for the 1997 AUDI A4, potentially affecting up to 327,472 vehicles.
Recall 22V471000 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
| 28,624 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: The inflator could explode during air bag deployment, resulting in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants. An underinflated air bag may not properly protect the occupant. These scenarios increase the risk of serious injury or death.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver's air bag inflator with an alternative inflator of a different design, free of charge. Owner notification letters were sent September 21, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall...
View full details →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 99V131001 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
| 88,121 vehicles affected
Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. A CONTROL VALVE IN THE VACUUM HOSE CONNECTING THE BRAKE BOOSTER TO THE INTAKE MANIFOLD MAY NOT OPEN OR CLOSE FULLY AT TEMPERATURES BELOW -4 F UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE INSUFFICIENT VACUUM TO BE PROVIDED TO THE BRAKE BOOSTER.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A VACUUM BY-PASS SYSTEM INTO VEHICLES OPERATED IN THESE STATES WHICH IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE SUFFICIENT VACUUM FOR FULL BRAKE ASSIST UNDER ALL WEATHER CONDITIONS.
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 97V115000 — SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
| 12 vehicles affected
Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE REAR SEAT BELT RETRACTORS MAY NOT LOCK PROPERLY WHEN ENGAGED, OR NOT REMAIN LOCKED AFTER BEING ENGAGED.
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, AN IMPROPERLY LOCKING SEAT BELT COULD CAUSE INJURY TO AN OCCUPANT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 1997 AUDI A4
119 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1997 AUDI A4. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
Most Recent Complaints
I WAS SITTING AT A STOP LIGHT AND WAS STRUCK FROM BEHIND AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 40 TO 60 MILES A HOUR. MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND MY DRIVER SEAT CAME LOSE FROM THE FLOOR AND BECAUSE OF THIS I RECEIVED INJURIES TO MY NECK AND FACE. *JS
I WAS SITTING AT A STOP LIGHT AND WAS STRUCK FROM BEHIND AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 40 TO 60 MILES A HOUR. MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND MY DRIVER SEAT CAME LOSE FROM THE FLOOR AND BECAUSE OF THIS I RECEIVED INJURIES TO MY NECK AND FACE. *JS
IN A SNOW STORM, DRIVER BRAKED AT AN INTERSECTION, AUTOMATIC BRAKES KICKED IN BUT DID NOT STOP THE 10 MILE PER HOUR SLIDE THROUGH THE INTERSECTION. CAR STOPPED PARALLEL TO THE CURB AND WAS IMMEDIATELY T-BONED BY AN SUV. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER WAS WEARING ASEAT BELT AND SUFFERED A BROKEV ARM . . .LUCKY. BASED UPON THE CONDYTION OF THE CAR, DRIVER SHOULD BE DEAD. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 AUDI A4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED WHEN ENGAGED. THE CONTACT WAS ATTEMPTING TO STOP FOR A TRAFFIC STOP BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND. THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT WHEN A CAR CRASHED INTO THE BACK OF MY 1997 AUDI A4. THIS CAUSED MY CAR TO CRASH INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME AND THAT CAR TO CRASH IN TO THE CAR IN FRONT OF IT. MY DRIVER-SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY AND MY SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK UP. THE AIR BAG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DID DEPLOY. BECAUSE THE AIR BAG AND SEAT BELT DID NOT WORK, I HIT THE WINDSHIELD AND HAD TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL FOR MEDICAL ATTENTION. *TR
Safety Rating for the 1997 AUDI A4
NHTSA has not yet tested the 1997 AUDI A4 in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 1997 AUDI A4
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. has issued 10 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 1997 AUDI A4. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
0521 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
THE WARRANTY IS EXTENDED FOR SUBJECT VEHICLES TO 168,000 KM (105,000 MILES), REGARDLESS OF TIME IN SERVICE, FOR ENGINE DAMAGE RESULTING FROM A BROKEN TIMING BELT. *TT
0514 — UNKNOWN OR OTHER
WARRANTY EXTENSION 1997-1999 MODEL YEAR. *TT
0431 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
REPAIRS OF OIL SLUDGE RELATED PROBLEMS. *TT
0401 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ENGINE OIL SPECIFICATIONS, OIL CAPACITY, OIL FILTER. *TT THIS BULLETIN REPLACES BULLETIN 04-01 DATED JAN. 12, 2004. 2004 CABRIOLET, AUDI INCLUDED. *TT
0401 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THROTTLE VALVE CONTROL MODULE - J338-, WILL NOT ADAPT. *MJ
400101 — SUSPENSION:FRONT
SUBJECT REGARDING NOISY FRONT SUSPENSION. *JG
9801 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER
TURBOCHARGER, FAILURE DUE TO LACK OF LUBRICATION. *YC
980298 — SUSPENSION:REAR
EXPERIENCING KNOCKING/CREAKING NOISES FROM REAR AXLE. *YC
9801B — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
TIGHTENING TORQUE FOR OIL DRAIN PLUG. *YC
9707299708D — STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
VEHICLES WILL BE SHIPPED WITH A PAINT PROTECTION PRODUCT CALLED RAPGARD. *YC
NHTSA Investigations for the 1997 AUDI A4
NHTSA has opened 1 investigation into potential safety defects in the 1997 AUDI A4.
Other Model Years of the AUDI A4
- 1995 AUDI A4 — 1 complaint
- 1996 AUDI A4 — 133 complaints
- 1997 AUDI A4 (current)
- 1998 AUDI A4 — 321 complaints
- 1999 AUDI A4 — 242 complaints
- 2000 AUDI A4 — 115 complaints
- 2001 AUDI A4 — 152 complaints
- 2002 AUDI A4 — 218 complaints