1998 AUDI A4 — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
321
Owner Complaints
6
Recalls
15
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 1998 AUDI A4
The 1998 AUDI A4 has received a total of 321 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 6 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, EXTERIOR LIGHTING. 15 technical service bulletins have been issued by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Service Brakes Hydraulicantilocktraction Controlelectronic Limited Slip (59 complaints), Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdisc (18 complaints), and Service Brakes Hydraulicantilocktraction Controlelectronic Limited Slipcontrol Unitmodule (15 complaints).
Recalls for the 1998 AUDI A4
NHTSA has recorded 6 recalls for the 1998 AUDI A4, potentially affecting up to 303,366 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 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 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 99V248000 — STEERING:LINKAGES:ROD:RELAY:CONNECTING
| 51,900 vehicles affected
Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE TIE RODS OF THE STEERING ASSEMBLY ARE PROTECTED ON EACH SIDE BY A SEAL TO PREVENT MOISTURE AND DUST PARTICLES FROM ENTERING THE SWIVEL BEARING MECHANISM. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT SOME TIE ROD SEALS MAY NOT SEAL PROPERLY.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TIE RODS.
View full details →Recall 98V134000 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
| 19,800 vehicles affected
Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. IF THE ENGINE BACKFIRES DURING A COLD-START, AN AIR SCREEN WHICH IS LOOSELY SEATED IN THE AIR FLOW METER CAN BECOME DAMAGED.
Consequence: SCREEN PIECES COULD ENTER THE INTAKE AIR FLOW SYSTEM AND PREVENT THE THROTTLE PLATE FROM RETURNING TO ITS FULL IDLE POSITION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A RETAINING RING TO HOLD THE AIR SCREEN IN PLACE.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 1998 AUDI A4
321 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1998 AUDI A4. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
Most Recent Complaints
Recall 69bt was not accomplished at McDaniels Audi of Charleston dealer. They indicated they had replaced airbag with 8D0898201A kit.
The contact owned a 1998 Audi A4. The contact stated that while driving at 35-40 MPH with his 12-year-old son sitting in the passenger seat, he crashed into another vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact did not sustain any injuries, however, his son sustained a broken rib and was transported to the hospital. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot, where it was totaled. The contact recently received a recall notice for NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V056000 (AIR BAGS). The dealer and the manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.
Takata recall. The contact owns a 1998 Audi A4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V056000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 AUDI A4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V056000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
THE AIRBAG FAULT LIGHT AND ABS LIGHT HAVE BEEN ON EVER SINCE I HAD THE VEHICLE, THINKING THAT IT MAY BE A FAULT BY THE MANUFACTURER AS SEEING VERY COMMON PROBLEMS IN MANY WEBSITES. ANOTHER MAIN CONCERNED IS THE FAULT OF THE MANUFACTURER'S ENGINE DESIGN CAUSING ENGINE DAMAGE FROM OIL SLUDGE. MY CONCERN IS FOR FUTURE PREVENTION MEASURES.
View all Service Brakes Hydraulicantilocktraction Controlelectronic Limited Slip complaints →
Safety Rating for the 1998 AUDI A4
NHTSA has not yet tested the 1998 AUDI A4 in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 1998 AUDI A4
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. has issued 15 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 1998 AUDI A4. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
0604 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
OIL SLUDGE LIMITED WARRANTY EXTENSION. *KB
0408 — FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
LONG TERM FUEL TRIM - SYSTEM TOO RICH. DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P1123, P1125, P1137 AND P1139. *TT
900104 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
SUBJECT REGARDING INSTRUMENT CLUSTER, DRIVER'S INFORMATION DISPLAY FADES. *JG
150101 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
A CONDITION MAY EXIST WHERE THE ENGINE MAY CRANK BUT WILL NOT START. *TT
9902 — STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
CONDITIONS WITH CREAKING NOISE FROM CENTER ARMREST ON VEHICLES VIN 8D_WA240851. *TT
9803 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
PROCEDURES ON INSTALLING TRANSMISSION SOUND DEADENING SHIELDS *TT
9803 — VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR
EXPERIENCING CREAKING / POPPING NOISES FROM REAR WINDOW. *YC
980198 — UNKNOWN OR OTHER
INCREASING DISTANCE RANGE FOR FOLDING KEY ( KEYLESS REMOTE TRANSMITTER ). *YC
980698 — AIR BAGS
SUBJECT ON AIRBAG SYSTEM ON BOARD DIAGNOSTIC (OBD) FOR VEHICLES WITH REAR SEAT BELT TENSIONERS. *YC
A9810 — EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL
SUBJECT ON THE AUDI A4 REPAIR MANUAL. *YC
Showing 10 of 15 technical service bulletins.
NHTSA Investigations for the 1998 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 — 133 complaints
- 1997 AUDI A4 — 119 complaints
- 1998 AUDI A4 (current)
- 1999 AUDI A4 — 242 complaints
- 2000 AUDI A4 — 115 complaints
- 2001 AUDI A4 — 152 complaints
- 2002 AUDI A4 — 218 complaints
- 2003 AUDI A4 — 282 complaints