IllustrationWINDSHIELD WASHER INOPERATIVE CAUSING POOR VISIBILTY WHEN CONSUMER TRIED TO GLEAR GLASS OF ROAD SALT WHICH WAS SPRAYED ON VEHICLE BY A PASSING TRUCK. NLM
1998 Audi A4
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most A4 years
Owner complaints for the 1998 Audi A4 are substantially higher than the model-year median of 76.5.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all A4 years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
10–25K
825–50K
2750–75K
3875–100K
20100–150K
8150K+
102 reports with mileage · 156 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 112 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 28 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Suspension. Review the 24 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
6 crash reports2 fire reports10 injury reports
What owners actually said
258 reportsABS SYSTEM FAILED ON TWO OCCASIONS. *MJS
RECALLS 99V248 000/TIE ROD & 99V131 001/BRAKE BOOSTER; BOTH MAMUFACTURER'S RECALLS COULD NOT BE HONORED BECAUSE DEALER HAD NO PARTS. BUT INFORMED CONSUMER THAT PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE ON OCT 15, 1999. ASKING NHTSA HELP IN THIS MATTER. *AK
CAR WOULD POP OUT OF FIRST GEAR AT SLOW SPEEDS DURING A TURN. HAD TO FIGHT WITH DEALER & AUDI OF AMERICA FOR 4 MONTHS BEFORE THEY WOULD ACKNOWLEDGE A PROBLEM OR FIX IT. THEY FINALLY REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION, AND THAT SOLVED THE PROBLEM. WE HAVE SEVERAL OTHER NON-SAFETY PROBLEMS THAT THE DEALER IS SLOW TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND REPA…
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CAR WOULD POP OUT OF FIRST GEAR AT SLOW SPEEDS DURING A TURN. HAD TO FIGHT WITH DEALER & AUDI OF AMERICA FOR 4 MONTHS BEFORE THEY WOULD ACKNOWLEDGE A PROBLEM OR FIX IT. THEY FINALLY REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION, AND THAT SOLVED THE PROBLEM. WE HAVE SEVERAL OTHER NON-SAFETY PROBLEMS THAT THE DEALER IS SLOW TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND REPAIR. WE SWITCHED DEALERS IN THE DENVER AREA TO MCDONALD AFTER THE PROBLEMS WITH PRESTIGE. MCDONALD'S ATTITUDE TOWARDS CUSTOMER SERVICE IS NO BETTER. IF YOU WANT A REPORT/COMPLAINT ON THE ADDITIONAL, NON-SAFETY RELATED PROBLEMS, LET US KNOW. *AK
RECALL # 99V131000 VW/BRAKE BOOSTER; OWNER RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE IN SEPTEMBER 1999. OWNER HAS CONTACTED DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. DEALER HAS NO PARTS AVAILABLE TO CORRECT RECALL. MANUFACTURER STATED THAT PARTS SHOULD BE AVAILABLE IN THE MIDDLE OF JANUARY 2000. *AK
AFTER DRIVING IN RAIN, FOOT WILL SINK ON BRAKE PEDAL AS IF HYDRAULIC FLUID IS GONE AND STOPPING FORCE IS GONE UNTIL RE-APPLYING FOOT TO BRAKE PEDAL 2ND-3RD TIME. *AK
THE WET BRAKING IS HORRIBLE ON THIS CAR. IF YOU ARE DRIVING IN THE RAIN, IT TAKES 2 SECONDS FOR THE ROTORS TO DRY OUT. I HAVE ALWAYS HAD CARS WITH 4 WHEEL DISCS AND HAVE NEVER SEEN A CAR THAT LOSES ITS BRAKES SO EASILY. THE CAR BRAKES *GREAT* IN THE DRY AND WHEN THE ROADS ARE WET, BUT WHEN IT IS RAINING ENOUGH TO WET THE ROTO…
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THE WET BRAKING IS HORRIBLE ON THIS CAR. IF YOU ARE DRIVING IN THE RAIN, IT TAKES 2 SECONDS FOR THE ROTORS TO DRY OUT. I HAVE ALWAYS HAD CARS WITH 4 WHEEL DISCS AND HAVE NEVER SEEN A CAR THAT LOSES ITS BRAKES SO EASILY. THE CAR BRAKES *GREAT* IN THE DRY AND WHEN THE ROADS ARE WET, BUT WHEN IT IS RAINING ENOUGH TO WET THE ROTORS, ALL DRIVERS WITH THE STOCK PADS NEED TO BE EXTREMEMLY CAREFUL. I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS PART OF THE PROBLEM, BUT THERE IS NO SPASH SHIELD BEHIND THE ROTOR. I DON'T WANT TO BE INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THIS AND FELT LIKE I SHOULD REPORT IT. I DO KNOW THAT THIS IS NOT JUST HAPPENING TO ME, BUT THAT IS NOT WHAT THE DEALER WANTS US TO THINK. I HAVE HEARD THAT CHANGING THE PADS TO AN AFTERMARKET HELPS, BUT I FEEL AUDI SHOULD DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT. *AK
BRAKES HESITATE WHEN CONSUMER APPLIES BRAKES & THE PEDAL GOES ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. BRAKES WILL NOT WORK IN THE COLD WEATHER. *AK
AUDI OF AMERICA HAS LAUNCHED A RECALL CAMPAIGN, LABELLED KU, FOR ITS DEFECTIVE BRAKES. I RECEIVED A FORMAL NOTIFICATION ON OCTOBER 10, 1999. HOEVER, SINCE THEN I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO HAVE THIS RECALL PERFORMED AT ANY AUDI DEALER. SINCE THE RECALL REPRESENTS A SERIOUS DEFECT AND POTENTIAL HAZARD, I SEEK THE NHTSA'S INVOLVEMENT …
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AUDI OF AMERICA HAS LAUNCHED A RECALL CAMPAIGN, LABELLED KU, FOR ITS DEFECTIVE BRAKES. I RECEIVED A FORMAL NOTIFICATION ON OCTOBER 10, 1999. HOEVER, SINCE THEN I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO HAVE THIS RECALL PERFORMED AT ANY AUDI DEALER. SINCE THE RECALL REPRESENTS A SERIOUS DEFECT AND POTENTIAL HAZARD, I SEEK THE NHTSA'S INVOLVEMENT TO HAVE THE RECALL PERFORMED ON MY VEHICLE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. *AK
RECALL # 99V131000 BRAKES:HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST: BOOSTER: OWNER RECEIVED RECALL LETTER IN SEPTEMBER. CONTACTED DEALER ON NOVEMBER 1, 1999. OWNER CALLED AGAIN AFTER ONE MONT. , AND AGAIN ON JANUARY 4, 2000. PARTS HAVE NOT BEEN SHIPPED FROM MANUFACTURER. ON JANUARY 28, 2000 DEALER INSTALLED RECALL ITEM. *AK
Official recalls
422V471000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
Jul 1, 2022
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 & remedy
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 is 69BT. The vehicles in this recall were mistakenly omitted from recall 20V-056. All vehicle owners have already been notified by mail and informed that the remedy is available.
99V248000 · Steering:linkages:rod:relay:connecting
Sep 13, 1999
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 & remedy
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.
99V131001 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
May 21, 1999
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 & remedy
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.
98V134000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System
Jun 22, 1998
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 & remedy
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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
5EA04017 · STUCK-OPEN Throttle
Opened Jun 30, 2004 · Closed Feb 10, 2005
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System
VWOA HAS RECALLED APPROXIMATELY 28,300 MY 1998-99 A6 VEHICLES IN COLD WEATHER STATES THAT EXPERIENCED THE HIGHEST RATE OF THROTTLE ICING INCIDENTS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES (04V-495).THE FAILURE RATE IN THE A4 AND PASSAT VEHICLES IS MUCH LOWER THAN IN THE RECALLED VEHICLES.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE EXPERIENCE IN THE A4 AND PASSAT VEHICLES.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS FOR THE AUDI A4 OR VW PASSAT VEHICLES.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY A CHANGE IN CIRCUMSTANCES. FOR FURTHER DETAILS SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.
PE02008 · Brake And Clutch Pedal Bracket
Opened Jan 23, 2002 · Closed Jul 12, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
No summary supplied.
EA00021 · Degraded Braking In Wet Weather
Opened Aug 11, 2000 · Closed Mar 29, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
There is no summary currently available
PE00016 · Degraded Braking Wet Weather Condition
Opened Apr 4, 2000 · Closed Aug 11, 2000
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System
There is no summary currently available
RQ99008 · Power Brake Booster Vacuum BY-PASS
Opened Jun 1, 1999 · Closed Nov 14, 2000
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
There is no summary currently available