1997 Audi A4

Complaint history

When NHTSA received these reports. Changes in reporting alone do not establish a change in failure rates.

Problems owners report

Listed groups have at least 3 complaints. The page includes the 20 largest groups plus any additional flagged groups; some complaints are not assigned to a group.

AI groups complaints by meaning; the groups are approximate. Share ratio compares the problem’s share of this vehicle’s complaints with its share on other vehicles over the last 24 months (shown from 3 recent complaints). A 2× ratio means twice the complaint share, not twice the failure risk. Flags mark unusual shares or recent surges after an AI review of the complaint content. “First signal” does not mean the pattern has persisted continuously.How recall estimates are calculated.

Recalls

• NHTSA recall #22V471000July 1, 202228,624 vehicles affected

  air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module

  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.

  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.

• NHTSA recall #06V403000October 23, 200628,594 vehicles affected

  electrical system: ignition: switch

  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.

  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 see 00V317).

• NHTSA recall #00V317000October 11, 200027,900 vehicles affected

  electrical system: ignition: switch

  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.

  This condition causes electrical accessories such as windshield wipers and headlights to become inoperative.

  Remedy

  Dealers will replace the ignition switch.

• NHTSA recall #99V131001May 21, 199988,121 vehicles affected

  service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuum: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

  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.

  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.

• NHTSA recall #97V175000October 8, 199739,300 vehicles affected

  air bags: frontal

  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.

  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.

• NHTSA recall #97V115000July 22, 199712 vehicles affected

  seat belts: rear/other

  Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The rear seat belt retractors may not lock properly when engaged, or not remain locked after being engaged.

  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.

Other model years

• 1996 89
• 1997
• 1998 258
• 1999 190
• 2000 96
• 2001 131
• 2002 181
• 2003 210
• 2004 189
• 2005 219
• 2006 295
• 2007 196
• 2008 175
• 2009 120
• 2010 64
• 2014 32
• 2017 56
• 2018 45
• 2020 128