Model year record

1996 Audi A4

4 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 133 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 06V403000

Electrical system: ignition: switch

Component
Electrical system: ignition: switch
Manufacturer
VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC
Vehicles affected
28,594
Reported to NHTSA
2006-10-23
Owners notified
2006-11-27

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

THIS CONDITION CAUSES ELECTRICAL ACCESSORIES SUCH AS WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND HEADLIGHTS TO BECOME INOPERATIVE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer 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).

Recall campaignNHTSA 00V317000

Electrical system: ignition: switch

Component
Electrical system: ignition: switch
Manufacturer
VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC
Vehicles affected
27,900
Reported to NHTSA
2000-10-11
Owners notified
2001-07-06

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

THIS CONDITION CAUSES ELECTRICAL ACCESSORIES SUCH AS WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND HEADLIGHTS TO BECOME INOPERATIVE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.

Recall campaignNHTSA 97V175000

Air bags: frontal

Component
Air bags: frontal
Manufacturer
VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC
Vehicles affected
39,300
Reported to NHTSA
1997-10-08
Owners notified
1997-10-13

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

ACTIVATION OF THE AIR BAG UNDER THESE CONDITIONS CAN CAUSE PERSONAL INJURY.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A GROUND WIRE ON THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG.

Recall campaignNHTSA 96V088000

Electrical system: horn

Component
Electrical system: horn
Manufacturer
VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC
Vehicles affected
3,700
Reported to NHTSA
1996-05-23
Owners notified
1996-05-31

Defect description

THE HORN CAN WORK ONLY INTERMITTENTLY DUE TO INSUFFICIENT ELECTRICAL GROUND CONTACT.

Safety risk

THIS CONDITION COULD PREVENT A DRIVER FROM SOUNDING A WARNING BY USING THE HORN INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Manufacturer remedy

CORRECTIVE ACTION: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A GROUND CONTACT SPRING WHICH WILL ENHANCE THE ELECTRICAL GROUND CONNECTION.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Electrical system: ignition: switch1798,238 mi
Suspension: front: control arm945,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip711,000 mi
Unknown or other668,000 mi
Electrical system4130,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition4
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly466,642 mi
Suspension: front4
Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm495,000 mi
Air bags: frontal3
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner3
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components335,000 mi
Air bags227,000 mi
Electrical system: horn210,000 mi
Electrical system: starter assembly298,238 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine2
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.2
Exterior lighting2130,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission2
Power train: manual transmission2
Seats: front assembly: seat heater/cooler255,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc2
Steering271,000 mi
Steering: linkages2
Structure: body: door2
Suspension2
Suspension: front: control arm: upper arm230,000 mi
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly2
Air bags: side/window1
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator1
Electrical system: ignition: module1
Electrical system: starter assembly: relay1
Engine and engine cooling1
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system1
Equipment155,000 mi
Equipment: mechanical: accessory scissor/screw/bottle jack/lift1
Equipment: mechanical: carrier/rack1
Equipment: other: owners/service/other manual1
Exterior lighting: brake lights166,642 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights1
Exterior lighting: headlights: switch166,000 mi
Exterior lighting: tail lights1
Exterior lighting: turn signal1
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery160,000 mi
Interior lighting1
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)1
Power train: driveline: constant velocity joint1
Seats: front assembly: recliner167,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder1
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar1
Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)1
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump166,642 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint195,000 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: upper ball joint195,000 mi
Tires1
Vehicle speed control: cables1
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system1
Visibility: glass, side/rear1
Visibility: power window devices and controls1
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer1130,000 mi

The 1995 model has 133 times as many complaints as this one. The 1997 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.