Known Recalls

Model year record

1997 Audi A4

6 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 119 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 22V471000

Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module

Component
Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module
Manufacturer
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Vehicles affected
28,624
Reported to NHTSA
2022-07-01
Owners notified
2021-09-21

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer 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.

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 99V131001

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

Component
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuum: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Manufacturer
VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC
Vehicles affected
88,121
Reported to NHTSA
1999-05-21
Owners notified
1999-10-09

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE INSUFFICIENT VACUUM TO BE PROVIDED TO THE BRAKE BOOSTER.

Manufacturer 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.

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 97V115000

Seat belts: rear/other

Component
Seat belts: rear/other
Manufacturer
VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC
Vehicles affected
12
Reported to NHTSA
1997-07-22
Owners notified
1997-07-15

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE REAR SEAT BELT RETRACTORS MAY NOT LOCK PROPERLY WHEN ENGAGED, OR NOT REMAIN LOCKED AFTER BEING ENGAGED.

Safety risk

IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, AN IMPROPERLY LOCKING SEAT BELT COULD CAUSE INJURY TO AN OCCUPANT.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY.

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Electrical system: ignition: switch24119,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine964,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip9—
Suspension: front: control arm780,000 mi
Suspension: front640,000 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm530,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition440,000 mi
Seats42,040,560 mi
Unknown or other4—
Air bags3183,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline389,000 mi
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly364,000 mi
Vehicle speed control318,000 mi
Electrical system292,457 mi
Electrical system: starter assembly276,000 mi
Power train: manual transmission252,000 mi
Seats: front assembly: seat heater/cooler281,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc2—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor2118,000 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery1—
Electrical system: ignition: module1—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys1—
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner1—
Exterior lighting: headlights140,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights: switch197,000 mi
Exterior lighting: turn signal: flasher unit1—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump1—
Power train: automatic transmission1—
Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/TECM)1—
Power train: clutch assembly176,000 mi
Seat belts1183,000 mi
Service brakes170,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1130,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist1—
Steering: linkages: arm: idler and attachment1—
Suspension: front: control arm: upper arm1103,000 mi
Tires: sidewall1—
Vehicle speed control: cruise control140,000 mi
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly1—
Visibility: windshield1—

The 1996 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 1998 model has about a third as many 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.