VehicleVerdict

1997 Audi A4 electrical system problems

The 1997 Audi A4 has 34 electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA — 29% of the year's total, and roughly flat versus the prior model year.

34

Electrical System complaints

29%

Share of year

0

Crash-involved

2

Related recalls

Electrical System complaints by year

A4 electrical system complaints by model year89 complaints1996: 34 complaints1997: 34 complaints1998: 26 complaints1999: 14 complaints2000: 12 complaints2001: 36 complaints2002: 82 complaints2003: 36 complaints2004: 15 complaints2005: 27 complaints2006: 25 complaints2007: 10 complaints2008: 10 complaints2009: 3 complaints2010: 2 complaints2011: 1 complaints2012: 2 complaints2013: 3 complaints2014: 3 complaints2015: 3 complaints2016: 3 complaints2017: 6 complaints2018: 7 complaints2019: 3 complaints2020: 89 complaints2021: 3 complaints2023: 3 complaints2024: 1 complaints
A4 electrical system complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

06V403000Electrical SystemOctober 23, 2006 · 28,594 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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).

00V317000Electrical SystemOctober 11, 2000 · 27,900 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.

What owners report

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 AUDI A4. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED FOR RECALL # 06V403000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH). WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PICKED UP FROM THE DEALER, THE BATTERY WAS DEAD AND HAD TO BE JUMP STARTED. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART AFTER BEING DRIVEN 25 MILES AND THEN PARKED. THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · May 18, 2007 · fire

Common questions

How many electrical system complaints does the 1997 Audi A4 have?

NHTSA has 34 complaints about the 1997 Audi A4 electrical system — 29% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 1997 Audi A4 electrical system?

Yes — 2 NHTSA recall campaigns for this model year are tied to the electrical system: 00V317000, 06V403000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.