VehicleVerdict

1998 Audi A4 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 321 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 3.3 times the median A4 year — the 1998 model ranks #2 of 30 A4 years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 16 injuries in total across these filings.

The trouble concentrates in one system: brakes issues account for 44% of all reports (142 of 321), far ahead of engine at 32.

321

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

5

Investigations

9

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

16

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1998 compare to other A4 years?

A4 NHTSA complaints by model year, 1998 highlighted343 complaints1995: 1 complaints1996: 133 complaints1997: 119 complaints1998: 321 complaints1999: 242 complaints2000: 115 complaints2001: 153 complaints2002: 218 complaints2003: 282 complaints2004: 225 complaints2005: 267 complaints2006: 343 complaints2007: 226 complaints2008: 204 complaints2009: 150 complaints2010: 77 complaints2011: 17 complaints2012: 23 complaints2013: 28 complaints2014: 38 complaints2015: 23 complaints2016: 18 complaints2017: 75 complaints2018: 39 complaints2019: 16 complaints2020: 226 complaints2021: 19 complaints2022: 10 complaints2023: 17 complaints2024: 4 complaints
A4 NHTSA complaints by model year, 1998 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all A4 years to avoid →

What are the most common 1998 Audi A4 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes14244%
Engine3210%
Suspension278%
Electrical System268%
Steering237%
Airbags175%
Speed Control134%
Visibility & Wipers82%
Transmission72%
Lighting72%
Seats52%
Tires & Wheels31%
Seat Belts31%
Other31%
Body & Structure31%
Fuel System10%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)10%

Does the 1998 Audi A4 have recalls?

6 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

22V471000AirbagsJuly 1, 2022 · 28,624 units

Defect

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

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.

06E060000LightingJune 29, 2006 · 87,745 units

Defect

CERTAIN AAI MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LIST PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Consequence

LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH

Remedy

AAI MOTORSPORTS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AAI MOTORSPORTS AT 909-923-9188.

06E049000LightingMay 24, 2006 · 27,176 units

Defect

CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.

99V248000SteeringSeptember 13, 1999 · 51,900 units

Defect

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

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.

99V131001BrakesMay 21, 1999 · 88,121 units

Defect

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

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.

98V134000EngineJune 22, 1998 · 19,800 units

Defect

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

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“WHILE DRIVINGTHE ABS BRAKING SYSTM WHICH IS ACTIVATED MALFUNCTIONED, HAVING NO BRAKING ABILITY, AND CAUSING A FRONTAL IMPACT. THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S AIRBAGS DID DEPLOY BUT NOT ALL THE WAY. ALSO, SEATBELT TENSIONER MALFUNCTIONED, WHICH DID NOT HOLD PROPERLY THE OCCUPANT, AND OCCUPANT SUSTAINED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · December 2, 1998 · crash

“THE VEHICLE DEVELOPED A SEVERE VIBRATION IN THE FRONT END. THE UPPER, LOWER SUSPENSION ARMS AND THE TIE ROD ENDS WERE REPLACED. THERE WAS A SEVERE OIL LEAKAGE OBSERVED COMING FROM THE ENGINE DURING ACCELERATION. OIL WAS FOUND IN THE SPARK PLUG CAVITIES AND THE SPARK PLUG WIRES PROTECTIVE SLEEVE WAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · March 9, 2005

“THE VEHICLE DEVELOPED A SEVERE VIBRATION IN THE FRONT END. THE UPPER, LOWER SUSPENSION ARMS AND THE TIE ROD ENDS WERE REPLACED. THERE WAS A SEVERE OIL LEAKAGE OBSERVED COMING FROM THE ENGINE DURING ACCELERATION. OIL WAS FOUND IN THE SPARK PLUG CAVITIES AND THE SPARK PLUG WIRES PROTECTIVE SLEEVE WAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · March 9, 2005

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 AUDI A4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE SMELLED A BURNING WIRE ODOR UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND VARIOUS OTHER ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS WERE NOT FUNCTIONING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · May 24, 2012 · fire

“THE VEHICLE DEVELOPED A SEVERE VIBRATION IN THE FRONT END. THE UPPER, LOWER SUSPENSION ARMS AND THE TIE ROD ENDS WERE REPLACED. THERE WAS A SEVERE OIL LEAKAGE OBSERVED COMING FROM THE ENGINE DURING ACCELERATION. OIL WAS FOUND IN THE SPARK PLUG CAVITIES AND THE SPARK PLUG WIRES PROTECTIVE SLEEVE WAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · March 9, 2005

1998 Audi A4 — common questions

Is the 1998 Audi A4 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 321 complaints put the 1998 model at #2 of 30 A4 years. It is one of the A4 years to avoid.

What are the most common 1998 A4 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (142 complaints), engine (32 complaints), suspension (27 complaints).

Does the 1998 Audi A4 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 1998 Audi A4. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1998 Audi A4 under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 5 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Audi A4 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the A4 years to avoid are 2006, 1998, 2003, 2005, 1999, 2020, 2007, 2004, 2002, 2008, 2001, 2009. The cleanest record among A4 years belongs to 1995.

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.