The 1998 Audi A4 has 32 engine complaints filed with NHTSA — 10% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.
32
Engine complaints
10%
Share of year
0
Crash-involved
1
Related recalls
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.
“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…”
NHTSA has 32 complaints about the 1998 Audi A4 engine — 10% of all complaints filed for that model year.
Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the engine: 98V134000.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.