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1996 Audi A4 problems

The most common problem on the 1996 Audi A4 is electrical system, typically around 98,238 miles. It has 1.6 times the complaints of a typical A4 model year.

Typical year1.6x the typical complaints
Owner complaints
89
Recalls
4
Service bulletins
50
Worst area
Electrical
Fuel economy
19-20mpg

The worst 1996 Audi A4 problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

Specific symptoms reported on the 1996 Audi A4

Ball joint 19Headlights 6

Recalls 4

Electrical system: ignition: switchReported October 23, 2006 · 28,594 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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).

Recall number 06V403000 · Recall details

Electrical system: ignition: switchReported October 11, 2000 · 27,900 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
This condition causes electrical accessories such as windshield wipers and headlights to become inoperative.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the ignition switch.

Recall number 00V317000 · Recall details

Air bags: frontalReported October 8, 1997 · 39,300 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
Activation of the air bag under these conditions can cause personal injury.
Remedy
Dealers will install a ground wire on the driver side air bag.

Recall number 97V175000 · Recall details

Electrical system: hornReported May 23, 1996 · 3,700 vehicles affected
What is wrong
The horn can work only intermittently due to insufficient electrical ground contact.
Risk
This condition could prevent a driver from sounding a warning by using the horn increasing the potential for a vehicle accident.
Remedy
Corrective action: dealers will install a ground contact spring which will enhance the electrical ground connection.

Recall number 96V088000 · Recall details

See all 4 recalls for the 1996 Audi A4

Defect investigations

Degraded braking in wet weatherOpened August 11, 2000, closed March 29, 2002

There is no summary currently available

EA00021

Degraded braking wet weather conditionOpened April 4, 2000, closed August 11, 2000

There is no summary currently available

PE00016

Ignition switchOpened March 21, 2000, closed November 30, 2000

There is no summary currently available

RQ00009

Technical service bulletins for the 1996 Audi A4 50

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 50 bulletins for the 1996 Audi A4

1996 Audi A4 fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
2.8L 6‑cylFWD16-1725-2619-20
2.8L 6‑cyl4WD16-1724-2519-20

What 1996 Audi A4 owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Apr 24, 2011 · Suspension · PA

While driving west on pennsylvania rt. 401 I drove over a small bump in the road, where a drain is buried under the road, and the passenger side front lower a arm snapped in half at a speed of 45 MPH causing a catastrophic failure and the car to grind to a halt on the shoulder of the road.

Filed Sep 17, 2009 · Electrical · 210,000 miles · GA

I have 1996 audi a4 and experiencing the same recall problem as the federal safety agency campaign id number: 06v403000, which is not able to return the ignition key to the running position after starting the engine. This condition causing electrical accessories such as windshield wipers and headlights to become inoperative increasing the risk of a crash. I see the following recall on your website. But when I contact audi at 1‑800‑822‑2834, they says my 1996 audi a4 is not qualified for this recall. Vehicle make / model: model year(s): audi / a4 1996-1997 manufacturer: volkswagen of america, inc mfr's report date: oct 20, 2006 the federal safety agency campaign id number: 06v403000 n/a the federal safety agency action number: n/a component: electrical system:ignition:switch potential number of units affected: 28594.

Filed Mar 31, 2009 · Electrical, Lights · 130,000 miles · MI

Tl*the contact owns a 1996 audi a4. The contact heard a loud squealing noise outside the vehicle when he started the ignition. The RPM's increased and the ignition key failed to return to the engine running position. Immediately, the ignition key was turned manually to the "on" position to resume normal operation. In addition, the windshield wipers and headlights became inoperative without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for inspection and the federal safety agency campaign id number 06v403000 (electrical system:ignition:switch) was referenced. The failures were identical, but the VIN was excluded from the recall. The vehicle has not been repaired. The failure mileage was 130,000 and current mileage was 132,000.

Filed Nov 19, 2008 · Electrical · 200,000 miles · PA

Tl*the contact owns a 1996 audi a4. The contact stated that his keys were stuck in the ignition. His VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign id number 06v403000 (electrical system:ignition:switch). The failure and current mileages were less than 200,000. Updated 12-08-08 *bf updated 12/10/08.

Filed Mar 19, 2007 · Electrical · MN

1996 audi a4 customer had replaced the ignition switch than a week later he received a recall letter. Customer submitted the paper to audi and was given half payment customer would like full reimbursement**cc

Filed Dec 16, 2006 · Seats · CT · fire

1996 audi a4 quattro with leatherette passenger seat - heated seat was set at level 6 and while a passenger was sitting on the seat a hole the size of two quarters was burnt into the passenger seat due to the heated seat starting a small fire..

Filed Oct 13, 2006 · Electrical · 120,000 miles · CA

Dt*: the contact stated the vehicles starter completely failed on two occasions. The first time, the vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop, who replaced the starter. The vehicle was driven back to the contacts residence with no problems. That same day, the contact attempted to start the vehicle and the starter failed again. The vehicle was pushed to the nearby independent repair shop, who determined that the ignition switch was defective, and was the cause for the burnt starter. The contact researched the problem online, and noticed an the federal safety agency recall #00v317000 regarding, electrical system: ignition: switch. On 10/13/06, the manufacturer was contacted, who confirmed the vehicle was included in the recall, but the period to have the recall work performed had expired.

Filed May 15, 2006 · Airbags · CA

This is not related to a manufacturer complaint, but I am hoping to get some info on who to contact for an issue in a private party used vehicle purchase. I recently purchased a car with a clean carfax report and the seller said it had not been involved in any collisions. Upon taking it to my mechanic for a part failure (within 24 hrs of purchase) I was told it had been in a major collision with airbag deployment. The airbag covers had been replaced, however the SRS light was either removed or the wires cut so it wouldn't be illuminated. Additionally we're concerned that the seat belts were not replaced. I'm wondering if there is any recourse against the seller when they do not disclose the fact that the safety equipment is not present. Calls to the seller have gone unanswered.

Filed Feb 1, 2006 · Electrical · 50,000 miles · DC

I own a 1996 audi a4. The horn has intermittently worked since I've owned the vehicle - since 1999. I've tried on numerous occasions to have various dealers fix the problem since there is an outstanding recall notice for the horn assembly (campaign: 96v088000) but I'm now finally told that my VIN does not fall into the appropriate range. However, the description of the 1996 audi a4 problem matches my problem exactly. I was told by a dealer years ago that to fix the problem, I would need to replace the leather steering wheel, which would cost approximately $1,000. My VIN should be included in this recall notice. Please advise.

Filed Oct 27, 2005 · Electrical · 90,500 miles · FL

(1) I received a recall notice (le recall) from audi of america on the ignition switch on my 1996 a4 sedan. The recall work was performed on 10/10/02. At that point in time the original ignition switch had been performing correctly for 69 months but I had it replaced because of audi's recommendation; not because it had a malfunction. (2)in october of 2005 the replacement ignition switch failed after exactly 36 months of service. I had problems with the wiper blades and the A/C. Because of the failure I experienced previously on the 1997 audi I turned the motor off then opened the car door and restarted the motor. I heard what sounded like the starter motor still engaged so I turned the motor off and had the car towed to reeves audi. (3)reeves audi replaced the ignition switch and billed me about $661 but after I complained they gave me a 15% discount so I ended up paying about $571 (4)I called audi of america. They were able to pull up my earlier complaint about the 1997 a4 and created a new file for the 1996 a4 (50407850). However, their final word on the subject was that they stood behind the 15% discount offered to me by reeves audi. (5)bottom line is that for 2 audi automobiles I had good ignition switches that had served 59 and 69 months be replaced because of an audi of america recall and then had the replacement ignition switches fail after 18 and 36 months. I am out of pocket over $2500 for a problem identified by audi of america and supposedly corrected by reeves audi of tampa. How can a car manufacturer identify a problem (was it a safety recall), identify corrective action, put out a recall notice and then have the improved part fail in such a short time span. My original ignition switches never did fail. (6)my contention is that audi did not correct the problem when they performed the recall, in fact they made the problem considerably worse. Audi should bear the responsibility of repairing these ignition switches a 2nd. Time.

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Compare the 1996 Audi A4

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Other model years

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Questions about the 1996 Audi A4

Is the 1996 Audi A4 reliable?

Owners have filed 89 complaints about the 1996 Audi A4, 1.6 times a typical A4 model year.

What is the most common problem with the 1996 Audi A4?

Electrical system, with 26 complaints, typically around 98,238 miles. Next is suspension (19).

How many recalls does the 1996 Audi A4 have?

4 recalls, covering electrical system and air bags.

What gas mileage does the 1996 Audi A4 get?

Official estimates for the 1996 Audi A4 range from 19 to 20 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.8L 6-cyl, FWD) gets 16-17 city and 25-26 highway.

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