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.
1996 Audi A4 electrical problems
26 complaints (29% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 98,238.
- owner complaints
- 26
- of this car's complaints
- 29%
- typical mileage
- 98,238
- crashes
- 0
- recalls
- 3
Which part fails
- Ignition: switch17
- Ignition4
- Starter assembly2
- Horn2
- Starter assembly: relay1
- Ignition: module1
- Alternator/generator/regulator1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Audi A4 electrical problems in other years
Related recalls
Electrical system: ignition: switch
- 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: switch
- 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
Electrical system: horn
- 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
Related investigations
Degraded braking wet weather condition
There is no summary currently available
PE00016
Ignition switch
There is no summary currently available
RQ00009
What 1996 Audi A4 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
(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.
I own an 1996 audi a4. Recently, my headlights and taillights have stopped functioning all together at various times. Sometimes they work fine the next minute they wouldn't. One night I almost got rear-ended by another car because my rear taillights were not illuminated. So I took the car to audi to get the problem taken care of. When I went to audi, they told me I have a bad ignition switch and said the problem would probably be taken care of with the replacement of the switch. I got the work done and then went on the internet to check any recalls from the federal safety agency. A recall #00v317000 came up and described the exact problem I had with my audi. However, when I called the dealer and audi they told me the recall did not apply to my VIN #. I found it hard to believe that this hazard was taken care of for a select number of cars but there are still cars out on the roadway that have the same exact problem. I think audi would have been much more likely to pay for the repairs if that ford f250 super duty would have placed its v-8 in my passenger's seat as it almost did. It was an awful close call for me and I am having a huge problem with audi not taking responsibility for their defects.
Problem with ignition switch causing the return spring force to be insufficient for returning the ignition key to the running position after starting the engine, also causing electrical accessories to become inoperative and running down the battery. There was a recall concerning the ignition switch on the exact same year (1996) and model (audi a4) and regarding the exact same ignition problem. I have spoken with the dealers service department and the manufacturer concerning this problem. The recall they claim does not include my VIN number. However, my car is a 1996 audi a4 and my vehicle is having the exact same safety problem covered under the recall. The recall #00v317000.
Although the ignition switch of my 1996 audi a4 was replaced under recall in august 2001, it has the same failure almost exactly 4 years later. The switch neither allows the car to completely shut off nor allows the wipers, lights and indicators to function.
Questions about the 1996 Audi A4 electrical
Does the 1996 Audi A4 have electrical problems?
Owners have filed 26 complaints about the electrical of the 1996 Audi A4, 29% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.
At what mileage do 1996 Audi A4 electrical problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 98,238 miles.
Was there a recall on the 1996 Audi A4 electrical?
Yes, 3 recalls: 06V403000, 00V317000, 96V088000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Audi A4 have the most electrical problems?
The Audi A4 model years with the most electrical complaints are 2020 (92 complaints), 2002 (76 complaints) and 2001 (35 complaints).
Other 1996 Audi A4 problems
Suspension 19Brakes 11Steering 10Airbags 6Transmission 6Visibility 6Engine 5Lights 5Seats 3Body 2Acceleration 1Fuel system 1Tires 1
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