1996 Audi A4 suspension problems

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 Jul 1, 2005 · Suspension · 100,000 miles · NJ

1996 audi a4 - audi a4 front control arms all fail at around 100,000 miles. All 8 of mine were replaced. Audi sent out a tsb for 2 of the 8 control arms and are jerking people around with the reimbursement. They want people to prove that all scheduled maintenance was done, yet the parts in question are not repairable or serviceable. According to my audi dealer, this is an ongoing problem that hasn't gotten any better, even with the latest models. These cost between $300 - $500 each to replace for a total of $3000 for all 8. They are doing everything they can to prevent people from collecting on this and this should cover all 8, since all 8 fail instead of only 2. They should be held accountable for the letter and paperwork that I provided to them for reimbursement over 6 months ago. Every audi a4 has had this problem and continues to have this problem. Audi should have to answer for the poor design and the bogus tsb letter that they sent to owners.

Filed Mar 25, 2005 · Suspension · 95,000 miles · MA

While driving 10 MPH driver's side lower control arm failed. As a result, the ball joints seperated.

Filed Jun 30, 2004 · Suspension · 45,000 miles · VT

Front end control arms continue to be a problem. I have replaced all of them on the front end at least once. I now have another one that needs replacement. I am concerned what will happen if I don't replace it. This is a problem for all owners, and needs to be addressed by audi before someone is killed.

Filed Nov 7, 2003 · Suspension · 30,000 miles · CA

When vehicle reached 30,000 miles control arms dried out and created an annoying sound. A black rubber compound was added, but the noise continued.

Filed Oct 12, 2003 · Steering, Suspension · SD

Repeated front suspension/steering system component failures. *jb *ph

Filed Sep 8, 2003 · Suspension · NY

My audi a4 had 3 times replaced front control arms , when taken to multiple dealerships , dealer pointed to design problem.

Filed Oct 20, 2001 · Suspension · IN

According to my dealer, the front control arms of my a4 is worn out at just 59000 miles. From audiworld.com, I found that there are many other a4 owners (regardless of their cars' model year) who have had to replace their control arms repeatedly (some failed within 15000miles). It seems that many dealers told many owners that this is a very common problem, and that there is a part shortage because of this. Some out-of-warranty owners claim that audi has either provided the parts free, or at half price, which makes me believe that audi realizes that this is a design defect. Many owners believe that this is a safety issue with the possibility of losing control when the vehicle is moving. This has not happened to me yet, but I am becoming increasingly concerned about this safety issue.

Filed Aug 23, 2001 · Suspension · VA

Front passenger control arm has been replaced and failed four times during the life of the vehicle.

Filed Feb 6, 2001 · Suspension · VA

Control arms on both the driver and passenger sides have failed and have been replaced three times over the life of the vehicle.