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1998 Audi A4 problems

The most common problem on the 1998 Audi A4 is brakes, typically around 82,500 miles. It has 4.5 times the complaints of a typical A4 model year.

Typical year4.5x the typical complaints
Owner complaints
258
Recalls
4
Service bulletins
85
Worst area
Brakes
Fuel economy
19-23mpg
Typical repair
$2,000

The worst 1998 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 1998 Audi A4

ABS 49Ball joint 30Headlights 7Adaptive cruise 6Brake failure 6Wipers 5

Recalls 4

Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator moduleReported July 1, 2022 · 28,624 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.

Recall number 22V471000 · Recall details

Steering: linkages: rod: relay: connectingReported September 13, 1999 · 51,900 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.

Recall number 99V248000 · Recall details

Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuum: hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsReported May 21, 1999 · 88,121 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.

Recall number 99V131001 · Recall details

Engine and engine cooling: cooling systemReported June 22, 1998 · 19,800 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.

Recall number 98V134000 · Recall details

See all 4 recalls for the 1998 Audi A4

Defect investigations

Stuck-open throttleOpened June 30, 2004, closed February 10, 2005

Vwoa has recalled approximately 28,300 my 1998-99 a6 vehicles in cold weather states that experienced the highest rate of throttle icing incidents in the subject vehicles (04v‑495).the failure rate in the a4 and passat vehicles is much lower than in the recalled vehicles.odi will continue to monitor the experience in the a4 and passat vehicles.the closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency that no safety-related defect exists for the audi a4 or vw passat vehicles.the agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by a change in circumstances. For further details see the attached closing report.

EA04017

Brake and clutch pedal bracketOpened January 23, 2002, closed July 12, 2002

PE02008

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

Power brake booster vacuum by-passOpened June 1, 1999, closed November 14, 2000

There is no summary currently available

RQ99008

Technical service bulletins for the 1998 Audi A4 85

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

See all 85 bulletins for the 1998 Audi A4

1998 Audi A4 fuel economy

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

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
1.8L 4‑cylFWD18-202922-23
1.8L 4‑cyl4WD17-1925-2720-22
2.8L 6‑cylFWD16-182720-21
2.8L 6‑cyl4WD16-172519-20

What 1998 Audi A4 owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jan 27, 2022 · Airbags · GA

Recall 69bt was not accomplished at McDaniels Audi of Charleston dealer. They indicated they had replaced airbag with 8D0898201A kit.

Filed Oct 5, 2021 · Airbags · 80,000 miles · OH · crash · 1 injury

The contact owned a 1998 Audi A4. The contact stated that while driving at 35-40 MPH with his 12-year-old son sitting in the passenger seat, he crashed into another vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact did not sustain any injuries, however, his son sustained a broken rib and was transported to the hospital. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot, where it was totaled. The contact recently received a recall notice for the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 20V056000 (AIR BAGS). The dealer and the manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.

Filed Jul 7, 2021 · Airbags · CA

Takata recall. The contact owns a 1998 Audi A4. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 20V056000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available.

Filed Apr 28, 2021 · Airbags · SC

Tl* the contact owns a 1998 audi a4. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 20v056000 (air bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. A dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available.

Filed Jun 1, 2017 · Airbags, Brakes · 158,238 miles · TX

The airbag fault light and ABS light have been on ever since I had the vehicle, thinking that it may be a fault by the manufacturer as seeing very common problems in many websites. Another main concerned is the fault of the manufacturer's engine design causing engine damage from oil sludge. My concern is for future prevention measures.

Filed Feb 11, 2017 · Brakes · 82,000 miles · DC

The amber ABS warning light glows while the red brake light blinks. I understand newer audi models have just been recalled for ABS issues, but my 1998 a4 was not included in the recall. Braking appears normal, and warning light illumination is sporadic.

Filed Nov 21, 2016 · Engine · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 1998 audi a4. The contact had the turbo replaced in the vehicle; however, months later, the vehicle stalled. The contact felt unsafe in the vehicle because she believed that a crash could occur due to the stalling. The VIN and failure mileage were unknown.

Filed May 29, 2012 · Electrical · 201,000 miles · TN · fire

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 repaired. The manufacturer was notified and the contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in the recall associated with the federal safety agency campaign id number 00v317000 (electrical system:ignition:switch). The failure mileage was 201,000.

Filed Apr 5, 2012 · Lights · 190,000 miles · MN

Tl* the contact owns a 1998 audi a4. The contact stated that the amber reflector headlights illuminated poorly and decreased vision. The dealer was notified, but denied any assistance to repair the vehicle because the VIN was not included in the recall associated with the federal safety agency campaign id number 06e049000 (exterior lighting). The manufacturer was not notified. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 190,000.

Filed Apr 2, 2012 · Lights · MN

I have had a recent discussion with audi customer service manager in wayzata, mn at 11:55am. This is regarding a defect in my model year 1998 audi a4 2.8., or audi a4 2.8 manufactured june of 1997. I researched the web and saw hundreds of similar complaints regarding the light switch. I turned my light switch on and the low beam and high beam do not work. The temporary high beam works. I saw many other 1998 audi owners with the same problem; even more similar with the fact that we had a 1998 model year car that was manufactured in 1997. The recall campaign is a little ambiguous stating model years and manufacture dates. My car falls within the manufacture date but not the recall date. The recall is open however 1998 models, which are being affected by this issue, are not included. It is obvious that cars manufactured prior to august of 1997 even though they are model year 1998 have the same problem.

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Compare the 1998 Audi A4

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Other model years

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Questions about the 1998 Audi A4

Is the 1998 Audi A4 reliable?

Owners have filed 258 complaints about the 1998 Audi A4, 4.5 times a typical A4 model year.

What is the most common problem with the 1998 Audi A4?

Brakes, with 125 complaints, typically around 82,500 miles. Next is engine (30).

How many recalls does the 1998 Audi A4 have?

4 recalls, covering air bags, steering and service brakes, hydraulic.

What gas mileage does the 1998 Audi A4 get?

Official estimates for the 1998 Audi A4 range from 19 to 23 mpg combined. The most efficient version (1.8L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 18-20 city and 29 highway.

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