Recall 69bt was not accomplished at McDaniels Audi of Charleston dealer. They indicated they had replaced airbag with 8D0898201A kit.
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.
- Brakes125
- Engine30
- Suspension24
- Electrical23
- Steering23
- Airbags16
- Acceleration13
- Visibility8
- Transmission7
- Lights6
- Seats5
- Body3
- Seat belts3
- Wheels2
- Driver assistance1
- Fuel system1
- Tires1
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 module
- 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: connecting
- 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 fittings
- 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 system
- 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 throttle
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 bracket
PE02008
Degraded braking in wet weather
There is no summary currently available
EA00021
Degraded braking wet weather condition
There is no summary currently available
PE00016
Power brake booster vacuum by-pass
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.
- This communication is issued to inform dealers of updated shipping regulations related to lithium ion...
- This communication is issued to remind dealers of the repair validation process for repair group 19....
- This informational bulletin contains technical information for when there is condensation visible on the...
- This special notice is to inform dealers to return all part numbers listed in the document and order the...
- This informational bulletin contains all the the Audi Oil Quality Standards that should be used when doing...
- Due to increasing requests for high voltage personal protective equipment (HVE PPE) for dealer technicians...
- This information TSB provides information regarding the correct way to torque adjust a wheel bolt.
- Vehicle will not communicate with diagnostic scan tool or emissions test equipment
- Supersedes Technical Service Bulletin Group 19 number 15-61 dated July 7, 2015
- Supersedes Technical Service Bulletin Group 19 number 14-50 dated June 20, 2014
1998 Audi A4 fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8L 4‑cyl | FWD | 18-20 | 29 | 22-23 |
| 1.8L 4‑cyl | 4WD | 17-19 | 25-27 | 20-22 |
| 2.8L 6‑cyl | FWD | 16-18 | 27 | 20-21 |
| 2.8L 6‑cyl | 4WD | 16-17 | 25 | 19-20 |
What 1998 Audi A4 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Compare the 1998 Audi A4
A4 vs Mercedes-Benz C300A4 vs BMW 328IA4 vs Cadillac CTSA4 vs Lincoln MKZA4 vs Lexus ES350A4 vs Acura TLX
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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