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1998 Audi A4 electrical problems

23 complaints (9% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 82,000.

owner complaints
23
of this car's complaints
9%
typical mileage
82,000
crashes
0
recalls
0

Which part fails

  • Ignition: switch
    12
  • Ignition
    5
  • Wiring: front underhood
    1
  • Starter assembly
    1
  • Instrument cluster/panel
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Audi A4 electrical problems in other years

1996200020052010201520202024

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

Related investigations

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

There is no summary currently available

PE00016

What 1998 Audi A4 owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

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 Nov 28, 2011 · Electrical, Lights · 110,000 miles · CA

On a 1998 a4 quattro audi, it is the 2nd time that the headlights switch fails, the first time was 6 months ago and have to replace the entire steering wheel column switch package. This is the second time, and this time I was on a highway around 11:00 pm with no headlights at all, in this car if the headlights don't work, also the fog lights don't work too, so suddenly you end at the middle of the night on a highway with no lights at all. This definitely is a high risk situation because you can not drive with out headlights it is like blind driving. I been searching on the web and it looks like a very common failure on this car but there is no recall at all for this yet.

Filed Jul 7, 2008 · Electrical · 65,000 miles · CA

Instrument cluster readout is unreadable. Display has dimmed over time. Vehicle: 1998 audi a4 quattro.

Filed Dec 8, 2006 · Electrical · 82,000 miles · OH

Dt*: the contact stated the vehicle failed to start when the key was turned in the ignition. The contact further stated the failure caused the starter to short out and burn up. The vehicle was towed to an independent repair shop, who replaced the starter and the ignition switch. There was a the federal safety agency recall, # 06v403000, regarding the ignition switch. The vehicle was not included in the recall due to the VIN.

Filed Aug 30, 2004 · Electrical · 56,000 miles · CA

Ignition switch was defective. Currently manufacturer recalled vehicles with the same exact problem. However, this vehicle was not included in the recall due to VIN.

Filed May 3, 2004 · Electrical · MI

Turning of the ignition key - the key does not return to its neutral position thereby not activating key essential electrical driving components such as lights and wipers, etc.

Filed Apr 21, 2004 · Electrical · 106,000 miles · AL

I have had a recent discussion with audi customer service, file #40182122. This is regarding a defect in my model year 1998 audi a4 2.8. Or audi a4 2.8 manufactured july of 1997. I researched the web and saw hundreds of similar complaints regarding the ignition switch. My ignition switch got stuck in both the run and later start position. The car would not turn off. Also it caused the climate control not to function properly by not turning on, the screen was black. Upon researching this problem, I saw many other 1998 audi owners with the same problem. Even more similiar with the fact that we had a 1998 model year car that was manufactured in 1997. The recall campaign # le (00v‑317) is a little ambigous stating model years and manufacture dates. My car falls within the manufacture date but not the recall date. It is obvious to any prudent and reasonable person that cars manufactured prior to august of 1997 even though they are model year 1998 have the same problem. I saw some respones to other owners regarding this situation and a resolvement in the matter with audi including us poor owners who bought a car in the switch of model years. I would like to know how I can resolve this matter as well. How can my car get included in this recall. Please let me know how to proceed. My car is currently being repaire at tom williams audi in birmingham, al (205) 397-2700.

Filed Mar 3, 2004 · Electrical, Visibility · 68,000 miles · NJ

Upon starting vehicle the ignition gets stuck in the crank position. Whenever this happens windshield wipers stop working. Vehicle had not been repaired because the vehicle was not on recall 00v317000.

Filed Jan 10, 2004 · Electrical · 55,000 miles · PA

Ignition switch fails to return to run from start after starting car. If the the key is not returned from start manually, the accessories (I.e windows, lights, radio, fan, etc) will not run and the starter will contiue to run potentiating the failure of that part. Recall notice #00v31700 covers model year 1997 for cars manufactured through 8/97. My car was manufactured 8/97 but is model year 1998. Audi used the model year limitation to deny repairng the faulty part and should include all cars manufactured within the time frame.

Filed Sep 2, 2003 · Electrical · AK

Dash lights come on with either the ignition or photo sensor. *ph this design makes the consumer think that the vehicle's headlights are on although they are not.

Questions about the 1998 Audi A4 electrical

Does the 1998 Audi A4 have electrical problems?

Owners have filed 23 complaints about the electrical of the 1998 Audi A4, 9% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 1998 Audi A4 electrical problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 82,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 1998 Audi A4 electrical?

There is no recall for this problem on this model year.

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 1998 Audi A4 problems

Brakes 125Engine 30Suspension 24Steering 23Airbags 16Acceleration 13Visibility 8Transmission 7Lights 6Seats 5Body 3Seat belts 3Wheels 2Driver assistance 1Fuel system 1Tires 1

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