1997 Audi A4

▲ Better than typical

1997 Audi A4
RENDERED 2026-09-16T17:13:08.955Z

This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

1997: 98 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
1995	1
1996	89
1997	98
1998	258
1999	190
2000	96
2001	131
2002	181
2003	210
2004	189
2005	219
2006	295
2007	196
2008	175
2009	120
2010	64
2011	11
2012	19
2013	24
2014	32
2015	19
2016	11
2017	55
2018	44
2019	10
2020	127
2021	11
2022	6
2023	10
2024	2

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 35%

35% of complaints: electrical system — 34 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing switch and ignition.

FIRE

Show complaint excerpts

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 AUDI A4. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED FOR RECALL # 06V403000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH). WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PICKED UP FROM THE DEALER, THE BATTERY WAS DEAD AND HAD TO BE JUMP STARTED.

NHTSA ODI report, 20070524

MY AUDI A-4 WAS PARKED ALL DAY, ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE ONLY IN THE DASH. I HAVE REPORTED THIS TO AUDI THEY REFUSE TO GIVE ME A REPORT AFTER LOOKING AT THE CAR. THEY ALSO SAID THEY COULD NOT TELL IF IT WAS TAMPERED WITH.

NHTSA ODI report, 20050909

SUSPENSION 19%

19% of complaints: suspension — 19 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing control arm and front.

CRASH

Show complaint excerpts

CONTROL ARM FAILURE, FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. RESULTED IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND VEERING INTO A CURB, DAMAGING THE VEHICLE ($2000+), INSURANCE WOULD NOT COVER THE FAILED PART (ESURANCE).

NHTSA ODI report, 20040917

SERVICE BRAKES 16%

16% of complaints: service brakes — 16 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASH INJURY

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 12%

12% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 12 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing engine and gasoline.

POWER TRAIN 5%

5% of complaints: power train — 5 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing manual transmission and clutch assembly.

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 19970715 — seat belts

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE REAR SEAT BELT RETRACTORS MAY NOT LOCK PROPERLY WHEN ENGAGED, OR NOT REMAIN LOCKED AFTER BEING ENGAGED.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY.

Campaign 97V115000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19971013 — air bags

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE DISCHARGE OF STATIC ELECTRICITY UNDER LOW HUMIDITY CONDITIONS CAN ACTIVATE THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG WHEN THE DRIVER ENTERS OR EXITS THE VEHICLE AND FORMS

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A GROUND WIRE ON THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG.

Campaign 97V175000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19990601 — RQ (closed 20001114)

POWER BRAKE BOOSTER VACUUM BY-PASS

R 19991009 — service brakes, hydraulic

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

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.

Campaign 99V131001 — check if this car was fixed

I 20000321 — RQ (closed 20001130)

IGNITION SWITCH

I 20000404 — PE (closed 20000811)

DEGRADED BRAKING WET WEATHER CONDITION

I 20000811 — EA (closed 20020329)

DEGRADED BRAKING IN WET WEATHER

R 20010706 — electrical system

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 INSUFF

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.

Campaign 00V317000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20060701 — exterior lighting

CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE N

Remedy: CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.

Campaign 06E049000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20060801 — exterior lighting

CERTAIN AAI MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LIST PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE RE

Remedy: AAI MOTORSPORTS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AAI MOTORSPORTS AT 909-923-9188.

Campaign 06E060000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20061127 — electrical system

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 FORC

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 SUPERS

Campaign 06V403000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20210921 — air bags

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.

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.

Campaign 22V471000 — check if this car was fixed