1998 Audi A4

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
1998 Audi A4
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year had more than double the complaints of 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

Complaints per year, Audi A4 Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1998 highlighted. 1995: 1 complaints 1995 1996: 89 complaints 1997: 98 complaints 1998: 258 complaints 1998 1999: 190 complaints 1999 2000: 96 complaints 2001: 131 complaints 2002: 181 complaints 2003: 210 complaints 2003 2004: 189 complaints 2005: 219 complaints 2006: 295 complaints 2007: 196 complaints 2007 2008: 175 complaints 2009: 120 complaints 2010: 64 complaints 2011: 11 complaints 2011 2012: 19 complaints 2013: 24 complaints 2014: 31 complaints 2015: 18 complaints 2015 2016: 11 complaints 2017: 54 complaints 2018: 44 complaints 2019: 10 complaints 2019 2020: 124 complaints 2021: 11 complaints 2022: 6 complaints 2023: 9 complaints 2023 2024: 2 complaints 2024
1998: 258 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19951
199689
199798
1998258
1999190
200096
2001131
2002181
2003210
2004189
2005219
2006295
2007196
2008175
2009120
201064
201111
201219
201324
201431
201518
201611
201754
201844
201910
2020124
202111
20226
20239
20242

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 22%

22% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 58 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

WHILE DRIVINGTHE ABS BRAKING SYSTM WHICH IS ACTIVATED MALFUNCTIONED, HAVING NO BRAKING ABILITY, AND CAUSING A FRONTAL IMPACT. THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S AIRBAGS DID DEPLOY BUT NOT ALL THE WAY.

NHTSA ODI report, 19981217

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 7%

7% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 17 distinct reports on file.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 6%

6% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 15 distinct reports on file.

STEERING 5%

5% of complaints: steering — 13 distinct reports on file.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 5%

5% of complaints: electrical system — 12 distinct reports on file.

SAFETY TIMELINE

1998 — complaint volume: 258
R 19980825 — engine and engine cooling

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.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A RETAINING RING TO HOLD THE AIR SCREEN IN PLACE.

Campaign 98V134000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19990601 — RQ (closed 20001114)

POWER BRAKE BOOSTER VACUUM BY-PASS

R 19991005 — steering

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.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TIE RODS.

Campaign 99V248000 — check if this car was fixed

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 20000404 — PE (closed 20000811)

DEGRADED BRAKING WET WEATHER CONDITION

I 20000811 — EA (closed 20020329)

DEGRADED BRAKING IN WET WEATHER

I 20020123 — PE (closed 20020712)

BRAKE AND CLUTCH PEDAL BRACKET

I 20040630 — EA (closed 20050210)

STUCK-OPEN THROTTLE

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 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

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1998 Audi A4 — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for service brakes, hydraulic issues (58 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for service brakes, hydraulic issues (17 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for service brakes, hydraulic issues (15 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 98V134000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 99V248000 (steering) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 99V131001 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E049000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E060000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 22V471000 (air bags) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2014 ▲ 2018 ▲ 2017

WORST YEARS

■ 2006 ◆ 2005 ◆ 2003

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1998 Audi A4 reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1998 Audi A4 is rated "significantly worse".

What are the most common problems with the 1998 Audi A4?

The most-reported component is service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, accounting for 22% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1998 Audi A4 have?

6 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.