Most common 1996 Audi A4 problems
Share of the 89 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Audi A4 complaints by model year
Best A4 years: 2011, 2016, 2012. Years to avoid: 2020, 2008, 1998, 2006, 1999. Compare all years →
1996 Audi A4 recalls (4)
Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
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 force to be insufficient for returning the ignition key to the running position after starting the engine.
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.
Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
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 insufficient for returning the ignition key to the running position after starting the engine.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the ignition switch.
Air bags › Frontal
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 an electrical circuit by touching certain areas of the steering wheel.
Remedy: Dealers will install a ground wire on the driver side air bag.
Electrical system › Horn
The horn can work only intermittently due to insufficient electrical ground contact.
Remedy: Corrective action: dealers will install a ground contact spring which will enhance the electrical ground connection.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 3 possible defects involving the 1996 Audi A4:
Ignition switch
There is no summary currently available
Degraded braking wet weather condition
There is no summary currently available
Degraded braking in wet weather
There is no summary currently available
What 1996 Audi A4 owners say
Electrical system all 26 →
There were no crashes and no injuries related to this incident. I purchased a 1996 Audi A4 quattro, VIN [redacted], used on February 7, 2004. On the incident date the ingition switch failed causing damage to the starter motor. The vehicle was taken to our service dealer, midwestern auto group, dublin, ohio where the problem was diagnosed as a failure of the ingition switch housing. This is the exact same failure that initiated a recall campaign, NHTSA campaign id# 00V317000 (Audi campaign code le). The dealer researched the Audi database and discovered that the recall campaign was completed on this vehicle in 2001. Subsequently, the Audi manufacturers representative, to the displeasure of the dealer, has denied any claim on this incident pertaining to the recall. …
I own an 1996 Audi A4. Recently, my headlights and taillights have stopped functioning all together at various times. Sometimes they work fine the next minute they wouldn't. One night I almost got rear-ended by another car because my rear taillights were not illuminated. So I took the car to Audi to get the problem taken care of. When I went to Audi, they told me I have a bad ignition switch and said the problem would probably be taken care of with the replacement of the switch. I got the work done and then went on the internet to check any recalls from the NHTSA. A recall #00V317000 came up and described the exact problem I had with my Audi. However, when I called the dealer and Audi they told me the recall did not apply to my VIN #. …
Suspension
1996 Audi A4 - Audi A4 front control arms all fail at around 100,000 miles. All 8 of mine were replaced. Audi sent out a TSB for 2 of the 8 control arms and are jerking people around with the reimbursement. They want people to prove that all scheduled maintenance was done, yet the parts in question are not repairable or serviceable. According to my Audi dealer, this is an ongoing problem that hasn't gotten any better, even with the latest models. These cost between $300 - $500 each to replace for a total of $3000 for all 8. They are doing everything they can to prevent people from collecting on this and this should cover all 8, since all 8 fail instead of only 2. They should be held accountable for the letter and paperwork that I provided to them for reimbursement over 6 months ago. Every Audi A4 has had this problem and continues to have this problem. …
Front end control arms continue to be a problem. I have replaced all of them on the front end at least once. I now have another one that needs replacement. I am concerned what will happen if I don't replace it. This is a problem for all owners, and needs to be addressed by Audi before someone is killed.
Brakes
Brake failure in wet conditions. I was driving on 95n in providence. As I was changing lanes, I lost steering abilities. When I braked I did not get a response and crashed into the jersey barrier then bounced off it and went into a 180 degree spin across 4 lanes. I was stopped by the guard rail.
The brakes are not functional, can hardly stop the car, within the first 150 feet when initially applied in wet conditions. This condition reappears each time after the vehicle goes for 1 to 2 miles without reapplying brakes to dry it.
1996 Audi A4 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.8L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 17 / 25 / 20 |
| 2.8L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 4WD/AWD | 17 / 24 / 20 |
| 2.8L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | FWD | 16 / 26 / 19 |
| 2.8L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 16 / 25 / 19 |
EPA ratings. Class: Compact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1996 Audi A4 a good car?
Based on 89 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1996 A4 rates average: about as many complaints as a typical year of the A4 at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 1996 Audi A4?
The electrical system — 26 complaints, 29% of all complaints for this model year, most often about ignition › switch. Next are the suspension (19) and brakes (11).
How many recalls does the 1996 Audi A4 have?
There are 4 recalls for the 1996 Audi A4, the most recent from October 23, 2006 (switch). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Audi A4?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2011, 2016 and 2012. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2020, 2008, 1998, 2006 and 1999. See the full Audi A4 years comparison.
At what mileage do 1996 Audi A4 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 67,000 miles; 23% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.