Most common 1997 Audi A4 problems
Share of the 98 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 →
1997 Audi A4 recalls (6)
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
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.
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.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Power assist › Vacuum › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
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.
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.
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.
Seat belts › Rear/other
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.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 4 possible defects involving the 1997 Audi A4:
Power brake booster vacuum by-pass
There is no summary currently available
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 1997 Audi A4 owners say
Electrical system all 33 →
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. The fire dept that put out the fire, said it was an electrical fire. This car is stock, I have had to replace the ignition switch and module. This car has had recalls and May complaints. This could caused injury and death if my child and I were in the car. I feel as if I am being blown off, I have called and spoke to many people and there is no straight answer. Now my car is sitting at scottadale paint and auto body where I was instructed to leave it by Audi. I have called there today to check on my car and no one can find it. I have also been sending e-mail and so on.
Tl 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. The vehicle failed to restart after being driven 25 miles and then parked. The dealer stated that the battery failure was unrelated to the recall repair. The contact purchased a new battery, but the vehicle still would not start. A local mechanic stated that the cause of failure was the starter and the wire was burned to the starter. The engine size was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 76,000.
Suspension
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). It was extremely fortunate that I was going only 35 MPH, that no one was standing or driving where I hit that curb.
Audi (97 A4 quattro) has issued a safety recall related to control arms - offering free replacement. They further state that if the control arms have already been replaced, they will reimburse all costs. I have my car maintained faithfully, usually by a dealer, but I did not have the formal 90K mile check done. Since I did not follow their formal process, they are refusing to pay for the repair. (this is not a "maintainable part", so the only fix, if indicated at 90K miles, would have been replacement). Audi's position seems unreasonable, given the "unrepairability factor".
Brakes
1) failure of front left (driver side) hydraulic brake hose at caliper end at inboard side of hose strain relief. The damage location appears to be where hose is subject to maximum stress and flexing when front wheels turn. Further inspection revealed concealed damage to right (passenger) front brake hose at the same location. 2) consequence was loss of all hydraulic braking when hose burst, resulting in minor accident. Damage to vehicles was minor because of good fortune to have failure at low speed--no injuries resulted. 3) front hydraulic brake hoses were replaced with new OEM hoses supplied by Audi dealer. Because both hoses exhibited similar wear, other Audi A4 vehicles 10 years old and/or with 100,000+ miles May be subject to similar front brake hose failures.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 Audi A4. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20 MPH, the brakes failed when engaged. The contact was attempting to stop for a traffic stop but the vehicle did not respond. The failure was recurring. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 70,000.
1997 Audi A4 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8L 4-cyl turbo | 5-speed automatic | FWD | 18 / 27 / 21 |
| 1.8L 4-cyl turbo | 5-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 18 / 27 / 21 |
| 2.8L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 17 / 25 / 20 |
| 2.8L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | FWD | 16 / 26 / 19 |
| 2.8L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 16 / 25 / 19 |
| 2.8L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 4WD/AWD | 17 / 24 / 19 |
EPA ratings. Class: Compact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1997 Audi A4 a good car?
Based on 98 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1997 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 1997 Audi A4?
The electrical system — 33 complaints, 34% of all complaints for this model year, most often about ignition › switch. Next are the suspension (19) and brakes (15).
How many recalls does the 1997 Audi A4 have?
There are 6 recalls for the 1997 Audi A4, the most recent from July 1, 2022 (inflator module). 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 1997 Audi A4 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 92,000 miles; 15% 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.