Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1998 Audi A4 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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 NHTSA campaign id number 00V317000 (electrical system:ignition:switch). The failure mileage was 201,000.
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. …
The problem: ignition switch return spring there is a problem with my ignition switch. After staring the engine, the return spring does not fully return the key to the run position, causing a malfunction of the headlights and climate control. I have found a recall notice (NHTSA campaign id no. 97V115000) describing this exact problem for Audi A4 vehicles which affects vehicles manufactured between 10/1995 and 8/1997 (my vehicle was built within this time period, on aug 13th, 1997). I reported this information to Audi customer assurance and they refused to perform the recall because the recall notice does not specify "model year 1998". Please consider expanding the existing recall to cover 1998 vehicles. Comment: obviously, containment of the faulty ignition switch was not limited to 1997 vehicles (note- the problem was not called to their attention until oct 24, 2000. …
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.
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.
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 NHTSA recall, # 06V403000, regarding the ignition switch. The vehicle was not included in the recall due to the VIN.
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.
Audi currently has recall for defective ignition switch/spring part on 96-97 model year A4's. Suspect early 98 models have same defective part. Problem is car accessories will not function such as lights, A/C, etc, and engine will sometimes "shuff off" while driving. I have been in contact with other early 98 owners who have experienced same problem and have had the iginition switch replaced.. Repair cost was over $300. Would like to have Audi request recall of 98 models and provide refund to owners who have already paid for this repair and replacement.
Consumer states ignition switch housing is defective, the return spring force is insufficient for returning the ignition key to the running position after starting the engine, consumer states this causes electrical accessories such as the windshield wipers and headlights to become inoperative, dealership has replaced ignition switch.
Consumer states that the ignition switch on the vehicle has gone out, when the consumer tried to start the vehicle, it would not start up causing the starter switch to burn out. Consumer contacted the manufacturer and was informed there were no recalls on vehicle relating to ignition switch.
NHTSA investigations
Degraded braking wet weather condition
There is no summary currently available
Electrical complaints in other A4 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 1998 Audi A4?
NHTSA has 23 complaints about the electrical system of the 1998 Audi A4, 9% of the model year's 258 complaints. The component named most often is ignition › switch (12 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Audi A4 electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 1998 Audi A4, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1998 Audi A4 electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 68,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to electrical system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.