CarRecallWatchThe 1997 Audi A4 has 6 safety recalls on file with NHTSA.
Owners have filed 98 complaints with NHTSA, including 7 crashes, 3 fires, 5 injuries.
The most-reported problem area is Electrical System (34 reports).
1997 Audi A4 recalls
Driver Air Bag Inflator May Explode or Underinflate
The driver-side front air bag inflator in these vehicles can absorb moisture because of a manufacturing problem.
Most common 1997 Audi A4 problems
Problem areas named in the 98 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.
| Problem area | Reports |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 34 |
| Suspension | 19 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 15 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 13 |
| Seats | 6 |
| Power Train | 5 |
| Unknown Or Other | 4 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 4 |
| Visibility | 4 |
| Steering | 4 |
What owners report
I WAS SITTING AT A STOP LIGHT AND WAS STRUCK FROM BEHIND AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 40 TO 60 MILES A HOUR. MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND MY DRIVER SEAT CAME LOSE FROM THE FLOOR AND BECAUSE OF THIS I RECEIVED INJURIES TO MY NECK AND FACE. *JS
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.
IN A SNOW STORM, DRIVER BRAKED AT AN INTERSECTION, AUTOMATIC BRAKES KICKED IN BUT DID NOT STOP THE 10 MILE PER HOUR SLIDE THROUGH THE INTERSECTION. CAR STOPPED PARALLEL TO THE CURB AND WAS IMMEDIATELY T-BONED BY AN SUV. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER WAS WEARING ASEAT BELT AND SUFFERED A BROKEV ARM . . .LUCKY. BASED UPON THE CONDYTION OF THE CAR, DRIVER SHOULD BE DEAD. *TR
I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT WHEN A CAR CRASHED INTO THE BACK OF MY 1997 AUDI A4. THIS CAUSED MY CAR TO CRASH INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME AND THAT CAR TO CRASH IN TO THE CAR IN FRONT OF IT. MY DRIVER-SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY AND MY SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK UP. THE AIR BAG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DID DEPLOY. BECAUSE THE AIR BAG AND SEAT BELT DID NOT WORK, I HIT THE WINDSHIELD AND HAD TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL FOR MEDICAL ATTENTION. *TR
THE LOWER FRONT CONTROL ARMS IN MY '97 AUDI A4 1.8T QUATTRO WERE REPLACED BY AN AUTHORIZED AUDI DEALER AS PART OF A VOLUNTARY RECALL CAMPAIGN IN 2004 BY AUDI TO REPLACE A NOTED DEFECTIVE PART. A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT BROUGHT AGAINST AUDI BY SEVERAL OWNERS SPURRED THE VOLUNTARY RECALL. MY LOWER CONTROL ARMS NEED REPLACING AGAIN, BASED ON AN INSPECTION BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. WHEN I CONTACTED AUDI CUSTOMER SERVICE I WAS TOLD THAT THE 2004 CONTROL ARM RECALL HAD A ONE-YEAR WARRANTY AND AFTER THAT TIME I WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPLACEMENT COST, WHICH EXCEEDS $2,000 FOR THE LOWER FRONT CONTROL ARMS. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS DEFECTIVE PART NEEDS REPLACING AND IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. NUMEROUS
1997 Audi A4 questions
Does the 1997 Audi A4 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls for the 1997 Audi A4: Driver Air Bag Inflator May Explode or Underinflate; Electrical System:Ignition:Switch; Electrical System:Ignition:Switch; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Power Assist:Vacuum:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings; Air Bags:Frontal. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.
What are the most common problems with the 1997 Audi A4?
Based on 98 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Electrical System (34), Suspension (19), Service Brakes, Hydraulic (15).
How do I check if a recall on my 1997 Audi A4 has been fixed?
Enter your 17-character VIN in our VIN recall check. It shows open recalls that have not been repaired on your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.