Problems · NHTSA complaints
1996 Audi A4 problems
Owners filed 92 complaints about the 1996 Audi A4 with NHTSA between Nov 1996 and Apr 2011. The most-cited component is electrical system (27).
Complaints
92
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
4
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
1
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Electrical system27
- Suspension19
- Service brakes, hydraulic11
- Steering10
- Equipment8
- Air bags6
- Engine and engine cooling6
- Power train6
- Exterior lighting4
- Visibility4
- Seats3
- Structure2
- Fuel system, gasoline1
- Vehicle speed control1
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
1
6
4
10
14
10
7
16
3
11
4
2
1
2
0
1
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 1 |
| 1997 | 6 |
| 1998 | 4 |
| 1999 | 10 |
| 2000 | 14 |
| 2001 | 10 |
| 2002 | 7 |
| 2003 | 16 |
| 2004 | 3 |
| 2005 | 11 |
| 2006 | 4 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2010 | 0 |
| 2011 | 1 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Electrical system
27 reports3 related recalls
“I HAVE 1996 AUDI A4 AND EXPERIENCING THE SAME RECALL PROBLEM AS NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 06V403000, WHICH IS NOT ABLE TO RETURN THE IGNITION KEY TO THE RUNNING POSITION AFTER STARTING THE ENGINE. THIS CONDITION CAUSING ELECTRICAL ACCESSORIES SUCH AS WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND HEADLIGHTS TO BECOME INOPERATIVE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. I SEE THE FOLLOWING RECALL ON YOUR WEBSITE. BUT WHEN I CONTACT AUDI AT 1-800-822-2834, THEY SAYS MY 1996 AUDI A4 IS NOT QUALIFIED FOR THIS RECALL. VEHICLE MAKE / MODEL: MODEL YEAR(S): AUDI / A4 1996-1997 MANUFACTURER: VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC MFR'S REPORT DATE: OCT 20, 2006 NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 06V403000 N/A NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: N/A COMPONENT: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH POTENTIAL NUMBER OF UNITS AFFECTED: 28594. *TR”
Suspension
19 reports
“WHILE DRIVING WEST ON PENNSYLVANIA RT. 401 I DROVE OVER A SMALL BUMP IN THE ROAD, WHERE A DRAIN IS BURIED UNDER THE ROAD, AND THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT LOWER A ARM SNAPPED IN HALF AT A SPEED OF 45 MPH CAUSING A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE AND THE CAR TO GRIND TO A HALT ON THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD.”
Service brakes, hydraulic
11 reports1 crash
“I HAD MY BRAKES AND TIRES REPLACED AND NOW THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT ARE ON IN THE CAR THE REAR BRAKES LOCK UP IF THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT GO ON ADN THE CAR CAN GET OUT OF CONTROL IN CASE OF BRAKING IN AN EMERGENCY . *AK”
Steering
10 reports1 crash
“THE TIE RODS OF BOTH FRONT WHEELS WERE DAMAGED. THE RUBBER CAP WAS BROKEN ON BOTH AND THE TIE RODS HAD A LOT OF PLAY AT THE JOINT UNDERNEATH. THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED CAUSING NOISE WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE LAMP FAILED. *NLM”
Equipment
8 reports
“IGNITION SWITCH WAS STILL ON WHEN CONSUMER STARTED VEHICLE. ALSO, STARTER DIDN'T RETURN BACK WHEN ENGAGED FROM THE SWITCH, AND AIR CONDITIONER WAS BLOWING SLOWY AND THERE WAS A SMELL COMING FRON THE AIR CONDITIONER. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP. MECHANIC TOLD CONSSUMER THAT HE NEEDED AN EVAPORATOR , AND IT WAS LEAKING COOLANT.*AK”
Air bags
6 reports2 crashes1 related recall
“THIS IS NOT RELATED TO A MANUFACTURER COMPLAINT, BUT I AM HOPING TO GET SOME INFO ON WHO TO CONTACT FOR AN ISSUE IN A PRIVATE PARTY USED VEHICLE PURCHASE. I RECENTLY PURCHASED A CAR WITH A CLEAN CARFAX REPORT AND THE SELLER SAID IT HAD NOT BEEN INVOLVED IN ANY COLLISIONS. UPON TAKING IT TO MY MECHANIC FOR A PART FAILURE (WITHIN 24 HRS OF PURCHASE) I WAS TOLD IT HAD BEEN IN A MAJOR COLLISION WITH AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. THE AIRBAG COVERS HAD BEEN REPLACED, HOWEVER THE SRS LIGHT WAS EITHER REMOVED OR THE WIRES CUT SO IT WOULDN'T BE ILLUMINATED. ADDITIONALLY WE'RE CONCERNED THAT THE SEAT BELTS WERE NOT REPLACED. I'M WONDERING IF THERE IS ANY RECOURSE AGAINST THE SELLER WHEN THEY DO NOT DISCLOSE THE FACT THAT THE SAFETY EQUIPMENT IS NOT PRESENT. CALLS TO THE SELLER HAVE GONE UNANSWERED. *JB”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.