NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls and 258 owner complaints for the 1998 Audi A4. Most complaints involve service brakes, hydraulic (111) and engine and engine cooling (28). The EPA rates it 19–23 mpg combined.
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. Due to a manufacturing issue, the NADI inflator may absorb moisture, causing the inflator to explode or the air bag cushion to underinflate.
CERTAIN AAI MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LIST PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Complaints for each A4 model year we’ve synced.
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 92 |
| 1997 | 99 |
| 1998 | 258 |
| 1999 | 190 |
| 2000 | 96 |
| 2001 | 130 |
| 2002 | 189 |
| 2003 | 215 |
| 2004 | 189 |
| 2005 | 219 |
| 2006 | 298 |
| 2008 | 191 |
| 2009 | 144 |
| 2010 | 64 |
| 2011 | 42 |
| 2012 | 45 |
| 2013 | 111 |
| 2014 | 76 |
| 2015 | 44 |
| 2016 | 26 |
| 2017 | 83 |
| 2019 | 8 |
| 2020 | 158 |
“THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE CONTROL MODULATOR UNIT FAILED, AND NOW I HAVE BRAKES THAT DO NOT WORK. AT THE SLIGHTEST PEDAL PRESSURE, ALL 4 WHEELS WILL HAVE A STRONG PULSATING, GIVING YOU ABOUT 1/3 OF THE BRAKING PRESSURE THAT IS NEEDED. VOLKSWAGENS USED A NEARLY IDENTICAL PART, AND THEIR ABS CONTROLLER IS UNDER RECALL, I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY NHTSA, CANNOT FORCE AUDI OF AMERICA TO DO THE SAME. THANK YOU *TR”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 AUDI A4. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HER PLACE OF RESIDENCE. A MECHANIC STATED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN HAD FRACTURED WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE TO STALL. SHE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER IN REFERENCE TO A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT REGARDING TIMING CHAIN FAILURE. A REPRESENTATIVE STATED THAT BECAUSE THE VEHICLE EXCEEDED 70,000 MILES SHE WAS INELIGIBLE FOR A FREE REMEDY. HOWEVER SHE NOTED THAT THE OWNERS MANUAL STATED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN SHOULD BE REPLACED AT 90,000. SHE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING THE ENGINE REBUILT BY A INDEPENDENT TECHNICIAN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 74,000.”
“CONTROL ARM ON MY 1998 AUDI A4 FRACTURED WHEN PULLING OUT OF A PARKING LOT, CAUSING COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. AUDI TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN NHTSA # 10016418, #11242004 COMPONENT DESCRIPTION: 22. SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM BULLETIN NUMBER: 11242004 BULLETIN DATE: NOV 2004 VEHICLE: 1,998 AUDI A4 SUMMARY: SERVICE ACTION JE CAMPAIGN-CHECK/REPLACE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER CONTROL ARMS. AUDI HAS FOUND THAT IN RARE CASES, ONE OR BOTH FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER CONTROL ARMS ON AFFECTED VEHICLES CAN EXHIBIT WEAR, EVEN THOUGH THE DAMAGE TO THE RUBBER BO ( NHTSA ITEM NUMBER - 10016418 ). *TR”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A4 Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 20 | 29 | 23 | $3,450 | 386 |
| A4 Auto 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 29 | 22 | $3,600 | 404 |
| A4 quattro Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L, Turbo · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 19 | 27 | 22 | $3,600 | 404 |
| A4 Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 2.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 27 | 21 | $3,800 | 423 |
| A4 Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 2.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 16 | 27 | 20 | $4,000 | 444 |
| A4 Avant Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 2.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 16 | 27 | 20 | $4,000 | 444 |
| A4 Avant quattro Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 2.8 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 17 | 25 | 20 | $4,000 | 444 |
| A4 quattro Auto 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L, Turbo · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 17 | 25 | 20 | $4,000 | 444 |
| A4 quattro Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 2.8 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 17 | 25 | 20 | $4,000 | 444 |
| A4 Avant quattro Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 2.8 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 16 | 25 | 19 | $4,200 | 468 |
| A4 quattro Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 2.8 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 16 | 25 | 19 | $4,200 | 468 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
6 safety recalls as of Oct 28, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 258 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are service brakes, hydraulic (111), engine and engine cooling (28), suspension (24). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 1998 Audi A4 at 19–23 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (11 versions rated).