1996 Audi A4

These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.

• 12/19/2000· SUSPENSION

  OVER THIS PAST YEAR, I HAVE REPLACED 3 CONTROL ARMS, DEALER POINTS TO DESIGN FLAW. *AK

• 12/18/1998· POWER TRAIN

  WHILE DRIVING IN COLD WEATHER OR IF THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN WARMED UP, THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING THE GEARS NOT TO ENGAGE. MAY STAY IN ONE GEAR FOR ABOUT A MILE. THIS MAY RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

• 12/16/2006· SEATSFire

  1996 AUDI A4 QUATTRO WITH LEATHERETTE PASSENGER SEAT - HEATED SEAT WAS SET AT LEVEL 6 AND WHILE A PASSENGER WAS SITTING ON THE SEAT A HOLE THE SIZE OF TWO QUARTERS WAS BURNT INTO THE PASSENGER SEAT DUE TO THE HEATED SEAT STARTING A SMALL FIRE.. *NM

• 12/13/2003· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  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

• 12/09/2000· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  CONTACTED LOCAL DEALER AND AUDI USA ABOUT PROBLEM AND INFORMED THEM ABOUT THE RECALL (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NO. 00V317000). I WAS INFORM THAT MY CARS VIN WAS NOT ON THEIR LIST TO BE REPAIR FOR THIS RECALL. I TRIED TO EXPLAIN TO THEM MY CAR WAS BUILT IN 5/1996 AND WAS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. *AK

• 12/05/1997· VISIBILITY

  VENTILLATION SYSTEM DESIGN IS DIFFICULT TO USE WITHOUT BEING DISTRACTED WHILE DRIVING.

• 12/04/2000· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, WHEN DRIVING IN VERY WET CONDITIONS, THERE IS A VERY NOTICEABLE DELAY BEFORE THE BRAKES HAVE ANY EFFECT. THIS CAN BE UP TO 2 SECONDS OR SO, AND DEPENDING ON DRIVING CONDITIONS COULD LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT. THIS HAS NOT HAPPENED TO ME YET, BUT I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THIS DEFECT. *AK

• 12/01/2000· STEERING,SUSPENSION

  MANY OTHER AUDI A-4 OWNERS HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT PREMATURE WEAR OF TIE RODS AND CONTROL ARMS IN VERMONT. AUDI OF AMERICA AND LOCAL DEALER REFUSED TO COVER PROBLEM ALTHOUGH VOLUNTARY RECALL IN EFFECT FOR NEWER AUDIS. *AK

• 11/28/2005· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  I HAVE A 1996 AUDI A4 AND THE ENGINE STARTED LEAKING OIL FROM THE CAM TENSIONER, I TALKED TO A FEW AUDI MECHANICS AND OWNERS AND THEY HAVE HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS, AND TOLD ME TO REPORT IT TO THIS ORGANIZATION. *JB

• 11/22/1999· SUSPENSION

  WHEN HITTING A BUMP VEHICLE'S CONTROL ARM MAKES A LOUD NOISE AND CAUSES A SLIGHT LOSS OF CONTROL . DLR HAS REPLACED BROKEN CONTROL ARM BEFORE. PROBLEM HAS REOCCURRED. *AK

• 11/19/2008· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 AUDI A4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS KEYS WERE STUCK IN THE IGNITION. HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V403000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH). THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 200,000. UPDATED 12-08-08 *BF UPDATED 12/10/08. *JB

• 11/17/2003· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  WHEN TRYING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE IGNITION WOULD NOT TURN. *AK THE STARTER FAILURE WAS A DIRECT RESULT OF THE IGNITION SWITCH. RECALL# 00V317000. THIS WAS CONFIRMED BY THE DEALER. *SCC *JB

• 11/15/1996· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  ENGINE BURNS 1 QUART OF OIL PER 1,000 MILES.

• 11/11/1999· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

• 11/10/2002· STEERING

  AUDI OF NORTH AMERICA RECALLED THEIR 1999 MODEL A4S FOR FAILURE OF THE TIE RODS. I OWN A 1996 A4 WITH TIE RODS THAT FAILED AND AUDI OF NORTH AMERICA AND THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO REPAIR THE DAMAGED TIE RODS UNDER THE RECALL NOTICE EVEN THOUGH THE FAILURE WAS EXACTLY AS OUTLINED IN THE ORIGINAL RECALL NOTICE SENT TO ALL AUDI DEALERS. I READ RECENTLY IN THE LOS ANGELES TIMES THAT AN OWNER WITH A 1998 A4 EXPERIENCED EXACTLY THE SAME PROBLEM. IT APPEARS THE RECALL SHOULD COVER ALL MODEL YEARS OF THE A4. I REQUESTED AND SAVED THE DAMAGED TIE RODS IF YOU WOULD HAVE INTEREST IN SEEING THEM. I BELIEVE THIS PROBLEM PRESENTS A SEVERE DANGER TO OPERATERS OF THIS VEHICLE AND THAT THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY BY AUDI. DT

• 11/07/2003· SUSPENSION

  WHEN VEHICLE REACHED 30,000 MILES CONTROL ARMS DRIED OUT AND CREATED AN ANNOYING SOUND. A BLACK RUBBER COMPOUND WAS ADDED, BUT THE NOISE CONTINUED.*AK

• 10/30/2000· STEERING,SUSPENSION,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  PROBLEMS IS WITH ELECTRICAL SYSTEM/ SUSPENSION AND AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEMS. *AK

• 10/27/2005· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  (1) I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE (LE RECALL) FROM AUDI OF AMERICA ON THE IGNITION SWITCH ON MY 1996 A4 SEDAN. THE RECALL WORK WAS PERFORMED ON 10/10/02. AT THAT POINT IN TIME THE ORIGINAL IGNITION SWITCH HAD BEEN PERFORMING CORRECTLY FOR 69 MONTHS BUT I HAD IT REPLACED BECAUSE OF AUDI'S RECOMMENDATION; NOT BECAUSE IT HAD A MALFUNCTION. (2)IN OCTOBER OF 2005 THE REPLACEMENT IGNITION SWITCH FAILED AFTER EXACTLY 36 MONTHS OF SERVICE. I HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE WIPER BLADES AND THE A/C. BECAUSE OF THE FAILURE I EXPERIENCED PREVIOUSLY ON THE 1997 AUDI I TURNED THE MOTOR OFF THEN OPENED THE CAR DOOR AND RESTARTED THE MOTOR. I HEARD WHAT SOUNDED LIKE THE STARTER MOTOR STILL ENGAGED SO I TURNED THE MOTOR OFF AND HAD THE CAR TOWED TO REEVES AUDI. (3)REEVES AUDI REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH AND BILLED ME ABOUT $661 BUT AFTER I COMPLAINED THEY GAVE ME A 15% DISCOUNT SO I ENDED UP PAYING ABOUT $571 (4)I CALLED AUDI OF AMERICA. THEY WERE ABLE TO PULL UP MY EARLIER COMPLAINT ABOUT THE 1997 A4 AND CREATED A NEW FILE FOR THE 1996 A4 (50407850). HOWEVER, THEIR FINAL WORD ON THE SUBJECT WAS THAT THEY STOOD BEHIND THE 15% DISCOUNT OFFERED TO ME BY REEVES AUDI. (5)BOTTOM LINE IS THAT FOR 2 AUDI AUTOMOBILES I HAD GOOD IGNITION SWITCHES THAT HAD SERVED 59 AND 69 MONTHS BE REPLACED BECAUSE OF AN AUDI OF AMERICA RECALL AND THEN HAD THE REPLACEMENT IGNITION SWITCHES FAIL AFTER 18 AND 36 MONTHS. I AM OUT OF POCKET OVER $2500 FOR A PROBLEM IDENTIFIED BY AUDI OF AMERICA AND SUPPOSEDLY CORRECTED BY REEVES AUDI OF TAMPA. HOW CAN A CAR MANUFACTURER IDENTIFY A PROBLEM (WAS IT A SAFETY RECALL), IDENTIFY CORRECTIVE ACTION, PUT OUT A RECALL NOTICE AND THEN HAVE THE IMPROVED PART FAIL IN SUCH A SHORT TIME SPAN. MY ORIGINAL IGNITION SWITCHES NEVER DID FAIL. (6)MY CONTENTION IS THAT AUDI DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM WHEN THEY PERFORMED THE RECALL, IN FACT THEY MADE THE PROBLEM CONSIDERABLY WORSE. AUDI SHOULD BEAR THE RESPONSIBILITY OF REPAIRING THESE IGNITION SWITCHES A 2ND. TIME. *JB

• 10/27/1997· STRUCTURE

  TWO FRONT DOORS ARE TOO HEAVY.

• 10/24/2005· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  I OWN AN 1996 AUDI A4. RECENTLY, MY HEADLIGHTS AND TAILLIGHTS HAVE STOPPED FUNCTIONING ALL TOGETHER AT VARIOUS TIMES. SOMETIMES THEY WORK FINE THE NEXT MINUTE THEY WOULDN'T. ONE NIGHT I ALMOST GOT REAR-ENDED BY ANOTHER CAR BECAUSE MY REAR TAILLIGHTS WERE NOT ILLUMINATED. SO I TOOK THE CAR TO AUDI TO GET THE PROBLEM TAKEN CARE OF. WHEN I WENT TO AUDI, THEY TOLD ME I HAVE A BAD IGNITION SWITCH AND SAID THE PROBLEM WOULD PROBABLY BE TAKEN CARE OF WITH THE REPLACEMENT OF THE SWITCH. I GOT THE WORK DONE AND THEN WENT ON THE INTERNET TO CHECK ANY RECALLS FROM THE NHTSA. A RECALL #00V317000 CAME UP AND DESCRIBED THE EXACT PROBLEM I HAD WITH MY AUDI. HOWEVER, WHEN I CALLED THE DEALER AND AUDI THEY TOLD ME THE RECALL DID NOT APPLY TO MY VIN #. I FOUND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT THIS HAZARD WAS TAKEN CARE OF FOR A SELECT NUMBER OF CARS BUT THERE ARE STILL CARS OUT ON THE ROADWAY THAT HAVE THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM. I THINK AUDI WOULD HAVE BEEN MUCH MORE LIKELY TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS IF THAT FORD F250 SUPER DUTY WOULD HAVE PLACED ITS V-8 IN MY PASSENGER'S SEAT AS IT ALMOST DID. IT WAS AN AWFUL CLOSE CALL FOR ME AND I AM HAVING A HUGE PROBLEM WITH AUDI NOT TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR DEFECTS. *NM

• 10/20/2001· SUSPENSION

  ACCORDING TO MY DEALER, THE FRONT CONTROL ARMS OF MY A4 IS WORN OUT AT JUST 59000 MILES. FROM AUDIWORLD.COM, I FOUND THAT THERE ARE MANY OTHER A4 OWNERS (REGARDLESS OF THEIR CARS' MODEL YEAR) WHO HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THEIR CONTROL ARMS REPEATEDLY (SOME FAILED WITHIN 15000MILES). IT SEEMS THAT MANY DEALERS TOLD MANY OWNERS THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM, AND THAT THERE IS A PART SHORTAGE BECAUSE OF THIS. SOME OUT-OF-WARRANTY OWNERS CLAIM THAT AUDI HAS EITHER PROVIDED THE PARTS FREE, OR AT HALF PRICE, WHICH MAKES ME BELIEVE THAT AUDI REALIZES THAT THIS IS A DESIGN DEFECT. MANY OWNERS BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF LOSING CONTROL WHEN THE VEHICLE IS MOVING. THIS HAS NOT HAPPENED TO ME YET, BUT I AM BECOMING INCREASINGLY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS SAFETY ISSUE.*AK

• 10/18/1999· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  IGNITION SWITCH DID NOT RETURN FROM STARTER ENGAGED POSITION, STARTER STAYED ENGAGED WHICH LEAD TO ITS FAILURE AFTER PROBLEM OCCURED SEVERAL TIMES. ALSO, HEADLIGHTS, TURN SIGNALS AND A/C SYSTEM DID NOT WORK. APPARENTLY OTHER MODELS OF AUDIS WERE SUBJECT TO A SAFETY RECALL FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. WHY NOT THE A4? REPAIR COST: $800.00.

• 10/15/2001· VISIBILITY

  WINDOW FAILS TO RAISE OR LOWER DUE TO BROKEN WINDOW REGULATOR PLASTIC COMPONENTS. *AK

• 10/13/2006· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLES STARTER COMPLETELY FAILED ON TWO OCCASIONS. THE FIRST TIME, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, WHO REPLACED THE STARTER. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN BACK TO THE CONTACTS RESIDENCE WITH NO PROBLEMS. THAT SAME DAY, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE AND THE STARTER FAILED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS PUSHED TO THE NEARBY INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, WHO DETERMINED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS DEFECTIVE, AND WAS THE CAUSE FOR THE BURNT STARTER. THE CONTACT RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM ONLINE, AND NOTICED AN NHTSA RECALL #00V317000 REGARDING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: IGNITION: SWITCH. ON 10/13/06, THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, WHO CONFIRMED THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, BUT THE PERIOD TO HAVE THE RECALL WORK PERFORMED HAD EXPIRED.

• 10/12/2003· STEERING,SUSPENSION

  REPEATED FRONT SUSPENSION/STEERING SYSTEM COMPONENT FAILURES. *JB *PH *JB

• 10/12/2002· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  THIS CAR HAS A LONG DELAY DURING WET BRAKING AND I CAN NOT FIGURE OUT WHY. WHEN THEY ARE WARM IT IS FINE, BUT WHEN THEY COOL OFF SUCH AS ON THE INTERSTATE WHILE DRIVING, WHEN THEY ARE NEEDED THEY DO NOT STOP THE CAR. IN A SITUATION WHERE STOPPING IS NEEDED QUICKLY, THIS CAR WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO DO THIS IN A DECENT AMOUNT OF SPACE. I DO NOT HAVE ANY AFTERMARKET PARTS ON THIS CAR, GY EAGLE RSA TIRES ALL NEW, NOT ORIGINAL BRAKE PADS, 16" FACTORY WHEELS. THIS ISNT A NORMAL PROBLEM LIKE DRIVING THROUGH A PUDDLE AND BRAKING, IT OCCURS VERY OFTEN AND AT THE WORST TIMES, IT FORCES ME TO DRIVE IN THE RAIN AND CONSTANTLY USE THE BRAKES IN ORDER TO KEEP THE WARM ENOUGH TO EVAPORATE WATER AND KEEP THEM WORKING. MR

• 10/09/2003· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICCrash

  BRAKE FAILURE IN WET CONDITIONS. I WAS DRIVING ON 95N IN PROVIDENCE. AS I WAS CHANGING LANES, I LOST STEERING ABILITIES. WHEN I BRAKED I DID NOT GET A RESPONSE AND CRASHED INTO THE JERSEY BARRIER THEN BOUNCED OFF IT AND WENT INTO A 180 DEGREE SPIN ACROSS 4 LANES. I WAS STOPPED BY THE GUARD RAIL. *LA

• 10/04/2004· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  THERE WERE NO CRASHES AND NO INJURIES RELATED TO THIS INCIDENT. I PURCHASED A 1996 AUDI A4 QUATTRO, VIN [XXX], USED ON FEBRUARY 7, 2004. ON THE INCIDENT DATE THE INGITION SWITCH FAILED CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE STARTER MOTOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO OUR SERVICE DEALER, MIDWESTERN AUTO GROUP, DUBLIN, OHIO WHERE THE PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED AS A FAILURE OF THE INGITION SWITCH HOUSING. THIS IS THE EXACT SAME FAILURE THAT INITIATED A RECALL CAMPAIGN, NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID# 00V317000 (AUDI CAMPAIGN CODE LE). THE DEALER RESEARCHED THE AUDI DATABASE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE RECALL CAMPAIGN WAS COMPLETED ON THIS VEHICLE IN 2001. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE AUDI MANUFACTURERS REPRESENTATIVE, TO THE DISPLEASURE OF THE DEALER, HAS DENIED ANY CLAIM ON THIS INCIDENT PERTAINING TO THE RECALL. THE REPRESENTATIVE STATED THAT IT IS AUDI'S POLICY THAT ONCE A RECALL HAS BEEN COMPLETED ON A VEHICLE, IT WILL NOT HONOR ANY FURTHER CLAIMS EVEN IF THE PROBLEM IS EXACTLY THE SAME. A CALL TO THE AUDI CONSUMER ADVOCATE DEPARTMENT CONFIRMED THIS POLICY, INCIDENT # [XXX]. TWO ISSUES SURFACE BECAUSE OF THIS INCIDENT. THE FIRST ISSUE IS THE ADEQUACY OF THE SOLUTION TO THE INITIAL RECALL. THE SECOND ISSUE IS AUDI'S RESPONSE AND POLICY CONCERNING IDENTICAL FAILURES OF COMPONENTS ADDRESSED IN A PREVIOUS RECALL CAMPAIGN.THE PARTS ARE BEING REPLACED AT MY COST AND WILL BE RETAINED ALONG WITH THE SERVICE INVOICE. UPDATED 07/24/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

• 10/03/1999· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN

  WHEN SHIFTING INTO FOURTH GEAR,ENGINE FUMBLES CAUSING THE CAR TO VIBRATE....ON COLD STARTS,ANY RELEASE OF THE THROTTLE AND THE FRONT END MAKES LOUD CLICKING,DEALER COULDN'T DUPLICATE THOUGH HAPPENS EVERY DAY....UNDER ACCELERATION WHEN COLD ,EXHAUST RATTLES,SOUNDS LIKE HEAT SHIELD RAPPING AGAINST SOMETHING.

• 09/28/2000· SUSPENSION

  IN 1998, WHILE STILL UNDER WARRANTY AUDI WAS ADVISED OF A PROBLEM WHICH BEGAN WITH A NOISE IN THE CAR. THIS WAS EVENTUALLY DIAGNOSED AS DEFECTIVE CONTROL ARMS AND THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS WERE REPLACED IN 2/2000 AT NO COST TO MYSELF AS AUDI ADMITTED THAT THERE WAS A "DEFECT" IN THAT MODEL YEAR. 2 WEEKS AGO, I DISCOVERD THAT THE LOWER CONTROLS ARMS HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE BOLT THAT HOLDS THEM TOGETHER. I AGAIN REPORTED THIS TO AUDI OF AMERICA AND WAS AGAIN TOLD THAT THEY HAD MANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS MODEL AND TO TAKE IT TO THE NEAREST DEALER. I WAS INSTRUCTED AUDI AND MY MECHANIC THAT THE I COULD LOSE THE STEERING AT ANY POINT. UPON INSPECTION BY AUDI THEY DETERMINED THAT THE CARE IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE AND THAT THESE UPPER CONTROL ARMS MUST BE REPLACED. AFTER DISCUSSING THIS WITH THEM, THEY HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY UNCOOPERATIVE AND RUDE AND HAVE AGREED TO PAY HALF OF THE PARTS, BUT I MUST PAY ALL OF THE LABOR AT THEIR PREMIUM PRICES. SINCE THE CAR IS TOO DANGEROUS TO DRIVE I DO NOT HAVE THE OPTION TO TAKE IT TO A REASONABLY PRICED AUTO SHOP. AUDI HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS PROBLEM FOR TWO YEAS, AS I WAS TOLD BY AN AUDI MECHANIC THAT THEY HAD CONSIDERED A RECALL. AUDI IS PUTTING THEIR CUSTOMERS IN GREAT DANGER AND WILL DO NOTHING UNTIL SOMEONE IS KILLED.

• 09/24/1999· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  AUDI APPARENTLY WILL COVER REPLACEMENT, EVEN THOUGH PAST WARRANTEE ($1200 PARTS AND LABOR)

• 09/17/2009· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  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

• 09/11/1997· EQUIPMENT

  RADIO FAILED.

• 09/08/2003· SUSPENSION

  MY AUDI A4 HAD 3 TIMES REPLACED FRONT CONTROL ARMS , WHEN TAKEN TO MULTIPLE DEALERSHIPS , DEALER POINTED TO DESIGN PROBLEM. *AK

• 08/29/2005· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  PROBLEM WITH IGNITION SWITCH CAUSING THE RETURN SPRING FORCE TO BE INSUFFICIENT FOR RETURNING THE IGNITION KEY TO THE RUNNING POSITION AFTER STARTING THE ENGINE, ALSO CAUSING ELECTRICAL ACCESSORIES TO BECOME INOPERATIVE AND RUNNING DOWN THE BATTERY. THERE WAS A RECALL CONCERNING THE IGNITION SWITCH ON THE EXACT SAME YEAR (1996) AND MODEL (AUDI A4) AND REGARDING THE EXACT SAME IGNITION PROBLEM. I HAVE SPOKEN WITH THE DEALERS SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND THE MANUFACTURER CONCERNING THIS PROBLEM. THE RECALL THEY CLAIM DOES NOT INCLUDE MY VIN NUMBER. HOWEVER, MY CAR IS A 1996 AUDI A4 AND MY VEHICLE IS HAVING THE EXACT SAME SAFETY PROBLEM COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. THE RECALL #00V317000. *JB

• 08/29/1997· EQUIPMENT

  THE RADIO WOULD INCREASE ITS VOLUME TO MAXIMUM ON ITS OWN.

• 08/28/1997· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  BRAKES SQUEAK WHILE BRAKING.

• 08/23/2001· SUSPENSION

  FRONT PASSENGER CONTROL ARM HAS BEEN REPLACED AND FAILED FOUR TIMES DURING THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE.*AK

• 08/13/2001· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  DEFECT IS COVERED UNDER CAMPAIGN 00V317000; MY VEHICLE FITS MANUFACTURER/MAKE/MODEL/YEAR, HOWEVER IT DOESN'T FALL WITHIN THE VIN RANGE THE DEALER IS CHECKING - I WAS CHARGED FOR THE RECALL ITEM. THIS IS A REQUEST FOR ENFORCEMENT OF RECALL, AND SUBSEQUENT REIMBURSMENT FROM THE DEALER ON CHARGES WRONGFULLY INCURRED.

• 08/02/2000· SUSPENSION

  FRONT SUSPENSION RATTLES AND THUNKS OVER BUMPS, AND MAKES CREAKING NOISE WHEN ENTERING VEHICLE, AND WHEN DRIVING OVER BUMPS *AK

• 07/29/2005· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  ALTHOUGH THE IGNITION SWITCH OF MY 1996 AUDI A4 WAS REPLACED UNDER RECALL IN AUGUST 2001, IT HAS THE SAME FAILURE ALMOST EXACTLY 4 YEARS LATER. THE SWITCH NEITHER ALLOWS THE CAR TO COMPLETELY SHUT OFF NOR ALLOWS THE WIPERS, LIGHTS AND INDICATORS TO FUNCTION. *NM

• 07/26/1999· POWER TRAIN

  THERE IS A DELAYED SHIFTING PROBLEM IN THE VEHICLE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. VEHICLE WILL SLAM INTO GEAR AND SOMETIMES SURGE FORWARD SUDDENLY CAUSING DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

• 07/24/2000· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EQUIPMENT

  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

• 07/23/1999· EQUIPMENT

  EQUIPMENT:BICYCLE CARRIER BROKE. *AK

• 07/12/2001· STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  ABSOLUTELY THE WORST CAR I HAVE EVER BOUGHT I HAVE SPENT OVER $6000 IN REPAIRS AND GONE JUST 40K MILES! STAY AWAY FROM THIS CAR WHEN I CALLED THE 1-800 LINE THEY WERE NO HELP AND CUSTOMER SERVICE REFUSED TO LET ME SPEAK WITH ANYBODY IN A HIGHER POSTION. WHEN I SAID CAN I WRITE A LETTER THEY SAID SURE BUT IT COMES TO US AND THE DECISION IS FINAL ABOUT YOUR WARRANTTY DEFECTS. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED. *AK

• 07/01/2005· SUSPENSION

  1996 AUDI A4 - AUDI A4 FRONT CONTROL ARMS ALL FAIL AT AROUND 100,000 MILES. ALL 8 OF MINE WERE REPLACED. AUDI SENT OUT A TSB FOR 2 OF THE 8 CONTROL ARMS AND ARE JERKING PEOPLE AROUND WITH THE REIMBURSEMENT. THEY WANT PEOPLE TO PROVE THAT ALL SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE WAS DONE, YET THE PARTS IN QUESTION ARE NOT REPAIRABLE OR SERVICEABLE. ACCORDING TO MY AUDI DEALER, THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM THAT HASN'T GOTTEN ANY BETTER, EVEN WITH THE LATEST MODELS. THESE COST BETWEEN $300 - $500 EACH TO REPLACE FOR A TOTAL OF $3000 FOR ALL 8. THEY ARE DOING EVERYTHING THEY CAN TO PREVENT PEOPLE FROM COLLECTING ON THIS AND THIS SHOULD COVER ALL 8, SINCE ALL 8 FAIL INSTEAD OF ONLY 2. THEY SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE LETTER AND PAPERWORK THAT I PROVIDED TO THEM FOR REIMBURSEMENT OVER 6 MONTHS AGO. EVERY AUDI A4 HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM AND CONTINUES TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM. AUDI SHOULD HAVE TO ANSWER FOR THE POOR DESIGN AND THE BOGUS TSB LETTER THAT THEY SENT TO OWNERS.

• 06/30/2004· SUSPENSION

  FRONT END CONTROL ARMS CONTINUE TO BE A PROBLEM. I HAVE REPLACED ALL OF THEM ON THE FRONT END AT LEAST ONCE. I NOW HAVE ANOTHER ONE THAT NEEDS REPLACEMENT. I AM CONCERNED WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF I DON'T REPLACE IT. THIS IS A PROBLEM FOR ALL OWNERS, AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY AUDI BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED.*AK

• 06/29/2000· STEERING

  INNER TIE RODS WERE LOOSE AND WORN OUT WHICH COULD EVENTUALLY CAUSE LOSS OF STEERING. RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM, BUT THIS VEHICLE NOT INCLUDED. *AK *ML

• 06/26/2003· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  1996 AUDI A4 INTERIOR OF VEHICLE FLOODING. *MR THE CONSUMER OPENED THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR TO FIND A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF WATER ON THE FLOORBOARD OF THE VEHICLE (FRONT AND REAR/APPROXIMATELY 32 GALLONS OF WATER). THEY LATER FOUND WATER AROUND THE BATTERY AND OTHER ENGINE PARTS WITHIN THAT AREA, WHICH ULTIMATELY DESTROYED THE WIRING HARNESS AND TRANSMISSION CONTROL UNIT. THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED BEFORE. THE PROBLEM ORIGINATED FROM A DESIGN FLAW THAT RESTRICTS WATER DRAINAGE FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT BECAUSE OF THE MALFUNCTIONING OF THE RUBBER SEAL AROUND THE DRAINAGE HOLE BELOW THE BATTERY. THE ENGINE DRAINAGE HOLE WAS NOT VISIBLE OR ACCESSIBLE FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. *SCC *JB

• 06/26/1998· POWER TRAIN

  TRANSMISSION FAILURE.