1997 Audi A4

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

• 12/31/2002· STEERING

  VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME DEFECT WITH THE TIE RODS AS STATED IN RECALL NUMBER 99 V 248 000, BUT VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED, CAUSE RECALL IS ON THE LATER YEAR VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE DETAILS. TS

• 12/30/2001· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  IN WET WEATHER, THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE BRAKES IS GREATLY REDUCED. THERE IS ABOUT A 3 SECOND DELAY BEFORE BRAKES BEGIN TO GRAB.

• 12/29/2007· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICCrash

  1) FAILURE OF FRONT LEFT (DRIVER SIDE) HYDRAULIC BRAKE HOSE AT CALIPER END AT INBOARD SIDE OF HOSE STRAIN RELIEF. THE DAMAGE LOCATION APPEARS TO BE WHERE HOSE IS SUBJECT TO MAXIMUM STRESS AND FLEXING WHEN FRONT WHEELS TURN. FURTHER INSPECTION REVEALED CONCEALED DAMAGE TO RIGHT (PASSENGER) FRONT BRAKE HOSE AT THE SAME LOCATION. 2) CONSEQUENCE WAS LOSS OF ALL HYDRAULIC BRAKING WHEN HOSE BURST, RESULTING IN MINOR ACCIDENT. DAMAGE TO VEHICLES WAS MINOR BECAUSE OF GOOD FORTUNE TO HAVE FAILURE AT LOW SPEED--NO INJURIES RESULTED. 3) FRONT HYDRAULIC BRAKE HOSES WERE REPLACED WITH NEW OEM HOSES SUPPLIED BY AUDI DEALER. BECAUSE BOTH HOSES EXHIBITED SIMILAR WEAR, OTHER AUDI A4 VEHICLES 10 YEARS OLD AND/OR WITH 100,000+ MILES MAY BE SUBJECT TO SIMILAR FRONT BRAKE HOSE FAILURES. *TR

• 12/24/2003· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  HEADLIGHT SWITCH FAILED WHILE DRIVING ON PAVED HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH AT 11:30 PM. FAILURE CAUSED ALL HEADLIGHTS TO STOP FUNCTIONING, THEREBY LEAVING THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER IN TOTAL DARKNESS AT CRUISING SPEED. EXTREME POTENTIAL FOR FATAL ACCIDENT. THIS IS THE 4TH TIME THIS SWITCH HAS FAILED.*AK

• 12/18/2000· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 50 MPH ALL OF A SUDDEN ENGINE STALLED. THEN, VEHICLE WAS TOWED, AND A TECHINICIAN SAID IT WAS A BROKEN TIMING BELT. CONSUMER BELIEVED THAT THIS WAS TOO EARLY TO HAPPEN. *AK

• 12/13/2004· VISIBILITY

  I HAVE A 97 AUDI A4 2.8 . QUATTRO. I HAVE AHAD NUMEROUS REPAIRS ON THIS VEHICLE. THE MOST RECENT PROBLEM IS THAT A CONTROL ARM ON THE SUNROOF (APPEARS TO BE A POWDER METAL PART ABOUT 1 INCH IN SIZE) HAS BROKEN. THIS BREAK REQUIRES THAT THE THE COMPLETE SUNROOF BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $1300. I WAS INTERESTED TO KNOWN IF OTHERS HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT SIMILAR FAILURES ON AUDIS OR VWS. THANKS!

• 12/11/2001· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  RECALL 00 V 317 000/IGNITION SWITCH: DEALER CAPISTRANO VOLKSWAGEN; CAPISTRANO, CA; PHONE# 949/493-4843 REFUSED TO HONOR RECALL NOTICE. ASKING NHTSA TO ASSIST IN THIS MATTER. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION CONCERNING THIS PROBLEM. *AK

• 12/10/2004· SUSPENSION

  EVERY 30,000 MILES TO 40,000 MILES THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS FAILED. WHEN THIS OCCURRED, THE FRONT END MADE A CLANKING NOISE, AND THE FRONT WHEELS LOOSENED. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER, AND WAS OFFERED 50% OF TOTAL REPAIR COST BY THE MANUFACTURER. *AK

• 12/05/2006· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITY

  DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS INTERMITTENTLY FAILED TO OPERATE. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL, #00V317000 ON THE VEHICLE REGARDING THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED THE WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE RECALL. HOWEVER, THE DEALER DETERMINED THE FAILURE OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.

• 12/03/2007· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  BRAKING PERFORMANCE SEEMS TO BE DRAMATICALLY REDUCED IN WET, AND ESPECIALLY WET AND COLD, CONDITIONS. THIS HAPPENS OFTEN, BUT DOES NOT HAPPEN REGULARLY, AND ALWAYS AFTER PROLONGED HIGH-SPEED DRIVING WITHOUT BRAKE APPLICATION. THE REDUCTION IN PERFORMANCE SEEMS MUCH MORE DRAMATIC THAN WOULD BE EXPECTED FROM TYPICAL REDUCTION IN BRAKE PERFORMANCE IN THESE CONDITIONS. *TR

• 12/01/1999· POWER TRAIN

  OPERATION OF THIS A4 CONFIGURATION AT SPEEDS LOWER THAN 8 M.P.H. REQUIRES EITHER THAT THE OPERATOR LUG THE ENGINE (I.E., RUN AT LESS THAN THE RECOMMENDED 1500 R.P.M. IN FIRST GEAR) OR NOT CLOSE THE CLUTCH COMPLETELY. THIS DESIGN DEFECT HAS LEAD TO EXCESSIVE CLUTCH WEAR, REQUIRING TWO REPLACEMENTS IN LESS THAN 52,000 MILES AND TWO INCIDENTS OF CLUTCH OVERHEATING, WITH SMOKE. A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD EXISTS IF THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED AT LESS THAN 4 M.P.H. FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD (E.G., MORE THAN 30 MINUTES) AS MAY BE EXPECTED IN CERTAIN METROPOLITAN TRAFFIC JAMS. THE CLUTCH DESIGN IS ALSO UNSUITABLE FOR DYNAMIC BRAKING, SHOWING EXCESSIVE WEAR, THEREBY CONTRIBUTING TO PREMATURE FAILURE AND THE FIRE HAZARD. THE A4 IS OTHERWISE A VERY FINE AUTOMOBILE. THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD CORRECT THIS DESIGN DEFECT ASAP THROUGH PROVISION OF A LOW GEAR, SIX-SPEED OPTION, ADJUSTMENT OF RATIOS OR SIMILAR REMEDY. *AK

• 11/30/2004· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  UPON STARTING THE CAR, IT MADE A NOISE AS THOUGH THE KEY WAS STILL IN STARTING POSITION. THE CAR DROVE OKAY, BUT THE WIPERS, HEADLIGHTS, DIGITAL ODOMETER, EVERYTHING ELECTRIC WOULD NOT WORK. I WENT TO WORK, PLANNING TO BRING THE CAR TO THE DEALER LATER THAT DAY. WHEN I RETURNED TO MY CAR AT LUNCH TIME, THE KEY WOULD NOT EVEN GO INTO THE IGNITION. AFTER CALLING AAA, AND HAVING 3 DIFFERENT TOW TRUCKS, NO ONE WAS ABLE TO TOW THE CAR BAUSE IT HAS ALL WHEEL DRIVE AND I COULD NOT GET THE CAR ON TO PUT IT IN NUETRAL. I THEN CALLED EVERY LOCKSMITH IN THE PHONEBOOK UNTIL ONE FINALLY STOPPED BY. HE WAS ABLE TO LUBRICATE THE KEY AND GET IT IN THE IGNITION. UPON DOING SO HE TOLD ME THAT THE HOUSING WAS PROBABLY FRACTURE AND OUT OF PLACE. I DROVE IT STRAIGHT TO THE DEALER, WHERE I WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE IGNITION RECALL, AND CHARGED $542 TO REPLACE THE ELECTRICAL SWITCH AND HOUSING OF THE IGNITION. I LATER DISCOVERED ON MY OWN THAT IT WAS A RECALL ON MY CAR. I CONTACTED THE DEALER WHO TOLD ME TO CONTACT AUDI HEADQUARTERS. I SPOKE TO TWO DIFFERENT REPRESENTATIVE WHO WERE BOTH VERY RUDE. I THEN SENT AUDI A COPY OF MY BILL AND REQUESTED THAT THEY REIMBURSE MY COSTS FOR THE DEFECTED PARTS. THEY REFUSED TO REIMBURSE ME. I HAVE CONTACTED THE MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL DEPT OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS. THEY INFORMED ME THAT BY LAW, AUDI SHOULD REIMBURSE ME AND IF NOT THAT I SHOULD PURSUE LEGAL ACTION. I HAVE RE-SENT MY BILL TO AUDI, AND IF WITHIN 30 DAYS, I HAVE NOT BEEN REIMBURSED, THEY WILL BE SEEING ME IN COURT. *AK

• 11/27/1999· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICCrash

  DISC BRAKES ARE NOT ADEQUATELY SHIELDED FROM WATER WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN OR SNOW, RESULTING IN NO BRAKING EFFORT FOR APPROXIMATELY THE FIRST TWO SECONDS OF BRAKE APPLICATION. THE BRAKES ARE FINE IN DRY WEATHER, BUT ALWAYS CATCH ME BY SURPRISE IN THE WET, WHEN YOU STEP ON THE PEDAL NOTHING HAPPENS UNTIL THE WATER IS SHED FROM THE BRAKE DISCS. NLM

• 11/24/2004· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  WE HAVE EXPERIENCED AN OIL SLUDGE RELATED FAILURE ON OUR 1997 AUDI A4. INGRID EVERT, FROM THE OFFICE OF AUDI OF AMERICA'S MARK TRAHAN, HAS TOLD ME THAT MY CAR WILL NOT BE COVERED BY THEIR EXTENDED WARRANTY, DESPITE THE FACT THAT MY CAR IS WITHIN THE VIN RANGE AFFECTED BY WHAT IS, IN HER WORDS, A "MANUFACTURING DEFECT". HER REASON FOR REFUSAL IS THE FACT THAT I CHANGE MY OWN OIL AND THUS LACK RECEIPTS. SO, ALTHOUGH MY CAR IS WITHIN THE AFFECTED VIN RANGE, AND I HAVE PERFORMED ALL OIL CHANGES IN EXCESS OF THE MANUFACTURER'S RECOMMENDATIONS, AND MANY OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING THIS FAILURE REGARDLESS OF THE MAINTENANCE PERFORMED ON THE CAR, MY CAR IS NOT COVERED. *NM

• 11/18/2002· SUSPENSION

  THERE HAVE BEEN CRACKING NOISES IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION. CONCERNED THAT SOMETHING WOULD BE BREAKING, I TOOK THE CAR TO A SERVICE SHOP THAT DOES WORK FOR THE AUDI DEALERSHIP. THEY INDICATED THAT THE CRACKING WAS A PROBLEM ALREADY IDENTIFIED BY AUDI AND A KIT HAS BEEN ASSEMBLED TO FIX IT. WHEN WE PURCHASED THE AUDI, WE WERE ASSURED THAT WE HAD THE SPECIAL AUDI ASSURED FOR PREOWNED VEHICLES. WELL WHEN WE CALLED THEM TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THEY DENIED EVERYTHING AND PROCEEDED TO TELL ME THAT IT WAS WEAR AND TEAR AND THEREFORE I HAD TO PAY FOR IT. SINCE WHEN DO AUTO MAKERS ISSUE AN ALERT WITH A FIX IT KIT FOR ALL A4 S FROM 1996 TO 1998 AND CLAIM IT IS THE OWNERS FAULT. THIS IS A DESIGN PROBLEM THAT THEY REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE. I CALLED CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY WERE RUDE TO THE POINT OF SAYING THAT IT ISN'T THEIR PROBLEM. IT IS MINE. I SENT A COMPLAINT TO THE NYS ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE WITH ASSORTED ATTACHMENTS AND THEY REPLIED ON SEPT 6, 2002 SAID THAT THEY HAD FORWARDED THE INFORMATION ON TO YOU AND TO CONTACT NHTSA IF I HAD NOT HEARD SOMETHING IN A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME. IT HAS BEEN 2 MONTHS AND I HAVE NOT HEARD FROM YOU. WOULD YOU PLEASE CHECK YOUR RECORDS AND LOCATE THE FORM FROM THE NYS ATTY GENS OFFICE AND GET BACK TO ME WITH SOME INFO. I REALLY THINK AUDI SHOULD PAY FOR THESE REPAIRS SINCE IT IS A DESIGN OR MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND NOT FROM USE BY THE OWNERS (THE PREVIOUS OWNER AND ME). THANK YOU FOR YOUR ANTICIPATED HELP AND THANK YOU FOR LISTENING TO ME. DT

• 11/15/1999· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  LACK OF STOPPING WHEN BRAKES ARE WET. AT 1000 MI REPLACED ALL PADS WITH GERMAN SPEC OEM PADS. WET BRAKING PROBLEMS NEGLABLE. DID NOT NEED TO WASH UNDERWARE AS OFTEN.

• 11/04/2002· EQUIPMENT

  A/C COMPRESSOR FAILURE CAUSED CAR TO DIE WHILE DRIVING. LOW MILEAGE OF CAR INDICATES THAT PART IS DEFECTIVE. DEFECT LIKE THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS, AS IT COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. I WAS LUCKY BUT THE NEXT PERSON MIGHT NOT BE. DT

• 11/03/2003· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  AFTER THE DEALERSHIP PERFORMED THE IGNITION SWITCH RECALL THE DEFECT REOCCURRED. DEALERSHIP WAS REFUSING THE FIX THE PROBLEM, INDICATING THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH COMPONENT THAT FAILED WAS NOT THE RECALLED COMPONENT.*AK

• 10/27/2005· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  (1)I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE (LE RECALL) FROM AUDI OF AMERICA ON THE IGNITION SWITCH ON MY 1997 A4 SEDAN. THE RECALL WORK WAS PERFORMED ON 1/29/03. AT THAT POINT IN TIME THE ORIGINAL IGNITION SWITCH HAD BEEN PERFORMING CORRECTLY FOR 59 MONTHS BUT I HAD IT REPLACED BECAUSE OF AUDI'S RECOMMENDATION; NOT BECAUSE IT HAD A MALFUNCTION. (2)IN JULY OF 2004 THE REPLACEMENT IGNITION SWITCH FAILED AFTER APPROXIMATELY 18 MONTHS OF SERVICE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE I WAS VISITING ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA. I NOTICED THAT THE A/C WAS NOT BLOWING COLD AIR. AS I WAS DRIVING BACK IN TO THE TOWN OF ST. AUGUSTINE I HEARD WHAT SOUNDED LIKE SOMETHING DRAGGING UNDER THE CAR. I PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT AND THEN FOUND THE CAR WOULD NOT RE-START. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE NEAREST AUDI DEALER IN JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA AND THEN RENTED A CAR TO GET BACK HOME TO TAMPA, FLORIDA. THE BILL FROM THE JACKSONVILLE DEALERSHIP WAS $1758 TO REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH AND THE STARTER MOTOR. I ALSO INCURRED A $150 TOWING FEE AND APPROX $70 RENTAL CAR FEE. (3)AFTER THE REPAIRS I CONTACTED AUDI OF AMERICA BUT THEY SAID THEY ONLY WARRANTY REPLACED PARTS FOR 12 MONTHS. SINCE THIS SWITCH LASTED 18 MONTHS IT WAS MY RESPONSIBILITY TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. I CONTEND THAT AUDI OF AMERICA DID NOT CORRECT THE DEFECT, IN FACT, THEY MADE IT CONSIDERABLY WORSE. VIN OF 1997 A4 IS [XXX](4) PLEASE NOTE: I AM ALSO THE OWNER OF A 1996 A4 SEDAN. I WILL OPEN ANOTHER INCIDENT REPORT FOR THAT AUTOMOBILE. *JB UPDATED 07/18/2012 *JS *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

• 10/27/2004· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  RE: 1997 AUDI A4; RECALL CAMPAIGN LE, ELECTRICAL IGNITION SWITCH. *BF THE VEHICLE'S IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED IN 2001 PRIOR TO ANY FAILURE. A FEW YEARS LATER THE SWITCH FAILED IN THE SAME MANNER THAT PROMPTED THE INITIAL RECALL. THE IGNITION SWITCH BLEW UP THE STARTER CAUSING $1100 IN DAMAGE. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD THAT SINCE IT WAS ALREADY REPLACED ONCE THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. *NM

• 10/25/2002· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE TIMING GEAR BELT BROKE, CAUSING TO PULL OUT OF THE ROAD. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. TS

• 10/16/2006· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO TURN ON THE IGNITION, THE KEY TURNED FORWARD BUT WOULD NOT SPRING BACK INTO PLACE. THE IGNITION HOUSING RETURN SPRING ANCHOR POINT FRACTURED CAUSING THE RETURN SPRING FORCES TO BE FAULTY FOR RETURNING THE IGNITION KEY TO THE PROPER POSITION AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE. THE SERVICE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED WHO DETERMINED THAT THE ORIGINAL PARTS WERE REPLACED UNDER RECALL CAMPAIGN ID#00V317000. THE CONTACT INSISTED THAT EVEN THOUGH THE ORIGINAL PARTS WERE REPLACED, THE REPLACED PARTS MAY HAVE BEEN FAULTY. THE SERVICE DEALER REFUSED TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM UNDER THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, AND DETERMINED THAT IT WAS NOT AN OPEN CAMPAIGN.*AK

• 10/13/1999· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  THE A4, UNLIKE ALL OTHER CARS I'VE EVER OWNED, DOES NOT HAVE 'SPLASH SHIELDS' INBOARD OF THE FRONT DISC BRAKE ROTORS. IN THE RAIN, THIS CAUSES A QUITE ALARMING PERIOD, WHEN THE BRAKES ARE INITIALLY APPLIED, OF SHEER TERROR, BECAUSE THE CAR IS NOT STOPPING! THIS HAS BEEN MADE A MANDATORY RECALL ALL ACROSS EUROPE, AND THERE, INSURANCE COMPANIES WON'T COVER YOU IF YOU REAR-END SOMEONE AND DON'T HAVE THE SHIELDS ON. I SEE NO REASON WHY AUDI WON'T ALSO CARRY THIS TO THE US, UNTIL THEY GET SUED WHEN SOMEONE GETS KILLED BECAUSE OF IT. SWITCHING TO GAS-SLOTTED BRAKE ROTORS HELPS THIS SITUATION, BUT DOES NOT ELIMINATE IT. THANKS, AND I HOPE THIS GETS TAKEN CARE OF BEFORE I HIT SOMEONE! OH, EVERY SINGLE PERSON WITH AN A4 THAT I KNOW HAS THE SAME PROBLEM.

• 10/06/2003· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  FAILURE IN IGNITION SWITCH.*MR THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED WHICH CAUSED THE STARTER TO REMAIN PARTLY ENGAGED DAMAGING IT BEYOND REPAIR. A TECHNICIAN AT THE DEALER NOTIFIED THE CONSUMER THAT THE PROBLEM WAS THE SUBJECT OF A RECALL WHICH THE CONSUMER RESPONDED TO ON SEPTEMBER 2001. AT THAT TIME THE DEALER REPLACED IT WITH A REDESIGNED ONE. THE MANUFACTURER CONSIDERED THE FAILURE NORMAL WEAR. THE ORIGINAL SWITCH WAS REPLACE AT 63136 MILES THE SECOND WAS REPLACED AT 102692. *NLM

• 10/04/2002· SUSPENSION

  ON TWO OCCASIONS THE FRONT CONTROL ARMS FAILED. NLM

• 09/23/2002· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  VEHICLE HAD BRAKE WORK COMPLETED. *SLC

• 09/20/2004· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  IGNITION SWITCH HAD TO BE REPLACED TWICE IN THE LAST 18 MONTHS. MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO COOPERATE.*AK

• 09/17/2004· SUSPENSIONCrash

  CONTROL ARM FAILURE, FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. RESULTED IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND VEERING INTO A CURB, DAMAGING THE VEHICLE ($2000+), INSURANCE WOULD NOT COVER THE FAILED PART (ESURANCE). IT WAS EXTREMELY FORTUNATE THAT I WAS GOING ONLY 35 MPH, THAT NO ONE WAS STANDING OR DRIVING WHERE I HIT THAT CURB.*AK

• 09/14/2001· SEATSFire

  HEATED DRIVER SEAT ACTIVATED FOR LESS THAN FIVE MINUTES WITH OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE LESS THAN 20 DEGREES.. SMOKE FILLED CAR AND PORTION OF SEAT MELTED (VINYL) WHILE TRUNK WAS BEING LOADED WITH LUGAGE. TURNED HEATER OFF AND AIRED OUT CAR.*AK

• 09/13/2005· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  I HAVE A 1997 AUDI A4 Q THAT HAS A COMMON DEFECT WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH. THIS IS A VERY WELL KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS AND BECAUSE OF THE DEFECT THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL ALREADY DONE FOR THIS CAR (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 00V317000) AS OF OCT 06,2000. I CALLED THE A LOCAL DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER AND GAVE THEM MY VIN # AND THEY CLAIM MY CAR WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. HOWEVER, I WENT TO THE NHTSA WEBSITE AND LOOKED AT THE MAKE, MODEL AND YEAR OF MY CAR AND IT DOES SHOW THAT THE YEAR OF MY CAR WAS INCLUDED. IN FACT, I WAS EVEN ABLE TO PRINT OFF SEVERAL DOCUMENTS REFERRING TO THE RECALL AND IT DOES SHOW THAT MY VIN IS ACTUALLY INCLUDED (VIN RANGES WAU---8D-VA000181 TO WAU---8D-VA294397). QUOTING THE RECALL LETTER; "THE PLASTIC IGNITION SWITCH HOUSING CAN FRACTURE AT THE RETURN SPRING ANCHOR POINT. FRACTURE OF THE HOUSING COULD CAUSE THE RETURN SPRING FORCE TO BE INSUFFICIENT FOR RETURNING THE IGNITION KEY TO THE RUNNING POSITION AFTER STARTING THE ENGINE. " THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO MY CAR () MAKING IT UNSAFE TO OPERATE. *JB

• 09/12/2005· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE, THE RETURN SPRING FORCE OF THE IGNITION SWITCH IS INSUFFICIENT FOR RETURNING THE IGNITION KEY TO THE RUNNING POSITION AFTER STARTING THE ENGINE, CAUSING STARTING MOTOR TO CONTINUE RUNNING AND LIGHTS AND BLOWER MOTORS FAIL TO COM ON. REQUEST VEHICLE TO BE INCLUDED IN REFERENCE: NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 00V317000. *NM

• 09/10/2001· SEATS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  THERE IS A RATTLE IN THE DASHBOARD NEAR THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, DEALER REPLACED THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, BUT RATTLE STILL EXISTS, ALSO THE UPHOLSTERY IN THE VEHICLE HAS WORN OUT PREMATURELY, IT WAS REPLACED ON FEB 20, 2000, BUT IMMEDITELY STARTING SHOWINGS SIGNS OF WEAR WITHIN A COUPLE OF WEEKS, AND ALSO A CUT IN THE LEATHER ON THE STEERING WHEEL.*JB

• 09/09/2005· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EQUIPMENTFire

  MY AUDI A-4 WAS PARKED ALL DAY, ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE ONLY IN THE DASH. I HAVE REPORTED THIS TO AUDI THEY REFUSE TO GIVE ME A REPORT AFTER LOOKING AT THE CAR. THEY ALSO SAID THEY COULD NOT TELL IF IT WAS TAMPERED WITH. THE FIRE DEPT THAT PUT OUT THE FIRE, SAID IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. THIS CAR IS STOCK, I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH AND MODULE. THIS CAR HAS HAD RECALLS AND MAY COMPLAINTS. THIS COULD CAUSED INJURY AND DEATH IF MY CHILD AND I WERE IN THE CAR. I FEEL AS IF I AM BEING BLOWN OFF, I HAVE CALLED AND SPOKE TO MANY PEOPLE AND THERE IS NO STRAIGHT ANSWER. NOW MY CAR IS SITTING AT SCOTTADALE PAINT AND AUTO BODY WHERE I WAS INSTRUCTED TO LEAVE IT BY AUDI. I HAVE CALLED THERE TODAY TO CHECK ON MY CAR AND NO ONE CAN FIND IT. I HAVE ALSO BEEN SENDING E-MAIL AND SO ON. *JB

• 09/08/2000· SUSPENSION

  PREMATURE WEAR

• 09/07/2005· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  THE FAILURE I AM HAVING IS WITH MY IGNITION SWITCH. WHEN TURNING ON THE CAR, THE IGNITION KEY DOES NOT RETURN TO THE PROPER POSITION AFTER THE ENGINE HAS BEEN STARTED. THIS CAUSES ELECTRICAL ACCESSORIES, SUCH AS WINDSHIELD WIPERS, HEADLIGHTS, POWER WINDOWS, AND HEATING/AIR CONDITIONING TO BE INOPERATIVE AFTER STARTING THE CAR. ALSO, WHEN TURNING OFF THE CAR THE KEY DOES NOT TURN ALL THE WAY TO THE OFF POSITION. THIS RESULTS IN DIFFICULTY IN REMOVING AND REINSERTING THE KEY, AND IT ALSO DOES NOT CUT OFF ALL POWER RESULTING IN A DEAD BATTERY ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHEN I RETURNED TO THE CAR, AND IT ALSO DOES NOT ACTIVATE THE ANTI THEFT ALARM SYSTEM. THIS VEHICLE HAD A RECALL FOR THIS EXACT SAME PROBLEM IN 2001, AND THE DEALER CLAIMS TO HAVE CHANGED THE DEFECTIVE PART HOWEVER THE PROBLEM HAS RESURFACED. PAUL MILLER AUDI WAS NOT WILLING TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM AT THEIR COST. *NM

• 09/06/2005· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  DT: THE KEY WOULDN'T GO INTO THE IGNITION, AND THEN THE RADIO WOULDN'T GO OFF. THEN, THE SIGNAL LIGHTS AND THE AIR CONDITIONER WOULDN'T WORK. AFTER RESEARCHING ABOUT THE RECALL FOR THE IGNITION SWITCH CONTACTED THE DEALER AND AUDI, AND THEY BOTH SAID THE IGNITION SWITCH DEFECT, RECALL 00V317000, HAD ALREADY BEEN FIXED, BUT THERE WAS NO DOCUMENTATION. WAS CONCERNED THAT IF IT WAS ALREADY REPLACED THEN IT SHOULD NOT MALFUNCTION WITHIN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME.*AK *NM

• 09/01/2004· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  CONSUMER STATED A SPRING BROKE INSIDE THE IGNITION SWITCH. AS A RESULT, STARTER STAYED ON WHILE DRIVING AND CURRENTLY FAILED. *AK

• 08/29/2006· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  1997 AUDI A4 IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED TWICE. ONCE REGARDING A RECALL NOTICE. SECOND TIME SWITCH FAILED THE SAME AS IN THE RECALL NOTICE. *KB *NM

• 08/27/2005· SUSPENSION

  FAILING LOWER CONTROL ARMS. *JB

• 08/27/2001· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH VEHICLE STALLED, EITHER TIMING BELT OR TIMING BELT TENSIONER WAS CAUSE FOR STALLING. *AK

• 08/21/2001· STEERING

  TWO STEERING CONTROL ARMS HAVE FAILED.

• 08/20/2001· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE ALL BY ITSELF GAVE FULL SPEED AFTER BEING ACCELERATED SLOWLY BEYOND THE SPEED ONTO THE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM, THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND ANYMORE TO THE USUAL SWITCH OFF COMMANDS OF THE SYSTEM, CONSUMER PUSHED THE RESUME BUTTON BUT VEHICLE STEADILY ACCELERATED FURTHER TOWARDS FULL SPEED, DEALERSHIP INVESTIGATED THE DEFECT, AND STATED A LOOSE SCREW OF THE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM AS THE PROBLEM, WHICH MOVED IN A SUCH A WAY THAT BLOCKED THE ROPE OF THE ACCELERATOR AT FULL SPEED.( CONSUMER WRITING FROM OVER SEAS, ZUM MORGENGRABEN 6, 65835 LIEDERBACH GERMANY, PHONE#0049-69-318541)*JB

• 08/18/2004· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  APPARENTLY RELATED TO CASE: EA04017 I WAS DRIVING A 1997 AUDI A4 2.8L V6 QUATTRO AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT: I WAS DRIVING 55-MPH ON THE TACONIC STATE PARKWAY IN NEW YORK, AROUND NOON (AMBIENT TEMPERATURE ~30F ABOVE ZERO). I HAD BEEN DRIVING FOR OVER AN HOUR WHEN I NOTICED THAT THE CAR WAS ACCELERATING TO NEARLY 70-MPH DOWN HILLS BUT MY FOOT WAS NOT ON THE ACCELERATOR. MY CRUISE CONTROL WAS ON AT THE TIME AND SET TO 55-MPH, SO I TURNED IT OFF BUT THE PROBLEM KEPT OCCURRING. I TRIED BRAKING AS I WENT DOWN HILLS AND THAT SLOWED ME DOWN ENOUGH TO KEEP THE CAR UNDER 55-MPH. I FOUND A REST AREA, SLOWED THE CAR DOWN WITH MY BRAKES AND CAME TO A SAFE STOP (FORTUNATELY THERE WAS NO ONE IN THE REST AREA). WHEN I CAME TO A STOP, THE ENGINE RPMS WERE AT ABOUT 3500 BUT IT USUALLY IDLES AT 1000. I SHIFTED INTO PARK AND THE RPMS SHOT UP TO 7000 BEFORE I TURNED THE KEY OFF AND THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. I TRIED PUMPING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WITH THE CAR OFF AND TRIED TURNING THE CAR BACK ON, BUT THE RPMS SHOT UP AGAIN QUICKLY SO, AGAIN, I TURNED OF THE IGNITION (I TRIED THIS 3 TIMES BEFORE GETTING OUT OF THE CAR). THEN I GOT OUT OF THE CAR, WAITED ABOUT 15 MINUTES, GOT BACK IN THE CAR AND TRIED STARTING IT AGAIN. IT STARTED UP FINE AND IDLED AT THE NORMAL 1000 LEVEL. I DROVE ANOTHER 30 MINUTES TO MY DESTINATION WITHOUT THE CRUISE CONTROL ON. THE FAILURE DID NOT OCCUR AGAIN, AND HAS NOT HAPPENED SINCE (I HAVE NOT USED THE CRUISE CONTROL SINCE, EITHER). I HAD A MECHANIC CHECK FOR FAILURE CODES WITH AN OBDII SCAN TOOL, BUT NO ERROR CODES CAME UP. HE ALSO COULD NOT SEE ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE THROTTLE CABLE, SO I HAVE BEEN DRIVING IT CAUTIOUSLY EVER SINCE. THANKS FOR YOUR HELP! LET'S GET TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS PROBLEM. *JB

• 08/14/2001· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  THE VEHICLES IGNITION SWITCH IS FAILING INTERMITTENTLY, THE KEY WILL NOT RETURN TO BE DISENGAGED FROM THE STARTER CAUSING THE LIGHTS, WIPERS AND TURN SIGNALS TO BE INOPERATIVE, THE CONSUMER IS REQUESTING THAT AUDI HONOR RECALL 00V-317 AND REPAIR THE VEHICLE. NLM

• 08/09/2004· STEERING

  TIE ROD END FAILURE. *AK

• 08/07/2002· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE STALLED ON THE ROAD DUE TO TIMING BELT FAILURE RESULTING IN MAJOR ENGINE DAMAGE. *YH

• 08/06/2003· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING IGNITION SWITCH PROBLEMS. THERE WAS A RECALL ON 2000, WHICH HE HAD IT DONE .A FEW MONTHS LATER IT BURNED THE STARTER TWICE. MANUFACTUREE WAS CONTACTED, AND STATED THAT MANUFACTURER WAS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR IT.*AK

• 08/02/2007· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 AUDI A4. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 06V403000 (IGNITION SWITCH). WHEN THE CONTACT WENT TO RETRIEVE THE VEHICLE FROM THE DEALER, IT FAILED TO START. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY COULD ONLY RELEASE THE KEYS AND VEHICLE TO A TOW SERVICE. THE INVOICE STATED THAT THE REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS IS THE ONLY AUDI DEALER IN HIS AREA. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY ARE UNABLE TO PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 165,522. THE CONSUMER STATED TO THE AUDI BACK TO FIX AND THE VIN SHOULD SHOW CAR COULD DRIVE NORMALLY TO DEALERSHIP. THE CONSUMER STATED DEALERSHIP SABOTAGED CAR AND DRAFTED FALSE DOCUMENTS. UPDATED 08/24/07 *TR

• 07/29/2005· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITY,EQUIPMENT

  IGNITION SWITCH APPEARED TO BREAK WHEN STARTING CAR. THE KEY WOULD NOT RETURN ALL THE WAY TO STARTING POSITION AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED TO START IN THE RAIN. PULLED CAR TO SIDE OF ROAD AND SHUT OFF IGNITION. CAR WOULD NOT RESTART AND IGNITION KEY REMAINS IN FORWARD POSITION. CALLED AUDI. AUDI STATES THAT THE RECALLED IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED ON MY VEHICLE BECAUSE THEY HAVE NO RECORD OF IT NOT BEING REPLACED. SERVICE FOR THE CAR HAS BEEN AT AUDI SERVICE SINCE PURCHASE IN 1997. I DO NOT RECALL EVER RECEIVING THE RECALL LETTER OR HAVING THE IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED. IF IT WAS REPLACED WITHOUT MY KNOWLEDGE, IT APPARENTLY REMAINED DEFECTIVE. *NM

• 07/23/2004· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  RECALL 00V317000: IGNITION SWITCH DEFECT.I HAVE A 1997 AUDI A4 VIN [XXX] THAT WAS REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL IN JAN 2004. THE SYMPTOMS PROMPTING THE RECALL HAVE REOCCURRED (WIPERS AND LIGHT NOT WORKING DUE TO SWITCH DEFECT). TOOK CAR TO THE DEALER WHO STATUS RECALL WORK WAS WARRANTED FOR 1 YEAR OR 12000 MILES SO THEY WILL NOT FIX AT THEIR EXPENSE. THE VECHILE IS 8 YEARS OLD THIS YEAR. IS THERE ANY REQUIREMENT THE THE RECALL REMENDY WORK? IT APPEARS THEY PUT IN A PART THAT HAS THE SAME DEFECT THAT LEAD TO THE RECALL.*AK UPDATED 07/25/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)