The 1996 Audi A4 has 6 safety recalls and 89 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is electrical system (32 complaints).
Recalls6safety recalls
Complaints89filed by owners
Crashes · fires4 · 1reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths1 · 0reported in complaints
Safety recalls
Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
NHTSA recall 06V403000 · Oct 23, 2006 · 28,594 vehicles
Problem: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, AS A RESULT OF A PROBLEM IN THE PRODUCTION PROCESS OF THE IGNITION SWITCH, THE ANCHOR POINT OF THE SPRING MAY CRACK. THIS COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE THE RETURN SPRING FORCE TO BE INSUFFICIENT FOR RETURNING THE IGNITION KEY TO THE RUNNING POSITION AFTER STARTING THE ENGINE.
Risk: THIS CONDITION CAUSES ELECTRICAL ACCESSORIES SUCH AS WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND HEADLIGHTS TO BECOME INOPERATIVE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW IGNITION SWITCH WITH AN OPTIMIZED ANCHOR POINT FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 27, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AUDI AT 1-800-822-2834. NOTE: THIS RECALL SUPERSEDES THE REMEDY PROGRAM UNDER A PREVIOUS RECALL (PLEASE SEE 00V317).
Exterior lighting
NHTSA recall 06E060000 · Jun 29, 2006 · 87,745 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (OVSC)
Problem: 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."
Risk: LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH
Fix: AAI MOTORSPORTS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AAI MOTORSPORTS AT 909-923-9188.
Exterior lighting
NHTSA recall 06E049000 · May 24, 2006 · 27,176 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (OVSC)
Problem: 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.
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Fix: CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.
Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
NHTSA recall 00V317000 · Oct 11, 2000 · 27,900 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (ODI)
Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. 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.
Risk: THIS CONDITION CAUSES ELECTRICAL ACCESSORIES SUCH AS WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND HEADLIGHTS TO BECOME INOPERATIVE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.
Air bags › Frontal
NHTSA recall 97V175000 · Oct 8, 1997 · 39,300 vehicles
Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE DISCHARGE OF STATIC ELECTRICITY UNDER LOW HUMIDITY CONDITIONS CAN ACTIVATE THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG WHEN THE DRIVER ENTERS OR EXITS THE VEHICLE AND FORMS AN ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT BY TOUCHING CERTAIN AREAS OF THE STEERING WHEEL.
Risk: ACTIVATION OF THE AIR BAG UNDER THESE CONDITIONS CAN CAUSE PERSONAL INJURY.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A GROUND WIRE ON THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG.
Electrical system › Horn
NHTSA recall 96V088000 · May 23, 1996 · 3,700 vehicles
Problem: THE HORN CAN WORK ONLY INTERMITTENTLY DUE TO INSUFFICIENT ELECTRICAL GROUND CONTACT.
Risk: THIS CONDITION COULD PREVENT A DRIVER FROM SOUNDING A WARNING BY USING THE HORN INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Fix: CORRECTIVE ACTION: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A GROUND CONTACT SPRING WHICH WILL ENHANCE THE ELECTRICAL GROUND CONNECTION.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings
1996 Audi A4 4-DR.
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
Not Rated
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
Fuel economy
A4
20mpg combined
City / highway
17 / 25 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
2.8 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $4,100/year to fuel
A4 quattro
20mpg combined
City / highway
17 / 24 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
2.8 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,100/year to fuel
A4
19mpg combined
City / highway
16 / 26 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
2.8 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $4,350/year to fuel
A4 quattro
19mpg combined
City / highway
16 / 25 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
2.8 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,350/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
Problem area
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Electrical system Ignition › Switch; Ignition
32
0
0
0
98,238 mi
Suspension Front › Control arm; Front
23
0
0
0
95,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components
13
1
0
0
—
Steering Linkages › Tie rod assembly; Linkages
11
1
0
0
66,642 mi
Equipment Appliance › Air conditioner; Electrical › Radio/tape deck/cd etc.
9
0
0
0
—
Exterior lighting Headlights; Tail lights
7
0
0
0
66,642 mi
Air bags Frontal; Side/window
6
2
0
1
—
Visibility Sun/moon roof assembly; Power window devices and controls
6
0
0
0
—
Unknown or other
6
0
0
0
—
Power train Automatic transmission; Manual transmission
6
0
0
0
—
Engine and engine cooling Engine; Exhaust system
5
0
0
0
—
Seats Front assembly › Seat heater/cooler; Front assembly › Recliner
3
0
1
0
—
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Apr 20, 2011Suspension 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.
Mar 1, 2009 · 210,000 milesElectrical 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:…
Sep 9, 2008 · 130,000 milesVisibility › Windshield wiper/washer TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 AUDI A4. THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD SQUEALING NOISE OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE WHEN HE STARTED THE IGNITION. THE RPM'S INCREASED AND THE IGNITION KEY FAILED TO RETURN TO THE ENGINE RUNNING POSITION. IMMEDIATELY, THE IGNITION KEY WAS TURNED MANUALLY TO THE "ON" POSITION TO RESUME NORMAL OPERATION. IN ADDITION, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND HEADLIGHTS BECAME INOPERATIVE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V403000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH) WAS REFERENCED. THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL, BUT THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000 AND…
Nov 10, 2008 · 200,000 milesElectrical system › Ignition › Switch 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
Nov 1, 2006Electrical system › Ignition › Switch 1996 AUDI A4 CUSTOMER HAD REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH THAN A WEEK LATER HE RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER. CUSTOMER SUBMITTED THE PAPER TO AUDI AND WAS GIVEN HALF PAYMENT CUSTOMER WOULD LIKE FULL REIMBURSEMENT**CC *JB
Dec 13, 2006 · fireSeats › Front assembly › Seat heater/cooler 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
Oct 10, 2006 · 120,000 milesElectrical system › Ignition › Switch 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…
Apr 13, 2006Air bags 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…
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
NHTSA defect investigations
EA00021 · opened Aug 11, 2000 · closed Mar 29, 2002DEGRADED BRAKING IN WET WEATHER There is no summary currently available
PE00016 · opened Apr 4, 2000 · closed Aug 11, 2000DEGRADED BRAKING WET WEATHER CONDITION There is no summary currently available
RQ00009 · opened Mar 21, 2000 · closed Nov 30, 2000 · led to recall 00V317000IGNITION SWITCH There is no summary currently available