The 1996 Audi A4 has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 99,494 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 133 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system. Last updated July 5, 2026.
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.
Consequence
THIS CONDITION CAUSES ELECTRICAL ACCESSORIES SUCH AS WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND HEADLIGHTS TO BECOME INOPERATIVE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy
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).
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.
Consequence
THIS CONDITION CAUSES ELECTRICAL ACCESSORIES SUCH AS WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND HEADLIGHTS TO BECOME INOPERATIVE.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.
AIR BAGS97V1750001997-10-0839,300 affected
Defect
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.
Consequence
ACTIVATION OF THE AIR BAG UNDER THESE CONDITIONS CAN CAUSE PERSONAL INJURY.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A GROUND WIRE ON THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG.
THE HORN CAN WORK ONLY INTERMITTENTLY DUE TO INSUFFICIENT ELECTRICAL GROUND CONTACT.
Consequence
THIS CONDITION COULD PREVENT A DRIVER FROM SOUNDING A WARNING BY USING THE HORN INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy
CORRECTIVE ACTION: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A GROUND CONTACT SPRING WHICH WILL ENHANCE THE ELECTRICAL GROUND CONNECTION.
Complaints by component
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
17
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM
9
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
7
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
6
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
4
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
4
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
4
SUSPENSION:FRONT
4
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM
4
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
3
1crashes1injuries
Total complaints133
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“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.”
“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…”
“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…”
“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”
“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…”
“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…”
“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…”
“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”
Defect investigations
InvestigationEA00021 Opened 2000-08-11 · closed 2002-03-29
DEGRADED BRAKING IN WET WEATHER
There is no summary currently available
InvestigationPE00016 Opened 2000-04-04 · closed 2000-08-11
DEGRADED BRAKING WET WEATHER CONDITION
There is no summary currently available
InvestigationRQ00009 Opened 2000-03-21 · closed 2000-11-30
IGNITION SWITCH
There is no summary currently available
InvestigationRQ00009 Opened 2000-03-21 · closed 2000-11-30
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1996 Audi A4 as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.