How many recalls does the 1997 Audi A4 have?

The 1997 Audi A4 has 6 NHTSA safety recall campaigns on record.

How do I check if my 1997 Audi A4 has an open recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN at NHTSA's official recall lookup (nhtsa.gov/recalls) to see open, unrepaired recalls for your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are free.

What do owners complain about most on the 1997 Audi A4?

Of 119 NHTSA complaints on file, the most-reported component is electrical system.

1997 Audi A4 Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 1997 Audi A4 has 6 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 212,551 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 119 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

AIR BAGS 22V471000 2022-07-01 28,624 affected

Defect

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…

Consequence

The inflator could explode during air bag deployment, resulting in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants. An underinflated air bag may not properly protect the occupant. These scenarios increase the risk of serious injury or death.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the driver's air bag inflator with an alternative inflator of a different design, free of charge. Owner notification letters were sent September 21, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 69BT. The vehicles in this recall were…

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 06V403000 2006-10-23 28,594 affected

Defect

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).

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 00V317000 2000-10-11 27,900 affected

Defect

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.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 99V131001 1999-05-21 88,121 affected

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. A CONTROL VALVE IN THE VACUUM HOSE CONNECTING THE BRAKE BOOSTER TO THE INTAKE MANIFOLD MAY NOT OPEN OR CLOSE FULLY AT TEMPERATURES BELOW -4 F UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE INSUFFICIENT VACUUM TO BE PROVIDED TO THE BRAKE BOOSTER.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A VACUUM BY-PASS SYSTEM INTO VEHICLES OPERATED IN THESE STATES WHICH IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE SUFFICIENT VACUUM FOR FULL BRAKE ASSIST UNDER ALL WEATHER CONDITIONS.

AIR BAGS 97V175000 1997-10-08 39,300 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.

SEAT BELTS 97V115000 1997-07-22 12 affected

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE REAR SEAT BELT RETRACTORS MAY NOT LOCK PROPERLY WHEN ENGAGED, OR NOT REMAIN LOCKED AFTER BEING ENGAGED.

Consequence

IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, AN IMPROPERLY LOCKING SEAT BELT COULD CAUSE INJURY TO AN OCCUPANT.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY.

Complaints by component

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM

SUSPENSION:FRONT

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

SEATS

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

AIR BAGS

Total complaints119

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“I was sitting at a stop light and was struck from behind at speeds between 40 to 60 miles a hour. My airbags did not deploy and my driver seat came lose from the floor and because of this I received injuries to my neck and face. *js”

AIR BAGS · reported 2014-07-03

“I was sitting at a stop light and was struck from behind at speeds between 40 to 60 miles a hour. My airbags did not deploy and my driver seat came lose from the floor and because of this I received injuries to my neck and face. *js”

SEATS · reported 2014-07-03

“In a snow storm, driver braked at an intersection, automatic brakes kicked in but did not stop the 10 mile per hour slide through the intersection. Car stopped parallel to the curb and was immediately t-boned by an suv. Air bags did not deploy. Driver was wearing aseat belt and suffered a brokev…”

AIR BAGS · reported 2014-01-27

“Tl* the contact owns a 1997 audi a4. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20 mph, the brakes failed when engaged. The contact was attempting to stop for a traffic stop but the vehicle did not respond. The failure was recurring. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The…”

SERVICE BRAKES · reported 2014-01-27

“I was stopped at a red light when a car crashed into the back of my 1997 audi a4. This caused my car to crash into the car in front of me and that car to crash in to the car in front of it. My driver-side air bag did not deploy and my seat belt did not lock up. The air bag on the passenger side…”

AIR BAGS · reported 2013-01-04

“I was stopped at a red light when a car crashed into the back of my 1997 audi a4. This caused my car to crash into the car in front of me and that car to crash in to the car in front of it. My driver-side air bag did not deploy and my seat belt did not lock up. The air bag on the passenger side…”

SEAT BELTS · reported 2013-01-04

“The lower front control arms in my '97 audi a4 1.8t quattro were replaced by an authorized audi dealer as part of a voluntary recall campaign in 2004 by audi to replace a noted defective part. A class action lawsuit brought against audi by several owners spurred the voluntary recall. My lower…”

SUSPENSION:FRONT · reported 2009-03-25

“I received safety recall js for the audi a4 ignition switch in november 2006 and complied with the instructions by bringing the car to the dealer for a replacement switch in january 2007. The dealer did not do the repair because they said my car already had the correct switch. In june 2008, this…”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · reported 2008-06-14