The 1998 Audi A4 has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 188,445 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 321 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
AIR BAGS22V4710002022-07-0128,624 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…
STEERING99V2480001999-09-1351,900 affected
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE TIE RODS OF THE STEERING ASSEMBLY ARE PROTECTED ON EACH SIDE BY A SEAL TO PREVENT MOISTURE AND DUST PARTICLES FROM ENTERING THE SWIVEL BEARING MECHANISM. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT SOME TIE ROD SEALS MAY NOT SEAL PROPERLY.
Consequence
IF MOISTURE AND/OR DUST PARTICLES ENTER THE SWIVEL BEARING MECHANISM, THE SWIVEL BEARING COULD WEAR OVER TIME DIMINISHING THE STEERING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TIE RODS.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC99V1310011999-05-2188,121 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.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING98V1340001998-06-2219,800 affected
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. IF THE ENGINE BACKFIRES DURING A COLD-START, AN AIR SCREEN WHICH IS LOOSELY SEATED IN THE AIR FLOW METER CAN BECOME DAMAGED.
Consequence
SCREEN PIECES COULD ENTER THE INTAKE AIR FLOW SYSTEM AND PREVENT THE THROTTLE PLATE FROM RETURNING TO ITS FULL IDLE POSITION.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A RETAINING RING TO HOLD THE AIR SCREEN IN PLACE.
Complaints by component
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
59
1crashes2injuries
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
18
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
15
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
13
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
12
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
11
1injuries
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
10
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
10
1crashes
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
9
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
9
Total complaints321
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“Recall 69bt was not accomplished at mcdaniels audi of charleston dealer. They indicated they had replaced airbag with 8d0898201a kit.”
“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 audi a4. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 20v056000 (air bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. A dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for…”
“Takata recall. The contact owns a 1998 audi a4. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 20v056000 (air bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The…”
“The airbag fault light and abs light have been on ever since I had the vehicle, thinking that it may be a fault by the manufacturer as seeing very common problems in many websites. Another main concerned is the fault of the manufacturer's engine design causing engine damage from oil sludge. My…”
“The airbag fault light and abs light have been on ever since I had the vehicle, thinking that it may be a fault by the manufacturer as seeing very common problems in many websites. Another main concerned is the fault of the manufacturer's engine design causing engine damage from oil sludge. My…”
“The airbag fault light and abs light have been on ever since I had the vehicle, thinking that it may be a fault by the manufacturer as seeing very common problems in many websites. Another main concerned is the fault of the manufacturer's engine design causing engine damage from oil sludge. My…”
“The amber abs warning light glows while the red brake light blinks. I understand newer audi models have just been recalled for abs issues, but my 1998 a4 was not included in the recall. Braking appears normal, and warning light illumination is sporadic.”
“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 audi a4. The contact had the turbo replaced in the vehicle; however, months later, the vehicle stalled. The contact felt unsafe in the vehicle because she believed that a crash could occur due to the stalling. The vin and failure mileage were unknown.”
Defect investigations
InvestigationEA00021 Opened 2000-08-11 · closed 2002-03-29
DEGRADED BRAKING IN WET WEATHER
There is no summary currently available
InvestigationEA04017 Opened 2004-06-30 · closed 2005-02-10
STUCK-OPEN THROTTLE
VWOA HAS RECALLED APPROXIMATELY 28,300 MY 1998-99 A6 VEHICLES IN COLD WEATHER STATES THAT EXPERIENCED THE HIGHEST RATE OF THROTTLE ICING INCIDENTS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES (04V-495).THE FAILURE RATE IN THE A4 AND PASSAT VEHICLES IS MUCH LOWER THAN IN THE RECALLED VEHICLES.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE EXPERIENCE IN…
InvestigationPE00016 Opened 2000-04-04 · closed 2000-08-11
DEGRADED BRAKING WET WEATHER CONDITION
There is no summary currently available
InvestigationPE02008 Opened 2002-01-23 · closed 2002-07-12
BRAKE AND CLUTCH PEDAL BRACKET
InvestigationRQ99008 Opened 1999-06-01 · closed 2000-11-14
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1998 Audi A4 as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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