Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026
High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip — runs 5.8× the fleet median for that category across the 2075 model-years tracked on this site.
258Complaints
6Recalls
6Crashes
2Fires
11Injured
0Deaths
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Is this problem acknowledged?
The most-reported problem — Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip (22.9% of complaints) — is covered by 1 NHTSA recall campaign.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip complaints here are 5.8× the median for that category across the 2075 model-years tracked on this site.
Complaint category
Reports
Official status
Reference
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip
59 · 22.9%
Recalled
Recall 99V131001
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc
18 · 7%
Recalled
Recall 99V131001
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module
15 · 5.8%
Recalled
Recall 99V131001
Steering:linkages:tie Rod Assembly
13 · 5%
Recalled
Recall 99V248000
Electrical System:ignition:switch
12 · 4.7%
not available
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline:belts And Associated Pulleys
11 · 4.3%
Recalled
Recall 98V134000
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC18 · 7%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE15 · 5.8%
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY13 · 5%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH12 · 4.7%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS11 · 4.3%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL10 · 3.9%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE10 · 3.9%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC9 · 3.5%
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE9 · 3.5%
Percentages are the share of the 258 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
SCREEN PIECES COULD ENTER THE INTAKE AIR FLOW SYSTEM AND PREVENT THE THROTTLE PLATE FROM RETURNING TO ITS FULL IDLE POSITION. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park itPark outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What owners report
“CAR EXPERIENCES DIMINISHED BRAKING ABILITIES UNDER WET/COLD CONDITIONS. IF ROADS ARE WET, EVEN IF ABOVE FREEZING CONDITIONS, BRAKING SUDDENLY TO AVOID OTHER TRAFFIC RESULTS IN…”NHTSA complaint 10016424 — filed 04/23/2003 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
“IF BRAKES ARE COLD (NOT USED FOR MORE THAN 15 MINUTES ON A FREEWAY) AND THE WEATHER IS COLD AND WET, THE BRAKES WILL NOT…”NHTSA complaint 760204 — filed 04/03/2002 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
“IN WET WEATHER THE BRAKES NEED TO BE APPLIED MUCH HARDER OTHERWISE NO SLOWING OCCURS.”NHTSA complaint 746393 — filed 06/04/2001 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Complaint trend by year filed
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 1998 Audi A4?
Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip issues are the most-reported category, cited in 59 of 258 NHTSA complaints (22.9%), followed by 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). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many complaints does the 1998 Audi A4 have?
258 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 6 involved a crash, 2 involved a fire, and 11 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.
Does the 1998 Audi A4 have any recalls?
Yes — 6 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 06E060000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Has NHTSA acted on the 1998 Audi A4's reported problems?
Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.
Is a complaint proof of a defect?
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.
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