Audi A4 Avant 1998
Model A4 Avant made in 1998 by Audi got 23 consumer complains as well as 7 service bulletins. Consumer complaints with reference, among others things, to air bags and electrical system. Technical service bulletines regarding engine and engine cooling and equipment. The car has one 2.8 engine.
Model 1998
| Engine [L] | Cylinders | Transmission | Drive | Estimate MPG (city/highway/combined) | Unadjusted MPG (city/highway/combined) | Fuel | Fuel cost | Class | Release date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.8 | 6 | Lockup/automatic, 5 gears | F | 18/29/22 | 20.1794/37.4496/25.4636 | Premium | 956 | SMALL STATION WAGONS |
Bulletins
| Bulletin | Bulletin date | Replacement Bulletin | Item no. | Summary | Added |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE | |||||
| 0604 | 04/07/2006 | 10020721 | Oil sludge limited warranty extension. *kb | 01/03/2007 | |
| EQUIPMENT - ELECTRICAL | |||||
| 970398 | 12/23/1997 | 600499 | Installation instructions on cellular telephone. *yc | 05/18/1998 | |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING - HEADLIGHTS | |||||
| 20056243 | 02/26/2007 | 10022141 | Headlight aiming, using hella universal beamsetter. *kb | 07/06/2007 | |
| STRUCTURE - BODY | |||||
| 9801T | 02/06/1998 | 600812 | Information on servicing sunroof. *yc | 06/09/1998 | |
| SUSPENSION - FRONT - CONTROL ARM - LOWER ARM | |||||
| JE | 11/24/2004 | 10011699 | Check/replace replace front suspension lower control arms. *tc | 01/28/2005 | |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | |||||
| 980198 | 06/16/1998 | 601886 | Increasing distance range for folding key ( keyless remote transmitter ). *yc | 08/28/1998 | |
| WHEELS - LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS | |||||
| TSB-44-08-14 | 11/19/2008 | 10027923 | Audi: wheel bolts require torque adjustment. torque sticks and torque extension bars are not approved by audi of america, inc. and should not be used to apply torque to wheel bolts. all audi models included. *pe | 02/20/2009 | |
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| AIR BAGS - FRONTAL - SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE | |||
| 01/05/2005 | 89000 | 1 | 08/16/2001 |
| 1. airbag sensor light displayed 2. routine maintenance determines the airbag sensor is not working 3. dealer estimates airbag replacement will cost $1,700, but is not covered by warranty since its failure is due to mileage and wear. *jb | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION - SWITCH | |||
| 08/21/2001 | 1 | 07/01/1997 | |
| Audi currently has recall for defective ignition switch/spring part on 96-97 model year a4's. suspect early 98 models have same defective part. problem is car accessories will not function such as lights, a/c, etc, and engine will sometimes shuff off while driving. i have been in contact with other early 98 owners who have experienced same problem and have had the iginition switch replaced.. repair cost was over $300. would like to have audi request recall of 98 models and provide refund to owners who have already paid for this repair and replacement.*ak | |||
| SERVICE BRAKES, AIR - ANTILOCK - CONTROL UNIT/MODULE | |||
| 07/04/2005 | 01/25/2002 | ||
| I have a 1998 audi a4 avant, 2.8 v6, manual transmission. after 45k miles the cruise control module (brain) failed and had to be replaced. at 91k miles the abs brain failed. was there, or will there be, a recall on these items? | |||
| 12/15/2004 | 65000 | 20 | 08/15/2001 |
| After only 65000 miles on my 1998 audi a4 i have been forced to replace major abs components because of numerous failures. the abs system works intermittently, and there is no indication of when it will fail. a brake light will come on, then go off, indicating there is trouble, but at times the light will be off and it is not until you begin to brake that you realize the abs is non-functional. audi has been very slow to repair the problem, requiring a 2 week wait just to diagnose the issue. then requiring $2300 to make a 6 year old car safe to drive.*ak | |||
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | |||
| 09/03/2011 | 97555 | ||
| The anti lock brake control modulator unit failed, and now i have brakes that do not work. at the slightest pedal pressure, all 4 wheels will have a strong pulsating, giving you about 1/3 of the braking pressure that is needed. volkswagons used a nearly identical part, and their abs controller is under recall, i do not understand why nhtsa, cannot force audi of america to do the same. thank you | |||
| 07/18/2008 | 114788 | 1 | |
| Out of nowhere, abs light on, brake light flashing. took to shop, they stated this is a common problem for the abs module to lock out communications; 1400 + for the repair. this is an expensive car; i find it outrageous the electronic module is outside, subject to weather conditions and salt. please see my complaint on coil springs as well. researched the problem on the internet and it seems this is usual and customary for this model, i feel nhtsa needs to step up here and call audi on the table. *tr | |||
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - ANTILOCK | |||
| 12/15/2004 | 65000 | 20 | 08/15/2001 |
| After only 65000 miles on my 1998 audi a4 i have been forced to replace major abs components because of numerous failures. the abs system works intermittently, and there is no indication of when it will fail. a brake light will come on, then go off, indicating there is trouble, but at times the light will be off and it is not until you begin to brake that you realize the abs is non-functional. audi has been very slow to repair the problem, requiring a 2 week wait just to diagnose the issue. then requiring $2300 to make a 6 year old car safe to drive.*ak | |||
| 11/01/1998 | |||
| Intermittently the brakes don't grab at all, especially in the wet. this happens even after the car has been drive far enough to warm up the brakes. *ak | |||
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - ANTILOCK - CONTROL UNIT/MODULE | |||
| 02/11/2004 | 92000 | 10/22/1998 | |
| Car: 1998 a4 audi avant quattro, bought new. abs controller module failed in 2004, audi should do a recall for safety reasons. no there were no deaths or injuries, is this a reason to have a recall when people die?? *nm | |||
| 12/15/2004 | 65000 | 20 | 08/15/2001 |
| After only 65000 miles on my 1998 audi a4 i have been forced to replace major abs components because of numerous failures. the abs system works intermittently, and there is no indication of when it will fail. a brake light will come on, then go off, indicating there is trouble, but at times the light will be off and it is not until you begin to brake that you realize the abs is non-functional. audi has been very slow to repair the problem, requiring a 2 week wait just to diagnose the issue. then requiring $2300 to make a 6 year old car safe to drive.*ak | |||
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - DISC | |||
| 11/01/1998 | |||
| Intermittently the brakes don't grab at all, especially in the wet. this happens even after the car has been drive far enough to warm up the brakes. *ak | |||
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - POWER ASSIST | |||
| 12/15/2004 | 65000 | 20 | 08/15/2001 |
| After only 65000 miles on my 1998 audi a4 i have been forced to replace major abs components because of numerous failures. the abs system works intermittently, and there is no indication of when it will fail. a brake light will come on, then go off, indicating there is trouble, but at times the light will be off and it is not until you begin to brake that you realize the abs is non-functional. audi has been very slow to repair the problem, requiring a 2 week wait just to diagnose the issue. then requiring $2300 to make a 6 year old car safe to drive.*ak | |||
| STEERING - LINKAGES - TIE ROD ASSEMBLY | |||
| 10/18/2005 | 34528 | 1 | 10/10/2005 |
| Dt: the contact states that he is unable to have a recall 99v248000 repaired without charge. he purchased a used vehicle last week with an outstanding recall, when he took the vehicle to the dealer to have recall repair completed. the manufacturer refused to offer a free remedy. the recall stated that the tie rods would be replaced. the dealer and manufacturer indicated that because there was no damage to the rubber boots the tie rods would not be replaced free of charge. the dealer provided a repair order indicating that the lower control arm was damaged. *ak | |||
| SUSPENSION | |||
| 03/14/2008 | 114000 | 2 | |
| Vehicle has 114k miles in northeast conditions, both rear coil springs are broken; possible defect like in the ford taurus recalls? *tr | |||
| SUSPENSION - FRONT | |||
| 08/10/2008 | 115110 | 1 | |
| Rear coil springs failed at 114000 miles- cracked in half, fronts probably next. vehicle's life has been in the northeast subject to heavy use of road salt; seems spring composition similar to the brake rotors and coil springs on ford products that prompted a similar recall. an issue like this isn't expected from audi, and is disappointing. *tr | |||
| SUSPENSION - FRONT - CONTROL ARM - LOWER ARM | |||
| 10/18/2005 | 34528 | 1 | 10/10/2005 |
| Dt: the contact states that he is unable to have a recall 99v248000 repaired without charge. he purchased a used vehicle last week with an outstanding recall, when he took the vehicle to the dealer to have recall repair completed. the manufacturer refused to offer a free remedy. the recall stated that the tie rods would be replaced. the dealer and manufacturer indicated that because there was no damage to the rubber boots the tie rods would not be replaced free of charge. the dealer provided a repair order indicating that the lower control arm was damaged. *ak | |||
| SUSPENSION - REAR | |||
| 08/10/2008 | 115110 | 1 | |
| Rear coil springs failed at 114000 miles- cracked in half, fronts probably next. vehicle's life has been in the northeast subject to heavy use of road salt; seems spring composition similar to the brake rotors and coil springs on ford products that prompted a similar recall. an issue like this isn't expected from audi, and is disappointing. *tr | |||
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | |||
| 01/03/2010 | 1 | ||
| 1998 audi a4 2.8 - driving along highway, in 7 degree temp, car started accelerating ( feels like it is driving itself) even after foot was removed from pedal and full force had to be applied to brake to stop the car at which point it went into high rev and engine was immediately turned off. mechanic could find nothing wrong. this car also had 2 similar incident (once when new) and once a number of years ago. after much back and forth with audi, they took the car in, and said they could find nothing wrong. as a precaution i had the cruise control disconnected and the throttle body cable replaced so felt the car was safe. (all at my expense) *tr | |||
| 01/08/2004 | 89000 | 5 | 01/28/1999 |
| My audi a4 avant 2.8 quattro 1998 accelerates on its own in cold temperatures ( below 15 degrees f ) and two dealerships failed to find the problem so far. it happens when the engine has warmed up partially, but has not reached it's operating temperature yet. *jb | |||
| 01/15/2004 | 85900 | 2 | 06/15/2002 |
| Throttle sticking on acceleration in sub-zero driving temperatures. brakes enabled me to stop car and shut off engine. if i took my foot off the brake, the car re-accelerated to the stuck position. once the engine was shut off, engine heat evidently melted the ice and idle speed returned to normal. have spoke to other audi owners and they have experienced similar stuck throttle problems in sub-zero driving temperatures. independent audi repairmen have suggested the problem is caused because there is no source of heat (exhaust hose routing or engine cooling routing) near the throttle plate and there is no fix or repair to this design problem. if a crash occurs, the engine heat melts the ice buildup before a cause of accident can be determined. when i contacted an audi dealership to ask if this is a problem with others and to get repair advice, they were unaware of this problem type and just said to be very careful driving. i also contacted audi customer service to file a report and they also said they are unaware of this being a problem but did give me a case number (881108347). it is -9 degrees today and -18 is forecast tonight. i am afraid to drive this car in sub-zero temperatures. next time i might not be on a back country road when the throttle sticks. *la | |||
Car dealers selling
| State | City | Zip | Name | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CA | SAN JOSE | 95117 | STEVENS CREEK AUDI | 4082445400 |
| CO | BOULDER | GO MOTORS | ||
| ID | BOISE | 83704 | PETERSON AUTOPLEX | 208-378-9010 |
| MA | GREENFIELD | 01301 | LABELLE & LEITNER AUTO REPAIR | 413-774-5517 |
| MI | ESCANABA | 49829 | HALBINSEL INCORPORATED | 906-789-9650 |
| NH | DOVER | INTERSTATE AUTO AUCTIONS | ||
| WA | SEATTLE | 98105 | UNIVERSITY AUDI | 2066343322 |