1996 Audi A4 Problems

What owners report

Complaints about this model year cluster around two themes: front suspension and steering wear, and electrical trouble linked to the ignition switch. Front control arm and tie rod problems are usually described as noises, looseness or play found during service, while ignition switch complaints describe keys that do not return to the running position after starting, in some cases leaving wipers, lights and other accessories inoperative. Brake complaints, many in wet conditions, and heated-seat damage are also reported.

1. 1
   Electrical system

   Ignition switch does not return to running position

   • 22 complaints (25%)
   • median 115,000 mi at 10.0 yrs old (9 state mileage, few)
   • filed 1999–2009

   Complaints describe the key not springing back to the running position after starting, so the starter stays engaged or the engine does not shut off cleanly, and accessories such as the headlights, wipers and turn signals stop working. Some owners say the dealer replaced the ignition switch, and others say they were told their vehicle was outside the recall's VIN range even though the symptoms matched. A few report the starter or headlight control assembly was replaced as well. Reported across a wide mileage range, from under 70,000 to about 200,000 miles, and in a couple of cases a replacement switch failed again a few years later.

   Recall 06V403000Recall 00V317000

   What to check: After starting the car, check that the key returns to the running position on its own and that lights and wipers work with the key in that position; ask whether the ignition switch has been replaced and whether any open recall applies to the VIN.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “(1) I received a recall notice (le recall) from Audi of america on the ignition switch on my 1996 A4 sedan. The recall work was performed on 10/10/02. At that point in time the original ignition switch had been performing correctly for 69 months but I had it replaced because of Audi's recommendation; not because it had a malfunction. (2)in october of 2005 the replacement ignition switch failed after exactly 36 months of service. I had problems with the wiper blades and the A/C. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10140964, filed 2005-10, 90,500 miles

   “I own an 1996 Audi A4. Recently, my headlights and taillights have stopped functioning all together at various times. Sometimes they work fine the next minute they wouldn't. One night I almost got rear-ended by another car because my rear taillights were not illuminated. So I took the car to Audi to get the problem taken care of. When I went to Audi, they told me I have a bad ignition switch and said the problem would probably be taken care of with the replacement of the switch. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10140655, filed 2005-10, 87,000 miles
2. 2
   Suspension

   Front control arms and tie rods worn or loose

   • 18 complaints (20%)
   • median 66,642 mi at 8.7 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • filed 1999–2011

   Owners describe rattles, thunks and creaking over bumps, and mechanics finding play or worn bushings in the front lower control arms and inner tie rods. Several say the arms were replaced more than once, and that dealers described it as a common problem on this model; a few report split rubber boots or a broken arm. Related service bulletins describe checking and replacing front lower control arms. Often reported between roughly 30,000 and 100,000 miles, and sometimes noticed as noise over bumps before any looseness is confirmed.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Have a mechanic inspect the front lower control arms, boots and inner tie rods for play or cracking before buying, and ask whether the arms have been replaced and when.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Front end control arms continue to be a problem. I have replaced all of them on the front end at least once. I now have another one that needs replacement. I am concerned what will happen if I don't replace it. This is a problem for all owners, and needs to be addressed by Audi before someone is killed.”

   NHTSA complaint #10079090, filed 2004-06, 45,000 miles

   “Audi of north america recalled their 1999 model a4s for failure of the tie rods. I own a 1996 A4 with tie rods that failed and Audi of north america and the dealership refused to repair the damaged tie rods under the recall notice even though the failure was exactly as outlined in the original recall notice sent to all Audi dealers. I read recently in the los angeles times that an owner with a 1998 A4 experienced exactly the same problem. It appears the recall should cover all model years of the A4. …”

   NHTSA complaint #769518, filed 2002-11
3. 3
   Brakes

   Brakes slow to respond in wet conditions

   • 6 complaints (7%)
   • median 35,000 mi at 7.2 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2000–2003

   Owners describe a noticeable delay, sometimes a second or more, before the brakes take effect after driving in heavy rain or through standing water, with normal braking returning once the brakes dry. Some describe loss of braking response during a lane change on a wet road; one complaint notes an ABS and brake warning light coming on along with rear brake lockup after brake work. Reported from about 11,000 to 55,000 miles, typically in wet weather or shortly after driving through water.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask about brake service history and pads, and on a test drive in wet weather pay attention to how quickly the brakes respond after the car has been driven through water.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Brake failure in wet conditions. I was driving on 95n in providence. As I was changing lanes, I lost steering abilities. When I braked I did not get a response and crashed into the jersey barrier then bounced off it and went into a 180 degree spin across 4 lanes. I was stopped by the guard rail.”

   NHTSA complaint #10041563, filed 2003-10

   “On numerous occasions, when driving in very wet conditions, there is a very noticeable delay before the brakes have any effect. This can be up to 2 seconds or so, and depending on driving conditions could lead to an accident. This has not happened to me yet, but I am concerned about this defect.”

   NHTSA complaint #737283, filed 2000-12

Buying note. On this model year, the front suspension and steering wear items and the ignition switch are the points owners most often raise, so a pre-purchase inspection covering control arms, tie rods, the steering rack and the ignition switch is worthwhile. Ask for service records showing whether those parts, and any applicable recall work, have already been addressed.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.