1996 Audi A4 Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 6%of 89 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1996 Audi A4, 6% of the 89 complaints for this model year.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“After starting my vehicle and attempting to turn on my headlights (incident occured approx. 8:00 pm), I noticed that my headlights, and tail lights were inoperable. I also notiiced that my climate control system, warning/indicator lights (lights during normal start-up), outside ambient temperature gauge, door locks, and my turn signals were all inoperable. I then proceeded to turn off my engine to trouble shoot the problems when I found that I was unable to turn the key in the ignition (to the off position). I verified that my automatic transmision shifter was in park p . …”
NHTSA complaint #718941, filed 2000-02“When shifting into fourth gear,engine fumbles causing the car to vibrate....on cold starts,any release of the throttle and the front end makes loud clicking,dealer couldn't duplicate though happens every day....under acceleration when cold ,exhaust rattles,sounds like heat shield rapping against something.”
NHTSA complaint #712709, filed 1999-10“1996 Audi A4 interior of vehicle flooding. The consumer opened the front passenger door to find a significant amount of water on the floorboard of the vehicle (front and rear/approximately 32 gallons of water). They later found water around the battery and other engine parts within that area, which ultimately destroyed the wiring harness and transmission control unit. This problem occurred before. The problem originated from a design flaw that restricts water drainage from the engine compartment because of the malfunctioning of the rubber seal around the drainage hole below the battery. …”
NHTSA complaint #10026409, filed 2003-06Related service bulletins
- 10123764Sep 8, 2015Supersedes Technical Service Bulletin Group 19 number 15-61 dated July 7, 2015. Discontinuation and mixing of Audi-approved engine coolants. G11, G12, and G12+ coolants have been…
- 10128399Jul 7, 2015Supersedes Technical Service Bulletin Group 19 number 14-50 dated June 20, 2014. Discontinuation and mixing of Audi-approved engine coolants. G11, G12, and G12+ coolants have…
- 10120682Feb 13, 2015Supersedes Technical Service Bulletin Group 01 number 13-69 dated February 14, 2013. Noises and inconsistent engine operation after cold start during the catalyst heating phase…
- 10231130Jun 30, 2014Idenifying and mixing factory fill engine coolants
- 10122415Jun 20, 2014Supersedes Technical Service Bulletin Group 19 number 13-41 dated June 20, 2013. Discontinuation and mixing of Audi-approved engine coolants. G11, G12, and G12+ coolants have…
- 10216662Jun 20, 2013Discontinuation and mixing of Audi-approved engine coolants.
- 10123587Jun 20, 2013Supersedes Technical Service Bulletin Group 19 number 13-35 dated March 25, 2013. Discontinuation and mixing of Audi-approved engine coolants. G11, G12, and G12+ coolants have…
- 10216656Apr 25, 2013Discontinuation and mixing of Audi-approved engine coolants.
- 10123882Mar 25, 2013Supersedes Technical Service Bulletin Group 19 number 11-19 dated February 10, 2011. Discontinuation and mixing of Audi-approved engine coolants. G11, G12, and G12+ coolants have…
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 | 17% |
| 2018 | 1 | 2% |
| 2017 | 2 | 4% |
| 2015 | 1 | 5% |
| 2014 | 1 | 3% |
| 2013 | 1 | 4% |
| 2010 | 9 | 14% |
| 2009 | 5 | 4% |
| 2008 | 4 | 2% |
| 2007 | 12 | 6% |
| 2006 | 6 | 2% |
| 2005 | 8 | 4% |
| 2004 | 18 | 10% |
| 2003 | 17 | 8% |
| 2002 | 28 | 15% |
| 2001 | 31 | 24% |
| 2000 | 11 | 11% |
| 1999 | 28 | 15% |
| 1998 | 28 | 11% |
| 1997 | 12 | 12% |
| 1996 | 5 | 6% |
Other parts of the 1996 Audi A4
26 complaintsSuspension
19 complaintsBrakes
11 complaintsSteering
10 complaintsEquipment
8 complaintsAir bags
6 complaintsOther or unknown
6 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
6 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
6 complaintsExterior lighting
5 complaintsSeats
3 complaintsBody and structure
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1996 Audi A4
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology