1997 Audi A4 Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 3%of 98 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 148,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the air bags of the 1997 Audi A4, 3% of the 98 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 148,000 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
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.
“I was stopped at a red light when a car crashed into the back of my 1997 Audi A4. This caused my car to crash into the car in front of me and that car to crash in to the car in front of it. My driver-side air bag did not deploy and my seat belt did not lock up. The air bag on the passenger side did deploy. Because the air bag and seat belt did not work, I hit the windshield and had to go to the hospital for medical attention.”
NHTSA complaint #10493125, filed 2013-01, 183,000 miles“In a snow storm, driver braked at an intersection, automatic brakes kicked in but did not stop the 10 mile per hour slide through the intersection. Car stopped parallel to the curb and was immediately t-boned by an SUV. Air bags did not deploy. Driver was wearing aseat belt and suffered a brokev arm . . .lucky. Based upon the condytion of the car, driver should be dead.”
NHTSA complaint #10562412, filed 2014-01, 113,000 miles“I was sitting at a stop light and was struck from behind at speeds between 40 to 60 miles a hour. My airbags did not deploy and my driver seat came lose from the floor and because of this I received injuries to my neck and face.”
NHTSA complaint #10608531, filed 2014-07Related recalls
- 22V471000Jul 1, 2022Volkswagen 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…Covers: Audi A4 1997–1998, A8 1998
- 97V175000Oct 8, 1997Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The discharge of static electricity under low humidity conditions can activate the driver side air bag when the…Covers: Audi A4 1995–1997, 90 1995–1997, A6 1995–1997 +2 more
Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 | 10% |
| 2022 | 1 | 17% |
| 2021 | 1 | 9% |
| 2019 | 1 | 10% |
| 2018 | 4 | 9% |
| 2017 | 13 | 23% |
| 2015 | 1 | 5% |
| 2013 | 1 | 4% |
| 2010 | 1 | 2% |
| 2009 | 33 | 28% |
| 2008 | 116 | 66% |
| 2007 | 119 | 61% |
| 2006 | 73 | 25% |
| 2005 | 54 | 25% |
| 2004 | 26 | 14% |
| 2003 | 12 | 6% |
| 2002 | 8 | 4% |
| 2001 | 11 | 8% |
| 2000 | 6 | 6% |
| 1999 | 8 | 4% |
| 1998 | 16 | 6% |
| 1997 | 3 | 3% |
| 1996 | 6 | 7% |
Other parts of the 1997 Audi A4
33 complaintsSuspension
19 complaintsBrakes
15 complaintsEngine cooling
12 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
5 complaintsSeats
4 complaintsSteering
4 complaintsVehicle speed control
4 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
4 complaintsExterior lighting
3 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaintsEquipment
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Audi A4
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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