1997 Audi A4 Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 3%of 98 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 68,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 1997 Audi A4, 3% of the 98 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 68,500 miles.
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.
“Headlight switch failed while driving on paved highway at approximately 60 MPH at 11:30 pm. Failure caused all headlights to stop functioning, thereby leaving the driver and passenger in total darkness at cruising speed. Extreme potential for fatal accident. This is the 4th time this switch has failed.”
NHTSA complaint #10051054, filed 2003-12, 97,000 miles“Both the cruise control and the headlight washer vaccum pumps shorted out at the same time after 40000 miles. Nothing was done by the owners other then normal driving the might be associated with the number of ingintion switches problems noted on Audi 4's.”
NHTSA complaint #10025699, filed 2003-07, 40,000 miles“Intermittent problem with engine computer kept it from accelerating. It would suddenly only idle out from a stop. If you were to pull into traffic you could not accelerate and would be hit or cause someone else to swerve to avoid you. It took the dealer 7 months to find the problem and replace the ecu. It became obvious after replacement that it had been bad since day one and gradually got worse since all acceleration hesitation went away. This unit quickly failed and had to be replaced also.”
NHTSA complaint #703252, filed 1999-02Related service bulletins
- 10127856Jul 31, 2017This informational bulletin contains technical information for when there is condensation visible on the inside of the headlight, taillight, fog light, side marker light, front…
- 10120003Apr 17, 2015Supersedes Technical Service Bulletin Group 94 number 12-92 dated October 24, 2012. Condensation is visible on the inside of the headlight, taillight, fog light, side marker…
- 10122766Oct 24, 2012Supersedes Technical Service Bulletin Group 94 number 11-52 dated October 11, 2011. Condensation is visible on the inside of the headlight, taillight, fog light, side marker…
- 10025703Feb 26, 2007Exterior lights, mositure accumulation.
- 10022141Feb 26, 2007Headlight aiming, using hella universal beamsetter.
Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 1 | 1% |
| 2017 | 1 | 2% |
| 2015 | 2 | 11% |
| 2014 | 1 | 3% |
| 2010 | 2 | 3% |
| 2009 | 4 | 3% |
| 2008 | 11 | 6% |
| 2007 | 8 | 4% |
| 2006 | 159 | 54% |
| 2005 | 101 | 46% |
| 2004 | 14 | 7% |
| 2003 | 23 | 11% |
| 2002 | 17 | 9% |
| 2001 | 3 | 2% |
| 2000 | 2 | 2% |
| 1999 | 4 | 2% |
| 1998 | 5 | 2% |
| 1997 | 3 | 3% |
| 1996 | 5 | 6% |
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 complaintsAir bags
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 29, 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