1997 Audi A4 Suspension Problems
- Complaints
- 19about this part
- Share
- 19%of 98 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 57,100miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 19 complaints about the suspension of the 1997 Audi A4, 19% of the 98 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 57,100 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Control arm failure, front passenger side. Resulted in loss of steering control and veering into a curb, damaging the vehicle ($2000+), insurance would not cover the failed part (esurance). It was extremely fortunate that I was going only 35 MPH, that no one was standing or driving where I hit that curb.”
NHTSA complaint #10091173, filed 2004-09, 103,000 miles“Audi (97 A4 quattro) has issued a safety recall related to control arms - offering free replacement. They further state that if the control arms have already been replaced, they will reimburse all costs. I have my car maintained faithfully, usually by a dealer, but I did not have the formal 90k mile check done. Since I did not follow their formal process, they are refusing to pay for the repair. (this is not a maintainable part , so the only fix, if indicated at 90k miles, would have been replacement). Audi's position seems unreasonable, given the unrepairability factor .”
NHTSA complaint #10125149, filed 2005-06, 112,000 miles“Every 30,000 miles to 40,000 miles the lower control arms failed. When this occurred, the front end made a clanking noise, and the front wheels loosened. Consumer contacted the dealer and the manufacturer, and was offered 50% of total repair cost by the manufacturer.”
NHTSA complaint #10103514, filed 2004-12, 30,000 miles“Front control arms are notorious for making clunking noise. You can replace them every 6 months and problem starts all over. This is safety design flaw that Audi needs to assist in repairs or recall.”
NHTSA complaint #10005311, filed 2003-02, 40,000 miles“Left and right lower control arms (2 on each side for a total of 4) were severly worn, and have been for quite some time prior to my having the defect inspected. With the car on lift, the ball joint could be pulled out of it's socket with little effort. Had I hit a bump at a high rate of speed, this could easily cause loss of control. I am contacting Audi as well, but haven't as of this writing.”
NHTSA complaint #742870, filed 2001-03Related service bulletins
- 10016418Nov 24, 2004Service action je campaign-check/replace front suspension lower control arms. Audi has found that in rare cases, one or both front suspension lower control arms on affected…
- 10011699Nov 24, 2004Check/replace replace front suspension lower control arms.
Suspension: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2 | 18% |
| 2020 | 2 | 2% |
| 2018 | 2 | 4% |
| 2017 | 1 | 2% |
| 2016 | 1 | 9% |
| 2014 | 1 | 3% |
| 2011 | 1 | 9% |
| 2010 | 1 | 2% |
| 2009 | 5 | 4% |
| 2005 | 1 | 0% |
| 2004 | 1 | 1% |
| 2003 | 3 | 1% |
| 2002 | 5 | 3% |
| 2001 | 3 | 2% |
| 2000 | 3 | 3% |
| 1999 | 8 | 4% |
| 1998 | 24 | 9% |
| 1997 | 19 | 19% |
| 1996 | 19 | 21% |
Other parts of the 1997 Audi A4
33 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 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 28, 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