1997 Audi A4 Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 4%of 98 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 118,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the visibility of the 1997 Audi A4, 4% of the 98 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 118,000 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.
“I have a 97 Audi A4 2.8 . Quattro. I have ahad numerous repairs on this vehicle. The most recent problem is that a control arm on the sunroof (appears to be a powder metal part about 1 inch in size) has broken. This break requires that the the complete sunroof be replaced at a cost of $1300. I was interested to known if others have complained about similar failures on audis or vws. Thanks!”
NHTSA complaint #10102827, filed 2004-12“Ignition switch appeared to break when starting car. The key would not return all the way to starting position and windshield wipers failed to start in the rain. Pulled car to side of road and shut off ignition. Car would not restart and ignition key remains in forward position. Called Audi. Audi states that the recalled ignition switch was replaced on my vehicle because they have no record of it not being replaced. Service for the car has been at Audi service since purchase in 1997. I do not recall ever receiving the recall letter or having the ignition switch replaced. …”
NHTSA complaint #10130629, filed 2005-07“The contact stated the windshield wipers intermittently failed to operate. There was a NHTSA recall, #00v317000 on the vehicle regarding the ignition switch. The contact expressed the windshield wiper failure was related to the recall. However, the dealer determined the failure of the windshield wiper motor was not included in the recall.”
NHTSA complaint #10175184, filed 2006-12, 118,000 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 1999-02Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 1 | 1% |
| 2018 | 1 | 2% |
| 2015 | 1 | 5% |
| 2014 | 1 | 3% |
| 2010 | 1 | 2% |
| 2009 | 6 | 5% |
| 2008 | 3 | 2% |
| 2006 | 5 | 2% |
| 2005 | 5 | 2% |
| 2004 | 16 | 8% |
| 2003 | 20 | 10% |
| 2002 | 11 | 6% |
| 2001 | 3 | 2% |
| 2000 | 5 | 5% |
| 1999 | 5 | 3% |
| 1998 | 8 | 3% |
| 1997 | 4 | 4% |
| 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 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 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