1998 Audi A4 Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 28about this part
- Share
- 11%of 258 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 75,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 28 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1998 Audi A4, 11% of the 258 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 75,000 miles. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“In very cold weather, the engine sticks and holds a speed of 6,000 RPM. This condition lasts for at least 40 minutes during which time the car is not controllable. I have had this happen four times. I have involved the local Audi dealer as well as Audi of america. They have attempted to fix this problem four times without success. Audi of america is refusing to either acknowledge or take responsibility for this problem. The first time this happened was on jan 16, 2003. The last time it has happened was jan 16, 2004.”
NHTSA complaint #10056303, filed 2004-02, 65,853 miles“The vehicle developed a severe vibration in the front end. The upper, lower suspension arms and the tie rod ends were replaced. There was a severe oil leakage observed coming from the engine during acceleration. Oil was found in the spark plug cavities and the spark plug wires protective sleeve was brittle due to high engine temperature.”
NHTSA complaint #10113846, filed 2005-04, 109,000 miles“While driving 1998 Audi 1.8 t along highway when timing belt failed, without warning, wrecking engine. Car had only 58k miles, and owners manual does not recommend replacing timing belt until 90k miles. There is no TSB for the belt but Audi is aware of the problem and requires all new timing belts to be installed in a new configuration.”
NHTSA complaint #10088498, filed 2004-08, 58,693 miles“1998 Audi A4 1.8t fully maintained timing belt failure causing catastrophic engine damage. Service manual calls for timing belt replacement at 90,000 miles. Failure occurred at 76,000 miles. Audi USA refusal to gather service info or compensate for loss and provided no avenue for appeal or escalation of the case. Audi USA had made no effort to inform drivers of this problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10052679, filed 2004-01, 76,000 miles“Audi A4 1.8t q timing belt tensioner failed at 75,000 causing catastrophic engine damage. Service interval published by Audi is no earlier than 90,000mi. Tensioner failure is known defect and has been redesigned by Audi, yet Audi will not acknowledge the defect. Audi claims no responsibility nor have they published any TSB alerting people to have this part replaced early.”
NHTSA complaint #10029161, filed 2003-07, 75,000 milesRelated recalls
- 98V134000Jun 22, 1998Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. If the engine backfires during a cold-start, an air screen which is loosely seated in the air flow meter can become…Covers: Audi A4 1998, Volkswagen Passat 1998, Audi A6 1998
Related 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…
- 10119945Mar 17, 2015Supersedes Technical Service Bulletin Group 10 number 13-10 dated September 5, 2013. Prior to engine replacement, any debris lodged in transferred assemblies must be removed. If…
- 10119946Mar 6, 2015Supersedes Technical Service Bulletin Group 17 number 13-35 dated January 9, 2013. This bulletin lists engine oils that meet Audi oil quality standards (VW 501 01, 502 00, 505…
- 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…
- 10121324Sep 5, 2013Supersedes Technical Service Bulletin Group 10 number 10-02 dated September 14, 2010. Prior to engine replacement, any debris lodged in transferred assemblies must be removed. If…
- 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…
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 1998 Audi A4
125 complaintsSuspension
24 complaintsElectrical system
23 complaintsSteering
23 complaintsAir bags
16 complaintsVehicle speed control
13 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
8 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
7 complaintsExterior lighting
5 complaintsSeats
5 complaintsEquipment
3 complaintsSeat belts
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1998 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