1998 Audi A4 Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 2%of 258 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 94,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 1998 Audi A4, 2% of the 258 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 94,000 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.
“Control arms on driver and passenger side have gone bad in the last year. I dont think that is right for the parts to fail like that.. I bought the Audi cause I thought it would be a safe and reliable car, when all it has been for me is a money trap.”
NHTSA complaint #10102412, filed 2004-12, 65,000 miles“On a 1998 A4 quattro Audi, it is the 2nd time that the headlights switch fails, the first time was 6 months ago and have to replace the entire steering wheel column switch package. This is the second time, and this time I was on a highway around 11:00 pm with no headlights at all, in this car if the headlights don't work, also the fog lights don't work too, so suddenly you end at the middle of the night on a highway with no lights at all. This definitely is a high risk situation because you can not drive with out headlights it is like blind driving. …”
NHTSA complaint #10437558, filed 2011-11, 110,000 miles“I have 1998 Audi A4 2.8 quatro. Abs and break lights is on. Word on the vw/Audi tech circle is that the bosch 5.3 module is malfunctioning at a higher than normal rate. Please make a recall on this part.”
NHTSA complaint #10087001, filed 2004-08, 78,000 miles“I have had a recent discussion with Audi customer service manager in wayzata, mn at 11:55am. This is regarding a defect in my model year 1998 Audi A4 2.8., or Audi A4 2.8 manufactured june of 1997. I researched the web and saw hundreds of similar complaints regarding the light switch. I turned my light switch on and the low beam and high beam do not work. The temporary high beam works. I saw many other 1998 Audi owners with the same problem; even more similar with the fact that we had a 1998 model year car that was manufactured in 1997. …”
NHTSA complaint #10453798, filed 2012-04“The contact owns a 1998 Audi A4. The contact stated that the amber reflector headlights illuminated poorly and decreased vision. The dealer was notified, but denied any assistance to repair the vehicle because the VIN was not included in the recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number 06e049000 (exterior lighting). The manufacturer was not notified. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 190,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10454292, filed 2012-04, 190,000 milesRelated 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 1998 Audi A4
125 complaintsEngine cooling
28 complaintsSuspension
24 complaintsElectrical system
23 complaintsSteering
23 complaintsAir bags
16 complaintsVehicle speed control
13 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
8 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
7 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 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