1998 Audi A4 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 3%of 258 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 44,792miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1998 Audi A4, 3% of the 258 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 44,792 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
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 was wondering if you could offer any advice. I have a 1998 Audi A4 that was purchased in july, 1997 and has approximately 45,000 road miles. It has had a number of problems through the years, the most recent of which was a broken (not worn) clutch that was repaired last month. I contacted Audi USA and requested that they help pay for this very expensive repair. They refused, stating that the car is well outside their 3 year/36,000 mile waranty period. I grant them that, but a number of other manufacturers have 7 or even 10 year powertrain warranties. …”
NHTSA complaint #10040983, filed 2003-09, 44,792 miles“Car would pop out of first gear at slow speeds during a turn. Had to fight with dealer & Audi of america for 4 months before they would acknowledge a problem or fix it. They finally replaced the transmission, and that solved the problem. We have several other non-safety problems that the dealer is slow to acknowledge and repair. We switched dealers in the denver area to mcdonald after the problems with prestige. Mcdonald's attitude towards customer service is no better. If you want a report/complaint on the additional, non-safety related problems, let us know.”
NHTSA complaint #718107, filed 2000-01“After driving vehicle consumer parked it. But, when consumer try to start and move, vehicle did not move. Vehicle had to be towed to dealership, and technician said the problem was with the driveshaft.”
NHTSA complaint #857428, filed 2000-02“Consumer was checking out the vehicle and the headrest, when pressure was applied, would not stay in place, would slide down. Dealer cannot duplicate the problem.”
NHTSA complaint #826586, filed 1998-08Related service bulletins
- 10123713Oct 5, 2015Vehicle will not communicate with diagnostic scan tool or emissions test equipment. Customers may have issues with vehicle passing state IM emissions test programs because the…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 | 17% |
| 2021 | 2 | 18% |
| 2018 | 5 | 11% |
| 2017 | 4 | 7% |
| 2016 | 1 | 9% |
| 2015 | 1 | 5% |
| 2014 | 2 | 6% |
| 2012 | 2 | 11% |
| 2011 | 3 | 27% |
| 2010 | 9 | 14% |
| 2009 | 6 | 5% |
| 2008 | 12 | 7% |
| 2007 | 11 | 6% |
| 2006 | 14 | 5% |
| 2005 | 16 | 7% |
| 2004 | 12 | 6% |
| 2003 | 43 | 20% |
| 2002 | 16 | 9% |
| 2001 | 5 | 4% |
| 2000 | 8 | 8% |
| 1999 | 10 | 5% |
| 1998 | 7 | 3% |
| 1997 | 5 | 5% |
| 1996 | 6 | 7% |
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 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 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