"How reliable is the 1998 Audi A4?"

"Based on 321 NHTSA complaints, the 1998 Audi A4 has a median complaint mileage of 82000 miles. The most common issue is Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip."

"What are common problems with the 1998 Audi A4?"

"The most frequently reported component in NHTSA complaints for the 1998 Audi A4 is Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip, accounting for a significant portion of the 321 total complaints filed."

1998 Audi A4: Reliability Data

Source: NHTSA — 321 complaints

321

Total Complaints

82,000mi

Median Mileage

Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip

Top Issue

Crash Reports

When Do Complaints Happen?

Distribution of NHTSA complaints by vehicle mileage at time of report.

65,000 25th Percentile

82,000 Median Mileage

108,250 75th Percentile

What Fails?

Most reported component issues from NHTSA complaints.

Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip

Disc

Control Unit/Module

Tie Rod Assembly

Switch

Belts And Associated Pulleys

Vehicle Speed Control

Engine

Control Unit/Module

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Severity Assessment

Crashes

Fires

Injuries

Deaths

Sample Complaint Reports

"TRANSMISSION SHIFTER FAILED AFTER THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED IN THE REVERSE DIRECTION WHILE THE SHFTER WAS IN DRIVE."

"WITH HEADLIGHTS ON AND DASH LIGHTS DIMMED, THE AIR CONDITIONER AND HEATER PANEL WILL INTERMITTENTLY FLASH TO FULL BRIGHTNESS DISTRACTING DRIVER."

"WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE LOST OIL AND BOTTOMED OUT DUE TO EXCESSIVE LOW VEHICLE CLEARENCE FROM ROAD. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO DEALER FOR PROBLEM. DEALER NOTED VEHICLE IS A4 SPORTS PACKAGE. *AK"

Source: NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Names and identifying details omitted.

When Were Complaints Filed?

Number of complaints by the year the issue occurred.

When Does Each Component Fail?

Median mileage at complaint for top components.

Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip 59 complaints

25th: 70,877 mi Median: 82,500 mi 75th: 98,475 mi

Control Unit/Module 15 complaints

25th: 67,532 mi Median: 82,000 mi 75th: 110,000 mi

Tie Rod Assembly 13 complaints

25th: 40,852 mi Median: 54,312 mi 75th: 66,500 mi

Switch 12 complaints

25th: 57,875 mi Median: 65,750 mi 75th: 78,500 mi

Where Are Complaints Coming From?

Top states by complaint count.

CA: 60 NY: 36 CT: 24 MD: 19 NJ: 18 OH: 15 MA: 14 PA: 14 MN: 13 VA: 8

Who Files Complaints?

43%

Original Owners

57%

Second+ Owners

Audi A4 — Other Years

See how this model compares across different model years.

Year	Complaints	Median Mileage	Top Issue	Crashes
1996	133	68,000	Switch	4
1997	119	92,457	Switch	9
1999	242	75,000	Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip	9
2000	115	62,000	Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip	7
2001	153	60,007	Engine	5
2002	218	21,500	Ignition	15
2003	282	63,000	Fuel Pump	11
2004	225	59,120	Fuel System, Gasoline	10
2005	266	59,000	Exterior Lighting	13
2006	343	60,500	Exterior Lighting	8
2007	223	73,250	Air Bags	6
2008	203	61,543	Air Bags	10
2009	150	62,000	Engine	7
2010	77	79,000	Engine	0
2012	23	120,000	Engine	0
2013	28	101,000	Steering	1
2014	38	80,000	Engine	0
2015	23	42,000	Engine	1
2017	75	36,500	Engine	6
2018	36	14,000	Unknown Or Other	1
2020	222	-	Electrical System	1

Data source: View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov | NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Public domain.

Methodology: Complaint counts and mileage distributions are computed directly from consumer-reported NHTSA complaints. This data represents reported issues, not failure rates — vehicles without complaints are not represented. Full methodology.

Data through: 2026-03-28