- The problem
- On certain passenger vehicles, as a result of a problem in the production process of the ignition switch, the anchor point of the spring may crack. This could potentially cause the return spring force to be insufficient for returning the ignition key to the running position after starting the engine.
- The risk
- This condition causes electrical accessories such as windshield wipers and headlights to become inoperative increasing the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- Dealers will install a new ignition switch with an optimized anchor point free of charge. The recall began on november 27, 2006. Owners may contact audi at 1-800-822-2834. Note: this recall supersedes the remedy program under a previous recall (please see 00v317).
Vehicle safety record
1996 Audi A4 Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 92 complaints about the 1996 Audi A4 with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system (27) and the suspension (19). Those complaints describe 4 crashes, 1 fire and 1 injury. It is covered by 6 recalls, the latest in October 2006 for the switch. For comparison, the 1995 has 1 and the 1997 has 99.
NHTSA data checked
CAbout as many problems as a typical A4 year, for its age
#64 most complained-about 1996 vehicle
- Complaints
- 92
- Recalls
- 6
- Crashes
- 4
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 1
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 1996 Audi A4 problems
Share of all 92 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
1996 Audi A4 recalls 6
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
- The problem
- Certain aai motorsports combination lamps sold as replacement lamps for use on the above list passenger vehicles. Combination lamps not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."
- The risk
- Lack of amber side reflectors in the lamps will decrease lighting visibility to other drivers and may possibly result in a vehicle crash
- The fix
- Aai motorsports will notify owners and replace the lamps free of charge. The recall began on august 1, 2006. Owners may contact aai motorsports at 909-923-9188.
- The problem
- Certain ck motorsports combination headlights, clear corner, bumper, and side marker lights sold as replacement lamps for use on the passenger vehicles listed above. Some combination lamps that are not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform to federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.
- The risk
- Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
- The fix
- Ck motorsport will notify owners and replace the noncompliant lamps free of charge. The recall began on july 1, 2006. Owners may contact ck motorsport at 1-909-610-7211.
- The problem
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The plastic ignition switch housing can fracture at the return spring anchor point. Fracture of the housing could cause the return spring force to be insufficient for returning the ignition key to the running position after starting the engine.
- The risk
- This condition causes electrical accessories such as windshield wipers and headlights to become inoperative.
- The fix
- DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.
- The problem
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The discharge of static electricity under low humidity conditions can activate the driver side air bag when the driver enters or exits the vehicle and forms an electrical circuit by touching certain areas of the steering wheel.
- The risk
- Activation of the air bag under these conditions can cause personal injury.
- The fix
- Dealers will install a ground wire on the driver side air bag.
- The problem
- The horn can work only intermittently due to insufficient electrical ground contact.
- The risk
- This condition could prevent a driver from sounding a warning by using the horn increasing the potential for a vehicle accident.
- The fix
- Corrective action: dealers will install a ground contact spring which will enhance the electrical ground connection.
What owners say
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92 complaints about the 1996 Audi A4
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners. Page 1 of 4.
While driving west on pennsylvania rt. 401 I drove over a small bump in the road, where a drain is buried under the road, and the passenger side front lower a arm snapped in half at a speed of 45 mph causing a catastrophic failure and the car to grind to a halt on the shoulder of the road.
I have 1996 audi a4 and experiencing the same recall problem as nhtsa campaign id number: 06v403000, which is not able to return the ignition key to the running position after starting the engine. This condition causing electrical accessories such as windshield wipers and headlights to become inoperative increasing the risk of a crash. I see the following recall on your website. But when I contact audi at 1-800-822-2834, they says my 1996 audi a4 is not qualified for this recall. Vehicle make / model: ...
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model year(s): audi / a4 1996-1997 manufacturer: volkswagen of america, inc mfr's report date: oct 20, 2006 nhtsa campaign id number: 06v403000 n/a nhtsa action number: n/a component: electrical system:ignition:switch potential number of units affected: 28594. *Tr
Tl*the contact owns a 1996 audi a4. The contact heard a loud squealing noise outside the vehicle when he started the ignition. The rpm's increased and the ignition key failed to return to the engine running position. Immediately, the ignition key was turned manually to the "on" position to resume normal operation. In addition, the windshield wipers and headlights became inoperative without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for inspection and nhtsa campaign id number 06v403000...
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(electrical system:ignition:switch) was referenced. The failures were identical, but the vin was excluded from the recall. The vehicle has not been repaired. The failure mileage was 130,000 and current mileage was 132,000.
Tl*the contact owns a 1996 audi a4. The contact stated that his keys were stuck in the ignition. His vin was not included in nhtsa campaign id number 06v403000 (electrical system:ignition:switch). The failure and current mileages were less than 200,000. Updated 12-08-08 *bf updated 12/10/08. *Jb
Let me start by saying I originally directed this complaint to the state attorney generals office, who sent me a letter, directing me to send this complaint to the nhtsa. The ignition switch went out in the 1996 audi a4, as described in recall # 06v403000. This left me stranded , and I had to have the vehicle pushed a few blocks down to the closest repair shop. The ignition switch was replaced, and I sent in my reimbursement form ,including proper documentation that the recall notice had asked for. This recall...
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notice was of course sent to me by audi of america. I received a call from audi's customer service department, and they told me that they would not be reimbursing me. When I asked why, they said that the work had to be completed with in a certain time frame. I told them the recall notice sent to me mentioned no such time frame. Then, they told me that the work could only be done at an audi dealership. I then replied that a reimbursement form was sent to me with the recall notice in case the work done anywhere else. When I told the customer service representative that the car had broken down and didn't have the luxury of taking the car to the nearest audi dealership, I was told that I could take all the original paperwork for the work that had been done, and the defective part to the nearest dealership where they would examine it, but they were not promising anything. This of course was not possible because the defective part was long gone, and the reimbursement form mentioned nothing of keeping it for any purpose. The reason I am writing this complaint was because I felt I was being cheated of my reimbursement money, when I have clearly produced all paper work, including receipts, that the reimbursement form had asked for. I would like to receive reimbursement in the amount of $398.44 From audi of america. *Ak
1996 Audi a4 customer had replaced the ignition switch than a week later he received a recall letter. Customer submitted the paper to audi and was given half payment customer would like full reimbursement**cc *jb
1996 Audi a4 quattro with leatherette passenger seat - heated seat was set at level 6 and while a passenger was sitting on the seat a hole the size of two quarters was burnt into the passenger seat due to the heated seat starting a small fire.. *Nm
Dt*: the contact stated the vehicles starter completely failed on two occasions. The first time, the vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop, who replaced the starter. The vehicle was driven back to the contacts residence with no problems. That same day, the contact attempted to start the vehicle and the starter failed again. The vehicle was pushed to the nearby independent repair shop, who determined that the ignition switch was defective, and was the cause for the burnt starter. The contact...
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researched the problem online, and noticed an nhtsa recall #00v317000 regarding, electrical system: ignition: switch. On 10/13/06, the manufacturer was contacted, who confirmed the vehicle was included in the recall, but the period to have the recall work performed had expired.
This is not related to a manufacturer complaint, but I am hoping to get some info on who to contact for an issue in a private party used vehicle purchase. I recently purchased a car with a clean carfax report and the seller said it had not been involved in any collisions. Upon taking it to my mechanic for a part failure (within 24 hrs of purchase) I was told it had been in a major collision with airbag deployment. The airbag covers had been replaced, however the srs light was either removed or the wires cut so...
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it wouldn't be illuminated. Additionally we're concerned that the seat belts were not replaced. I'm wondering if there is any recourse against the seller when they do not disclose the fact that the safety equipment is not present. Calls to the seller have gone unanswered. *Jb
I own a 1996 audi a4. The horn has intermittently worked since I've owned the vehicle - since 1999. I've tried on numerous occasions to have various dealers fix the problem since there is an outstanding recall notice for the horn assembly (campaign: 96v088000) but I'm now finally told that my vin does not fall into the appropriate range. However, the description of the 1996 audi a4 problem matches my problem exactly. I was told by a dealer years ago that to fix the problem, I would need to replace the leather steering wheel, which would cost approximately $1,000. My vin should be included in this recall notice. Please advise. *Jb
I have a 1996 audi a4 and the engine started leaking oil from the cam tensioner, I talked to a few audi mechanics and owners and they have had similar problems, and told me to report it to this organization. *Jb
(1) I received a recall notice (le recall) from audi of america on the ignition switch on my 1996 a4 sedan. The recall work was performed on 10/10/02. At that point in time the original ignition switch had been performing correctly for 69 months but I had it replaced because of audi's recommendation; not because it had a malfunction. (2)In october of 2005 the replacement ignition switch failed after exactly 36 months of service. I had problems with the wiper blades and the a/c. Because of the failure I...
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experienced previously on the 1997 audi I turned the motor off then opened the car door and restarted the motor. I heard what sounded like the starter motor still engaged so I turned the motor off and had the car towed to reeves audi. (3)Reeves audi replaced the ignition switch and billed me about $661 but after I complained they gave me a 15% discount so I ended up paying about $571 (4)i called audi of america. They were able to pull up my earlier complaint about the 1997 a4 and created a new file for the 1996 a4 (50407850). However, their final word on the subject was that they stood behind the 15% discount offered to me by reeves audi. (5)Bottom line is that for 2 audi automobiles I had good ignition switches that had served 59 and 69 months be replaced because of an audi of america recall and then had the replacement ignition switches fail after 18 and 36 months. I am out of pocket over $2500 for a problem identified by audi of america and supposedly corrected by reeves audi of tampa. How can a car manufacturer identify a problem (was it a safety recall), identify corrective action, put out a recall notice and then have the improved part fail in such a short time span. My original ignition switches never did fail. (6)My contention is that audi did not correct the problem when they performed the recall, in fact they made the problem considerably worse. Audi should bear the responsibility of repairing these ignition switches a 2nd. Time. *Jb
I own an 1996 audi a4. Recently, my headlights and taillights have stopped functioning all together at various times. Sometimes they work fine the next minute they wouldn't. One night I almost got rear-ended by another car because my rear taillights were not illuminated. So I took the car to audi to get the problem taken care of. When I went to audi, they told me I have a bad ignition switch and said the problem would probably be taken care of with the replacement of the switch. I got the work done and then went...
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on the internet to check any recalls from the nhtsa. A recall #00v317000 came up and described the exact problem I had with my audi. However, when I called the dealer and audi they told me the recall did not apply to my vin #. I found it hard to believe that this hazard was taken care of for a select number of cars but there are still cars out on the roadway that have the same exact problem. I think audi would have been much more likely to pay for the repairs if that ford f250 super duty would have placed its v-8 in my passenger's seat as it almost did. It was an awful close call for me and I am having a huge problem with audi not taking responsibility for their defects. *Nm
Problem with ignition switch causing the return spring force to be insufficient for returning the ignition key to the running position after starting the engine, also causing electrical accessories to become inoperative and running down the battery. There was a recall concerning the ignition switch on the exact same year (1996) and model (audi a4) and regarding the exact same ignition problem. I have spoken with the dealers service department and the manufacturer concerning this problem. The recall they claim does not include my vin number. However, my car is a 1996 audi a4 and my vehicle is having the exact same safety problem covered under the recall. The recall #00v317000. *Jb
Although the ignition switch of my 1996 audi a4 was replaced under recall in august 2001, it has the same failure almost exactly 4 years later. The switch neither allows the car to completely shut off nor allows the wipers, lights and indicators to function. *Nm
1996 Audi a4 - audi a4 front control arms all fail at around 100,000 miles. All 8 of mine were replaced. Audi sent out a tsb for 2 of the 8 control arms and are jerking people around with the reimbursement. They want people to prove that all scheduled maintenance was done, yet the parts in question are not repairable or serviceable. According to my audi dealer, this is an ongoing problem that hasn't gotten any better, even with the latest models. These cost between $300 - $500 each to replace for a total of $3000...
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for all 8. They are doing everything they can to prevent people from collecting on this and this should cover all 8, since all 8 fail instead of only 2. They should be held accountable for the letter and paperwork that I provided to them for reimbursement over 6 months ago. Every audi a4 has had this problem and continues to have this problem. Audi should have to answer for the poor design and the bogus tsb letter that they sent to owners.
00 V 317 000/ignition switch: the ignition switch will not return to the running position after starting the vehicle. The consumer would have to manually turn the switch back after starting the vehicle. The consumer noticed the recall on the nhtsa website and notified her dealer. The dealer informed the consumer that her vehicle identification number was not covered under the recall. *Jb
While driving 10 mph driver's side lower control arm failed. As a result, the ball joints seperated.*Ak
Airbag light is on. Also horn has not work for the last 3,000 miles. Car only has 27,000 on it. Both of these safety items are very common failures on audi a4. It time that the nhtsa does something. Remember its: "people serving people" and not "nhtsa serving the automobile manufacturers." *Jb
Consumer noticed that driver's seat frame was cracked. Vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that driver's seat frame needed to be rewelded with overlaying metal. *Ak *tt
I detected a stong odor of gasoline in the passenger cabin. I took the vehick in two weeks ago and was told that a leak was found in the fuel line at a crimp, spilling down the wheel well on the front passenger side. I was told that the cost to perfrom the repair would be $950 as the only way to adress the problem waas to replace the entile fuel line from front to back. I declined the approve the work and picked up the car in order to get a second opinon. The cuse of the leak is a manufacturing defect and I have made an appointment to have audi take a closer look at the problem.*Ak
There were no crashes and no injuries related to this incident. I purchased a 1996 audi a4 quattro, vin [[redacted]], used on february 7, 2004. On the incident date the ingition switch failed causing damage to the starter motor. The vehicle was taken to our service dealer, midwestern auto group, dublin, ohio where the problem was diagnosed as a failure of the ingition switch housing. This is the exact same failure that initiated a recall campaign, nhtsa campaign id# 00v317000 (audi campaign code le). The...
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dealer researched the audi database and discovered that the recall campaign was completed on this vehicle in 2001. Subsequently, the audi manufacturers representative, to the displeasure of the dealer, has denied any claim on this incident pertaining to the recall. The representative stated that it is audi's policy that once a recall has been completed on a vehicle, it will not honor any further claims even if the problem is exactly the same. A call to the audi consumer advocate department confirmed this policy, incident # [[redacted]]. Two issues surface because of this incident. The first issue is the adequacy of the solution to the initial recall. The second issue is audi's response and policy concerning identical failures of components addressed in a previous recall campaign.The parts are being replaced at my cost and will be retained along with the service invoice. Updated 07/24/2012 *js information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Front end control arms continue to be a problem. I have replaced all of them on the front end at least once. I now have another one that needs replacement. I am concerned what will happen if I don't replace it. This is a problem for all owners, and needs to be addressed by audi before someone is killed.*Ak
At 10 degree below zero throttle cable stuck, and vehicle suddenly accelerated. Consumer had to pull out of the road, and turned the ignition switch off. Dealer notified. Independent mechanic indicated that throttle body was the problem. *Ak
I had my brakes and tires replaced and now the abs and brake light are on in the car the rear brakes lock up if the abs and brake light go on adn the car can get out of control in case of braking in an emergency . *Ak
Audi A4: every year compared
All A4 years1996 Audi A4 vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 Audi A4 | 92 | 6 | C | |
| 1996 Audi A6 | 54 | 2 | C | Compare |
| 1996 BMW 3 Series | 0 | 4 | A | Compare |
| 1996 BMW 5 Series | 0 | 3 | B | Compare |
| 1996 Audi Cabriolet | 8 | 2 | F | Compare |
| 1996 Audi Quattro | 6 | 0 | C | Compare |
| 1996 Audi S6 | 1 | 1 | B | Compare |
| 1996 Audi A8 | 1 | 2 | A | Compare |
More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.
Questions about the 1996 Audi A4
Does the 1996 Audi A4 have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 1996 Audi A4: switch (October 2006); exterior lighting (June 2006); exterior lighting (May 2006); switch (October 2000) and more. Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
What are the most common problems with the 1996 Audi A4?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the electrical system (27), suspension (19), brakes (10).
How many complaints has the 1996 Audi A4 had?
92 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on November 15, 1996 and the latest on April 24, 2011. Of these, 4 describe a crash and 1 a fire, and together they report 1 injury and 0 deaths.
Is the 1996 Audi A4 a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 46 out of 100 (grade C: about as many problems as a typical Audi A4 year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
Which Audi A4 years have the most complaints?
2006 (298), 1998 (258), 2005 (219). See every Audi A4 year compared.
What should I do if my 1996 Audi A4 has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data