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Vehicle safety record

1997 Audi Quattro Problems, complaints & recalls

Owners have filed 11 complaints about the 1997 Audi Quattro with NHTSA, most often about the acceleration & cruise control (3) and the suspension (2). Those complaints describe 1 crash. There are no recalls for it. For comparison, the 1996 has 6 and the 1998 has 9.

NHTSA data checked

DMore problems than a typical Quattro year, for its age

#157 most complained-about 1997 vehicle

Complaints
11
Recalls
0
Crashes
1
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
0

Most common 1997 Audi Quattro problems

Share of all 11 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.

No recalls for the 1997 Audi Quattro

NHTSA lists no recalls for the 1997 Audi Quattro. Recalls can be announced at any time - this page updates daily.

What owners say

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11 complaints about the 1997 Audi Quattro

Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.

Lights

Tl*the contact owns a 1997 audi a4 quattro. The contact stated that the headlight switch failed, which caused the headlights to shut off while driving 35 mph at night. He had to park the vehicle for the remainder of the evening. He was informed that the vin was not included in nhtsa campaign id number 06e049000 (exterior lighting). The contact repaired the failure himself. The failure mileage was 84,750. Updated 07/07/08. *Bf updated

Filed Incident Exterior lightingNHTSA 10230353
Suspension

On sunday night, 3/11/07, my wife was driving our audi a6 quattro wagon when the car suddenly went out of control. As she applied the brake, the car veered wildly, spinning a full 360 degrees. To gain control my wife next tried light acceleration and was able with that and brute force to pull the car onto the side of the road. The dealer, after examining the vehicle, told us that a nut had come off the bolt holding the right front strut. We do not understand how a nut would suddenly loosen like this after 60,000...

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miles and 10 years. The repair was to replace both struts and other damaged components. We are very much relieved that this failure did not have catastrophic results, but are concerned that such a failure could occur.

Filed Incident SuspensionNHTSA 10185514
Electrical system

I experienced a failure identical to recall 00v317000. The plastic ignition switch housing fractures, allowing the ignition and starter to fire continuously. My starter burned out and the repair of both the switch and the starter cost $830.56. Audi claims my car was not in the recall group.*Jb

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10139450
Suspension

My wife and I purchased a new 1997 audi a4 quattro. Within the first couple of years we received a recall notice that the lower front control arms might need to be replaced. The dealer examined the car and determined the replacement was necessary. Now, last week I received another recall notice from audi about the same problem; prematurely worn out front lower control arms. I called the audi dealer and inquired about bringing the car in to be looked at. The person I talked to on the phone told me that since they...

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had no record of a 60,000 mile checkup, that audi would not pay the cost of repairs, if necessary. He told me the cost to repair these lower control arms is around $1,100 parts and labor. He also indicated that almost all audi a4 owners of my model year had had this repair done at least once. The car now has 80,000 miles on it and is otherwise in good shape. It seems to me that if audi is having such a serious problem with the lower control arms on their a4's that they need to issue two factory recalls for the same problem within about six years time, the problem is serious enough that they should be required to pay for the repairs, and not the customer who bought the car with this sort of serious manufacturing/design defect. Please add my name to what I am sure is a growing list of unsatisfied audi a4 customers who are looking for satisfaction from audi for this problem which could lead to loss of directional control.*Ak

Filed Incident SuspensionNHTSA 10102338
Engine & coolingEquipment & accessories

Heater stopped working-heater core checked and found to be okay. Thermastat replaced. Water pump found to be non-functional and replaced. Problem not solved. Head gaskets replaced and found cracked head. Head replaced -s still did not solve the heat problem. Heater core replaced-still did not solve the problem. Radiator replaced - problem appears to be solved, however car runs worse than it did before spending $3,500-. Totall frustrated and no help from audi after numerous phone calls. Car warranty ran out in december-problem occured in january.

Filed Incident Engine and engine cooling · EquipmentNHTSA 10007733
Brakes

The problem is one that is known to many of us a4 owners. It has to do with very poor braking performance in wet conditions. These cars did not come with a shield behind the front discs to prevent water from accumulating. The result is little or no braking for 1-2 seconds after the brakes are applied. I must drag the brake pedal in order to dry the discs before they will perform as they are supposed to. This is a common problem that has been discussed in depth on audiworld.Com(use the archives to investigate)....

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Audi is aware of the problem due to numerous complaints but fails to do anything to remedy the situation. It seems like a couple of shields would be an inexpensive and easy fix to the problem. Again, this is a common problem on many a4s. *Ak

Filed Incident Service brakes, hydraulicNHTSA 720949
Engine & cooling

DONT HAVE PARTS FOR VEHICLE RECALL ITEMS. *AK

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 854188
Acceleration & cruise control

Gas pedal intermittently sticks when depressed, no power, followed by power surge.(Sudden acceleration). This problem occurs at start up or when driving slowly.

Filed Incident Vehicle speed controlNHTSA 544815
SteeringBrakesAirbagsCrash

While driving down the road the vehicle went to the left and the steering locked up, the driver lost control of the vehicle, causing the driver to hit the media in the road. The brakes locked up, and the vehicle has abs brakes. The driver said that the air bag did not deploy. *Ak

Filed Incident Steering · Service brakes, hydraulic · Air bagsNHTSA 821981
Acceleration & cruise control

THROTTLE BODY FAILED TWICE.

Filed Incident Vehicle speed controlNHTSA 526877
Acceleration & cruise control

Consumer stated when approaching a intersection while traveling about 45 mph, and upon depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle lost all power without no warning, causing a near accident. Consumer has contacted the dealer, dealer replaced the computer chip within the transmission, problem still exists. *Ak

Filed Incident Vehicle speed controlNHTSA 811887

Audi Quattro: every year compared

YearComplaintsRecallsCrashesFiresTop problemGrade
200111000Wheels & tiresD
20007020BrakesD
199921030BrakesF
19989000BrakesD
199711010Acceleration & cruise controlD
19966001Electrical systemC
19951000Fuel systemA
19941000Acceleration & cruise controlA
19933010Fuel systemC
All Quattro years

1997 Audi Quattro vs rivals

VehicleComplaintsRecallsCrashesGrade
1997 Audi Quattro1101D
1997 Audi A49987DCompare
1997 Audi A62120BCompare
1997 Audi A81021CCompare
1997 Audi Cabriolet210CCompare
1997 Audi S6100ACompare

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.

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Questions about the 1997 Audi Quattro

Does the 1997 Audi Quattro have any recalls?

NHTSA lists no recalls for the 1997 Audi Quattro right now. Recalls can be announced at any time, and this page checks NHTSA every day. You can also check your exact vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What are the most common problems with the 1997 Audi Quattro?

By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the acceleration & cruise control (3), suspension (2), brakes (2).

How many complaints has the 1997 Audi Quattro had?

11 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on May 1, 1997 and the latest on June 9, 2008. Of these, 1 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 0 injuries and 0 deaths.

Is the 1997 Audi Quattro a reliable vehicle?

Its Safety Index is 26 out of 100 (grade D: more problems than a typical Audi Quattro 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 Quattro years have the most complaints?
What should I do if my 1997 Audi Quattro 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

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