Recalls (4)
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 1996 Audi A4. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗IGNITION SWITCH
- Summary
- 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.
- Consequence
- THIS CONDITION CAUSES ELECTRICAL ACCESSORIES SUCH AS WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND HEADLIGHTS TO BECOME INOPERATIVE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
- Remedy
- 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).
VW/IGNITION SWITCH
- Summary
- 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.
- Consequence
- THIS CONDITION CAUSES ELECTRICAL ACCESSORIES SUCH AS WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND HEADLIGHTS TO BECOME INOPERATIVE.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.
VW/AIR BAG GROUND CONTACT WIRE
- Summary
- 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.
- Consequence
- ACTIVATION OF THE AIR BAG UNDER THESE CONDITIONS CAN CAUSE PERSONAL INJURY.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL INSTALL A GROUND WIRE ON THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG.
VW/COMMUNICATIONS:HORN ASSEMBLY
- Summary
- THE HORN CAN WORK ONLY INTERMITTENTLY DUE TO INSUFFICIENT ELECTRICAL GROUND CONTACT.
- Consequence
- THIS CONDITION COULD PREVENT A DRIVER FROM SOUNDING A WARNING BY USING THE HORN INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
- Remedy
- CORRECTIVE ACTION: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A GROUND CONTACT SPRING WHICH WILL ENHANCE THE ELECTRICAL GROUND CONNECTION.
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (89)
89 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The electrical system is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 89 |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 26 | 29.2% |
| Suspension | 19 | 21.3% |
| Service brakes | 11 | 12.4% |
| Steering | 10 | 11.2% |
| Equipment | 8 | 9% |
| Air bags | 6 | 6.7% |
| Power train | 6 | 6.7% |
| Unknown or other | 6 | 6.7% |
| Visibility | 6 | 6.7% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 5 | 5.6% |
How 1996 compares with other A4 years
Best and worst A4 years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 1 | 1 |
| 1996 | 89 | 4 |
| 1997 | 98 | 6 |
| 1998 | 258 | 4 |
| 1999 | 190 | 4 |
| 2000 | 96 | 2 |
| 2001 | 131 | 1 |
| 2002 | 181 | 1 |
| 2003 | 210 | 3 |
| 2004 | 189 | 2 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 20 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $4,100
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 444 g/mi
- EPA class
- Compact Cars
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 20 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.8 L 6-cyl · 5-speed manual | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 / 25 / 20 | $4,100 | 444 |
| 2.8 L 6-cyl · 5-speed manual | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 17 / 24 / 20 | $4,100 | 444 |
| 2.8 L 6-cyl · 5-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 16 / 26 / 19 | $4,350 | 468 |
| 2.8 L 6-cyl · 5-speed automatic | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 16 / 25 / 19 | $4,350 | 468 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 1996 A4 for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
1996 Audi A4 FAQ
How many recalls does the 1996 Audi A4 have?
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns: 06V403000 (electrical), 00V317000 (electrical), 97V175000 (air bag), 96V088000 (electrical). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 1996 Audi A4 problems?
Owners filed 89 complaints with NHTSA. Electrical system (26), Suspension (19), Service brakes (11) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 1996 Audi A4 get?
EPA rates the 2.8 L 6-cyl · 5-speed manual version at 17 city, 25 highway and 20 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
How does the 1996 A4 compare with other years?
Among the 1995–2004 Audi A4 model years at least five years old, the 1995 drew the fewest complaints (1) and the 1998 the most (258). The 1996 drew 89. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.