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1997 Audi A4 1.8T FWD Auto

The 1997 Audi A4 1.8T FWD Auto is a 150-hp 1.8-liter turbocharged inline-4 with a 5-speed electronically-controlled automatic transmission w/auto shift lock, dynamic shift programming and front-wheel drive. It starts at $22,990 MSRP and is rated at 20 mpg combined.

It makes 150 horsepower at 5,700 rpm and 155 lb-ft of torque at 1750 rpm. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 21 mpg city and 30 mpg highway (20 mpg combined).

The A4 measures 178.0 inches long on a 103.0-inch wheelbase and has a curb weight of 2,987 lb.

Spec Value
Vehicle
Body TypeSedan
PowertrainGas
Price
MSRP$22,990 ($46,553 *)
Engine
Engine TypeGas I4, 1.8L turbocharged (1.8T)
Displacement1.8 L
Horsepower150 hp @ 5,700 rpm
Torque155 lb-ft @ 1750 rpm
Injection TypeSEFI (sequential electronic fuel injection)
Drivetrain
Drive TypeFWD
Transmission
Transmission5-speed electronically-controlled automatic transmission (Tiptronic) w/auto shift lock, dynamic shift programming
1st Gear3.665
2nd Gear1.999
3rd Gear1.407
4th Gear1
5th Gear0.742
Reverse4.096
Final Drive3.73
Fuel Economy
City21 MPG
Highway30 MPG
Combined20 MPG
Recommended FuelPremium unleaded
Suspension
Front SuspensionFour-link independent w/stabilizer bar
Rear SuspensionTorsion-beam w/trailing arms
Brakes
Front Brake Disc10.9 x 0.98 in.
Rear Brake Disc9.6 x 0.39 in.
Tires & Wheels
Wheels Front15 x 7
Wheels Rear15 x 7
Tires FrontP195/65R15
Tires RearP195/65R15
Dimensions & Weight
Length178 in
Width68.2 in
Height55.8 in
Wheelbase103 in
Front Track58.9 in
Rear Track58.2 in
Ground Clearance4.3 in
Cargo Volume13.7 ft³
Curb Weight2,987 lbs
Interior
Headroom Front38.1 in
Headroom Rear36.8 in
Legroom Front41.3 in
Legroom Rear33.4 in
Shoulder Room Front54.7 in
Shoulder Room Rear53.4 in
* Amount adjusted for inflation to 2026 dollars

Safety & Recalls

NCAP safety ratings

Overall Not rated
Frontal crash Not rated
Frontal – driver ★★★★★
Frontal – passenger ★★★★★
Side crash Not rated
Rollover Not rated
Tested variant: 1997 Audi A4 4-DR.

Recalls

8 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 1997 Audi A4. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Jul 1, 2022 · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 1998 Audi A8 and 1997-1998 Audi A4 vehicles equipped with Non-Azide Driver air bag Inflators (NADI) that do not contain phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. Due to a manufacturing issue, the NADI inflator may absorb moisture, causing the inflator to explode or the air bag cushion to underinflate.

Consequence: The inflator could explode during air bag deployment, resulting in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants. An underinflated air bag may not properly protect the occupant. These scenarios increase the risk of serious injury or death.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver's air bag inflator with an alternative inflator of a different design, free of charge. Owner notification letters were sent September 21, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 69BT. The vehicles in this recall were mistakenly omitted from recall 20V-056. All vehicle owners have already been notified by mail and informed that the remedy is available.

NHTSA campaign 22V471000

Oct 23, 2006 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

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).

NHTSA campaign 06V403000

Jun 29, 2006 · EXTERIOR LIGHTING

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."

Consequence: LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH

Remedy: 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.

NHTSA campaign 06E060000

May 24, 2006 · EXTERIOR LIGHTING

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.

Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy: 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.

NHTSA campaign 06E049000

Oct 11, 2000 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

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.

NHTSA campaign 00V317000

May 21, 1999 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. A CONTROL VALVE IN THE VACUUM HOSE CONNECTING THE BRAKE BOOSTER TO THE INTAKE MANIFOLD MAY NOT OPEN OR CLOSE FULLY AT TEMPERATURES BELOW -4 F UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS.

Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE INSUFFICIENT VACUUM TO BE PROVIDED TO THE BRAKE BOOSTER.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A VACUUM BY-PASS SYSTEM INTO VEHICLES OPERATED IN THESE STATES WHICH IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE SUFFICIENT VACUUM FOR FULL BRAKE ASSIST UNDER ALL WEATHER CONDITIONS.

NHTSA campaign 99V131001

Oct 8, 1997 · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

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.

NHTSA campaign 97V175000

Jul 22, 1997 · SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE REAR SEAT BELT RETRACTORS MAY NOT LOCK PROPERLY WHEN ENGAGED, OR NOT REMAIN LOCKED AFTER BEING ENGAGED.

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, AN IMPROPERLY LOCKING SEAT BELT COULD CAUSE INJURY TO AN OCCUPANT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY.

NHTSA campaign 97V115000

99 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 1997 Audi A4

Owner Complaints

99 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1997 Audi A4 (7 mention a crash, 3 a fire, 4 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov

Most-cited areas
Electrical System34
Suspension19
Service Brakes14
Hydraulic13
Engine And Engine Cooling12
Power Train5
A complaint can cite more than one area.
Most recent complaints
Jul 7, 2014 · Air Bags, Seats Crash 2 injuries
“I WAS SITTING AT A STOP LIGHT AND WAS STRUCK FROM BEHIND AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 40 TO 60 MILES A HOUR. MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND MY DRIVER SEAT CAME LOSE FROM THE FLOOR AND BECAUSE OF THIS I RECEIVED…”
Jan 31, 2014 · Service Brakes
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 AUDI A4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED WHEN ENGAGED. THE CONTACT WAS ATTEMPTING TO STOP FOR A TRAFFIC STOP BUT THE VEHICLE…”
Jan 31, 2014 · Air Bags Crash 1 injury
“IN A SNOW STORM, DRIVER BRAKED AT AN INTERSECTION, AUTOMATIC BRAKES KICKED IN BUT DID NOT STOP THE 10 MILE PER HOUR SLIDE THROUGH THE INTERSECTION. CAR STOPPED PARALLEL TO THE CURB AND WAS IMMEDIATELY…”
Jan 15, 2013 · Air Bags, Seat Belts Crash 1 injury
“I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT WHEN A CAR CRASHED INTO THE BACK OF MY 1997 AUDI A4. THIS CAUSED MY CAR TO CRASH INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME AND THAT CAR TO CRASH IN TO THE CAR IN FRONT OF IT. MY…”
Apr 1, 2009 · Suspension
“THE LOWER FRONT CONTROL ARMS IN MY '97 AUDI A4 1.8T QUATTRO WERE REPLACED BY AN AUTHORIZED AUDI DEALER AS PART OF A VOLUNTARY RECALL CAMPAIGN IN 2004 BY AUDI TO REPLACE A NOTED DEFECTIVE PART. A CLASS…”

Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.

Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 1997 AUDI A4. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.

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