1997 Audi Quattro problems
The Audi Quattro is a road and rally car, produced by the German automobile manufacturer Audi, part of the Volkswagen Group. It was first shown at the 1980 Geneva Motor Show on 3 March. Production continued through 1991.
Background
The word quattro is derived from the Italian word for "four" to represent the fact that the vehicle delivers power to all four wheels. The name has also been used by Audi to refer to the quattro four-wheel-drive system, or any four-wheel-drive version of an Audi model. The original Quattro model is also commonly referred to as the Ur-Quattro - the "Ur-" (German for "primordial", "original", or "first of its kind") is an augmentative prefix. The idea of such a car came from the Audi engineer Jörg Bensinger.
The Audi Quattro was the first rally car to take advantage of the then-recently changed rules that allowed the use of four-wheel drive in competition racing. It won consecutive competitions for the next two years. To commemorate the success of the original vehicle, all subsequent Audi production automobiles with this four-wheel-drive system were badged with the trademark quattro with a lower case "q" letter.
The Audi Quattro shared many parts and platform with the Coupé version of the Audi 80 (B2). The quattro was internally designated Typ 85, a production code it shared with the quattro versions of the Audi Coupé. Its characteristic flared wheelarches were styled by Martin Smith. The Audi Quattro also had independent front and rear suspension.
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Common 1997 Audi Quattro problems
The 1997 Audi A4 Quattro is known for several issues based on complaints from owners. Some of the most common problems include electrical issues, transmission failures, and suspension problems.
One of the most frequently reported issues with the 1997 Audi A4 Quattro is electrical problems, particularly with the ABS system. A corroded electrical component in the ECU for the ABS system is a common problem that can cause the ABS system to malfunction, as reported by a 1997 Audi A4 Quattro owner who had covered 108,000 miles with only this issue. This issue can be caused by a faulty ABS control module, which can lead to the ABS warning light illuminating on the dashboard.
Transmission failures are another common problem with the 1997 Audi A4 Quattro. Transmission problems can lead to costly repairs, as reported by a 1997 Audi A4 Quattro owner who had to replace the transmission at 70,000 miles and was told by the dealer that there was no recall for the issue. Transmission failures can be caused by a variety of factors, including low transmission fluid levels, worn clutch plates, and faulty solenoids.
Suspension problems are also a common issue with the 1997 Audi A4 Quattro. Control arm failures are a common problem with the 1997 Audi A4 Quattro, as reported by a 1998 Audi A6 quattro owner who had to replace all control arms on both sides of the vehicle. Suspension problems can lead to poor handling, uneven tire wear, and a rough ride.
Other issues reported by 1997 Audi A4 Quattro owners include engine mount problems, cruise control failures, A/C system leaks, and exhaust system failures. These issues can lead to costly repairs and decreased reliability.
To avoid these common problems, it is recommended to keep the vehicle regularly serviced by Audi technicians and use fully synthetic oils. Regular maintenance can help prevent many of these issues from occurring, and can help ensure the longevity of the vehicle. However, despite regular maintenance, some of these issues may still occur due to the design and manufacturing of the vehicle.
Is Audi A4 Quattro a reliable car?
The Audi A4 Reliability Rating is 3.5 out of 5.0, which ranks it 14th out of 31 for luxury midsize cars.
What is the most common problem with Audi A4?
Audi A4 8 Common Problems
- Airbag Troubles. According to Car Problem Zoo, a website that compiles owner feedback, the most frequently reported issue with the A4 is related to its airbags. ...
- High Oil Consumption. ...
- Leaking Coolant. ...
- Transmission Woes. ...
- Flickering Headlights. ...
- Ignition Coil Issues.
Are Audis reliable after 100k miles?
Conclusion. As long as you've been having routine maintenance done to your vehicle, it should be in good condition and won't need any significant repairs.
Are Audi A4 quattro expensive to maintain?
Are Audis more expensive to maintain? Audis are expensive cars to maintain. According to RepairPal, the average annual Audi repair cost is $987. This is much higher than the average across all brands, which is $652.
Is Audi Quattro a reliable car?
Audi A4 Quattro Reliability Rating Breakdown. The Audi A4 Quattro Reliability Rating is 3.0 out of 5.0, which ranks it 21st out of 31 for luxury midsize cars. The average annual repair cost is $925 which means it has poor ownership costs.
How many miles will a Audi A4 Quattro last?
200,000 miles
Audis can typically go up to 200,000 miles or 20 years without major repairs when they're properly maintained. They're fairly reliable cars, and Consumer Reports ranks them within the top 10 new car brands when it comes to reliability.
What is the common problem with Audi A4?
Some of the common problems with the Audi A4 include: Gearbox problems. Airbag and seat belts fault. Seat backrest fault.
Is Audi Quattro fast?
45 TFSI® (2.0T): Offered on the Premium, Premium Plus, and Prestige trims, the 45 TFSI® (2.0T) engine produces 261 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque, and can go from a standstill to 60 mph in just 5.2 seconds. It's paired with the quattro AWD system.
1997 Audi Quattro car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Audi Quattro problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Vehicle speed control problems
- Suspension problems
- Engine and engine cooling problems
- Service brakes problems
- Hydraulic problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 1997 Audi Quattro vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
1997 Audi Quattro complaints
The NHTSA has received 11 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1997 Audi Quattro.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2005-02-12
- VIN: WAUEA88D1VA
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: 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
SUSPENSION PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2007-03-11
- VIN: WAUJA84A8VN
- Components: SUSPENSION
- Summary: 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 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.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2005-10-01
- VIN: WAUCB88D6VA
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: 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
SUSPENSION PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2004-12-07
- VIN: WAUEA88D6VA
- Components: SUSPENSION
- Summary: 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 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
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,EQUIPMENT PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2003-01-15
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,EQUIPMENT
- Summary: 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.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2000-03-22
- VIN: WAUCB88D5VA
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: 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). 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
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1999-12-20
- VIN: NOT AVAILAB
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: DONT HAVE PARTS FOR VEHICLE RECALL ITEMS. *AK
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1998-12-11
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- Summary: GAS PEDAL INTERMITTENTLY STICKS WHEN DEPRESSED, NO POWER, FOLLOWED BY POWER SURGE.(SUDDEN ACCELERATION). THIS PROBLEM OCCURS AT START UP OR WHEN DRIVING SLOWLY.
STEERING,SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1998-03-03
- Crash: 1
- VIN: WAUGC84A8VN
- Components: STEERING,SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,AIR BAGS
- Summary: 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
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1997-12-02
- VIN: WAUCB88D9VA
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- Summary: THROTTLE BODY FAILED TWICE.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1997-04-30
- VIN: WAUGC84A3VN
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- Summary: 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
Additional sources
More sources of information about 1997 Audi Quattro problems:
1997 Audi A4 Problems and Complaints - 12 Issues
Problem with your 1997 Audi A4? Our list of 12 known complaints reported by owners can help you fix your 1997 Audi A4.
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Other years of Audi Quattro
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