Owners have filed 10 complaints
about the 1996 Audi Quattro with NHTSA between 1998 and 2007.
The largest single group is the electrical system.
Across this model's run it ranks 4 of 6 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 27
Against the median year of the Audi Quattro. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
30% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — not reported
Too few complaints recorded a mileage to measure this.
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 1996 Audi Quattro
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Electrical System
440.0%
0 crashes, 3 fires · median 106,000 mi
Tires
110.0%
Lights
110.0%
Median failure at 106,000 miles
Acceleration & Cruise Control
110.0%
Median failure at 106,000 miles
Brakes
110.0%
Steering
110.0%
Transmission & Drivetrain
110.0%
Median failure at 170,000 miles
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Aug 1998peak 3Mar 2007
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Hackettstown, NJFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER BEGAN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH VARIOUS DASHBOARD INDICATORS, THE TEMPERATURE GUAGE STOPPED FUNCTIONING, FOLLOWED BY A LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL SIGNAL OPERATION, UPON REACHING HIS DESTINATION, CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE HIS KEY FROM THE IGNITION, CONSUMER THEN NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD RESTART WHEN THE IGNITION WAS TURNED TO THE START POSITION, BUT WOULD STALL AS SOON AS HE RELEASED THE IGNITION FROM THE START POSITIION, VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC AND THE NECESSARY REPAIRS WERE MADE, HOWEVER TWO WEEKS LATER, THERE WAS A LOUD EXPLOSIVE NOISE, WHICH WAS FOLLOWED BY FIRE AND VEHICLE WAS ULTIMATELY DESTROYED, THEN ONE MONTH LATER CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION REGARDING THE IGNITION SWITCH, CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT FROM THE MANUFACTURER.(ATTORNEY FOR CLIENT)
NHTSA complaint #563532 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hackettstown, NJFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER BEGAN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH VARIOUS DASHBOARD INDICATORS, THE TEMPERATURE GUAGE STOPPED FUNCTIONING, FOLLOWED BY A LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL SIGNAL OPERATION, UPON REACHING HIS DESTINATION, CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE HIS KEY FROM THE IGNITION, CONSUMER THEN NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD RESTART WHEN THE IGNITION WAS TURNED TO THE START POSITION, BUT WOULD STALL AS SOON AS HE RELEASED THE IGNITION FROM THE START POSITIION, VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC AND THE NECESSARY REPAIRS WERE MADE, HOWEVER TWO WEEKS LATER, THERE WAS A LOUD EXPLOSIVE NOISE, WHICH WAS FOLLOWED BY FIRE AND VEHICLE WAS ULTIMATELY DESTROYED, THEN ONE MONTH LATER CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION REGARDING THE IGNITION SWITCH, CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT FROM THE MANUFACTURER.(ATTORNEY FOR CLIENT)
NHTSA complaint #563532 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hackettstown, NJFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER BEGAN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH VARIOUS DASHBOARD INDICATORS, THE TEMPERATURE GUAGE STOPPED FUNCTIONING, FOLLOWED BY A LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL SIGNAL OPERATION, UPON REACHING HIS DESTINATION, CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE HIS KEY FROM THE IGNITION, CONSUMER THEN NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD RESTART WHEN THE IGNITION WAS TURNED TO THE START POSITION, BUT WOULD STALL AS SOON AS HE RELEASED THE IGNITION FROM THE START POSITIION, VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC AND THE NECESSARY REPAIRS WERE MADE, HOWEVER TWO WEEKS LATER, THERE WAS A LOUD EXPLOSIVE NOISE, WHICH WAS FOLLOWED BY FIRE AND VEHICLE WAS ULTIMATELY DESTROYED, THEN ONE MONTH LATER CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION REGARDING THE IGNITION SWITCH, CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT FROM THE MANUFACTURER.(ATTORNEY FOR CLIENT)
NHTSA complaint #563532 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 106,000 milesTulsa, OK
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 AUDI QUATTRO. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH. HOWEVER, AFTER THE REPAIR THE DASHBOARD WARNING INDICATOR LIGHTS FADED ON AND OFF AND OCCASIONALLY REMAINED ILLUMINATED. WHEN THE KEY WAS REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION THE RADIO SHUT OFF AND IT SHOULD CONTINUE TO PLAY. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURES WERE DUE TO THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD SCREECHING NOISE WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN. THIS FAILURE ALSO OCCURRED AFTER THE REPAIRS WERE DONE. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH ON AN ICY ROAD THE VEHICLE WAS SHAKING AFTER THE BRAKES WERE ENGAGED AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000.
NHTSA complaint #10184346 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 106,000 milesTulsa, OK
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 AUDI QUATTRO. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH. HOWEVER, AFTER THE REPAIR THE DASHBOARD WARNING INDICATOR LIGHTS FADED ON AND OFF AND OCCASIONALLY REMAINED ILLUMINATED. WHEN THE KEY WAS REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION THE RADIO SHUT OFF AND IT SHOULD CONTINUE TO PLAY. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURES WERE DUE TO THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD SCREECHING NOISE WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN. THIS FAILURE ALSO OCCURRED AFTER THE REPAIRS WERE DONE. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH ON AN ICY ROAD THE VEHICLE WAS SHAKING AFTER THE BRAKES WERE ENGAGED AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000.
NHTSA complaint #10184346 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 106,000 milesTulsa, OK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 AUDI QUATTRO. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH. HOWEVER, AFTER THE REPAIR THE DASHBOARD WARNING INDICATOR LIGHTS FADED ON AND OFF AND OCCASIONALLY REMAINED ILLUMINATED. WHEN THE KEY WAS REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION THE RADIO SHUT OFF AND IT SHOULD CONTINUE TO PLAY. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURES WERE DUE TO THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD SCREECHING NOISE WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN. THIS FAILURE ALSO OCCURRED AFTER THE REPAIRS WERE DONE. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH ON AN ICY ROAD THE VEHICLE WAS SHAKING AFTER THE BRAKES WERE ENGAGED AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000.
NHTSA complaint #10184346 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Moretown, VT
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
TIRE FAILURE: BROKEN BELTS ON ALL FOUR TIRES. HAKKAPELIITTA-1 195/65R15.
NHTSA complaint #10141493 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 170,000 milesAbingdon, MD
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:CONSTANT VELOCITY JOINT
WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND THEN CAME TO AN ABRUPT STOP. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER, WHO INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT CONSTANT VELOCITY JOINT BROKE ON DRIVER'S SIDE.
NHTSA complaint #10080017 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hackettstown, NJFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER BEGAN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH VARIOUS DASHBOARD INDICATORS, THE TEMPERATURE GUAGE STOPPED FUNCTIONING, FOLLOWED BY A LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL SIGNAL OPERATION, UPON REACHING HIS DESTINATION, CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE HIS KEY FROM THE IGNITION, CONSUMER THEN NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD RESTART WHEN THE IGNITION WAS TURNED TO THE START POSITION, BUT WOULD STALL AS SOON AS HE RELEASED THE IGNITION FROM THE START POSITIION, VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC AND THE NECESSARY REPAIRS WERE MADE, HOWEVER TWO WEEKS LATER, THERE WAS A LOUD EXPLOSIVE NOISE, WHICH WAS FOLLOWED BY FIRE AND VEHICLE WAS ULTIMATELY DESTROYED, THEN ONE MONTH LATER CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION REGARDING THE IGNITION SWITCH, CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT FROM THE MANUFACTURER.(ATTORNEY FOR CLIENT)
NHTSA complaint #563532 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hackettstown, NJFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER BEGAN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH VARIOUS DASHBOARD INDICATORS, THE TEMPERATURE GUAGE STOPPED FUNCTIONING, FOLLOWED BY A LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL SIGNAL OPERATION, UPON REACHING HIS DESTINATION, CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE HIS KEY FROM THE IGNITION, CONSUMER THEN NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD RESTART WHEN THE IGNITION WAS TURNED TO THE START POSITION, BUT WOULD STALL AS SOON AS HE RELEASED THE IGNITION FROM THE START POSITIION, VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC AND THE NECESSARY REPAIRS WERE MADE, HOWEVER TWO WEEKS LATER, THERE WAS A LOUD EXPLOSIVE NOISE, WHICH WAS FOLLOWED BY FIRE AND VEHICLE WAS ULTIMATELY DESTROYED, THEN ONE MONTH LATER CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION REGARDING THE IGNITION SWITCH, CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT FROM THE MANUFACTURER.(ATTORNEY FOR CLIENT)
NHTSA complaint #563532 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hackettstown, NJFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER BEGAN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH VARIOUS DASHBOARD INDICATORS, THE TEMPERATURE GUAGE STOPPED FUNCTIONING, FOLLOWED BY A LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL SIGNAL OPERATION, UPON REACHING HIS DESTINATION, CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE HIS KEY FROM THE IGNITION, CONSUMER THEN NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD RESTART WHEN THE IGNITION WAS TURNED TO THE START POSITION, BUT WOULD STALL AS SOON AS HE RELEASED THE IGNITION FROM THE START POSITIION, VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC AND THE NECESSARY REPAIRS WERE MADE, HOWEVER TWO WEEKS LATER, THERE WAS A LOUD EXPLOSIVE NOISE, WHICH WAS FOLLOWED BY FIRE AND VEHICLE WAS ULTIMATELY DESTROYED, THEN ONE MONTH LATER CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION REGARDING THE IGNITION SWITCH, CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT FROM THE MANUFACTURER.(ATTORNEY FOR CLIENT)
NHTSA complaint #563532 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Francisco, CA
STEERING
IN PARKING LOT AT SLOW SPEED CONSUMER HEARD A SNAP AND STEERING WENT OUT. CONTACTED DEALER, OUT OF WARRANTY. (RACK/PINION) PLEASE ADD ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #875339 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Arlington, VA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
BRAKES SQUEAK AND LOTS OF BRAKE DUST.
NHTSA complaint #540327 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.