1997 Audi A4 from North America - Comments

My timing belt broke at 61,000 miles, while traveling 70 mph. The manual says that the timing belt should be changed by 90,000 miles. In my opinion, this is a significantly faulty part. This ruined my tensioner and the engine, with repair costs in the thousands (about $5-7,000). I have had other problems with the suspension and squeaky driving, but this is, by far, the most significant problem. I almost lost my life due to this.

Audi customer service did not provide any sort of support when the situation was explained. They are not willing to help me with repairs/damages in any way. This is a defective part!

I would highly suggest that no one purchase an Audi because the parts are expensive and they don't seem to stand behind their cars with service or customer support. I am very disappointed and financially in a bad situation.

I disagree with you that Audi makes great cars. I bought a new 1997 Audi A4 2.8 Quattro with the 5 speed manual transmission in 1998. I had the transmission completely replaced at 60,000 miles, repeated front lower control arm failures and replacements (sometimes paid for by Audi, but only when threatened with a class action lawsuit), and 4 headlight switch failures due to poor engineering (neglected to install relay between light and switch, causing switch overload).

I have posted on other sites, and have received many direct emails from other owners who are tired of AoA not listening to them when their cars start falling apart--all at great expense to the owners.

Many items, the transmission included, I brought to the service department's attention while the vehicle was under warranty. They could never find anything wrong until something major happened after the warranty expired--leaving me with large bills.

I have just recently filed official complaints against Audi with the NHTSA, the Better Business Bureau, and the State of Michigan Attorney General's Office. Hopefully, this will get Audi thinking more about the owners, and less about greed.

Ray Phillips

Ann Arbor, MI.

I agree, that Audi is a bad company with no regard for its customers. The comment about the timing belt at 90,000 miles is correct, however it also is within 5 years or 90,000 miles. I recently purchased a 97 audi a4 and have had nothing, but problems with the car, have driven it about 3,000 miles in 8 months and have already had to put in 1,200 dollars in repairs and now the timing belt has broken so I am looking at 5-7 grand in repairs. A bad company, bad ideals, bad service. Never again will I consider an Audi. If you want to buy an Audi, make sure you set aside a lot of money for repairs.

If you buy a 6-7 year old car and put $1200 in repairs into it, what's the problem? Buy it at a price that you are comfortable putting some money into it. I owned a 97 A4 2.8 Quatro, manual tranny that I bought at 99K miles and was totaled by a driver running red light into me broadside at 55 mph at 130K on the odometer. 2 of us walked away, very solidly built car. Only had the turn signal stalk go out, other than that ran perfectly. Just bought another 97 with 91K on it. They are a blast to drive, the fit and finish is very high, you just have to maintain them religiously.