1998 Audi A4 1.8 T from North America - Comments

Timing Belt broke at 50K

Transmission problems

Electrical Problems

Ignition Control Module replaced at 80K.

Does anyone have any information regarding a class action lawsuit being filed against Audi for the timing belts on the A-4's? Mine broke at 50K and cost me so much money, that by the time it reached 80K, I couldn't afford the car anymore. I am still paying on a loan I took out to put a new head on it due to the fact that all exhaust valves were bent when belt broke at 50,000 miles. Service interval, to my knowledge, is 90,000. clearly a defective part. Many have experienced this same problem and I'm glad to hear a class action was brought. I need to find info regarding this. Can anyone help?

If your timing belt lasted 50K miles/80K km, then you're lucky -- the cambelts of many Audis and Opels of that age were supposed to be changed at 120K km, but were breaking prematurely. Not all engine types were affected. Some snapped as early as 60K km. Requires an updated cambelt and tensioner kit. I've always thought cambelts should be replaced at 80K km, and when these "new" 120K km cambelts came out in the mid-nineties, I was suspicious of the new technology. Fortunately I've been reading about common problems for a few years prior to getting my second-hand '96 A4 1.8.

What kind of clown would write "I am an Audi mechanic. You have clearly abused the car!". What a stupid comment!

Class Action Suit filed in New Jersey for the timing belt problem. Many engines were destroyed because of the defect. Hooray! Take that you stupid Mechanic.

Do you have any information on how to join this lawsuit? My daughter has had a bad experience with this issue? She has a 99 Audi A4 with 44,000 miles.

I have a 2001 A4 1.8T and I am now told that the timing belt needs to be changed at 60k miles. During the 60k service, they noted oil on my timing belt which indicates a leak or bad seal. The oil will weaken the belt. They must know they have a problem with it.

Anybody have more info on the class action?

Henry.

How much were your repairs for damage to the engine due to the broken timing belt?

You can get more information about the class action law suit by calling 1-877-451-2124, or by email to the Class Counsel at AudiA4settlement@bm.net.

I urge everyone buying a new or second-hand car to do some research beforehand.

If the car you want has a TIMING BELT, walk away, BUY SOMETHING ELSE.

Buy a car whose engine has a TIMING CHAIN.

Timing belts have a very short life.

Timing chains generally last for the life of the engine if oil & filter changes are done frequently.

It is possible to design a car engine so that there is no damage to the valves & pistons if the belt breaks.

But, the manufacturers DELIBERATELY design them with interference so that you will get caught out if you don't replace the belt within its unacceptably short life.

This is solely so that they can MAKE MORE MONEY.

Cardoctor999@yahoo.com.

More than 2 years ago a class-action lawsuit alleging defective timing belts on all 1997-1999 Audi A4s with 1.8-liter turbo engines had been filed in New Jersey. The company chose not to warn its customers about the potential danger until a preliminary settlement was reached in May.

Edward "Ted" Millstein, a lawyer with Berger & Montague in Philadelphia who helped file the class-action case against Audi.

Hello there I was wondering if you faced the same problem I am facing with the gear ratios? They’re a bit too long with my automatic transmission. At times it'll go up to 5000 rpm before the next gear change. Just want to know if this is normal or should I get it checked out?

Thank you.

The timing belt on my sister's '00 a-4 snapped. Dealer told her $4k for repairs. She went way beyond the change interval. Is anyone familiar with the associated engine damage? Is the damage to the exhaust valves only or can I expect the pistons to be scrap too? Probably need to bore scope to see the extent of the damage.

Sister can't afford the repair. Cheaper to trade in. I can get the car for the trade in value, whatever that is.

I drive a Volvo 850 and the last time I put a timing belt on that car it took me about an hour and twenty and that's with a coffee break. Are the Audi's that much more difficult?

Tight clearances on engine components (interference fit) increases performance. As a rule of thumb, don't keep them (timing belts) on longer that 80% of their recommended service life.

TTFN, Carl.

In 2001 I purchased a 1998 Audi A4 1.8T. I checked consumer reports and asked lots of questions to Audi owners. I also asked dealers about the overall satisfaction on Audi A4’s. I was never informed of any problems at that time or ever. I found out from my own problems that this car is a pocketbook nightmare. I have had so many problems with my Audi that I decided to sell the car and cut my losses. While giving a test drive to a prospective purchaser, he asked if I ever had problems with the timing belt or if I was involved in the class action lawsuit against Audi. I did not have a clue what he was talking about. When I returned home I decided to investigate the issue. I found many related stories and thousands of owners with similar or the same problem (typically a timing belt breaking and causing more that $2,500+ in damages). I am still in the process of finding information about the class action suit and continuing to pay for the repairs on my car. Oil leaks are also a common problem after repairs. I have had my car in 3 times since the new belt. In my opinion this car has been the worst investment I have ever made. If anyone out there has more information about the Audi class action suit I would appreciate it.

Mr. AUDI MECHANIC, you have obviously been indoctrinated in the AUDI way of blaming customers for AUDI’s quality shortcomings. I have the same problems (timing belt) with my car and so have numerous others in NJ and other states. I have not abused my car and it has been maintained diligently. A class action suit has actually been settled in NJ. You and whoever wrote, “If you can’t afford to have the car repaired you shouldn’t own it” obviously are ignorant of this (and probably many other things in this world). It is not about the MONEY, it is about the principle of paying for a product’s perceived quality and being shortchanged. It is about standing behind the quality of your product and not giving in to corporate greed. AUDI had a terrible problem in the 80’s with their shortcomings in quality and they apparently have not learned from their mistakes. It is time for AUDI to stand behind the quality of their product and do the right thing and pay for ALL damages related to their products’ failings. It is also time for you both to buy an AUDI and get stuck with thousands of dollars in repair bills.

I also have timing belt problem. It broke and the engine died when I was driving at 65mph on the highway. Audi needs to address this issue immediately. They simply cannot ignore this problem. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration will look into this problem if we can provide them documentation. Otherwise, Audi and the dealers, like my Audi dealer in Tyson's Corner, VA, will continue to ignore this problem.

Why is such a big deal (NJ lawsuit etc) being made out of the timing belt failures? When the tensioner on my 98 failed at 55k miles killing the belt, Audi replaced both for free even though it was well out of warranty, no argument needed at all. How could they refuse to fix all these other cars if a belt broke before its recommended replacement time?