Five problems related to front suspension control arm have been reported for the 1998 Audi A4. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
The control arms (car has: 4 upper and 4 lower in total) have failed 3x in 2 years. These are defective and Audi knows it. The arms contain a bushing that wears out causing the suspension to make creaking and rattling noises.
After less that 70k miles, the upper control arms (specifically the bushings that protect the control arms' joints) on my Audi A4 have proved defective. According to my technician, the control arms are the part of the car that make steering possible; therefore, faulty control arms create an enormous safety hazard and a liability. Audi has already issued a recall for the lower control arms, but the recall does not cover the upper control arms -- despite the fact that the upper control arms are more defective. Every Audi technician that I've spoken to about this defect has admitted that Audi is ducking the problem, and as a consumer I feel cheated. Audi is not operating on good faith. This is bad business that leaves unassuming consumers bearing the burden not only of costly repairs but also of hazardous mechanical failures.
I have a 1998. 5 Audi A4 quattro v6 with the sports package. Many have complained about control arms failing and there has even been news of Audi/vw having a recall for them in europe, but not the u. S. Many have complained about wheels falling off due to bad control arms and mine have been replaced due to noise and torn worn out control arms. They failed at 77,000 miles and had to have all of them replaced (about $900 w/labor). My VIN# is waued28d8wa35854. My current control arms are starting to make noise again and I really feel unsafe after hearing about wheels falling off due to bad control arms.
My car suffers from the same problem as NHTSA campaign 99v248000, but is not covered as it was mfd 11/98. The dealer has agreed to repair but I wanted to notify NHTSA that the recall does not cover all defective vehicles for this problem.
The left lower control arm has been replaced. This is a very common occurance among A4 owners. Audi has refused to replace the right lower control arm after it had begun showing similar problems. Audiworld. Com lists well over 50 people who have had control arms replaced. I felt you should be notified.