The 1996 Audi A4 is a compact car that came with a 2.8L 6-cyl engine. At 30 years old, many are reaching the point where repairs cost more than the car is worth. Running or not, we'll make you an offer and tow it away for free.
| Body style | Compact Cars |
|---|---|
| Engines | 2.8L 6-cyl |
| Transmissions | Automatic 5-spd, Manual 5-spd |
| Drive | Front-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel | Premium Gasoline |
| Fuel economy | 16–17 city / 24–26 highway / 19–20 combined MPG |
| EPA annual fuel cost | $4,100–$4,350 a year (EPA estimate at current fuel prices, 15,000 miles) |
| Tailpipe CO₂ | 444–468 grams per mile |
| Versions tested by EPA | 4 configurations: A4, A4 quattro |
| Age | 30 years |
Specs, fuel cost and emissions from the EPA's fueleconomy.gov data. Your car's exact equipment may differ.
NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls covering the 1996 Audi A4. Open recalls don't stop you from selling or junking the car, but check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which apply to yours.
On certain passenger vehicles, as a result of a problem in the production process of the ignition switch, the anchor point of the spring may crack. This could potentially cause the return spring force to be insufficient for returning the ignition key to the running position after starting the engine.
Risk: This condition causes electrical accessories such as windshield wipers and headlights to become inoperative increasing the risk of a crash.
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The plastic ignition switch housing can fracture at the return spring anchor point. Fracture of the housing could cause the return spring force to be insufficient for returning the ignition key to the running position after starting the engine.
Risk: This condition causes electrical accessories such as windshield wipers and headlights to become inoperative.
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The discharge of static electricity under low humidity conditions can activate the driver side air bag when the driver enters or exits the vehicle and forms an electrical circuit by touching certain areas of the steering wheel.
Risk: Activation of the air bag under these conditions can cause personal injury.
The horn can work only intermittently due to insufficient electrical ground contact.
Risk: This condition could prevent a driver from sounding a warning by using the horn increasing the potential for a vehicle accident.
Owners have filed 89 complaints about the 1996 Audi A4 with NHTSA. 4 reports involved a crash and 1 report involved a fire. Owners reported 1 injury.
Complaints are reports from owners and aren't verified by NHTSA. One complaint can list several components. Mileage is the median odometer reading owners reported for that component.
Manufacturers have filed 51 technical service bulletins and communications with NHTSA covering the 1996 Audi A4. These are repair instructions for known issues, not recalls.
This communication is issued to inform dealers of updated shipping regulations related to lithium ion batteries.
This communication is issued to remind dealers of the repair validation process for repair group 19. 2005-2019 A3, 1996-2019 A4, 2008-2019 A5, 1992-2019 A6, 2012-2019 A7,
This informational bulletin contains technical information for when there is condensation visible on the inside of the headlight, taillight, fog light, side marker light,
This special notice is to inform dealers to return all part numbers listed in the document and order the superseded part numbers going forward.
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications (technical service bulletins).
NHTSA opened 3 defect investigations covering the 1996 Audi A4.
Degraded braking in wet weather
There is no summary currently available
Degraded braking wet weather condition
There is no summary currently available
Ignition switch
There is no summary currently available
It depends on its condition, whether major parts like the engine, transmission and catalytic converter are still there, and current scrap and parts prices where you live. Its parts make up much of its value. Enter your ZIP code above for a free offer on your specific car.
Yes. We buy 1996 A4s that don't start, were in an accident, failed inspection or have a blown engine or transmission. Towing is always free.
Yes. Open recalls don't prevent a junk sale. NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 1996 Audi A4; you can check whether any are still open on yours with the VIN lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Usually the title and a photo ID. Rules differ by state, including what to do with your plates and whether to file a notice of sale. Check our state-by-state car title guides for the official forms.
Data retrieved October 2026.
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