Sell your 1997 Audi A4 for cash

The 1997 Audi A4 is a compact car that came with a choice of 1.8L 4-cyl and 2.8L 6-cyl engines. At 29 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.

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1997 Audi A4 at a glance

Body styleCompact Cars
Engines1.8L 4-cyl, 2.8L 6-cyl (turbocharged versions available)
TransmissionsAutomatic 5-spd, Manual 5-spd
DriveFront-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
FuelPremium Gasoline
Fuel economy16–18 city / 24–27 highway / 19–21 combined MPG
EPA annual fuel cost$3,900–$4,350 a year (EPA estimate at current fuel prices, 15,000 miles)
Tailpipe CO₂423–468 grams per mile
Versions tested by EPA6 configurations: A4, A4 quattro
Age29 years

Specs, fuel cost and emissions from the EPA's fueleconomy.gov data. Your car's exact equipment may differ.

What affects its junk value

  • Age: at 29 years old, most of a 1997 A4's value comes from reusable parts and scrap metal, not resale.
  • Weight: as a compact car, it weighs less than a truck or SUV, so its value leans more on parts than on scrap weight. See how scrap prices by weight work.
  • Catalytic converter: like all gas and diesel cars, it has a catalytic converter containing precious metals, one of the most valuable parts on a junk car. An offer assumes it's still in place. More on catalytic converters.
  • Recalls: NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 1997 A4. Open recalls don't stop you from selling or junking it.
  • Known problems: owners reported the most issues with the electrical system, typically around 152,000 miles. If that's what failed on yours, it can still be sold as-is.

How junk car offers are calculated

1997 Audi A4 recalls

NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls covering the 1997 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.

Air BagsJul 2022 · NHTSA campaign 22V471000

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 1998 Audi A8 and 1997-1998 Audi A4 vehicles equipped with Non-Azide Driver air bag Inflators (NADI) that do not contain phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. Due to a manufacturing issue, the NADI inflator may absorb moisture, causing the inflator to explode…

Risk: The inflator could explode during air bag deployment, resulting in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants. An underinflated air bag may not properly protect the occupant. These scenarios increase the risk of serious injury o

Electrical SystemOct 2006 · NHTSA campaign 06V403000

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.

Electrical SystemOct 2000 · NHTSA campaign 00V317000

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.

Service Brakes, HydraulicMay 1999 · NHTSA campaign 99V131001

Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions. A control valve in the vacuum hose connecting the brake booster to the intake manifold may not open or close fully at temperatures below -4 f under certain driving conditions.

Risk: This condition could cause insufficient vacuum to be provided to the brake booster.

Air BagsOct 1997 · NHTSA campaign 97V175000

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.

Seat BeltsJul 1997 · NHTSA campaign 97V115000

Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The rear seat belt retractors may not lock properly when engaged, or not remain locked after being engaged.

Risk: In the event of a crash, an improperly locking seat belt could cause injury to an occupant.

Common 1997 A4 problems

Owners have filed 98 complaints about the 1997 Audi A4 with NHTSA. 7 reports involved a crash and 3 reports involved a fire. Owners reported 5 injuries.

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.

Most-reported components

  • Electrical System24
  • Engine and Engine Cooling9
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic9
  • Suspension7
  • Suspension6
  • Suspension5

Typical mileage when problems were reported

  • Electrical System152,000 mi
  • Engine and Engine Cooling64,000 mi
  • Suspension112,000 mi
  • Suspension40,000 mi
  • Suspension30,000 mi

1997 Audi A4 service bulletins

Manufacturers have filed 66 technical service bulletins and communications with NHTSA covering the 1997 Audi A4. These are repair instructions for known issues, not recalls.

Most common bulletin topics

  • Engine and Engine Cooling12
  • Engine and Engine Cooling10
  • Equipment4
  • Equipment4
  • Unknown or Other4
  • Wheels4

Recent bulletins

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsAug 2019 · AWC 19-05

    This communication is issued to inform dealers of updated shipping regulations related to lithium ion batteries.

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsJul 2019 · AWC 19-04

    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,

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsJul 2017 · A941791 2012749-

    This informational bulletin contains technical information for when there is condensation visible on the inside of the headlight, taillight, fog light, side marker light,

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsJun 2017 · SM 44-2017 EN

    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 defect investigations

NHTSA opened 4 defect investigations covering the 1997 Audi A4.

Service Brakes, HydraulicEA00021 · opened Aug 2000, closed Mar 2002

Degraded braking in wet weather

There is no summary currently available

Electrical SystemPE00016 · opened Apr 2000, closed Aug 2000

Degraded braking wet weather condition

There is no summary currently available

Electrical SystemRQ00009 · opened Mar 2000, closed Nov 2000Led to recall 00V317000

Ignition switch

There is no summary currently available

Service Brakes, HydraulicRQ99008 · opened Jun 1999, closed Nov 2000Led to recall 99V131001

Power brake booster vacuum by-pass

There is no summary currently available

Other Audi A4 years

‹ Sell a 1996 A4 · Sell a 1998 A4 › · All Audi A4 years

Other 1997 Audi models

Selling a 1997 A4: questions

How much is a 1997 Audi A4 worth for junk?

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.

Can I junk a 1997 A4 that doesn't run?

Yes. We buy 1997 A4s that don't start, were in an accident, failed inspection or have a blown engine or transmission. Towing is always free.

Can I sell a 1997 A4 with open recalls?

Yes. Open recalls don't prevent a junk sale. NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 1997 Audi A4; you can check whether any are still open on yours with the VIN lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What paperwork do I need to sell my 1997 A4?

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.

Before you sell

Sources

Data retrieved October 2026.

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