I drove to my new house this evening and as when I stopped the car the key was difficult to remove. I didnt think anything of it. When I went to start it the key would not go into the ignition and the wheels were not locked. The car is a 96 A4 which I bought new. 130K ..... I m a bit miffed here ... I have never heard of this.

Thanks to anyone who can lend some advice... its a long and expensive tow to the dealer!

Thanks

Tom

 

Auto? manual?

 

Wow, you probably hold the record here for the longest owner of a single Audi

 

Did you get a recall notice back in November? I'm pretty sure 96-98 A4's had a recall on the ignition switch... dealer replaces it for freeeeeeeeee!

 

are you talking about this recall HERE, if you are that recall was back in '01 - no new recalls, but go to the dealer have them check your VIN for open recall's

 

manual

 

aw cmon... there has to be longer..... I spend a lot of time in europe and people tell me its just getting broken in!

 

I think you meant the steering wheel wasn't locked not the wheels
regardless of the mileage its how often you put the key in which is the question so I recon you need a new barrel

 

I think this is it

Recall Date:
OCT 23, 2006
Model Affected:
1996 AUDI A4
Summary:
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.
Consequence:
THIS CONDITION CAUSES ELECTRICAL ACCESSORIES SUCH AS WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND HEADLIGHTS TO BECOME INOPERATIVE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy:
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW IGNITION SWITCH WITH AN OPTIMIZED ANCHOR POINT FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 27, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AUDI AT 1-800-822-2834. NOTE: THIS RECALL SUPERSEDES THE REMEDY PROGRAM UNDER A PREVIOUS RECALL (PLEASE SEE 00V317).
Potential Units Affected:
28594
Notes:
VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC JS
Back to list of 1996 Audi A4 recalls

 

nice find now go get it sorted ( print that data out to prove the issue ) and good luck