2000 Audi A4

Routine

Owners filed 96 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic › antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip. It has been recalled 5 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k

49 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 40,00050,000 miles; the median is 62,900 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip24
100
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip › Control Unit/Module9
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine5
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic4
000
Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls3
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc3
000
Service Brakes, Electric3
000
Engine and Engine Cooling3
000
Electrical System › Ignition3
010
Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel3
000

5 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module21V470000
Filed Jun 23, 202162,812 vehiclesVolkswagen Group Of America, Inc.

Defect. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2000-2001 Audi TT Coupe, TT Roadster, 2000-2002 A4, and S4 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 inflators may absorb moisture, possibly causing the air bag to deploy improperly in the event of a crash.

Risk. In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, the air bag may not properly protect the occupant, increasing the risk of serious injury or death.

Remedy. Dealers will replace the driver frontal airbag inflator with an alternative inflator, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 2, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69CJ.

Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module20V056000
Filed Jan 31, 2020106,857 vehiclesVolkswagen Group Of America, Inc.

Defect. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (VW) is recalling certain 2000-2001 TT Roadster, 2000 TT Coupe, 1999 Audi A8, 1998-2000 Audi A6, and 1999-2000 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 inflators may absorb moisture, possibly causing the air bag to deploy improperly in the event of a crash.

Risk. In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, the air bag may not properly protect the occupant, increasing the risk of serious injury or death.

Remedy. Dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator with an alternative inflator when the parts become available, free of charge. Owner notifications were mailed September 21, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69BT.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine14E007000
Filed Mar 7, 201450 vehiclesThe Gates Corporation

Defect. The Gates Corporation (Gates) is recalling certain aftermarket Tru-Flow Water Pumps, part number TFW 41127, sold at certain NAPA Auto Parts and/or installed by automotive service technicians after November 1, 2013 (and manufactured August 2013 through October 2013) that have a black-colored pulley/sprocket or do not have 'US9377' stamped on the water pump housing. These service replacement parts were sold for use in model year 1999-2005 Audi A4, 2000-2006 Audi TT, 1998-2005 Volkswagen Beetle, 1999-2006 Golf, 1999-2008 and 2011-2013 Volkswagen Jetta, and 2000-2005 Volkswagen Passat. In the affected water pumps, the pulley or sprocket that turns the timing belt may develop microfractures causing the timing belt to fail.

Risk. A failure of the timing belt may cause the engine to shut down, potentially increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Remedy. Gates will notify owners, and dealers will replace the water pump, free of charge. The recall began during May 2014. Owners may contact The Gates Corporation at 1-303-744-1911.

Exterior Lighting06E060000
Filed Jun 29, 200687,745 vehiclesAai Motorsports Usa, Llc

Defect. CERTAIN AAI MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LIST PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Risk. LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH

Remedy. AAI MOTORSPORTS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AAI MOTORSPORTS AT 909-923-9188.

Exterior Lighting06E049000
Filed May 24, 200627,176 vehiclesCk Motorsport, Inc.

Defect. CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Risk. WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy. CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Air Bags
Filed Jun 15, 2021NY

Takata recall. The contact owns a 2000 Audi A4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V056000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer and was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms part not available.

Electrical System
Filed Sep 20, 202044,000 milesAZ

THE LCD SCREEN IS PIXELATING. THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH ALL AUDI 2000 A4S. THE SCREEN IS NOT SHOWING ANY WARNINGS ARE PROBLEMS

Electrical System
Filed Dec 13, 201652,200 milesSC

GRADUAL FAILURE OF THE AUTO CHECK SYSTEM DISPLAY LEADING TO TOTAL FAILURE AND THE INABILITY TO DETERMINE ENGINE PERFORMANCE AND SAFETY DATA.

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jul 31, 2013WV

THE LCD DRIVER INFORMATION CENTER IS PIXELATED, THIS NORMALLY WOULDN'T NORMALLY BE A HUGE PROBLEM BUT THIS SCREEN INFORMS THE DRIVER OF HIGH ENGINE TEMPERATURES, LOW OIL, LOW COOLANT, ETC. I'M UNABLE TO READ THE SCREEN AND HAVE NO IDEA WHAT IT IS ATTEMPTING TO TELL ME WHEN MY CAR MAKES A VERY HIGH PITCHED BEEP TO INFORM ME THERE IS A PROBLEM. I'VE ALSO DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS AN EXTREMELY COMMON PROBLEM WITH CARS OF THIS MODEL YEAR AND SEVERAL OTHER MODEL YEARS. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Feb 10, 201398,000 milesAK

AUDI COMPLAINT AND RECALL REQUEST THE ANTI LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM NO LONGER WORKS LIKE IT SHOULD. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED I GET A SOLID AMBER ABS WARNING LIGHT ALONG WITH A FLASHING BRAKE LIGHT ACCOMPANIED WITH THREE WARNING TONES. UPON DOING AN INTERNET SEARCH I IMMEDIATELY REALIZED THIS PROBLEM WITH THE BOSCH 5.3 ABS CONTROL MODULE UNIT IS EXTREMELY COMMON ON 1998 TO 2001 AUDI AND VW MODELS. AUDI/VW CREATED A SERVICE BULLETIN TO REPAIR VW'S IN THE SAME DATE RANGE (BULLETIN 0517 NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10016037), BUT IGNORED THE ISSUE WITH AUDI'S. AS PER THE VEHICLE'S OWNER'S MANUAL, IT STATES THAT WHILE THE SYSTEM IS IN THIS STATE, THE REAR BRAKES MAY LOCK UP UNDER BRAKING. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM THAT WILL NOT ALLOW ME TO BRAKE QUICKLY IN EMERGENCY SITUATIONS. THE COST OF REPLACING THE ABS MODULE FROM THE DEALERSHIP WAS QUOTED AT OVER $1000. A SIMPLE INTERNET SEARCH REVEALS THAT THOUSANDS OF AUDI OWNERS HAVE VOICED COMPLAINTS. THIS IS A BLATANT DISREGARD FOR THEIR CUSTOMER'S SAFETY AND A RECALL SHOULD BE REQUIRED. *TR

Equipment
Filed Sep 6, 2012CA

2000 AUDI A4. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO THE OVD 2 UNIT IN AUDI AND VW VEHICLES *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM INVOLVED THE OVD 2 UNIT WHICH COMMUNICATED THE SMOG TEST RESULTS TO THE COMPUTER AND DMV. ALTHOUGH, THE VEHICLE WOULD PASS THE EMISSIONS TEST, THERE WOULD BE A COMMUNICATION ERROR. THE DMV REQUIRED THE COMMUNICATION AND MADE NO EXCEPTION. THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM STEMMED FROM THE OVD 2 UNIT PLACED INTO THE RADIO. WHEN THE RADIO IS REPLACED WITH A NON AUDI OR VW RADIO THE OVD 2 UNIT IS NO LONGER THERE. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE PRICE TO REPLACE THE RADIO CONTAINING THE OVD 2 UNIT IS $1000 AND UP.

Service Brakes, Electric
Filed Mar 9, 2011152,000 milesUT

ON MY 2000 AUDI A4 THE ANTI LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM NO LONGER WORKS. I GET A SOLID AMBER ABS WARNING LIGHT ALONG WITH A FLASHING BRAKE LIGHT ACCOMPANIED WITH THREE WARNING TONES WHEN I START THE CAR. AFTER MUCH RESEARCH, THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON 1998 TO 2001 AUDI AND VW MODELS. I HAVE NOT HEARD OF ANY RECALL, HOWEVER THERE SHOULD BE ONE. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM THAT WILL NOT ALLOW ME TO BRAKE QUICKLY IN ALL SITUATIONS ESPECIALLY WINTER CONDITIONS AND THE COST TO GET IT REPLACED IS FAR TOO MUCH. *TR

Service Brakes, Electric
Filed Jan 11, 2011112,000 milesMI

1. WHEN THE ABS IS ACTIVATED DURING SNOW OR ICE CONDITIONS. 2. THE BRAKES "STICK" AND THE ABS IS NOT FULLY DEACTIVATED ONCE YOUR FOOT IS OFF THE BRAKE PEDAL. OFTEN THE REAR DRIVER SIDE BRAKE IS STILL ENGAGED SLIGHTLY DURING DRIVING. WHEN STOPPED YOU CAN SMELL THE RUBBING BRAKES AND YOU CAN TELL THE BRAKE IS RUBBING WHILE DRIVING AS IT SLOWS DOWN THE VEHICLE. IT USUALLY UNSTICKS AFTER SEVERAL MILES OF DRIVING OR LEAVING THE CAR SIT OVERNIGHT NOT RUNNING. 3. I'VE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE YEARS, BUT THEY TELL ME THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE BRAKES OR ABS SYSTEM. *TR

Tires
Filed Dec 9, 201086,000 milesCA

I WAS HEADED NORTH BOUND ON THE CALIFORNIA 57 RIGHT BEFORE DIAMOND BAR BLVD. WHEN MY CAR STARTED TO FISH TAIL. I DROVE OVER TO THE SHOULDER LANE AND RIGHT AS I MERGED OVER MY BACK DRIVER SIDE TIRE SNAPPED OFF TAKING HALF MY WHEEL BASE WITH IT LEAVING NO WAY TO PUT A SPARE TIRE ON. *TR

Service Brakes, Electric
Filed Jul 18, 201065,000 milesMD

ABS MODULE FAILURE & CENTER CLUSTER FAILURE - 2000 AUDI A4 1.8T, 65,000 MILES. ABS COMES ON ALONG WITH BLINKING BRAKE LIGHTS. KNOWN AUDI ISSUE. HAVING ABS REBUILT BY MODULE MASTERS AS AUDI WANTS $$ AND ANY NEW ABS MODULE THEY WILL INSTALL WILL ALSO FAIL. CENTER CLUSTER ALSO FAILED, ALSO KNOWN AUDI ISSUE. *TR

Unknown or OtherFire
Filed Aug 18, 200986,000 milesCA

THE HEAT SHIELDS ABOVE MY CATALYTIC CONVERTERS CAUGHT FIRE AND HAD TO BE REPLACED, AT A LARGE EXPENSE TO ME. UPON RECEIPT OF THE REPLACEMENT PARTS, IT WAS NOTICED THAT THE PARTS HAD BEEN REDESIGNED. I BELIEVE THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAS FOUND A FUNDAMENTAL ISSUE WITH THEIR ORIGINAL DESIGN AND IS QUIETLY REPLACING THEM. THE PROBLEM WITH THIS IS THAT IT TAKES YOUR CAR CATCHING ON FIRE TO KNOW YOU NEED TO REPLACE THEM. *TR

Exterior Lighting › Headlights
Filed Jul 22, 2009CT

REPLACEMENT HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY P/N 341-1107L-US MADE BY DEPO FOR 2000 AUDI A4 HAS THE CENTER BULB ROTATED 180 DEGREES FROM THE ORIGINAL. A BULB ENGINEER AT SYLVANIA/OSRAM SAID THE PARTICULAR BULB LIGHT PATTERN IS DEPENDENT UPON ORIENTATION DUE TO THE FILAMENT STRUT AND A REFLECTOR IS DESIGNED TO WORK WITH THE BULB IN A CERTAIN DIRECTION. THE POTENTIAL ISSUES ARE 1) WAS THE REFLECTOR DESIGNED AND TESTED TO WORK WITH THE BULB THAT WAY, AND IF NOT 2) WAS THIS SOMETHING THAT WAS JUST OVERLOOKED OR IGNORED WHEN THE LIGHT WAS COPIED FROM THE ORIGINAL AUDI DESIGN, OR 3) WAS THIS A MANUFACTURING MISTAKE THAT HAPPENED TO A BATCH OF PARTS. A US DISTRIBUTOR THINKS #1 IS THE CASE, BUT HE MADE THE COMMENT WITHOUT SPEAKING TO THE ENGINEERS IN TAIWAN. IF THIS CONDITION IS IMPROPER, THERE ARE MANY LIGHT ASSEMBLIES OUT THERE LIKE THIS AND THEY MAY NOT PASS REGULATORY TESTS. I HAVE A PICTORIAL COMPARISON OF THE DEPO PART ALONGSIDE THE ORIGINAL THAT I CAN EMAIL AS ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. UPDATED 07/23/09 *BF *TR PICTURE RECEIVED. UPDATED 07/27/09

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Jul 12, 2009159,000 milesIL

I HAVE A 2000 AUDI A4. THERE WAS A LETTER THAT WAS MAILED TO ME EXPLAINING THE DEFECT WITH THE VEHICLE 2 MONTHS AFTER THE INCIDENT HAPPENED. THE TIMING BELT ON MY VEHICLE BROKE RESULTING IN SEVERE ENGINE DAMAGE. THE MANUFACTURER REFUSES TO PAY FOR THE DAMAGE OR FIX IT. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Apr 7, 2009CA

THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT IS FLASHING ON MY DASH BOARD. THE REPAIR SHOP SAYS THAT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE COST IS ABOUT $1000! MY CAR HAS ABOUT 120,000 MILES ON IT. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Feb 2, 200992,000 milesCA

THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ONLINE ABOUT THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING FAILING IN AUDI'S AND VW'S BUILT BETWEEN 1996 AND 2001. ACCORDING TO MY MECHANIC, THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM THAT THEY'VE SEEN A LOT OF. SEE MANY OWNERS DISCUSSING THE PROBLEM HERE: HTTP://AUDI-VW-ABS-RECALL.BLOGSPOT.COM/2005/07/AUDI-AND-VW-PLEASE-RECALL-CARS-BETWEEN.HTML THE ABS IS A VERY IMPORTANT PIECE OF SAFETY EQUIPMENT, AND IT SEEMS IRRESPONSIBLE TO ME THAT AUDI HAS FAILED TO RECALL A VERY COMMON AND KNOWN MANUFACTURING DEFECT. *TR

Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel
Filed Aug 19, 200829,000 milesNC

PIXELS ON THE DRIVER INFORMATION DISPLAY IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILED GRADUALLY SINCE THE 2000 AUDI A4 QUATTRO WAS 4 YEARS OLD. ALMOST ALL PIXELS ARE DEAD NOW. THE DRIVER INFORMATION DISPLAY IS LOCATED IN THE CENTER OF THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. IT INCLUDES INFORMATION ON THE CURRENT OPERATING STATUS VIA AUTOCHECK CONTROL, WHICH MONITORS THE CONDITION OF CERTAIN COMPONENTS ON THE VEHICLE, SUCH AS THE BRAKE SYSTEM, COOLANT LEVEL AND ENGINE OIL PRESSURE. AUTOCHECK CONTROL TAKES PLACE CONTINUOUSLY WHEN THE IGNITION IS SWITCHED ON. MALFUNCTIONS AND SERVICE REMINDERS ARE ALSO SHOWN, ACCOMPANIED BY WARNING TONES. THE DISPLAYS ARE PRIORITIZE WITH EITHER RED OR YELLOW ILLUMINATED SYMBOLS. THE RED SIGNALS INDICATE A POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS SITUATION REQUIRING IMMEDIATE DRIVER ATTENTION; THE YELLOW ONES ARE CAUTIONARY INFORMATION. *TR

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Jul 31, 200899,900 milesNJ

HELLO: RECENTLY I HAD A FAILURE WITH THE ABS BRAKING SYSTEM ON MY 2000 AUDI A4, 2.8L. THIS FAILURE WAS VERIFIED BY THE AUDI DEALER IN WILMINGTON, DE. FROM THE DEALER AND ACCORDING TO MANY ARTICLES, THIS FAILURE IS COMMON WITH THIS MAKE. SO COMMON, THAT AUDI/VW DID A RECALL ON VW'S, BUT NOT ON AUDI'S. THIS IS NOT FAIR AND I AM HEAR TO VOICE MY SAFETY CONCERN. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Jul 10, 2008105,000 milesMA

ABS INTERMITTENT. SYSTEM GOES FROM FINE, TO INOPERATIVE WITH NO WARNING. DETAILS: INTERMITTENTLY GET THREE BEEPS FROM THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER, WITH THE YELLOW ABS LIGHT LIT STEADILY, AND THE RED BRAKE WARNING LIGHT BLINKING. WHILE THE SYSTEM IS IN THIS STATE, THE ABS CONTROL MODULE IS NOT AVAILABLE VIA DIAGNOSTIC INTERFACE, AND THE ABS IS INOPERATIVE. SHOP DIAGNOSTICS SAYS: 01203 - ELECTRICAL CONNECTION BETWEEN ABS AND INSTRUMENT CLUSTER 03-10 - NO SIGNAL - INTERMITTENT DETAILS OF AFFECTED EQUIPMENT: ABS CONTROL MODULE IS 8E0-614-111-A (BOSCH ABS/EDS VERSION 5.3). *TR

Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel
Filed Jan 23, 200862,000 milesCA

LCD PART OF INSTRUMENT CLUSTER HAS PROGRESSIVELY FAILED TO THE POINT THAT IT IS TOTALLY UNREADABLE. IT STARTED OUT AS A FEW MISSING LINES IN THE DISPLAY AND NOW THERE ARE ONLY A FEW LINES LEFT THAT STILL LIGHT UP. *TR

Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel
Filed Sep 28, 200752,000 milesNJ

FAILURE OF LCD PANEL IN INSTRUMENT PANEL. AFTER LESS THAT 60 THOUSAND MILES. DISPLAY SHOWS IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT VEHICLE SUCH AS OVERHEATING, OIL PRESSURE AND OTHER CRITICAL FUNCTIONS. *TR

20 of 96 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2006
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20242000Routine
202310000Routine
20226300Routine
202111400Routine
2020127300Routine
201910100Routine
201844100Routine
201755100Routine
201611010Routine
201519000Routine
201432000Routine
201324020Routine
201219010Routine
201111000Routine
201064000Routine
2009120230Routine
2008175410Routine
2007196300Routine
2006295340Above average
2005219430Above average
2004189330Routine
2003210460Above average
2002181260Routine
2001131390Routine
2000 — this page96520Routine
1999190720Routine
1998258620Above average
199798830Routine
199689610Routine
19951200Routine

Compare every A4 year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Jun 23, 2021. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.