1999 Audi A4: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
175 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
75,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1999 model year. Data snapshot: . 100 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip is the most frequently named component, appearing in 40 of 175 complaints (22.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 92 | 52.6% |
| Steering behavior | 11 | 6.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 6 | 3.4% |
| Engine operation | 4 | 2.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 1.7% |
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 1.7% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 40 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/Module | 14 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated Pulleys | 12 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 12 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 8 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 7 |
| Steering:Linkages:Tie Rod Assembly | 7 |
| Service Brakes, Air:Antilock:Control Unit/Module | 6 |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 40; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/Module: 14; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated Pulleys: 12; Vehicle Speed Control: 12; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 8; Engine And Engine Cooling: 7; Steering:Linkages:Tie Rod Assembly: 7; Service Brakes, Air:Antilock:Control Unit/Module: 6
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 6 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 40 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 28 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 19 |
| 150,000 and above | 5 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 6; 50,000 to 74,999: 40; 75,000 to 99,999: 28; 100,000 to 149,999: 19; 150,000 and above: 5
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (40). 75 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 30 |
| 2001 | 15 |
| 2002 | 8 |
| 2003 | 21 |
| 2004 | 20 |
| 2005 | 29 |
| 2006 | 16 |
| 2007 | 8 |
| 2008 | 11 |
| 2009 | 5 |
| 2010 | 4 |
| 2011 | 4 |
| 2012 | 3 |
| 2016 | 1 |
2000: 30; 2001: 15; 2002: 8; 2003: 21; 2004: 20; 2005: 29; 2006: 16; 2007: 8; 2008: 11; 2009: 5; 2010: 4; 2011: 4; 2012: 3; 2016: 1
Pattern summary
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 92 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 11 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 6 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10000694 · 2003-01-02 (January 2, 2003)
AFTER ABOUT 25,000 MILES OF DRIVING THE TREAD ON TWO OF MY BF GOODRICH G-FORCE TA KDWS TIRES IS SEPARATING FROM THE TIRE. ONE TIRE (WHICH WAS MY FRONT LEFT) HAS TWO AREAS OF SEPARATION AND ONE AREA JUST SHOWING SIGNS OF STARTING TO SEPARATE. THE AREAS OF SEPARATION ARE ABOUT 4"-6" LONG AND 12"-15" LONG. PICTURES CAN BE EMAILED ON REQUEST OR SEEN AT:HTTP://FORUMS.AUDIWORLD.COM/WHEEL/MSGS/56770.PHTML I CALLED BFGOODRICH ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT THEY HAVE NEVER HAD A PROBLEM LIKE THIS BEFORE. ALTHOUGH, THE COMPLAINTS ON YO…
Owner-reported narrative. 61,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10000694 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10001368 · 2003-01-06 (January 6, 2003)
THE CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLES LEFT REAR BRAKES FAILED. ALSO STATES THAT THE VEHICLE OFTEN FAILED TO STOP DURING WET CONDITIONS, THE CONSUMER WILL PRESS THE BRAKES AND THERE IS A DELAY BEFORE THEY WOULD ENGAGE. THIS HAPPENED TWICE, AND ALMOST RAN INTO AN INTERSECTION, THE LEFT REAR BRAKES SQUEAK CONSTANTLY UPON APPLICATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ONCE TO FIX AND IT STILL SQUEAKS. SCC PH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10001368 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10003206 · 2003-01-22 (January 22, 2003)
FUEL GAUGE ERRATIC. FUEL GAUGE AND DISTANCE TO EMPTY COMPUTER WILL FLUCTUATE BETWEEN 1/4 AND 3/4 WHILE THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED. THIS OCCURS REGARDLESS OF THE LEVEL OF FUEL IN THE TANK. FUEL HAS ALSO LEAKED FROM VEHICLE DURING THE PRESSURIZATION OF THE TANK. FUEL SENDER UNIT HAS BEEN REPLACED AND THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. INACCURATE GAUGE CAUSED DRIVER TO RUN OUT OF FUEL AND RESULTED IN LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE SINCE STEERING AND BRAKING ARE POWER ASSISTED.
Owner-reported narrative. 30,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10003206 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10003853 · 2003-01-15 (January 15, 2003)
NAR 1/15/2003. THE VEHICLE OFTEN FAILED TO STOP DURING WET CONDITIONS. WHEN THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES, THERE WAS A DELAY BEFORE THE BRAKES ENGAGED, WHICH HAS HAPPENED TWICE. IT ALWAYS SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THE LEFT REAR BRAKE. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10003853 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10005491 · 2003-02-07 (February 7, 2003)
WE OWN AN AUDI A4 THAT WE HAVE HAD TOO MANY REPAIRS. THE CAR HAS NEEDED A TURBO AT 55,000 MILES, OIL PUMP AT 63,000 MILES, IGNITION COMPUTER AT 68,000 MILES AND RACK AND PINION STEERING AT 73,000 MILES. WE ARE AWARE THAT THE CAR IS AT HIGH MILEAGE, BUT THIS CAR IS SUPPOSE TO GET 200,000 MILES OUT OF IT. THE CAR WAS SERVICED AT DEALERS THE ENTIRE TIME. WE THINK THAT PERHAPS THERE ARE DEFECTS IN THE CAR THAT OTHER DRIVERS ARE EXPERIENCING.
Owner-reported narrative. 73,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10005491 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10005647 · 2003-02-10 (February 10, 2003)
1999 AUDI A4 2.8 WITH 39000 MILES AND 6 MONTHS OFF WARANTY LEAKING OIL FROM ENGINE CAM SEALS AND FROM REAR DIFFERENTIAL SEALS
Owner-reported narrative. 38,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10005647 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10009676 · 2003-03-03 (March 3, 2003)
WHEN THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10009676 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10010016 · 2003-03-18 (March 18, 2003)
THE CRUISE CONTROL BECAME STUCK, WHILE DRIVING. *AK *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10010016 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
4 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
00V414000 · Steering:Linkages:Rod:Relay:Connecting
Reported: 2000-12-06 (December 6, 2000)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE TIE RODS OF THE STEERING ASSEMBLY ARE PROTECTED ON EACH SIDE BY A SEAL TO PREVENT MOISTURE AND DUST PARTICLES FROM ENTERING THE SWIVEL BEARING MECHANISM. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT SOME TIE ROD SEALS MAY NOT SEAL PROPERLY.
Consequence: IF MOISTURE AND/OR DUST PARTICLES ENTER THE SWIVEL BEARING MECHANISM, THE SWIVEL BEARING COULD WEAR OVER TIME DIMINISHING THE STEERING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TIE RODS.
NHTSA campaign record ↗20V056000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module
Reported: 2020-01-31 (January 31, 2020)
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.
Consequence: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗99V131001 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Power Assist:Vacuum:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
Reported: 1999-05-21 (May 21, 1999)
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.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE INSUFFICIENT VACUUM TO BE PROVIDED TO THE BRAKE BOOSTER.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A VACUUM BY-PASS SYSTEM INTO VEHICLES OPERATED IN THESE STATES WHICH IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE SUFFICIENT VACUUM FOR FULL BRAKE ASSIST UNDER ALL WEATHER CONDITIONS.
NHTSA campaign record ↗99V248000 · Steering:Linkages:Rod:Relay:Connecting
Reported: 1999-09-13 (September 13, 1999)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE TIE RODS OF THE STEERING ASSEMBLY ARE PROTECTED ON EACH SIDE BY A SEAL TO PREVENT MOISTURE AND DUST PARTICLES FROM ENTERING THE SWIVEL BEARING MECHANISM. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT SOME TIE ROD SEALS MAY NOT SEAL PROPERLY.
Consequence: IF MOISTURE AND/OR DUST PARTICLES ENTER THE SWIVEL BEARING MECHANISM, THE SWIVEL BEARING COULD WEAR OVER TIME DIMINISHING THE STEERING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TIE RODS.
NHTSA campaign record ↗