Electrical System. Review the 33 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Suspension. Review the 19 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

7 crash reports3 fire reports4 injury reports

What owners actually said

98 reports

Mileage unknown · Jan 20, 2001

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

WET BRAKING DELAY. BRAKE ROTORS SEEM TO GATHER WATER ON HIGHWAY -EVEN IN LIGHT RAIN, AND CAUSE DELAYED STOPPING. WHEN THE PEDAL IS PUSHED DOWN IT CAN TAKE A COUPLE SECONDS FOR THE BRAKES TO REPOND, CAUSING AN UNSAFE CONDITION IN EMERGENCY SITUATIONS.*AK

NHTSA ODI #739664

Mileage unknown · Jan 7, 2001

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

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THE BRAKES DON'T GRAB WHEN DRIVING IN RAIN, SNOW, SLEET ETC. THERE'S A "LAG" OF A SECOND OR TWO BEFORE THE CAR BEGINS TO STOP. THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME YOU ATTEMPT TO STOP THE CAR IN THESE CONDITIONS REGARDLESS OF SPEED. THERE ARE NO BRAKE BACKING PLATES ON THE FRONT ROTORS FROM THE FACTORY. THE ROTORS ARE OBVIOUSLY GETTING GLAZED WITH WATER AND THE PADS ARE INEFFECTIVE UNTIL THE ROTORS ARE CLEARED OF WATER. MAKES FOR A VERY DANGEROUS DRIVING CONDITION IN INCLEMENT WEATHER! *AK

NHTSA ODI #738929

Mileage unknown · Dec 18, 2000

Engine And Engine Cooling

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 50 MPH ALL OF A SUDDEN ENGINE STALLED. THEN, VEHICLE WAS TOWED, AND A TECHINICIAN SAID IT WAS A BROKEN TIMING BELT. CONSUMER BELIEVED THAT THIS WAS TOO EARLY TO HAPPEN. *AK

NHTSA ODI #876686

Mileage unknown · Sep 8, 2000

Suspension

PREMATURE WEAR

NHTSA ODI #730787

Mileage unknown · Jul 22, 2000

Engine And Engine CoolingSuspension

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I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THE CONTROL ARMS ARE FAILING BECAUSE AUDI DIDN'T PROVIDE FOR LUBRICATION POINTS.. THEY HAD NO EXPLANATION FOR THE LOSS OF THE ENGINE MOUNT BOLTS, AND COULD NOT RESPOND WHEN I SAID I HAD NEVER OWNED A CAR THAT HAD LOST IT'S ENGINE MOUNT BOLTS.. OBVIOUSLY THIS HAS ALSO GOT TO BE A PROBLEM CAUSED BY POOR DESIGN AND ENGINE VIBRATION.. THESE BOLTS SHOULD BE SAFETY WIRED TO PREVENT THIS PROBLEM. I THINK AUDI SHOULD COVER THE COSTS OF REPLACEMENT OF THE CONTROL ARM AND ENGINE MOUNT, BUT THE DIFFERENTIAL PROBLEM COULD BE DUE TO WEAR, ALTHOUGH AGAIN I DON'T HAVE THIS PROBLEM ON MY JEEP OR OTHER VEHICLES. *AK

NHTSA ODI #725831

Mileage unknown · Jun 6, 2000

Steering

STALLING AT LOW SPEEDS AND IDLED. HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP SINCE EARLY MAY, WITH NO SUCCESSFUL REPAIR. VEHICLE STALLING IN TRAFFIC IS A SAFETY HAZARD. AUDI AMERICA CONTACTED, DEALER WORKING ON CAR FOR 30 DAYS. CAR STALLS AND IT TAKES UP TO 6 CRANKS OF UP TO 30 SECONDS EACH TO RESTART.*AK

NHTSA ODI #723632

Mileage unknown · May 26, 2000

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

SIGNIFICANT BRAKING DELAY UNDER WET CONDITIONS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #723208

Mileage unknown · Dec 1, 1999

Power Train

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OPERATION OF THIS A4 CONFIGURATION AT SPEEDS LOWER THAN 8 M.P.H. REQUIRES EITHER THAT THE OPERATOR LUG THE ENGINE (I.E., RUN AT LESS THAN THE RECOMMENDED 1500 R.P.M. IN FIRST GEAR) OR NOT CLOSE THE CLUTCH COMPLETELY. THIS DESIGN DEFECT HAS LEAD TO EXCESSIVE CLUTCH WEAR, REQUIRING TWO REPLACEMENTS IN LESS THAN 52,000 MILES AND TWO INCIDENTS OF CLUTCH OVERHEATING, WITH SMOKE. A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD EXISTS IF THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED AT LESS THAN 4 M.P.H. FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD (E.G., MORE THAN 30 MINUTES) AS MAY BE EXPECTED IN CERTAIN METROPOLITAN TRAFFIC JAMS. THE CLUTCH DESIGN IS ALSO UNSUITABLE FOR DYNAMIC BRAKING, SHOWING EXCESSIVE WEAR, THEREBY CONTRIBUTING TO PREMATURE FAILURE AND THE FIRE HAZARD. THE A4 IS OTHERWISE A VERY FINE AUTOMOBILE. THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD CORRECT THIS DESIGN DEFECT ASAP THROUGH PROVISION OF A LOW GEAR, SIX-SPEED OPTION, ADJUSTMENT OF RATIOS OR SIMILAR REMEDY. *AK

NHTSA ODI #715480

Mileage unknown · Nov 27, 1999

Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash

DISC BRAKES ARE NOT ADEQUATELY SHIELDED FROM WATER WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN OR SNOW, RESULTING IN NO BRAKING EFFORT FOR APPROXIMATELY THE FIRST TWO SECONDS OF BRAKE APPLICATION. THE BRAKES ARE FINE IN DRY WEATHER, BUT ALWAYS CATCH ME BY SURPRISE IN THE WET, WHEN YOU STEP ON THE PEDAL NOTHING HAPPENS UNTIL THE WATER IS SHED FROM…

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NHTSA ODI #715307

Mileage unknown · Nov 15, 1999

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

LACK OF STOPPING WHEN BRAKES ARE WET. AT 1000 MI REPLACED ALL PADS WITH GERMAN SPEC OEM PADS. WET BRAKING PROBLEMS NEGLABLE. DID NOT NEED TO WASH UNDERWARE AS OFTEN.

NHTSA ODI #715237

Official recalls

22V471000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

Jul 1, 2022

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 or the air bag cushion to underinflate.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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 or death.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver's air bag inflator with an alternative inflator of a different design, free of charge. Owner notification letters were sent September 21, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 69BT. The vehicles in this recall were mistakenly omitted from recall 20V-056. All vehicle owners have already been notified by mail and informed that the remedy is available.

06V403000 · Electrical System:ignition:switch

Oct 23, 2006

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 & remedy

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).

00V317000 · Electrical System:ignition:switch

Oct 11, 2000

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAUSES ELECTRICAL ACCESSORIES SUCH AS WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND HEADLIGHTS TO BECOME INOPERATIVE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.

99V131001 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

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 & remedy

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.

97V175000 · Air Bags:frontal

Oct 8, 1997

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: ACTIVATION OF THE AIR BAG UNDER THESE CONDITIONS CAN CAUSE PERSONAL INJURY.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A GROUND WIRE ON THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG.

97V115000 · Seat Belts:rear/other

Jul 22, 1997

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE REAR SEAT BELT RETRACTORS MAY NOT LOCK PROPERLY WHEN ENGAGED, OR NOT REMAIN LOCKED AFTER BEING ENGAGED.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, AN IMPROPERLY LOCKING SEAT BELT COULD CAUSE INJURY TO AN OCCUPANT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗