NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
258 reportsMileage unknown · Oct 13, 1999
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
BRAKES FAILED TO WORK ON HIGHWAY OFF-RAMP DURING HEAVY RAIN. DEPRESSED PEDAL, BUT ALMOST NO BRAKING FORCE. HAD TO VEER BACK INTO INTERSTATE TRAFFIC, ALMOST CAUSING MAJOR CRASH. THIS HAS HAPPENED BEFORE TO ME, ALWAYS IN WET WEATHER. PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT. USUALLY BRAKES ARE OK IN WET, BUT NOW AND THEN ALMOST COMPLETE FAILURE FO…
Read full complaint
BRAKES FAILED TO WORK ON HIGHWAY OFF-RAMP DURING HEAVY RAIN. DEPRESSED PEDAL, BUT ALMOST NO BRAKING FORCE. HAD TO VEER BACK INTO INTERSTATE TRAFFIC, ALMOST CAUSING MAJOR CRASH. THIS HAS HAPPENED BEFORE TO ME, ALWAYS IN WET WEATHER. PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT. USUALLY BRAKES ARE OK IN WET, BUT NOW AND THEN ALMOST COMPLETE FAILURE FOR NO APPARENT REASON, ALWAYS IN WET. BRAKES RETURN AFTER BRIEF APPLICATION. I BELIEVE BRAKES ARE GETTING WET SOMEHOW AND FAILING TO OPERATE UNTIL THEY WARM UP AND DRY OFF, BUT THIS IS JUST A THEORY. THE FAILURES ARE INFREQUENT BUT VERY DRAMATIC AND EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. OTHER AUDI A4 OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED EXACT SAME PROBLEM. DEALERS HAVE NO SOLUTION. PLEASE HELP! THANKS.
NHTSA ODI #713227
Mileage unknown · Oct 12, 1999
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
PROBLEM IS MAJOR BRAKING DELAY IN RAIN (WORSE WITH HEAVY RAIN). WHEN PUSH ON PEDAL, GET NO BRAKING ACTION FOR 1-3 SECONDS, THEN BRAKES ACT NORMAL. PEDAL FEELS FIRM/NORMAL. SEEMS LIKE THERE IS WATER SHEETING ON THE ROTORS; BRAKES HAVE TO WIPE WATER OFF BEFORE GET ANY BRAKING. THIS IS THE ABSOLUTE WORST CASE OF THIS PHENOMENA…
Read full complaint
PROBLEM IS MAJOR BRAKING DELAY IN RAIN (WORSE WITH HEAVY RAIN). WHEN PUSH ON PEDAL, GET NO BRAKING ACTION FOR 1-3 SECONDS, THEN BRAKES ACT NORMAL. PEDAL FEELS FIRM/NORMAL. SEEMS LIKE THERE IS WATER SHEETING ON THE ROTORS; BRAKES HAVE TO WIPE WATER OFF BEFORE GET ANY BRAKING. THIS IS THE ABSOLUTE WORST CASE OF THIS PHENOMENA I HAVE FELT IN 30 YEARS, 750,000 MILES OF DRIVING. DEALER INFORMED AT ROUTINE SERVICE, COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG.
NHTSA ODI #713218
Mileage unknown · Sep 24, 1999
Suspension
THIS PART ISN'T DANGEROUS AT FAILURE BUT IS VERY NOISY AND SEEM TO FAIL AT ANYTIME AFTER 15,000 MILES. ONCE REPAIRED THEY MAY OR MAY NOT FAIL AGAIN. ITS ABOUT $1000 TO FIX THEM IF NOT UNDER WARANTEE. I BELIEVE OWNERS SHOULD HAVE AN EXTENDED WARANTEE ON THIS ITEM.
NHTSA ODI #712020
Mileage unknown · Sep 15, 1999
Seat Belts
BOTH REAR SEATBELTS TIGHTEN ON PASSENGERS RESTRICTING FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT. NLM
NHTSA ODI #548515
Mileage unknown · Aug 10, 1999
Air Bags
AFTER RUNNING OVER A POTHOLE AT 30MPH PASSENGER'S SIDE DOOR AIRBAG DEPLOYED. DEALER SAID THIS WAS NORMAL. *AK *ML
NHTSA ODI #844752
Mileage unknown · Jul 26, 1999
Air BagsCrashInjury
PASSENGER'S AIRBAG DEPLOYED UPON IMPACT. NO PASSENGER OR PARCEL ON PASSENGER'S SEAT, DRIVERS BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. AUDI CONTINUES TO DENY A PROBLEM EXISTED. AUDI'S OWN DOCUMENTATION DESCRIBES A NO PASSENGER LOCK OUT SWITCH TO PREVENT DEPLOYMENT OF THE PASSENGER'S AIRBAG WHEN NO PASSENGER OR (HEAVY PARCEL?) IS PRESENT. I WAS THE ON…
Read full complaint
PASSENGER'S AIRBAG DEPLOYED UPON IMPACT. NO PASSENGER OR PARCEL ON PASSENGER'S SEAT, DRIVERS BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. AUDI CONTINUES TO DENY A PROBLEM EXISTED. AUDI'S OWN DOCUMENTATION DESCRIBES A NO PASSENGER LOCK OUT SWITCH TO PREVENT DEPLOYMENT OF THE PASSENGER'S AIRBAG WHEN NO PASSENGER OR (HEAVY PARCEL?) IS PRESENT. I WAS THE ONLY OCCUPANT IN THE CAR, HAD MY SEAT BELT BUCKLED, PRETENSIONER FOR MY SEAT BELT FIRED BUT MY AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. AN INTERLOCK, BY DEFINITION, IS EITHER ON OR OFF. AN INTERLOCK OR LOCK OUT DEVICE DOES NOT ACT AS A "MAYBE ON" OR "MAYBE OFF" GATE.
NHTSA ODI #709208
Mileage unknown · Jun 22, 1999
Service Brakes, HydraulicSteering
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED STEERING WHEEL AND BRAKE LOCK UP. MJS
NHTSA ODI #546362
Mileage unknown · Jun 17, 1999
Service Brakes, HydraulicSteering
ON JUNE 17, 1999 I SIMULTANEOUSLY LOST CONTROL OF BOTH THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE BRAKES. THE WEHEEL WAS LOCKED AND THE BRAKES WOULD NOT PUMP. THE TRIP INSTRUMENT PANEL SHOWED THE BATTERY SIGN AND THE WARNING "CHECK". THE CAR CAME TO A STOP UPHILL, AND RESUMED NORMAL (?) OPERATION AFTER I TURNED ON THE ENGINE AGAIN.*AK
NHTSA ODI #707627
Mileage unknown · May 19, 1999
Suspension
RIGHT FRONT UPPER CONTROL ARM BROKE. IT MAY CAUSE WHEEL TO FALL AND RESULT IN A CRASH. THERE IS A NATIONAL BACK ORDER ON PARTS, AND DEALER WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, AND SAID THA T A NEW DESIGN OF THE CONTROL ARM IS ON THE WAY. BUT MAMUFACTURER DOES NOT ADMIT TO THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION AND VIN#. *AK
NHTSA ODI #838141
Mileage unknown · May 6, 1999
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
MY AUDI HAS WONDERFUL BRAKES IN DRY ROAD CONDITIONS. HOWEVER INITIAL BRAKING IN WET CONDITIONS RESULTS IN A FEW SECONDS OF DIMINISHED BRAKING CAPACITY WHICH ALMOST RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT. THIS SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN REPORTED BY MANY A4 OWNERS AS INTERNET FORUMS LIKE WWW.A4.ORG HAVE MANY COMPLAINTS SIMILAR TO THIS. PLEASE DO NOT …
Read full complaint
MY AUDI HAS WONDERFUL BRAKES IN DRY ROAD CONDITIONS. HOWEVER INITIAL BRAKING IN WET CONDITIONS RESULTS IN A FEW SECONDS OF DIMINISHED BRAKING CAPACITY WHICH ALMOST RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT. THIS SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN REPORTED BY MANY A4 OWNERS AS INTERNET FORUMS LIKE WWW.A4.ORG HAVE MANY COMPLAINTS SIMILAR TO THIS. PLEASE DO NOT CONFUSE MY OBSERVATION WITH REDUCED BRAKING PERFORMANCE IN WET WEATHER, FOR THIS IS OBVIOUS. THIS CONDITION IS RATHER UNIQUE TO THE AUDI, AS MY WIFE'S '98 HONDA ACCORD V-6 EX DOES NOT EXHIBIT THIS CHARACTERISTIC GIVEN SIMILAR ROAD CONDITIONS. MY AUDI DEALER DID NOT INDICATE THAT MY A4 WAS PART OF ANY BRAKING RECALL CAMPAIGN.
NHTSA ODI #706303
Official recalls
4Jul 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.
Sep 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 & remedy
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.
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.
Jun 22, 1998
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. IF THE ENGINE BACKFIRES DURING A COLD-START, AN AIR SCREEN WHICH IS LOOSELY SEATED IN THE AIR FLOW METER CAN BECOME DAMAGED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: SCREEN PIECES COULD ENTER THE INTAKE AIR FLOW SYSTEM AND PREVENT THE THROTTLE PLATE FROM RETURNING TO ITS FULL IDLE POSITION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A RETAINING RING TO HOLD THE AIR SCREEN IN PLACE.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
5EA04017 · STUCK-OPEN Throttle
Opened Jun 30, 2004 · Closed Feb 10, 2005
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System
VWOA HAS RECALLED APPROXIMATELY 28,300 MY 1998-99 A6 VEHICLES IN COLD WEATHER STATES THAT EXPERIENCED THE HIGHEST RATE OF THROTTLE ICING INCIDENTS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES (04V-495).THE FAILURE RATE IN THE A4 AND PASSAT VEHICLES IS MUCH LOWER THAN IN THE RECALLED VEHICLES.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE EXPERIENCE IN THE A4 AND PASSAT VEHICLES.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS FOR THE AUDI A4 OR VW PASSAT VEHICLES.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY A CHANGE IN CIRCUMSTANCES. FOR FURTHER DETAILS SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.
PE02008 · Brake And Clutch Pedal Bracket
Opened Jan 23, 2002 · Closed Jul 12, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
No summary supplied.
EA00021 · Degraded Braking In Wet Weather
Opened Aug 11, 2000 · Closed Mar 29, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
There is no summary currently available
PE00016 · Degraded Braking Wet Weather Condition
Opened Apr 4, 2000 · Closed Aug 11, 2000
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System
There is no summary currently available
RQ99008 · Power Brake Booster Vacuum BY-PASS
Opened Jun 1, 1999 · Closed Nov 14, 2000
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
There is no summary currently available
Illustration