NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
258 reportsMileage unknown · Apr 13, 1999
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
BRAKES DO NOT APPEAR TO WORK AT ALL FOR 1-2 SECONDS AFTER APPLICATION. THEN THEY WORK WITH REDUCED EFFICIENCY AND FINALLY (AFTER HEATING UP) WORK NORMALLY. IF ONE SIDE DRIES MORE QUICKLY ON APPLYING BRAKES, CAR PULLS SIDE-TO-SIDE LIGHTLY BUT NOTICABLY. I MUST APPLY MY BRAKES REGULARLY TO DRY THEM WHEN IT RAINS AND HAVE IRRITA…
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BRAKES DO NOT APPEAR TO WORK AT ALL FOR 1-2 SECONDS AFTER APPLICATION. THEN THEY WORK WITH REDUCED EFFICIENCY AND FINALLY (AFTER HEATING UP) WORK NORMALLY. IF ONE SIDE DRIES MORE QUICKLY ON APPLYING BRAKES, CAR PULLS SIDE-TO-SIDE LIGHTLY BUT NOTICABLY. I MUST APPLY MY BRAKES REGULARLY TO DRY THEM WHEN IT RAINS AND HAVE IRRITATED DRIVERS BEHIND ME WHO BELIEVE I AM "PLAYING GAMES" WITH THEM. *MJS
NHTSA ODI #705592
Mileage unknown · Apr 13, 1999
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
DURING OR AFTER RAINING, INITIAL BRAKING HAS NO RESPONSE FOR ABOUT 1 - 2 SECONDS. THEN THE BRAKES SLOWLY BUILD UP FRICTION TO ENGAGE STOPPING POWER. I REALIZE THAT WET ROADS CAUSE SOME BRAKE PERFORMANCE LOSS, BUT THIS EXCEEDS THE NORM. THERE ARE ALSO MANY OTHER A4 OWNER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM ON THE A4.ORG FORUMS.
NHTSA ODI #705587
Mileage unknown · Apr 13, 1999
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
BRAKES DO NOT RESPOND PROPERLY FOR 10-15 FEET WHEN IT IS RAINING, THE WATER THAT GETS ON THE BRAKES EFFECTS THEIR GRIPPING EFFICIENCY. IT'S VERY BAD. *MJS
NHTSA ODI #705579
Mileage unknown · Apr 4, 1999
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD GO TO THE FLOOR WITH VERY LITTLE BRAKING. YOU COULD PUMP-UP THE PEDAL, BUT IF YOU APPLIED STEADY PRESSURE IT WOULD GO TO THE FLOOR. AT A LIGHT, IF YOU KEPT THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IN DRIVE, THE PDEAL WOULD GO TO TOWARDS THE FLOOR UNTIL THE CAR STARTED TO MOVE FORWARD AT IDLE. THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPL…
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THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD GO TO THE FLOOR WITH VERY LITTLE BRAKING. YOU COULD PUMP-UP THE PEDAL, BUT IF YOU APPLIED STEADY PRESSURE IT WOULD GO TO THE FLOOR. AT A LIGHT, IF YOU KEPT THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IN DRIVE, THE PDEAL WOULD GO TO TOWARDS THE FLOOR UNTIL THE CAR STARTED TO MOVE FORWARD AT IDLE. THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT REOCCURRED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #705268
Mileage unknown · Mar 15, 1999
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
BRAKE PERFORMANCE POOR WHEN WET. UNSAFE IN A PANIC STOP
NHTSA ODI #704471
Mileage unknown · Mar 15, 1999
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
THE BRAKES ON MY CAR ARE VERY SUSPECT IN RAIN OR SNOW CONDITIONS. I DREAD A PANIC STOP. I MUST PRE-APPLY BRAKE PRESSURE IN PLENTY OF TIME TO BE ABLE TO STOP WHEN I NEED TO WHEN IT IS WET OUTSIDE. I DON'T MEAN AFTER DRIVING THROUGH A PUDDLE. I'M TALKING JUST GENERAL WET ROAD CONDITIONS.
NHTSA ODI #704455
Mileage unknown · Feb 24, 1999
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
ABS SYSTEM WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE CAR FOR 30 FEET, WHILE I KEPT PRESSING THE BRAKES, AS REQUIRED, AND FELT THE VIBRATION. SEVEN FEET BEFORE I WAS ABOUT TO HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME, I RE-APPLIED THE BRAKES ( REMOVED MY FOOT AND BRAKED AGAIN) AND THEN THE CAR STOPPED WITHIN INCHES FROM THE REAR OF THE CAR AHEAD OF ME. ROAD CO…
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ABS SYSTEM WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE CAR FOR 30 FEET, WHILE I KEPT PRESSING THE BRAKES, AS REQUIRED, AND FELT THE VIBRATION. SEVEN FEET BEFORE I WAS ABOUT TO HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME, I RE-APPLIED THE BRAKES ( REMOVED MY FOOT AND BRAKED AGAIN) AND THEN THE CAR STOPPED WITHIN INCHES FROM THE REAR OF THE CAR AHEAD OF ME. ROAD CONDITIONS WERE SLIPPERY. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THAT THIS AUDI A-4 MODEL DOES NOT STOP AT ALL WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED CONSISTENTLY, AS REQUIRES UNDER THE ABS SYSTEM
NHTSA ODI #703699
Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 1999
Equipment
A/C FILTER FAILED. YH
NHTSA ODI #609941
Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 1999
Structure
FRONT SHEILD UNDER THE MOTOR BECAME LOOSE. YH
NHTSA ODI #608756
Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 1999
Interior LightingSeat Belts
DRIVER'S SAFETY BELT FAILED. MJS
NHTSA ODI #607994
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
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