IllustrationTHE CAR IS EXPERIENCING UNINTENDED ACCELERATION, USUALLY, BUT NOT ALWAYS, AFTER HEAVY ACCELERATION. OVER 10 OCCURRENCES. CANNOT REMEDY BY PULLING BACK THE ACCELERATOR. CAR MUST BE TURNED OFF AND THE ENGINE MUST RECORD 0 RPM TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. *TR
1999 Audi A4
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most A4 years
Owner complaints for the 1999 Audi A4 are substantially higher than the model-year median of 76.5.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all A4 years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
20–25K
625–50K
4050–75K
2875–100K
19100–150K
5150K+
100 reports with mileage · 90 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 81 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 28 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
9 crash reports2 fire reports4 injury reports
Power Train complaints
10 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 AUDI A4. WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN INDEPENDENTLY SHIFTING INTO MANUAL MODE FROM AUTOMATIC. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO ADJUST THE SHIFTER TO NORMAL BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE DEALER ADVISED THE SHIFTER BLIND AND THE PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 AUDI A4. WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN INDEPENDENTLY SHIFTING INTO MANUAL MODE FROM AUTOMATIC. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO ADJUST THE SHIFTER TO NORMAL BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE DEALER ADVISED THE SHIFTER BLIND AND THE PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 126,963.
THE TIMING CHAIN ON MY 1999 AUDI A-4 1.8 TURBO WITH 76,000 MILES BROKE AS I WAS DRIVING ON A BUSY FREEWAY DURING RUSH HOUR, LEAVING ME A A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. FORTUNATELY, MY CAR WAS NOT HIT BY OTHER CARS. AS A RESULT, HOWEVER, THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION AS WELL AS THE TIMING CHAIN WERE ALL TRASHED. THE MANUFA…
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THE TIMING CHAIN ON MY 1999 AUDI A-4 1.8 TURBO WITH 76,000 MILES BROKE AS I WAS DRIVING ON A BUSY FREEWAY DURING RUSH HOUR, LEAVING ME A A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. FORTUNATELY, MY CAR WAS NOT HIT BY OTHER CARS. AS A RESULT, HOWEVER, THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION AS WELL AS THE TIMING CHAIN WERE ALL TRASHED. THE MANUFACTURER RECOMMENDS REPLACING THE TIMING CHAIN AT 90,000 MILES, BUT AUDI OF NORTH AMERICA TOLD ME THAT THEY NOIW RECOMMEND REPLACEMENT AT 70,000 OR 75,000. THEY DID NOT RECOMMEND IT TO ME OR TO THE DEALER WHERE MY CAR HAS BEEN SERVICED (FOLLOWING ALL THE MANUFACTURERS RECOMMENDATIONS) AND THE LOCAL AUDI DEALER SAID THAT SINCE THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED THEY WOULD DO NOTHING.*AK
RIGHT REAR AXLE BEARING IS FAILING. LOUD GROAN HEARD AT SPEEDS EXCEEDING 30 MPH. DEALER CLAIMS TIRE NOISE IS THE PROBLEM AND REFUSES TO FIX IT. TWO NON-AUDI SOURCES SUPPORT AXLE BEARING FAILURE (AUTO MECHANIC AND MECHANICAL ENGINEER).
IMMEDIATELY PRIOR TO SWITCHING FROM 3RD TO 4TH GEAR, THE VEHICLE LOSES R.P.M.'S AND POWER THEN CATCHES AND CHANGES GEARS. IT IS ONLY IN THIS GEAR SHIFT --3RD TO 4TH. I HAVE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY SAY IT IS WITHIN DESIGN PARAMETERS. I TEST DROVE OTHER IDENTICAL CARS AND THIS PROBLEM IS NOT DETECTED. IT IS DANGERO…
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IMMEDIATELY PRIOR TO SWITCHING FROM 3RD TO 4TH GEAR, THE VEHICLE LOSES R.P.M.'S AND POWER THEN CATCHES AND CHANGES GEARS. IT IS ONLY IN THIS GEAR SHIFT --3RD TO 4TH. I HAVE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY SAY IT IS WITHIN DESIGN PARAMETERS. I TEST DROVE OTHER IDENTICAL CARS AND THIS PROBLEM IS NOT DETECTED. IT IS DANGEROUS TO LOSE SUCH POWER, ESPECIALLY AT OR AROUND HIGHWAY MERGE SPEEDS.
CONSUMER NOTICE THAT THE VEHICLE LOSES POWER BETWEEN THE 3RD AND 4TH GEARS AND RPM'S DROP. YH
PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE, STEPPED ON THE GAS, AND THE CAR ACCELERATED FORWARD, SMOOTHLY. THE SAME EXACT THING HAPPENED ON THE 2ND TRY. ORIGINAL CLUTCH WAS DEFECTIVE FROM THE TIME I PICKED UP THE NEW CAR. DEFECTIVE SLAVE CYLINDER AND LEAKY SHAFT SEAL CAUSED MOTOR AND TRANSMISSION OIL LEAKS. *AK
WHILE DRIVING IN COLD WEATHER VEHICLE WOULD BE JERKING & BUCKING LIKE A STICK. TRANSMISSION WOULD HESITATE WHEN SHIFTING INTO ANOTHER GEAR AFTER SLOWING DOWN & THEN SPEEDING UP. VEHICLE BEEN TO TWO DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS. NOTHING FOUND AFTER DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND TEST DRIVE. VEHICLE WAS LEASED. ARBITRATION NOT WORKING. PROBLEM IS …
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WHILE DRIVING IN COLD WEATHER VEHICLE WOULD BE JERKING & BUCKING LIKE A STICK. TRANSMISSION WOULD HESITATE WHEN SHIFTING INTO ANOTHER GEAR AFTER SLOWING DOWN & THEN SPEEDING UP. VEHICLE BEEN TO TWO DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS. NOTHING FOUND AFTER DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND TEST DRIVE. VEHICLE WAS LEASED. ARBITRATION NOT WORKING. PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT. REQUEST FOR REPLACEMENT DENIED, DESPITE PHYSICAL TEST THAT SHOWS THE ERROR. *AK *ML
DEFECTIVE SUN ROOF WOULD OPEN UNEXPECTEDLY AND NOT CLOSE. DLR REPLACED SUN ROOF. ALSO, SPEEDOMETER MALFUNCTIONED AND WAS NOT READNG THE SPEED ACCURATELY. DEALER REPLACE SPEEDOMETER SENSOR AND GEAR. FINALLY, AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON, INDICATING A PROBLEM WITH AIR BAG. DEALER REPLACE DTHE AIRBAG SENSOR. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER IN…
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DEFECTIVE SUN ROOF WOULD OPEN UNEXPECTEDLY AND NOT CLOSE. DLR REPLACED SUN ROOF. ALSO, SPEEDOMETER MALFUNCTIONED AND WAS NOT READNG THE SPEED ACCURATELY. DEALER REPLACE SPEEDOMETER SENSOR AND GEAR. FINALLY, AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON, INDICATING A PROBLEM WITH AIR BAG. DEALER REPLACE DTHE AIRBAG SENSOR. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
BY MANUALLY PULLING UP THE CLUTCH, IT WILL ENGAGE. SINCE THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM (SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED AT 1500 MILES, AUDI IS REFUSING TO FIX THE PROBLEM, I REFUSE TO DRIVE AN UNSAFE VEHICLE WHOSE ABILITY TO SHIFT CAN FAIL AT ANY TIME.
Official recalls
420V056000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
Jan 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 & remedy
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.
00V414000 · Steering:linkages:rod:relay:connecting
Dec 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 & 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.
99V248000 · Steering:linkages:rod:relay:connecting
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.
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.
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