NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints
81 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · May 22, 2000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
IN WET CONDITIONS, MY BRAKES HAVE DELAYED BRAKING POWER. THE WETTER THE CONDITIONS THE MORE FREQUENT AND SEVERE. AFTER THE DELAYED LOSS OF BRAKING POWER (APPROX. .5 TO 1 SECOND), THE BRAKING POWER APPEARS TO GO BACK TO NORMAL. SIMILAR TO RIDING A BIKE WITH WET RIMS EXCEPT THAT THE CAR'S BRAKING POWER RECOVERS FASTER. VERY SC…
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IN WET CONDITIONS, MY BRAKES HAVE DELAYED BRAKING POWER. THE WETTER THE CONDITIONS THE MORE FREQUENT AND SEVERE. AFTER THE DELAYED LOSS OF BRAKING POWER (APPROX. .5 TO 1 SECOND), THE BRAKING POWER APPEARS TO GO BACK TO NORMAL. SIMILAR TO RIDING A BIKE WITH WET RIMS EXCEPT THAT THE CAR'S BRAKING POWER RECOVERS FASTER. VERY SCARY WHEN YOU'RE CRUISING ALONG ON THE HIGHWAY IN WET CONDITIONS WITH TRAFFIC AND YOU COME UP ON AN UNEXPECTED BOTTLENECK. I MENTIONED IT TO A DEALER IN SANTA CLARA, BUT HE SEEMED CLUELESS. HE THOUGHT IT WAS A FUNCTION OF THE ABS, BUT I KNOW WHAT ABS FEELS LIKE. I THINK IT HAS TO DO WITH WET DISC BRAKES. *AK
NHTSA ODI #723026
Mileage unknown · May 20, 2000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
CAR BRAKES UNABLE TO STOP CAR DURING WET BRAKING. *AK
NHTSA ODI #722957
Mileage unknown · May 20, 2000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
BRAKES TAKE 2-3 SECONDS TO GRAB DURING WET CONDITIONS. THIS HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES. 2000 MODELS HAVE BRAKE SHIELDS THAT 1999'S DO NOT HAVE. DEALER SAYS THEY CANNOT DO ANYTHING UNTIL AUDI TELLS THEM OFFICIALLY. PLEASE INVESTIGATE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #722948
Mileage unknown · May 19, 2000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
MOMENTARY ABSENCE OF BRAKING DURING WET WEATHER CONDITIONS-. *AK
NHTSA ODI #722921
Mileage unknown · May 19, 2000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
WHEN IT RAINS, THE BRAKES SEEM TO TAKE A SECOND OR TWO TO "GRAB." THEY WORK WELL UNDER ALL DRY CONDITIONS, BUT WHEN WET, THEY SURE MAKE YOU PANIC! *AK
NHTSA ODI #722920
Mileage unknown · May 19, 2000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
WHEN IT IS RAINING THERE IS A HESITATION OF A SECOND OR SO WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #722911
Mileage unknown · Apr 18, 2000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
THE BRAKES ON MY 1999 A4 SUFFER EXTREMELY REDUCED PERFORMANCE (WAY BEYOND WHAT IS NORMAL) IN WET CONSITIONS. I REALIZE THAT SOME REDUCED BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS IS APPARENT IN ALL CARS IN WET CONDITIONS, BUT TWICE NOW I HAVE SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES IN VERY RAINY CONDITIONS AND NOTHING AT ALL HAS HAPPENED FOR OVER A SECOND!!!!!! OT…
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THE BRAKES ON MY 1999 A4 SUFFER EXTREMELY REDUCED PERFORMANCE (WAY BEYOND WHAT IS NORMAL) IN WET CONSITIONS. I REALIZE THAT SOME REDUCED BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS IS APPARENT IN ALL CARS IN WET CONDITIONS, BUT TWICE NOW I HAVE SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES IN VERY RAINY CONDITIONS AND NOTHING AT ALL HAS HAPPENED FOR OVER A SECOND!!!!!! OTHER A4 OWNERS HAVE ALSO REPORTED THIS PROBLEM, AND AUDI RESPONDED BYU ENLARGING THE FRONT BRAKE SHIELDS FOR MY2000 CARS. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL TO FIX THIS DEFECT; IT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #721603
Mileage unknown · Apr 17, 2000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
IN RAINY CONDITIONS, THE BRAKES EXHIBIT A DANGEROUS 2-3 SECOND DELAY CAUSING GREATLY IMPAIRED BRAKING ABILITY OF THE CAR. ALMOST HIT A CAR IN FRONT IN TWO INSTANCES DESPITE MORE THAN ADEQUATE DISTANCE. BRAKES WORK NORMALLY IN DRY WEATHER HOWEVER. *AK
NHTSA ODI #721600
Mileage unknown · Apr 7, 2000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
WET DISC BRAKES HAVE NO STOPPING ABILITY FOR 1-2 SECONDS. DRY BRAKES FUNCTION NORMALLY
NHTSA ODI #711285
Mileage unknown · Apr 3, 2000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
DELAYED BRAKING RESPONSE IN WET CONDITIONS. IF THE BRAKES ARE NOT USED FOR SOME TIME IN WET CONDITIONS, WATER WILL BUILD UP ON THE FRONT ROTORS AND CAUSE A 1-2 SECOND DELAY IN INITIAL BRAKING RESPONSE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #720940
Official recalls
4Jan 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.
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.
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.
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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