IllustrationFAILURE OF ABS BRAKE CONTROLLER-BEGAN AS BRAKE WARNING LIGHT AND ABS LIGHT FLASHING OCCASIONALLY-NOW LIGHTS ARE ON ALL THE TIME-HAVE BEEN ADVISED THAT THIS IS COMMON FAILURE ON AUDI AND VOLKSWAGEN-REPAIR REQUIRES REPLACEMENT OF ABS BRAKE CONTROLLER-PART IS $2200.*AK
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
What owners actually said
190 reports99V131001/BRAKE BOOSTER VACUUM VALVE. THE OWNER IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME DEFECTS THAT ARE DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL. HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *JB
THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION WITH HIS 1999 AUDI A4 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE GAS PEDAL PULLED AWAY FROM HIS FOOT TO FULL ACCELERATION WHILE GOING UPHILL. THE VEHICLE REACHED A SPEED OF 80 MPH. THE RECALL DEALING WITH THE SAME PROBLEM DEALT WITH THE AUDI A6 MODEL. NO. 04V495000. *TC *JB
THIS IS THE 2ND COIL PACK FAILURE I HAVE HAD ON MY 1999 AUDI A4 1.8T. IT WAS FIRST REPLACED BY SOUTHBAY AUDI IN CA IN JUNE OF 2002 AND THEN NOW OCTOBER ON 2004. AFTER READING THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS MADE BY AUDI AND VW OWNERS ON WWW.AUDIWORLD.COM IT IS APPARENT TO ME THAT THIS IS DEFINITELY A SERIOUS MANUFACTURER DEFECT. MY …
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THIS IS THE 2ND COIL PACK FAILURE I HAVE HAD ON MY 1999 AUDI A4 1.8T. IT WAS FIRST REPLACED BY SOUTHBAY AUDI IN CA IN JUNE OF 2002 AND THEN NOW OCTOBER ON 2004. AFTER READING THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS MADE BY AUDI AND VW OWNERS ON WWW.AUDIWORLD.COM IT IS APPARENT TO ME THAT THIS IS DEFINITELY A SERIOUS MANUFACTURER DEFECT. MY CAR SUDDENLY LOST POWER ON THE HWY WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HWY 405 IN CA...IF IT HAD NOT BEEN FOR THE ATTENTIVE DRIVER BEHIND ME...THE CARS LOSS OF POWER DUE TO LOSS OF CYLINDER ONE IN MY 4 CYLDR CAR WOULD HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC. I TOOK MY CAR TO MY TRUSTED MECHANIC AND FOUND THAT THE COIL PACK WAS BAD DUE TO A MISFIRE IN CYLDR 1. I NOW HAVE TO SPEND OUT OF POCKET TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM THAT IN MY OPINION WAS AN EXISTING PROBLEM FROM THE DAY THE CAR CAME OUT OF THE PRODUCTION PLANT IN GERMANY. KINDLY ADVISE OF MY OPTIONS TO RECOUP MY EXPENSES. *JB
WHILE DRIVING ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. VEHICLE LOST POWER, AND BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A GAS STATION, AND I T WAS DISCOVERED THE TIMING BELT WAS DEFECTIVE.*AK
ABS MODULE FAILED APPROX MAY 2004 AT 65000 MILES. ABS NOT FUNCTIONING AND WARNING LIGHT REMAINED LIT ON DASHBOARD DISPLAY. REPLACED PART WITH USED ABS MODULE FROM ANOTHER AUDI A4. OLD (FAILED) PART IS AVAILABLE.*AK
(1) IN MAY 2002 I PURCHASED A CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED AUDI A4 FROM THE LEITH AUDI IN CARY, NC. MY MANUFACTURER WARRANTY EXPIRED EARLIER THIS YEAR AND I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALER ON OCTOBER 8TH 2004 FOR A COMPREHENSIVE INSPECTION PRICED AT $450. THE DEALER RECOMMENDED A FEW REPAIRS AND I DID THEM ALL AT A COST OF ANOTHER ~$1200. I SP…
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(1) IN MAY 2002 I PURCHASED A CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED AUDI A4 FROM THE LEITH AUDI IN CARY, NC. MY MANUFACTURER WARRANTY EXPIRED EARLIER THIS YEAR AND I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALER ON OCTOBER 8TH 2004 FOR A COMPREHENSIVE INSPECTION PRICED AT $450. THE DEALER RECOMMENDED A FEW REPAIRS AND I DID THEM ALL AT A COST OF ANOTHER ~$1200. I SPECIFICALLY ASKED THE AUDI REP IF I NEEDED TO CHANGE MY TIMING BELT. THE VERBAL COMMUNICATION FROM THE DEALER WAS THAT I DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THAT, SINCE THE MANUFACTURER RECOMMENDS A TIMING BELT CHANGE AT 90,000 MILES, MINE HAS ONLY 65,000. THE DEALER DID NOT PROVIDE ME WITH A WRITTEN SUMMARY OF THE INSPECTION RESULTS AND THE UPCOMING RECOMMENDED REPAIRS. (2) A WEEK AFTER THIS COSTLY COMPREHENSIVE INSPECTION MY CAR BREAKS DOWN ON THE HIGHWAY DUE TO TIMING BELT FAILURE. THE DEALER QUOTES A REPAIR COST OF $4000 AND CLAIMS THAT THEY HAVE RECOMMENDED A TIMING BELT REPLACEMENT, WHICH IS NOT TRUE. (3) THE DEALER REFUSES TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY AND REPAIR THE CAR AT THEIR EXPENSE. I BELIEVE THAT THE DAMAGE IS A RESULT OF THEIR FAILURE TO INSPECT THE TIMING BELT AND RECOMMEND REPLACEMENT ONLY A WEEK BEFORE THE ACCIDENT.
ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS ON DASH REMAIN ACTIVATED; MECHANIC SAYS ABS COMPUTER MODULE IS NOT FUNCTIONING. VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR - $1500. I HAVE READ OF OTHER REPORTS OF SAME DEFECT IN SAME MODEL/YEAR BUT NO SERVICE BULLETIN I CAN FIND.*AK
CONSUMER'S VEHICLE REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH. UPON IMPACT,FRONTAL AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. THIS RESULTED IN THE DRIVER'S HEAD IMPACTING THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE HAD SEVERE FRONT END DAMAGE. *AK
DURING ROUTINE COMMUTING TO AND FROM WORK THE ABS WARNING LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTANTLY. A DIAGNOSIS WAS PERFORMED AND REVEALED A FAILED ABS CONTROL MODULE, RENDERING THE ABS SYSTEM INOPERABLE. THE COST OF REPAIR IS ESTIMATED AT $1500. THE FAILURE IS ATTRIBUTED TO FAULTY ENGINEERING IN THE OEM PART AS THIS FAILURE IS VERY COM…
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DURING ROUTINE COMMUTING TO AND FROM WORK THE ABS WARNING LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTANTLY. A DIAGNOSIS WAS PERFORMED AND REVEALED A FAILED ABS CONTROL MODULE, RENDERING THE ABS SYSTEM INOPERABLE. THE COST OF REPAIR IS ESTIMATED AT $1500. THE FAILURE IS ATTRIBUTED TO FAULTY ENGINEERING IN THE OEM PART AS THIS FAILURE IS VERY COMMON WITH THIS MODEL AUDI. THE CONSEQUENCE OF THE FAILURE IS ULTIMATELY AN UNPREDICTABLE AND UNSAFE BRAKING SYSTEM AS THE ABS SYSTEM NOW WORKS SPORADICALLY THEN FAILS COMPLETELY. THE PART HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THIS POINT DUE TO THE EXUBERANT COST.*AK
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