IllustrationBRAKES TAKE 2-3 SECONDS TO RESPOND ON FIRST USE WHEN DRIVING IN VERY WET CONDITIONS. HAS HAPPENED ABOUT 12 TIMES IN THE LAST YEAR. DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT OFFERED NO FIX.*AK
2000 Audi A4
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2000 Audi A4 do not stand out strongly from 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
1325–50K
1550–75K
1475–100K
2100–150K
3150K+
49 reports with mileage · 47 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 47 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
5 crash reports2 fire reports1 injury reports
What owners actually said
96 reportsIN WET WEATHER, 1 - 2 SECOND DELAY FROM BRAKE PEDAL APPLICATION TO BRAKES DEPLOYING. DEALER CONTENDS THAT BRAKES ARE OPERATING WITHIN SPECIFICATION. *AK
UNDER WET CONDITIONS, BRAKING IS DELAYED. ESPECIALLY NOTICEABLE WHEN TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, BRAKING SUDDENLY, AND FOR A MOMENT, BRAKES SEEM TO NOT WORK. *AK
BRAKING IS POOR IN WET CONDITIONS. TAKES 1 TO 2 SECONDS BEFORE BRAKES RESPOND. *AK
I WAS DRIVING AT NIGHT ON THE ROAD ENTERING A HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 35 MPH WHEN I SPOTTED SOMETHING ON THE ROAD. BEING THAT MY VEHICLE IS AWD AND EQUIPPED WITH ABS I BROKE AND SWERVED. I FELT NO RESPONSE FORM THE BRAKES AND BY THAT TIME (2-4 SECONDS) MY CAR HAD LOST CONTROL AND STARTED TO SPIN. THE CAR SPUN AND WENT TO AN EXIT LANE A…
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I WAS DRIVING AT NIGHT ON THE ROAD ENTERING A HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 35 MPH WHEN I SPOTTED SOMETHING ON THE ROAD. BEING THAT MY VEHICLE IS AWD AND EQUIPPED WITH ABS I BROKE AND SWERVED. I FELT NO RESPONSE FORM THE BRAKES AND BY THAT TIME (2-4 SECONDS) MY CAR HAD LOST CONTROL AND STARTED TO SPIN. THE CAR SPUN AND WENT TO AN EXIT LANE AND HIT ANOTHER CAR FORCING IT OFF THE ROAD BEFORE COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE CAR IS NOW UNDRIVEABLE. *AK
VEHICLE WAS STILL IN 1ST GEAR WHILE GOING INTO A 6-LANE HIGHWAY. VEHICLE STALLED ONWAY TO MEDIAN. ONCOMING TRAFFIC WAS RACING TOWARDS IT, AND VEHICLE WOULDN'T START, IMPOSSIBLE TO MOVE. VEHICLE WAS PUSHED OUT OFF WAY. VEHICLE ONCE STARTED WOULDN'T MOVE INTO GEAR. A COMPLAINT WAS MADE WITH MANUFACTURER. VEHICLE WAS AT DE…
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VEHICLE WAS STILL IN 1ST GEAR WHILE GOING INTO A 6-LANE HIGHWAY. VEHICLE STALLED ONWAY TO MEDIAN. ONCOMING TRAFFIC WAS RACING TOWARDS IT, AND VEHICLE WOULDN'T START, IMPOSSIBLE TO MOVE. VEHICLE WAS PUSHED OUT OFF WAY. VEHICLE ONCE STARTED WOULDN'T MOVE INTO GEAR. A COMPLAINT WAS MADE WITH MANUFACTURER. VEHICLE WAS AT DEALER. THEY DETERMINED A TRANSMISSION FAILURE.*AK THE DRIVE SHAFT BROKE AT OUTER CV JOINT DUE TO METAL FATIGUE. *YH
2001 AUDI A4 BEGAN TO SMOKE. DROVE 5 MINUTES TO A FRIEND'S HOUSE AND PARKED IN DRIVEWAY, CONSUMER WENT INSIDE OF HOUSE, AND CAR WAS SITTING FOR 20 MINUTES. THEN, SOMEONE KNOCKED, AND TOLD CONSUMER THAT CAR WAS SITTING IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. CAR DISENGAGED ON ITS OWN, AND ALMOST RAN OVER TWO CHILDREN. TOOK TO DEALER, AND THE…
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2001 AUDI A4 BEGAN TO SMOKE. DROVE 5 MINUTES TO A FRIEND'S HOUSE AND PARKED IN DRIVEWAY, CONSUMER WENT INSIDE OF HOUSE, AND CAR WAS SITTING FOR 20 MINUTES. THEN, SOMEONE KNOCKED, AND TOLD CONSUMER THAT CAR WAS SITTING IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. CAR DISENGAGED ON ITS OWN, AND ALMOST RAN OVER TWO CHILDREN. TOOK TO DEALER, AND THEY SAID BACK BRAKE PADS, AND ROTORS WERE BURNED TO A CRISP. NO CONCLUSION TO WHY THIS HAPPENED OR WHY CAR ROLLED INTO TRAFFIC ON ITS OWN.*AK ALSO, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR WHEN THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES. THE CONSUMER'S INVESTIGATION SHOWED THAT THERE WERE NUMEROUS REPORTS ABOUT SPONGY BRAKES REGARDING THIS VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER FEELS UNSAFE DRIVING THIS VEHICKE BUT THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT FIND SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM. *YH
WAS DRIVING VEHICLE STARTED TO DRIFT TO SIDE OF ROAD. SIDE OF ROAD HAD GRAVEL WHICH GAVE WAY & VEHICLE STARTED SLIDING SIDEWAYS. THEN IT EITHER FLIPPED OR ROLLED OVER. NEITHER AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. DRIVER & PASSENGER SUSTAINED SLIGHT INJURIES. NO EMERGENCY TREATMENT. NEITHER FRONT NOR SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. *AK *ML
WHEN BRAKES ARE WET AFTER DRIVING A LONG DISTANCE AND ARE NOT USED - THEY FADE THE FIRST TIME YOU USE THE BRAKE PEDAL.
INITIAL BRAKING IN WET CONDITIONS IS POOR. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 30 SECONDS OF NON-USE OF BRAKES IN HEAVY MIST OR SPRAY, OR ANY PRECIPITATION, THERE IS LITTLE TO NO BRAKING ACTION FOR APPROXIMATELY 1 SECOND AFTER THE PEDAL HAS BEEN DEPRESSED. NO BRAKE PEDAL "PULSING" (ASSOCIATED WITH ABS ACTIVATION) IS NOTICED. CRUISE CONTROL W…
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INITIAL BRAKING IN WET CONDITIONS IS POOR. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 30 SECONDS OF NON-USE OF BRAKES IN HEAVY MIST OR SPRAY, OR ANY PRECIPITATION, THERE IS LITTLE TO NO BRAKING ACTION FOR APPROXIMATELY 1 SECOND AFTER THE PEDAL HAS BEEN DEPRESSED. NO BRAKE PEDAL "PULSING" (ASSOCIATED WITH ABS ACTIVATION) IS NOTICED. CRUISE CONTROL WAS NOT ACTIVE EACH TIME THE PROBLEM WAS NOTICED. THE PROBLEM IS MORE NOTICEABLE AT HIGHWAY SPEED. BRAKES ARE OTHERWISE EXCELLENT. *AK
Official recalls
221V470000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
Jun 23, 2021
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2000-2001 Audi TT Coupe, TT Roadster, 2000-2002 A4, and S4 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 airbag inflator with an alternative inflator, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 2, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69CJ.
20V056000 · 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.
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
3PE02008 · 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