IllustrationAUDI A4 1.8T OIL PUMP FAILURE CAUSES CAM ADJUSTER FAILURE, CAUSING POSSIBLE $8000 IN DAMAGE TO CAMS IN 1.8T MOTOR.*AK
2001 Audi A4
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2001 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
120–25K
2025–50K
2250–75K
1875–100K
11100–150K
3150K+
86 reports with mileage · 45 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.
- Electrical System. Review the 35 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 31 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 28 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 reports9 fire reports1 injury reports
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
31 reportsWHILE DRIVING 60-65 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER WITH THE DASHBOARD FLASHING. THE CONSUMER BEGAN SMELLING BURNT WIRES AND NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONSUMER PULLED OVER AND OPENED THE HOOD. UPON DOING SO, FLAMES SHOT OUT. *JB
I LEASED AN A4 2001 AUDI IN DECEMBER 2000. MY LEASE RUNS OUT IN MARCH 2004 AND I'M LOOKING AT WHAT MY RIGHTS ARE AS A CONSUMER. OVER THE LAST 6 MONTHS, I'VE HAD MY CAR TOWED AND REPAIRED TWICE FOR IGNITION COIL FAILURE AS WELL AS MY TIRES REPLACED FROM OUT OF WHACK ALIGNMENT. TODAY, THE ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED AGAIN AND I WILL …
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I LEASED AN A4 2001 AUDI IN DECEMBER 2000. MY LEASE RUNS OUT IN MARCH 2004 AND I'M LOOKING AT WHAT MY RIGHTS ARE AS A CONSUMER. OVER THE LAST 6 MONTHS, I'VE HAD MY CAR TOWED AND REPAIRED TWICE FOR IGNITION COIL FAILURE AS WELL AS MY TIRES REPLACED FROM OUT OF WHACK ALIGNMENT. TODAY, THE ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED AGAIN AND I WILL DROP IT OFF AT THE AUDI SERVICE DEPARTMENT, THIS MONDAY FOR MAINTENANCE REVIEW. FORTUNATELY, THE ONLY COSTS I'VE INCURRED ARE REPLACEMENT OF THE 2 FRONT TIRES. IT CURRENTLY HAS 33,000 MILES ON IT.
TIMING BELT TENSIONER FAILED AT 59,016 MILES. RECOMMENDED REPLACEMENT OF BOTH TENSIONER AND BELT ON A 2001 A4 1.8T QUATTRO PER OWNER'S MANUAL IS 105,000 MILES. ALL RECOMMENDED SERVICES HAD BEEN DONE ON SCHEDULE BY SAME DEALER. THIS CAR IS ONLY USED AS COMMUTER TRANSPORTATION AND IS PRIMARILY DRIVEN ON FREEWAYS.*AK
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT 65MPH SUDDENLY THE SPEED DROPPED TO 35MPH DUE TO A FAULTY IGNITION COIL PACK. DEALER CHANGED THE FAULTY COIL. (UNDER GUARANTEE) DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. TS *TR
CONSUMER STATES THAT VEHICLE'S COIL PACK FAILED OUT CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL, AND TOTAL LOSS OF POWER PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. TS
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE AND ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALER. DEALER SAYS EMISSION COIL FAILED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORATIONL MR
NO SUMMARY. DT
VEHICLE HAS TOTAL LOSS OF POWER ON MANY INSTANCES IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE , DEALER /MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO REMEDY. *AK
CUSTOMER STATES THAT IN WET WEATHER CONDITIONS WHILE BRAKING THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCES A BRAKE LOSS. MECHANIC MODIFIED THE BRAKES AND FOUND THE ROTORS TO BE GLAZED, DEALER ALSO INSTALLED WATER SHIELDS AS PER RECALL, HOWEVER BRAKE LOSS STILL OCCURS, CONSUMER ALSO STATES THAT THE ABS DOES NOT WORK WELL. *JG
Official recalls
121V470000 · 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.
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
1PE02008 · 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.