repaired · 2023 Q2
Driver side: inflator module
Risk. 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.
1999 Audi A4Problems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 190 owner complaints about the 1999 Audi A4, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic. It is covered by 4 safety recalls, and for recall 20V-056 the manufacturer reports only 2% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through January 31, 2020. Updated daily.
Complaints by system
Where the 1999 Audi A4 has problems
190 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
81Service brakes, hydraulic2 crash/fire/injury
28Engine and engine cooling1 crash/fire/injury
16Vehicle speed control2 crash/fire/injury
15Steering1 crash/fire/injury
11Electrical system
10Power train
8Air bags
8Suspension
7Tires
3915 other systems3 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 81 | 2 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 28 | 1 |
| Vehicle speed control | 16 | 2 |
| Steering | 15 | 1 |
| Electrical system | 11 | 1 |
| Power train | 10 | 0 |
| Air bags | 8 | 3 |
| Suspension | 8 | 0 |
| Tires | 7 | 0 |
| 15 other systems | 39 | 3 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
4 recalls
1999 Audi A4 recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
no report yet
Relay: connecting
Risk. 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.
no report yet
Relay: connecting
Risk. 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.
no report yet
Vacuum: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Risk. THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE INSUFFICIENT VACUUM TO BE PROVIDED TO THE BRAKE BOOSTER.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Audi.
Mileage at failure
When do service brakes, hydraulic problems start?
84kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 36 service brakes, hydraulic complaints. 67% were reported before 100,000 miles.
0under 30k miles24under 100k miles12100k miles or more
Owner-reported costs
What owners say repairs cost
Dollar amounts owners wrote in their complaints when describing a repair or a quote. These are not price estimates; a system is shown only when at least 8 owners mentioned a cost.
Service brakes, hydraulic
15 owners mentioned a cost$1,500median
Middle half: $1,000 – $2,000
If a problem is covered by a recall, the dealer fixes it for free. Some manufacturers also reimburse owners who paid for a repair before a recall was announced.
Best & worst years
1999 vs. every other A4 year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the A4 median. How we score
'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
5 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 1999 Audi A4, and the recalls they led to.
- DEGRADED BRAKING IN WET WEATHERNo recall
- STUCK-OPEN THROTTLELed to recall 04V-495
- DEGRADED BRAKING WET WEATHER CONDITIONNo recall
- BRAKE AND CLUTCH PEDAL BRACKETNo recall
- POWER BRAKE BOOSTER VACUUM BY-PASSLed to recall 99V-131
In owners' words
What A4 owners report
Recent service brakes, hydraulic complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
MY AUDI, ALONG WITH THOUSANDS OF OTHERS HAVE HAD THEIR ABS CONTROL UNIT MALFUNCTION BECAUSE OF DESIGN. THIS MALFUNCTION CAUSES THE ABS TO NOT WORK ON THE AFFECTED VEHICLE. VOLKSWAGEN, THE COMPANY THAT PRODUCES AUDIS AND VWS ACTUALLY RECALLED THIS EXACT PART ON THEIR VW VEHICLES, BUT FOR SOME REASON…
I BOUGHT AN AUDI A4 1999 1.8T FWD. THE NEXT DAY I BOUGHT IT THE ABS ORANGE LIGHT CAME ON & BRAKE LIGHT FLASHING NON-STOP WITH THREE BEEPS WHEN I START THE CAR ITS BEEN LIKE THAT FOR MORE THAN A WEEK. YESTERDAY I TOOK THE CAR TO THE CLOSEST AUDI DEALER AND THEY QUOTE ME 1,200 THAT'S A LOT SINCE THIS…
1999 AUDI Q4. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO THE REPAIR OF ABS LIGHT/BRAKE LIGHT PROBLEM *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED HE NOTICED A SOLID ORANGE ABS LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD AND A RED LIGHT THAT WAS BLINKING INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS. HOWEVER, WHILE DRIVING, IT WAS…
Own a 1999 A4?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.