repaired · 2023 Q3
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.
2001 Audi A4Problems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 131 owner complaints about the 2001 Audi A4, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 1 safety recall, and for recall 21V-470 the manufacturer reports only 5% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through March 2, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: Daniel J. Leivick, CC BY-SA 3.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2001 Audi A4 has problems
131 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
35Electrical system4 crash/fire/injury
31Engine and engine cooling3 crash/fire/injury
28Service brakes, hydraulic1 crash/fire/injury
11Air bags2 crash/fire/injury
5Power train
3Visibility
3Exterior lighting
3Steering
3Suspension
1912 other systems3 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 35 | 4 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 31 | 3 |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 28 | 1 |
| Air bags | 11 | 2 |
| Power train | 5 | 1 |
| Visibility | 3 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 3 | 0 |
| Steering | 3 | 0 |
| Suspension | 3 | 0 |
| 12 other systems | 19 | 3 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
1 recall
2001 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.
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 electrical system problems start?
44kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 22 electrical system complaints. 95% were reported before 100,000 miles.
6under 30k miles21under 100k miles1100k miles or more
Best & worst years
2001 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
1 investigation
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2001 Audi A4, and the recalls they led to.
- BRAKE AND CLUTCH PEDAL BRACKETNo recall
In owners' words
What A4 owners report
Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER 99% CANNOT BE READ DUE TO THE LCD DISPLAY FADING. HAVE DONE MULTIPLE SEARCHES AND 9 OUT OF 10 PEOPLE HAVE THIS SAME EXACT ISSUE. AUDI NEEDS TO STEP UP AND TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS ISSUE. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE AND NEEDS TO BE FIXED. THIS HAS BEEN A HUGE PAIN FOR…
THE DIGITAL INSTRUMENT CLUSTER IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY ON MY 2001 AUDI A4 1.8T. YOU CAN ONLY SEE HALF THE SCREEN ON THE CENTER DISPLAY THAT NOTIFIES YOU WHEN THE CAR NEEDS TO BE SERVICED AND IF ANY MAJOR PROBLEMS ARE OCCURRING I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND AUDI SHOULD RECALL AND REPAIR ANY CARS…
MY 2001 AUDI A4 HAS CENTRAL LCD DISPLAY TO DISPLAY ALL SORT OF INFORMATION, BUT THIS DISPLAY FAILS IN MOST OF A4S JUST AFTER A FEW YEARS. THIS IS CRITICAL FOR VEHICLE SAFETY, BECAUSE THIS CAR DOES NOT HAVE ANY OTHER INDICATORS TO SIGNAL ABNORMAL CONDITIONS OF THE CAR SUCH AS LOW COOLANT, CHECK…
Own a 2001 A4?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.