Total Complaints
242 filings
AUDI A4 · model year
242 NHTSA complaints, 9 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1999AUDIA4 carries 242 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 9 crashes, 2 fires, 5 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1999 A4 is service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip with 43 filings, followed by vehicle speed control (14) and service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/module (14). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.
NHTSA currently has 9 investigation files overlapping the 1999 A4. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
242 filings
Crashes Reported
9 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 43 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 14 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE | 14 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS | 12 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC | 10 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | 8 |
| STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY | 7 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 7 |
| AIR BAGS | 6 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 6 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE | 6 |
| TIRES:TREAD/BELT | 5 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 5 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 4 |
| STEERING:LINKAGES:ROD:RELAY:CONNECTING | 4 |
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 AUDI A4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER BUT THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE OF THE DIAGNOSIS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 308,000.
Mileage: 308,000
AS I WAS OPENING THE HOOD OF THE CAR TO FILL UP THE WINDOW WASHER, THE HOOD DID NOT STAY UP AS USUAL. IT STARTED TO CLOSE AND IT HIT MY HEAD ON THE WAY DOWN. I AM WONDERING IF THERE HAVE BEEN OTHER REPORTS OF THE SAME INCIDENT. LUCKILY, I SUFFERED ONLY MINOR DAMAGE TO MY HEAD, HOWEVER I HAVE ON GOING HEADACHES AS A RESULT. *TR
Mileage: 125,000
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 REFUSES TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM FOR THEIR AUDI CUSTOMERS. THE COST TO REPLACE THIS CONTROL UNIT IS $1,400 - $1,700, AND AS SUCH I HAVE BEEN DRIVING MY VEHICLE WITHOUT ITS ABS FUNCTIONING. BELOW IS A DESCRIPTION OF THE RECALL FOR THIS EXACT PART, BUT ON THE VW JETTA: "2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA GLS NHTSA RECALL ID NUMBER: 02V031000 RECALL DATE: JAN 31, 2002 COMPONENT: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK POTENTIAL UNITS AFFECTED: 55000 SUMMARY: ON SOME PASSENGER VEHICLES, SHORT CIRCUITS CAN OCCUR WITHIN THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT OF THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS). CONSEQUENCE: THIS CAN RESULT IN A FIRE. REMEDY: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ABS CONTROL UNIT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH
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 REFUSES TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM FOR THEIR AUDI CUSTOMERS. THE COST TO REPLACE THIS CONTROL UNIT IS $1,400 - $1,700, AND AS SUCH I HAVE BEEN DRIVING MY VEHICLE WITHOUT ITS ABS FUNCTIONING. BELOW IS A DESCRIPTION OF THE RECALL FOR THIS EXACT PART, BUT ON THE VW JETTA: "2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA GLS NHTSA RECALL ID NUMBER: 02V031000 RECALL DATE: JAN 31, 2002 COMPONENT: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK POTENTIAL UNITS AFFECTED: 55000 SUMMARY: ON SOME PASSENGER VEHICLES, SHORT CIRCUITS CAN OCCUR WITHIN THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT OF THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS). CONSEQUENCE: THIS CAN RESULT IN A FIRE. REMEDY: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ABS CONTROL UNIT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH
THE CAR IS EXPERIENCING UNINTENDED ACCELERATION, USUALLY, BUT NOT ALWAYS, AFTER HEAVY ACCELERATION. OVER 10 OCCURRENCES. CANNOT REMEDY BY PULLING BACK THE ACCELERATOR. CAR MUST BE TURNED OFF AND THE ENGINE MUST RECORD 0 RPM TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. *TR
Mileage: 145,000
THE CAR IS EXPERIENCING UNINTENDED ACCELERATION, USUALLY, BUT NOT ALWAYS, AFTER HEAVY ACCELERATION. OVER 10 OCCURRENCES. CANNOT REMEDY BY PULLING BACK THE ACCELERATOR. CAR MUST BE TURNED OFF AND THE ENGINE MUST RECORD 0 RPM TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. *TR
Mileage: 145,000
THE CAR IS EXPERIENCING UNINTENDED ACCELERATION, USUALLY, BUT NOT ALWAYS, AFTER HEAVY ACCELERATION. OVER 10 OCCURRENCES. CANNOT REMEDY BY PULLING BACK THE ACCELERATOR. CAR MUST BE TURNED OFF AND THE ENGINE MUST RECORD 0 RPM TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. *TR
Mileage: 145,000
TREAD SEPARATION. I WAS DRIVING WESTBOUND ON I-580, APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, WHEN THE TREAD ON MY RIGHT FRONT TIRE SEPARATED AND THE TIRE BLEW. I WAS LUCKY TO BE ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF OTHER AWARE DRIVERS ON THE HIGHWAY WHO ALLOWED ME TO CHANGE LANES AT A REDUCED SPEED. THE TIRE TREAD DAMAGED THE RIGHT FRONT AREA OF MY CAR, CAUSING APPROXIMATELY $4,000 IN DAMAGES, OF WHICH APPROXIMATELY $3,000 WAS COVERED BY MY INSURANCE COMPANY. THE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUE IS SAFETY, NOT MONEY. I COULD HAVE BEEN SEVERELY INJURED OR KILLED AS A RESULT OF THE TIRE FAILURE. THE TIRE HAD A BIG O TIRES BRAND LABEL BUT IT WAS MANUFACTURED BY COOPER. BEFORE THE INCIDENT, THERE WAS NO ABNORMAL USAGE OR WEAR ON THE TIRE, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF ACCELERATED WEAR AT THE PLACE WHERE THE TREAD SEPARATION INITIATED, WHICH WAS CAUSED BY THE SEPARATION. COOPER MIGHT BE THE ONLY TIRE MANUFACTURER THAT DOES NOT USE A BELT WEDGE. THEIR HISTORY OF TREAD SEPARATIONS AND TIRE
Mileage: 118,563
THE EVENTS THAT LED TO THE FAILURE OF THE CAR IS WHEN IT STARTED TO THROW SMOKE FROM THE EXHAUST AND WE FOUND OUT ABOUT THE FAILURE WHEN WE TOOK IT THE MECHANIC WHO TOLD US THE ENGINE WAS NO GOOD. SO FAR IM LOOKING FOR A NEW ENGINE. *TR
Mileage: 222,673
BOSCH ABS CONTROL UNIT HAS FAILED CAUSING A FLASHING ABS INDICATOR AND A SOLID BRAKE LIGHT. CAUSE IS ELECTRONIC. MANY DOCUMENTED CASES FOUND ON LINE. ABS WILL NOT ENGAGE. AUDI WILL NOT RECALL, BUT VW HAS RECALLED FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR
Mileage: 110,134
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 PROBLEMS WITH THE ABS UNIT IS POOR MANUFACTURE PROBLEM. *TR
Mileage: 106,100
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 AUDI A4. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT SMOKE HAD BEGUN TO COME FROM UNDERNEATH THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT. NO FLAMES WERE VISIBLE AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOT CALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE ENTIRE WIRING SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 104000.
Mileage: 104,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 AUDI A4. WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN INDEPENDENTLY SHIFTING INTO MANUAL MODE FROM AUTOMATIC. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO ADJUST THE SHIFTER TO NORMAL BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE DEALER ADVISED THE SHIFTER BLIND AND THE PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 126,963.
Mileage: 126,963
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 AUDI A4. WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN INDEPENDENTLY SHIFTING INTO MANUAL MODE FROM AUTOMATIC. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO ADJUST THE SHIFTER TO NORMAL BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE DEALER ADVISED THE SHIFTER BLIND AND THE PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 126,963.
Mileage: 126,963
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 NOTICED THAT THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS HAD ILLUMINATED AGAIN AFTER PAYING OVER $2,000 IN REPAIRS. ANOTHER DEALER RECOMMENDED REPLACING THE ABS MODULE. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE VEHICLE HAD LOST POWER. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER IT WAS DUE TO A BAD FUEL PUMP. (THE CONSUMER WROTE IN ON BEHALF OF HIS FATHER)*JB
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 NOTICED THAT THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS HAD ILLUMINATED AGAIN AFTER PAYING OVER $2,000 IN REPAIRS. ANOTHER DEALER RECOMMENDED REPLACING THE ABS MODULE. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE VEHICLE HAD LOST POWER. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER IT WAS DUE TO A BAD FUEL PUMP. (THE CONSUMER WROTE IN ON BEHALF OF HIS FATHER)*JB
MY BRAKE LIGHT STARTED BEEPING AND FLASHING ONE DAY WHILE DRIVING. THE BEEPING AND FLASHING CONTINUED THROUGH THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS. I TOOK MY CAR TO MY MECHANIC AND HE SAID I WOULD HAVE TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER BECAUSE AUDI WON'T RELEASE THEIR SERVICE CODES. I CALLED THE DEALER AND ASKED WHAT WAS GOING ON. THE MECHANIC ASKED ME "WERE YOU DRIVING YOUR CAR IN THE RAIN?" I HAD QUITE A FEW SARCASTIC RESPONSES TO THE STUPID QUESTION BUT I JUST SAID, YEAH. I ASSUME A CAR IS ENGINEERED TO BE DRIVEN IN ALL CLIMATES INCLUDING, RAIN. A PRODUCT SHOULD BE DESIGNED TO PERFORM ITS INTENDED USE. NOT THE A4. WHO NEEDS AN ALL WHEEL DRIVE CAR IF THEY DON'T PLAN ON DRIVING IT THROUGH RAIN AND SNOW? THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT MY ABS CONTROL MODULE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND IT WOULD COST ME $1500. HE TOLD ME THAT MY ABS AND ALL WHEEL DRIVE WOULD NOT WORK PROPERLY UNTIL I FIX IT. I LIVE IN COLORADO AND I FREQUENTLY DRIVE THROUGH THE SNOW. I DRIVE THROUGH THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS IN ICY AND DANG
Mileage: 75,000
MY BRAKE LIGHT STARTED BEEPING AND FLASHING ONE DAY WHILE DRIVING. THE BEEPING AND FLASHING CONTINUED THROUGH THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS. I TOOK MY CAR TO MY MECHANIC AND HE SAID I WOULD HAVE TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER BECAUSE AUDI WON'T RELEASE THEIR SERVICE CODES. I CALLED THE DEALER AND ASKED WHAT WAS GOING ON. THE MECHANIC ASKED ME "WERE YOU DRIVING YOUR CAR IN THE RAIN?" I HAD QUITE A FEW SARCASTIC RESPONSES TO THE STUPID QUESTION BUT I JUST SAID, YEAH. I ASSUME A CAR IS ENGINEERED TO BE DRIVEN IN ALL CLIMATES INCLUDING, RAIN. A PRODUCT SHOULD BE DESIGNED TO PERFORM ITS INTENDED USE. NOT THE A4. WHO NEEDS AN ALL WHEEL DRIVE CAR IF THEY DON'T PLAN ON DRIVING IT THROUGH RAIN AND SNOW? THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT MY ABS CONTROL MODULE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND IT WOULD COST ME $1500. HE TOLD ME THAT MY ABS AND ALL WHEEL DRIVE WOULD NOT WORK PROPERLY UNTIL I FIX IT. I LIVE IN COLORADO AND I FREQUENTLY DRIVE THROUGH THE SNOW. I DRIVE THROUGH THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS IN ICY AND DANG
Mileage: 75,000
MY BRAKE LIGHT STARTED BEEPING AND FLASHING ONE DAY WHILE DRIVING. THE BEEPING AND FLASHING CONTINUED THROUGH THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS. I TOOK MY CAR TO MY MECHANIC AND HE SAID I WOULD HAVE TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER BECAUSE AUDI WON'T RELEASE THEIR SERVICE CODES. I CALLED THE DEALER AND ASKED WHAT WAS GOING ON. THE MECHANIC ASKED ME "WERE YOU DRIVING YOUR CAR IN THE RAIN?" I HAD QUITE A FEW SARCASTIC RESPONSES TO THE STUPID QUESTION BUT I JUST SAID, YEAH. I ASSUME A CAR IS ENGINEERED TO BE DRIVEN IN ALL CLIMATES INCLUDING, RAIN. A PRODUCT SHOULD BE DESIGNED TO PERFORM ITS INTENDED USE. NOT THE A4. WHO NEEDS AN ALL WHEEL DRIVE CAR IF THEY DON'T PLAN ON DRIVING IT THROUGH RAIN AND SNOW? THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT MY ABS CONTROL MODULE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND IT WOULD COST ME $1500. HE TOLD ME THAT MY ABS AND ALL WHEEL DRIVE WOULD NOT WORK PROPERLY UNTIL I FIX IT. I LIVE IN COLORADO AND I FREQUENTLY DRIVE THROUGH THE SNOW. I DRIVE THROUGH THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS IN ICY AND DANG
Mileage: 75,000
MY BRAKE LIGHT STARTED BEEPING AND FLASHING ONE DAY WHILE DRIVING. THE BEEPING AND FLASHING CONTINUED THROUGH THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS. I TOOK MY CAR TO MY MECHANIC AND HE SAID I WOULD HAVE TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER BECAUSE AUDI WON'T RELEASE THEIR SERVICE CODES. I CALLED THE DEALER AND ASKED WHAT WAS GOING ON. THE MECHANIC ASKED ME "WERE YOU DRIVING YOUR CAR IN THE RAIN?" I HAD QUITE A FEW SARCASTIC RESPONSES TO THE STUPID QUESTION BUT I JUST SAID, YEAH. I ASSUME A CAR IS ENGINEERED TO BE DRIVEN IN ALL CLIMATES INCLUDING, RAIN. A PRODUCT SHOULD BE DESIGNED TO PERFORM ITS INTENDED USE. NOT THE A4. WHO NEEDS AN ALL WHEEL DRIVE CAR IF THEY DON'T PLAN ON DRIVING IT THROUGH RAIN AND SNOW? THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT MY ABS CONTROL MODULE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND IT WOULD COST ME $1500. HE TOLD ME THAT MY ABS AND ALL WHEEL DRIVE WOULD NOT WORK PROPERLY UNTIL I FIX IT. I LIVE IN COLORADO AND I FREQUENTLY DRIVE THROUGH THE SNOW. I DRIVE THROUGH THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS IN ICY AND DANG
Mileage: 75,000
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.