AUDI A4 · model year

2000 AUDI A4

115 NHTSA complaints, 7 crash reports, and 5 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2000AUDIA4 carries 115 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 7 crashes, 4 fires, 4 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 2000 A4 is service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip with 27 filings, followed by service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/module (9) and service brakes, hydraulic (6). 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. This model year has 5 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 9 investigation files overlapping the 2000 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.

115
Complaints
7
Crashes
4
Fires
4
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

115 filings

Crashes Reported

7 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP27
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE9
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC6
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM5
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE5
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING4
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC3
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL3
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC3
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL2
UNKNOWN OR OTHER2
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS2

Recalls (5)

20V05600031/01/2020

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

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

06E06000029/06/2006

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

CERTAIN AAI MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LIST PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIA

06E04900024/05/2006

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO.

21V47000023/06/2021

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

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

14E00700007/03/2014

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

The Gates Corporation (Gates) is recalling certain aftermarket Tru-Flow Water Pumps, part number TFW 41127, sold at certain NAPA Auto Parts and/or installed by automotive service technicians after November 1, 2013 (and manufactured August 2013 through October 2013) that have a black-colored pulley/s

Recent Complaints

20210615AIR BAGS

Takata recall. The contact owns a 2000 Audi A4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V056000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer and was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms part not available.

20200920ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE LCD SCREEN IS PIXELATING. THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH ALL AUDI 2000 A4S. THE SCREEN IS NOT SHOWING ANY WARNINGS ARE PROBLEMS

Mileage: 44,000

20161213ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

GRADUAL FAILURE OF THE AUTO CHECK SYSTEM DISPLAY LEADING TO TOTAL FAILURE AND THE INABILITY TO DETERMINE ENGINE PERFORMANCE AND SAFETY DATA.

Mileage: 52,200

20130731ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

THE LCD DRIVER INFORMATION CENTER IS PIXELATED, THIS NORMALLY WOULDN'T NORMALLY BE A HUGE PROBLEM BUT THIS SCREEN INFORMS THE DRIVER OF HIGH ENGINE TEMPERATURES, LOW OIL, LOW COOLANT, ETC. I'M UNABLE TO READ THE SCREEN AND HAVE NO IDEA WHAT IT IS ATTEMPTING TO TELL ME WHEN MY CAR MAKES A VERY HIGH PITCHED BEEP TO INFORM ME THERE IS A PROBLEM. I'VE ALSO DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS AN EXTREMELY COMMON PROBLEM WITH CARS OF THIS MODEL YEAR AND SEVERAL OTHER MODEL YEARS. *TR

20130731ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE LCD DRIVER INFORMATION CENTER IS PIXELATED, THIS NORMALLY WOULDN'T NORMALLY BE A HUGE PROBLEM BUT THIS SCREEN INFORMS THE DRIVER OF HIGH ENGINE TEMPERATURES, LOW OIL, LOW COOLANT, ETC. I'M UNABLE TO READ THE SCREEN AND HAVE NO IDEA WHAT IT IS ATTEMPTING TO TELL ME WHEN MY CAR MAKES A VERY HIGH PITCHED BEEP TO INFORM ME THERE IS A PROBLEM. I'VE ALSO DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS AN EXTREMELY COMMON PROBLEM WITH CARS OF THIS MODEL YEAR AND SEVERAL OTHER MODEL YEARS. *TR

20130210SERVICE BRAKES

AUDI COMPLAINT AND RECALL REQUEST THE ANTI LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM NO LONGER WORKS LIKE IT SHOULD. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED I GET A SOLID AMBER ABS WARNING LIGHT ALONG WITH A FLASHING BRAKE LIGHT ACCOMPANIED WITH THREE WARNING TONES. UPON DOING AN INTERNET SEARCH I IMMEDIATELY REALIZED THIS PROBLEM WITH THE BOSCH 5.3 ABS CONTROL MODULE UNIT IS EXTREMELY COMMON ON 1998 TO 2001 AUDI AND VW MODELS. AUDI/VW CREATED A SERVICE BULLETIN TO REPAIR VW'S IN THE SAME DATE RANGE (BULLETIN 0517 NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10016037), BUT IGNORED THE ISSUE WITH AUDI'S. AS PER THE VEHICLE'S OWNER'S MANUAL, IT STATES THAT WHILE THE SYSTEM IS IN THIS STATE, THE REAR BRAKES MAY LOCK UP UNDER BRAKING. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM THAT WILL NOT ALLOW ME TO BRAKE QUICKLY IN EMERGENCY SITUATIONS. THE COST OF REPLACING THE ABS MODULE FROM THE DEALERSHIP WAS QUOTED AT OVER $1000. A SIMPLE INTERNET SEARCH REVEALS THAT THOUSANDS OF AUDI OWNERS HAVE VOICED COMPLAINTS. THIS IS A BLATANT DISREGARD FOR THEIR CUSTOMER'S SAF

Mileage: 98,000

20120906EQUIPMENT

2000 AUDI A4. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO THE OVD 2 UNIT IN AUDI AND VW VEHICLES *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM INVOLVED THE OVD 2 UNIT WHICH COMMUNICATED THE SMOG TEST RESULTS TO THE COMPUTER AND DMV. ALTHOUGH, THE VEHICLE WOULD PASS THE EMISSIONS TEST, THERE WOULD BE A COMMUNICATION ERROR. THE DMV REQUIRED THE COMMUNICATION AND MADE NO EXCEPTION. THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM STEMMED FROM THE OVD 2 UNIT PLACED INTO THE RADIO. WHEN THE RADIO IS REPLACED WITH A NON AUDI OR VW RADIO THE OVD 2 UNIT IS NO LONGER THERE. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE PRICE TO REPLACE THE RADIO CONTAINING THE OVD 2 UNIT IS $1000 AND UP.

20110309SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC

ON MY 2000 AUDI A4 THE ANTI LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM NO LONGER WORKS. I GET A SOLID AMBER ABS WARNING LIGHT ALONG WITH A FLASHING BRAKE LIGHT ACCOMPANIED WITH THREE WARNING TONES WHEN I START THE CAR. AFTER MUCH RESEARCH, THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON 1998 TO 2001 AUDI AND VW MODELS. I HAVE NOT HEARD OF ANY RECALL, HOWEVER THERE SHOULD BE ONE. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM THAT WILL NOT ALLOW ME TO BRAKE QUICKLY IN ALL SITUATIONS ESPECIALLY WINTER CONDITIONS AND THE COST TO GET IT REPLACED IS FAR TOO MUCH. *TR

Mileage: 152,000

20110309EQUIPMENT

ON MY 2000 AUDI A4 THE ANTI LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM NO LONGER WORKS. I GET A SOLID AMBER ABS WARNING LIGHT ALONG WITH A FLASHING BRAKE LIGHT ACCOMPANIED WITH THREE WARNING TONES WHEN I START THE CAR. AFTER MUCH RESEARCH, THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON 1998 TO 2001 AUDI AND VW MODELS. I HAVE NOT HEARD OF ANY RECALL, HOWEVER THERE SHOULD BE ONE. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM THAT WILL NOT ALLOW ME TO BRAKE QUICKLY IN ALL SITUATIONS ESPECIALLY WINTER CONDITIONS AND THE COST TO GET IT REPLACED IS FAR TOO MUCH. *TR

Mileage: 152,000

20110111SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC

1. WHEN THE ABS IS ACTIVATED DURING SNOW OR ICE CONDITIONS. 2. THE BRAKES "STICK" AND THE ABS IS NOT FULLY DEACTIVATED ONCE YOUR FOOT IS OFF THE BRAKE PEDAL. OFTEN THE REAR DRIVER SIDE BRAKE IS STILL ENGAGED SLIGHTLY DURING DRIVING. WHEN STOPPED YOU CAN SMELL THE RUBBING BRAKES AND YOU CAN TELL THE BRAKE IS RUBBING WHILE DRIVING AS IT SLOWS DOWN THE VEHICLE. IT USUALLY UNSTICKS AFTER SEVERAL MILES OF DRIVING OR LEAVING THE CAR SIT OVERNIGHT NOT RUNNING. 3. I'VE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE YEARS, BUT THEY TELL ME THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE BRAKES OR ABS SYSTEM. *TR

Mileage: 112,000

20101209TIRES

I WAS HEADED NORTH BOUND ON THE CALIFORNIA 57 RIGHT BEFORE DIAMOND BAR BLVD. WHEN MY CAR STARTED TO FISH TAIL. I DROVE OVER TO THE SHOULDER LANE AND RIGHT AS I MERGED OVER MY BACK DRIVER SIDE TIRE SNAPPED OFF TAKING HALF MY WHEEL BASE WITH IT LEAVING NO WAY TO PUT A SPARE TIRE ON. *TR

Mileage: 86,000

20101209AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

I WAS HEADED NORTH BOUND ON THE CALIFORNIA 57 RIGHT BEFORE DIAMOND BAR BLVD. WHEN MY CAR STARTED TO FISH TAIL. I DROVE OVER TO THE SHOULDER LANE AND RIGHT AS I MERGED OVER MY BACK DRIVER SIDE TIRE SNAPPED OFF TAKING HALF MY WHEEL BASE WITH IT LEAVING NO WAY TO PUT A SPARE TIRE ON. *TR

Mileage: 86,000

20100718SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC

ABS MODULE FAILURE & CENTER CLUSTER FAILURE - 2000 AUDI A4 1.8T, 65,000 MILES. ABS COMES ON ALONG WITH BLINKING BRAKE LIGHTS. KNOWN AUDI ISSUE. HAVING ABS REBUILT BY MODULE MASTERS AS AUDI WANTS $$ AND ANY NEW ABS MODULE THEY WILL INSTALL WILL ALSO FAIL. CENTER CLUSTER ALSO FAILED, ALSO KNOWN AUDI ISSUE. *TR

Mileage: 65,000

20100718ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

ABS MODULE FAILURE & CENTER CLUSTER FAILURE - 2000 AUDI A4 1.8T, 65,000 MILES. ABS COMES ON ALONG WITH BLINKING BRAKE LIGHTS. KNOWN AUDI ISSUE. HAVING ABS REBUILT BY MODULE MASTERS AS AUDI WANTS $$ AND ANY NEW ABS MODULE THEY WILL INSTALL WILL ALSO FAIL. CENTER CLUSTER ALSO FAILED, ALSO KNOWN AUDI ISSUE. *TR

Mileage: 65,000

20090818FireUNKNOWN OR OTHER

THE HEAT SHIELDS ABOVE MY CATALYTIC CONVERTERS CAUGHT FIRE AND HAD TO BE REPLACED, AT A LARGE EXPENSE TO ME. UPON RECEIPT OF THE REPLACEMENT PARTS, IT WAS NOTICED THAT THE PARTS HAD BEEN REDESIGNED. I BELIEVE THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAS FOUND A FUNDAMENTAL ISSUE WITH THEIR ORIGINAL DESIGN AND IS QUIETLY REPLACING THEM. THE PROBLEM WITH THIS IS THAT IT TAKES YOUR CAR CATCHING ON FIRE TO KNOW YOU NEED TO REPLACE THEM. *TR

Mileage: 86,000

20090722EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

REPLACEMENT HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY P/N 341-1107L-US MADE BY DEPO FOR 2000 AUDI A4 HAS THE CENTER BULB ROTATED 180 DEGREES FROM THE ORIGINAL. A BULB ENGINEER AT SYLVANIA/OSRAM SAID THE PARTICULAR BULB LIGHT PATTERN IS DEPENDENT UPON ORIENTATION DUE TO THE FILAMENT STRUT AND A REFLECTOR IS DESIGNED TO WORK WITH THE BULB IN A CERTAIN DIRECTION. THE POTENTIAL ISSUES ARE 1) WAS THE REFLECTOR DESIGNED AND TESTED TO WORK WITH THE BULB THAT WAY, AND IF NOT 2) WAS THIS SOMETHING THAT WAS JUST OVERLOOKED OR IGNORED WHEN THE LIGHT WAS COPIED FROM THE ORIGINAL AUDI DESIGN, OR 3) WAS THIS A MANUFACTURING MISTAKE THAT HAPPENED TO A BATCH OF PARTS. A US DISTRIBUTOR THINKS #1 IS THE CASE, BUT HE MADE THE COMMENT WITHOUT SPEAKING TO THE ENGINEERS IN TAIWAN. IF THIS CONDITION IS IMPROPER, THERE ARE MANY LIGHT ASSEMBLIES OUT THERE LIKE THIS AND THEY MAY NOT PASS REGULATORY TESTS. I HAVE A PICTORIAL COMPARISON OF THE DEPO PART ALONGSIDE THE ORIGINAL THAT I CAN EMAIL AS ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. UPDATED 07/23/

20090712ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

I HAVE A 2000 AUDI A4. THERE WAS A LETTER THAT WAS MAILED TO ME EXPLAINING THE DEFECT WITH THE VEHICLE 2 MONTHS AFTER THE INCIDENT HAPPENED. THE TIMING BELT ON MY VEHICLE BROKE RESULTING IN SEVERE ENGINE DAMAGE. THE MANUFACTURER REFUSES TO PAY FOR THE DAMAGE OR FIX IT. *TR

Mileage: 159,000

20090407SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT IS FLASHING ON MY DASH BOARD. THE REPAIR SHOP SAYS THAT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE COST IS ABOUT $1000! MY CAR HAS ABOUT 120,000 MILES ON IT. *TR

20090202SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ONLINE ABOUT THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING FAILING IN AUDI'S AND VW'S BUILT BETWEEN 1996 AND 2001. ACCORDING TO MY MECHANIC, THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM THAT THEY'VE SEEN A LOT OF. SEE MANY OWNERS DISCUSSING THE PROBLEM HERE: HTTP://AUDI-VW-ABS-RECALL.BLOGSPOT.COM/2005/07/AUDI-AND-VW-PLEASE-RECALL-CARS-BETWEEN.HTML THE ABS IS A VERY IMPORTANT PIECE OF SAFETY EQUIPMENT, AND IT SEEMS IRRESPONSIBLE TO ME THAT AUDI HAS FAILED TO RECALL A VERY COMMON AND KNOWN MANUFACTURING DEFECT. *TR

Mileage: 92,000

20080819ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

PIXELS ON THE DRIVER INFORMATION DISPLAY IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILED GRADUALLY SINCE THE 2000 AUDI A4 QUATTRO WAS 4 YEARS OLD. ALMOST ALL PIXELS ARE DEAD NOW. THE DRIVER INFORMATION DISPLAY IS LOCATED IN THE CENTER OF THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. IT INCLUDES INFORMATION ON THE CURRENT OPERATING STATUS VIA AUTOCHECK CONTROL, WHICH MONITORS THE CONDITION OF CERTAIN COMPONENTS ON THE VEHICLE, SUCH AS THE BRAKE SYSTEM, COOLANT LEVEL AND ENGINE OIL PRESSURE. AUTOCHECK CONTROL TAKES PLACE CONTINUOUSLY WHEN THE IGNITION IS SWITCHED ON. MALFUNCTIONS AND SERVICE REMINDERS ARE ALSO SHOWN, ACCOMPANIED BY WARNING TONES. THE DISPLAYS ARE PRIORITIZE WITH EITHER RED OR YELLOW ILLUMINATED SYMBOLS. THE RED SIGNALS INDICATE A POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS SITUATION REQUIRING IMMEDIATE DRIVER ATTENTION; THE YELLOW ONES ARE CAUTIONARY INFORMATION. *TR

Mileage: 29,000

Compare 2000AUDIA4 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2000 AUDI A4 have?
The 2000 AUDI A4 has 115 NHTSA complaints, 7 crashes, 4 fires, 4 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2000 AUDI A4?
Yes, the 2000 AUDI A4 has 5 recall(s). The most common affected component is AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2000 AUDI A4?
The most-complained component for the 2000 AUDI A4 is SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP with 27 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE and SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC.
Is the 2000 AUDI A4 safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

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.