2000 Audi A4: problems, recalls and reliability
5 recalls and 96 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is service brakes, hydraulic (49% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jun 2021
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 96 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jan 2020
“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.”Owner report · Equipment · Sep 2012
“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”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Oct 2011
Show 7 more owner reports
“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”Owner report · Service Brakes, Electric · Jan 2011
“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”Owner report · Service Brakes, Electric · Dec 2010
“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”Owner report · Tires · Sep 2010
“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”Owner report · Service Brakes, Electric · Jun 2010
“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”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Aug 2009
“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”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Mar 2009
“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”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Jan 2009
When filing, owners marked a crash in 5 of these complaints and injuries in 2 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 5 campaigns
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. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Remedy: CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.
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/sprocket or do not have 'US9377' stamped on the water pump housing. These service replacement parts were sold for use in model year 1999-2005 Audi A4, 2000-2006 Audi TT, 1998-2005 Volkswagen Beetle, 1999-2006 Golf, 1999-2008 and 2011-2013 Volkswagen Jetta, and 2000-2005 Volkswagen Passat. In the affected water pumps, the pulley or sprocket that turns the timing belt may develop microfractures causing the timing belt to fail.
Remedy: Gates will notify owners, and dealers will replace the water pump, free of charge. The recall began during May 2014. Owners may contact The Gates Corporation at 1-303-744-1911.
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.
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.
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 ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Remedy: AAI MOTORSPORTS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AAI MOTORSPORTS AT 909-923-9188.
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 manufacturing issue, the NADI inflators may absorb moisture, possibly causing the air bag to deploy improperly in the event of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator with an alternative inflator when the parts become available, free of charge. Owner notifications were mailed September 21, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69BT.
How other years compare
Check your exact A4 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2000 Audi A4 reliable?
NHTSA has 96 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 2000 Audi A4. The most complained-about area is service brakes, hydraulic (49% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2000 Audi A4 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 63,950 miles or less.
Does the 2000 Audi A4 have open recalls?
5 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning exterior lighting. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.