2001 Audi A4: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 131 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (27% 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 131 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“I just purchased this vehicle from a private owner. I am already aware of the driver side airbag recall. Went to turn key to auxiliary to close sun roof and the steering wheel airbag deployed in my face. The vehicle had been parked and not driven for over 12 hours. Vehicle is available for inspection any time.”Owner report · Air Bags · Mar 2026
“The contact owns a 2001 Audi A4. The contact stated that upon closing the driver's side door, her husband heard a loud gun-like sound and he noticed that the passenger-side curtain air bags had deployed. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact's husband cut the curtain air bags and drove the vehicle to his residence. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000. The VIN was not available.”Owner report · Air Bags · Mar 2022
“2001 audi a4 quattro 2.8l. As driving smoke was coming from hood.. Park and realize the engine was on fire. It look like it started by the passenger side headlight and spread. I read that audi had a recall on head light switch but did not rec, a recall letter. Not exactly sure where the fire started my audi caught on fire. I dont't have pictures to upload but I will soon. I am very hurt to know that the car I enjoyed driving caught on fire/disappointed with audi”Owner report · Engine · May 2019
Show 7 more owner reports
“While driving the vehicle on a highway going straight at ~65mph the passenger side curtain and seat airbags deployed for no reason. Vehicle manufacturer cited a "crash" signal from side impact sensor was the cause of the false deployment. No physical cause could be found, no damage was found on vehicle and all airbag system wiring was found to be intact and original. Manufacturer would not own failure and cited the vehicle being lowered as the cause. Manufacturer was unable to provide any evidence for this conclusion and vehicle is well within local laws/regulations for lowered vehicles.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2016
“Brakes were working fine, coming off freeway, was coasting thru light, traffic stopped, brakes no longer worked, brake pedal was suddenly flush with floor. Rearended a car, car started jumping forward. Had to use the emergency brake to stop the car. Car was towed after accident, not because it was not drivable, it was not drivable due to brake problem. Repair shop said brakes failed to vacuum hose breaking, no warning prior to losing brakes. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes · Aug 2014
“While using my heater on my seats and a pillow for additional back support, I noticed smoke and burning smell when pulling into my driveway. When getting out of my car I noticed that my pillow was leaking...and upon pulling the pillow off the drivers seat, it was damaged/burned through. I also noticed that a burned hole the size of a quarter is now quite visible. Worried that this may cause a car fire. *tr”Owner report · Seats · Dec 2013
“Tl* the contact owns a 2001 audi a4. The contact stated that the ABS warning light was illuminated on the instrument panel and the brake warning light was flashing. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostics where the mechanic advised the contact that the ecu module would have to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 112,000.”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Feb 2012
“2001 audi a4 with timing belt failure and repair. Consumer states that the timing belt repair did not last and his vehicle completely failed on the highway. Consumer was then informed of an oil sludge issue. *kb updated 10/19/11.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Aug 2011
“We have experienced an intermittent problem with the hid head lights flickering and shutting off during operation at night. The left low beam began to flicker and then shut off. The head light warning indicator light comes on. After inspection the next day, lights came back on and were working normally no warning lights were on. This appears to be a common problem with this type of car and in my opinion a very dangerous one that needs to be addressed by audi in a recall for the obvious ballast, bulb, wiring, problem that exists on this car. *tr”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Oct 2010
“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 with this malfunction because I have read several reviews of the same problem so obviously it is something they should look into. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · May 2010
When filing, owners marked a crash in 5 of these complaints and injuries in 1 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2001 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
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 2001 Audi A4 reliable?
NHTSA has 131 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2001 Audi A4. The most complained-about area is electrical system (27% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2001 Audi A4 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 62,041 miles or less.
Does the 2001 Audi A4 have open recalls?
3 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.