2001 Audi TT: problems, recalls and reliability
5 recalls and 120 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (56% of complaints); the 2000 and 2002 and 2003 model years look more trouble-free.
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 120 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The contact owns a 2001 Audi TT. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle crashed into a deer causing significant damage to the front end. During the crash, neither the front driver side nor passenger side air bags were deployed. The driver sustained an injured neck and lower back which required medical treatment. The front seat passenger was not injured. The vehicle was later towed to the home. No police report was taken. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the incident. The failure mileage was 94,000.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2022
“Headlights just stopped working again for the umpteenth time. Park light and high beams work fine. This is a reoccurring problem with the low beams. Can be driving along fine and cut car off and start back up and low beams just won't come on. If it was 1 at a time I could see it as being no problem but they both stop working at the same time. Keep replacing switch and headlights...thinking this would alleviate problem to no avail. See this is an ongoing problem with audi owners. Also see that it's a recall on the newer models but not the late models.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Nov 2018
“"takata recall" intermittently has no power the rpm rev high with no power in accelerator this has happened on and off the highway and while merging into traffic the car becomes powerless. There have been no stalling just all of a sudden has no power and the rpm's rev high but you're going nowhere. It's not sputtering just becomes powerless there is no specific gear”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Nov 2016
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“Electrical issue with gauge cluster, fuel gauge inaccurate (runs out of gas in middle of hwy), low oil pressure light comes on (manual says to stop immediately when light comes on), air bag light comes on! Everything I have read states these are all problems with the gauge cluster (cost over $1000 to have replaced!) audi usa knows about problem but refuses to do anything about it. Audi has a recall in the uk for this problem, why not here in the u.s. ?? This is a serious safety issue!”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Aug 2016
“While driving on a city street in Ann Arbor Michigan, the manual transmission shift lever snapped off. The lever detached at the base right above the spring assembly that allows the shifter to be moved into reverse. I was stuck in third gear and had to feather the clutch and keep the revs high in order to get through a traffic light and pull into a parking garage. The part required a complete replacement (completed myself).”Owner report · Power Train · Jul 2015
“This is a know problem with audi. They refuse to recall, but I wanted to just add to the list of people having an issue here. The gauges are flickering (gauge cluster). There should be a recall.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jan 2015
“Failure of the "air bag control module" on our 2001 audi tt. This failure , if not repaired, will lead to the air bag system on the car not working audi refuses to help with the repair, which is over $1000. We feel this safety issue should be repaired by audi. *tr”Owner report · Air Bags · May 2011
“I have a 2001 audi tt. I bought it threw a dealership out of state online. Went and pick it up and was fine but a couple of weeks went by and started having problems with instrument panel no gas gauge speedometer temperature gauge or dash lights. They will go out just riding up the road and does it more since its colder weather so I started looking in to this matter and this is a major problem with audi and I think they should make this right and plus its a major safety issue to me thank you for your assistance in this matter. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Dec 2010
“Tl*the contact owns a 2001 audi tt. While driving 45 mph up an incline the contact noticed that the vehicle began to shutter, the contact then applied the brakes and noticed that they would not engage. In order to stop the vehicle, the contact had to apply the emergency brake. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated that the vacuum pipe needed to be replaced. There were no prior warnings. The vehicle was not repaired. The current and failure mileages was 68000.”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Jul 2010
“On our audi tt 2001 convertible, the electrical outlets underneath the dashboard caught on fire. The fire department was called and after an investigation, found no known cause of fire. Also, prior to this fire, the tip of the spark plug fell into the engine cylinder block, causing us the owners to pay in full for a new engine head to be replaced....lots of money (approximately $8000). We replaced it through a well known professional audi shop auto haus munich in san diego. Hazardous lights needed to be replaced professionally because it interfered with the signal lights. Much money & time spent, and many headaches experienced while owning this beautiful yet troublesome car. *tr”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Mar 2010
When filing, owners marked a crash in 4 of these complaints and injuries in 2 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 5 campaigns
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. MOISTURE COULD ENTER THE REAR TRACK CONTROL ARM'S MOUNTING BUSHING AND BOLT COMBINATION AND CAUSE CORROSION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TRACK CONTROL ARMS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 12, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT AUDI AT 1-800-822-2834.
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.
CERTAIN CARDONE MASTER CYLINDERS WITH PART NUMBERS 10-2925, 10-2987, 10-2987MZA, 10-3083, 11-3015, 11-3042, 11-3044, 11-3045, 11-3047, 11-3064, AND 11-3156, AND WITH DATE CODES LOWER THAN DCA7078 SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE SEAL ON MASTER CYLINDER CAN FAIL AND LEAK BRAKE FLUID.
Remedy: CARDONE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE ANY DEFECTIVE MASTER CYLINDERS. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING APRIL 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT CARDONE AT 1-800-777-4780.
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.
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.
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 TT 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 TT reliable?
NHTSA has 120 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 2001 Audi TT. The most complained-about area is electrical system (56% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2001 Audi TT problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 50,000 miles or less.
Does the 2001 Audi TT have open recalls?
5 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning suspension:rear. 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.