Known Recalls

Model year record

1999 Audi A4

4 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 242 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 20V056000

Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module

Component
Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module
Manufacturer
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Vehicles affected
106,857
Reported to NHTSA
2020-01-31
Owners notified
2021-09-21

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, the air bag may not properly protect the occupant, increasing the risk of serious injury or death.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 00V414000

Steering: linkages: rod: relay: connecting

Component
Steering: linkages: rod: relay: connecting
Manufacturer
VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC
Vehicles affected
83,000
Reported to NHTSA
2000-12-06
Owners notified
2001-02-05

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE TIE RODS OF THE STEERING ASSEMBLY ARE PROTECTED ON EACH SIDE BY A SEAL TO PREVENT MOISTURE AND DUST PARTICLES FROM ENTERING THE SWIVEL BEARING MECHANISM. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT SOME TIE ROD SEALS MAY NOT SEAL PROPERLY.

Safety risk

IF MOISTURE AND/OR DUST PARTICLES ENTER THE SWIVEL BEARING MECHANISM, THE SWIVEL BEARING COULD WEAR OVER TIME DIMINISHING THE STEERING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TIE RODS.

Recall campaignNHTSA 99V248000

Steering: linkages: rod: relay: connecting

Component
Steering: linkages: rod: relay: connecting
Manufacturer
VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC
Vehicles affected
51,900
Reported to NHTSA
1999-09-13
Owners notified
1999-10-05

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE TIE RODS OF THE STEERING ASSEMBLY ARE PROTECTED ON EACH SIDE BY A SEAL TO PREVENT MOISTURE AND DUST PARTICLES FROM ENTERING THE SWIVEL BEARING MECHANISM. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT SOME TIE ROD SEALS MAY NOT SEAL PROPERLY.

Safety risk

IF MOISTURE AND/OR DUST PARTICLES ENTER THE SWIVEL BEARING MECHANISM, THE SWIVEL BEARING COULD WEAR OVER TIME DIMINISHING THE STEERING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TIE RODS.

Recall campaignNHTSA 99V131001

Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuum: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Component
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuum: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Manufacturer
VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC
Vehicles affected
88,121
Reported to NHTSA
1999-05-21
Owners notified
1999-10-09

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. A CONTROL VALVE IN THE VACUUM HOSE CONNECTING THE BRAKE BOOSTER TO THE INTAKE MANIFOLD MAY NOT OPEN OR CLOSE FULLY AT TEMPERATURES BELOW -4 F UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS.

Safety risk

THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE INSUFFICIENT VACUUM TO BE PROVIDED TO THE BRAKE BOOSTER.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A VACUUM BY-PASS SYSTEM INTO VEHICLES OPERATED IN THESE STATES WHICH IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE SUFFICIENT VACUUM FOR FULL BRAKE ASSIST UNDER ALL WEATHER CONDITIONS.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip4375,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module1485,000 mi
Vehicle speed control1461,900 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys1268,800 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc10—
Service brakes, hydraulic8102,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling728,000 mi
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly772,000 mi
Air bags615,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine668,000 mi
Service brakes, air: antilock: control unit/module670,000 mi
Electrical system5110,134 mi
Tires: tread/belt561,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission476,424 mi
Steering: linkages: rod: relay: connecting470,000 mi
Service brakes, electric3136,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components3—
Suspension: front: control arm385,000 mi
Air bags: frontal250,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition273,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring278,000 mi
Exterior lighting: turn signal2—
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch2—
Power train2145,000 mi
Power train: clutch assembly2—
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: ABS warning light2161,500 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor2—
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuum270,000 mi
Steering: rack and pinion273,000 mi
Structure: body: door2—
Suspension2142,926 mi
Suspension: front2—
Tires2118,563 mi
Vehicle speed control: cruise control255,000 mi
Visibility: windshield2—
Air bags: side/window1—
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel190,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers1—
Electronic stability control (ESC)175,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline1—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: turbo/supercharger173,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system1—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor1102,052 mi
Equipment165,000 mi
Equipment adaptive/mobility1—
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner1—
Equipment: electrical1—
Exterior lighting: brake lights1—
Exterior lighting: hazard flashing warning lights1—
Exterior lighting: hazard flashing warning lights: unit1—
Exterior lighting: headlights: concealment devices1—
Fuel system, gasoline115,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump1—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings150,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage130,000 mi
Fuel system, other: storage: fuel gauge system130,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch1—
Parking brake1—
Parking brake: conventional1—
Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/TECM)1—
Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines1—
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft1—
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft: seal1—
Seats1—
Service brakes, air: antilock: ABS warning light165,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: shoes/linings1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: wheel cylinders1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist161,900 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: hydraulic: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings195,000 mi
Steering179,000 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist system183,000 mi
Structure: body: bumpers197,000 mi
Structure: body: hood1125,000 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm1—
Traction control system175,000 mi
Unknown or other170,480 mi
Vehicle speed control: cables1—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system1—
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: exterior1—
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly1—
Wheels1142,926 mi

The 1998 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 2000 model has 2 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.