The 1999 Audi A4 has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 329,878 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 242 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
AIR BAGS20V0560002020-01-31106,857 affected
Defect
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…
Consequence
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.
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.
STEERING00V4140002000-12-0683,000 affected
Defect
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.
Consequence
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.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TIE RODS.
STEERING99V2480001999-09-1351,900 affected
Defect
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.
Consequence
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.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TIE RODS.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC99V1310011999-05-2188,121 affected
Defect
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.
Consequence
THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE INSUFFICIENT VACUUM TO BE PROVIDED TO THE BRAKE BOOSTER.
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.
Complaints by component
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
43
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
14
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
14
2crashes
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
12
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
10
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
8
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
7
1fires
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
7
1crashes
AIR BAGS
6
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
6
Total complaints242
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 audi a4. The contact stated that while driving, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer but the contact was unaware of the diagnosis. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was…”
“As I was opening the hood of the car to fill up the window washer, the hood did not stay up as usual. It started to close and it hit my head on the way down. I am wondering if there have been other reports of the same incident. Luckily, I suffered only minor damage to my head, however I have on…”
“The car is experiencing unintended acceleration, usually, but not always, after heavy acceleration. Over 10 occurrences. Cannot remedy by pulling back the accelerator. Car must be turned off and the engine must record 0 rpm to remedy the problem. *tr”
“The car is experiencing unintended acceleration, usually, but not always, after heavy acceleration. Over 10 occurrences. Cannot remedy by pulling back the accelerator. Car must be turned off and the engine must record 0 rpm to remedy the problem. *tr”
“The car is experiencing unintended acceleration, usually, but not always, after heavy acceleration. Over 10 occurrences. Cannot remedy by pulling back the accelerator. Car must be turned off and the engine must record 0 rpm to remedy the problem. *tr”
“The events that led to the failure of the car is when it started to throw smoke from the exhaust and we found out about the failure when we took it the mechanic who told us the engine was no good. So far im looking for a new engine. *tr”
“My audi, along with thousands of others have had their abs control unit malfunction because of design. This malfunction causes the abs to not work on the affected vehicle. Volkswagen, the company that produces audis and vws actually recalled this exact part on their vw vehicles, but for some…”
“My audi, along with thousands of others have had their abs control unit malfunction because of design. This malfunction causes the abs to not work on the affected vehicle. Volkswagen, the company that produces audis and vws actually recalled this exact part on their vw vehicles, but for some…”
Defect investigations
InvestigationEA00021 Opened 2000-08-11 · closed 2002-03-29
DEGRADED BRAKING IN WET WEATHER
There is no summary currently available
InvestigationEA04017 Opened 2004-06-30 · closed 2005-02-10
STUCK-OPEN THROTTLE
VWOA HAS RECALLED APPROXIMATELY 28,300 MY 1998-99 A6 VEHICLES IN COLD WEATHER STATES THAT EXPERIENCED THE HIGHEST RATE OF THROTTLE ICING INCIDENTS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES (04V-495).THE FAILURE RATE IN THE A4 AND PASSAT VEHICLES IS MUCH LOWER THAN IN THE RECALLED VEHICLES.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE EXPERIENCE IN…
InvestigationPE00016 Opened 2000-04-04 · closed 2000-08-11
DEGRADED BRAKING WET WEATHER CONDITION
There is no summary currently available
InvestigationPE02008 Opened 2002-01-23 · closed 2002-07-12
BRAKE AND CLUTCH PEDAL BRACKET
InvestigationRQ99008 Opened 1999-06-01 · closed 2000-11-14
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1999 Audi A4 as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.