1999 Audi A4
This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 1 |
| 1996 | 89 |
| 1997 | 98 |
| 1998 | 258 |
| 1999 | 190 |
| 2000 | 96 |
| 2001 | 131 |
| 2002 | 181 |
| 2003 | 210 |
| 2004 | 189 |
| 2005 | 219 |
| 2006 | 295 |
| 2007 | 196 |
| 2008 | 175 |
| 2009 | 120 |
| 2010 | 64 |
| 2011 | 11 |
| 2012 | 19 |
| 2013 | 24 |
| 2014 | 31 |
| 2015 | 18 |
| 2016 | 11 |
| 2017 | 54 |
| 2018 | 44 |
| 2019 | 10 |
| 2020 | 124 |
| 2021 | 11 |
| 2022 | 6 |
| 2023 | 9 |
| 2024 | 2 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
21% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 40 distinct reports on file.
Show complaint excerpts
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 20120426
7% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 14 distinct reports on file.
CRASHShow complaint excerpts
WHILE BACKING INTO A DRIVEWAY THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WHILE BRAKES WERE CONTINUOUSLY BEING APPLIED BUT DID NOT RESPOND, RESULTING IN VEHICLE HITTING A TRUCK. CAUSE UNKNOWN. *AK
NHTSA ODI report, 19990209
I WAS BACKING UP IN DRIVEWAY IN FRONT OF ANOTHER VEHICLE WHICH WAS PARKED IN FRONT OF A HOUSE. MY CAR GAVE A SLIGHT LURCH AND THE MOTOR REVVED UP. I IMMEDIATELY LOOKED BECAUSE I THOUGHT I MUST HAVE MY FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR.
NHTSA ODI report, 19990127
7% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 14 distinct reports on file.
6% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 12 distinct reports on file.
5% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 10 distinct reports on file.
SAFETY TIMELINE
POWER BRAKE BOOSTER VACUUM BY-PASS
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TIE RODS.
Campaign 99V248000 — check if this car was fixed
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
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.
Campaign 99V131001 — check if this car was fixed
DEGRADED BRAKING WET WEATHER CONDITION
DEGRADED BRAKING IN WET WEATHER
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TIE RODS.
Campaign 00V414000 — check if this car was fixed
BRAKE AND CLUTCH PEDAL BRACKET
STUCK-OPEN THROTTLE
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 N
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.
Campaign 06E049000 — check if this car was fixed
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 RE
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.
Campaign 06E060000 — check if this car was fixed
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...
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.
Campaign 14E007000 — check if this car was fixed
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
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.
Campaign 20V056000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
1999 Audi A4 — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for service brakes, hydraulic issues (40 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for vehicle speed control issues (14 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for service brakes, hydraulic issues (14 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 99V248000 (steering) has been completed.
- Verify recall 99V131001 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
- Verify recall 00V414000 (steering) has been completed.
- Verify recall 06E049000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 06E060000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 14E007000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
- Verify recall 20V056000 (air bags) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 1999 Audi A4 reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1999 Audi A4 is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1999 Audi A4?
The most-reported component is service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, accounting for 21% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1999 Audi A4 have?
7 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.