1999 Audi A4 Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often write about the anti-lock brake (ABS) control module failing, usually signaled by the ABS and brake warning lights and a loss of anti-lock function, and about timing belts letting go well before the interval Audi listed at the time. Tie rod wear and a throttle that sticks in cold weather also come up repeatedly. Most reports land between roughly 50,000 and 110,000 miles, so on a car this old, service history matters more than the odometer.

1. 1
   Brakes

   ABS control module failure (ABS and brake lights on)

   • 45 complaints (24%)
   • median 82,000 mi at 7.0 yrs old (37 state mileage)
   • owner-quoted repair $1,500 (median of 20 quotes)
   • filed 2000–2012

   Owners describe the ABS and brake warning lights coming on together, often with three beeps, at first intermittently and later staying on. Some say anti-lock braking stopped working or cut in and out, and a few mention the car not stopping as expected or the brakes making noise on a downhill grade. According to the complaints, dealers and shops usually diagnosed the ABS control module or pump unit, with quotes frequently in the hundreds to a couple of thousand dollars; several owners say the work was not covered. Mostly reported between about 50,000 and 115,000 miles, with some past 130,000, often once the car is fully warmed up.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask whether the ABS module has been replaced and request receipts. After a test drive, confirm no ABS or brake warning light stays on, and have the ABS controller scanned for stored codes.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I own a 1999 Audi A4 2.8 30v quattro and my ABS and brake lights are on and the Audi dealer told me that my ABS control module needs to be replaced. By reading forums online and consumer sites, I have found out that this is a very common problem to Audi's and vw's. My question is: shouldn't Audi of america fix this problem for free?”

   NHTSA complaint #10169309, filed 2006-09, 75,535 miles

   “The ABS module is causing the panel brake light to blink and the ABS light to be on steady. My complaint is that the charge to repair this is estimated at $750 including $250 labor from our local Audi dealer. There is no good reason for this fault to occur, and the repair is quite expensive. I am waiting for Audi to order a new board, so I am driving with bad ABS brakes, and it is almost december.”

   NHTSA complaint #10143573, filed 2005-11, 108,000 miles
2. 2
   Engine cooling

   Timing belt failure before the recommended interval

   • 16 complaints (8%)
   • median 68,000 mi at 5.3 yrs old (15 state mileage)
   • owner-quoted repair $4,000 (median of 6 quotes)
   • filed 2003–2008

   Owners report the timing belt breaking while driving, sometimes at highway speed, often tens of thousands of miles before the 90,000 to 105,000 mile interval Audi listed at the time. Several say the failure damaged the cylinder head and led to repairs in the $4,000 to $5,000 range. Complaints describe owners asking dealers about belt replacement beforehand and being told to wait for the scheduled interval. Most reports fall between about 48,000 and 91,000 miles, in cars that had been serviced at a dealer.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask for documentation of the last timing belt, tensioner and water pump service and the mileage it was done at. Audi later extended warranty coverage for engine damage from a broken belt on some vehicles, so ask whether any related work was recorded.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My timing belt failed at 69000 miles and caused engine damage (replacement of heads). Total repair cost came to $4000. Seems to be a common failure prior to the recommended 90k change interval. I tried scheduling the changing of the timing belt at 6800 miles but was told to wait by an Audi service department. Currently working with Audi for repayment.”

   NHTSA complaint #10030852, filed 2003-08, 69,000 miles

   “The timing chain on my 1999 Audi a-4 1.8 turbo with 76,000 miles broke as I was driving on a busy freeway during rush hour, leaving me a a potentially dangerous situation. Fortunately, my car was not hit by other cars. As a result, however, the engine and transmission as well as the timing chain were all trashed. The manufacturer recommends replacing the timing chain at 90,000 miles, but Audi of north america told me that they noiw recommend replacement at 70,000 or 75,000. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10116095, filed 2005-03, 76,424 miles
3. 3
   Steering

   Tie rod wear and loose front-end steering

   • 11 complaints (6%)
   • median 73,000 mi at 6.2 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2001–2008

   Owners describe squeaking or grinding when turning at low speed, rattles from a front wheel area, and wheel vibration, with worn tie rods or a worn rack and pinion found during inspection. Some note their vehicle was not covered by the tie rod recall even though the symptoms matched it. Complaints say dealers sometimes found no need for replacement or asked owners to pay for the work. Mostly reported between about 60,000 and 85,000 miles, with several found during annual state inspections.

   Recall 99V248000Recall 00V414000

   What to check: Have the tie rods and steering rack checked for play and split seals, and ask whether the tie rod seal recall work was performed on this specific vehicle.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “We own an Audi A4 that we have had too many repairs. The car has needed a turbo at 55,000 miles, oil pump at 63,000 miles, ignition computer at 68,000 miles and rack and pinion steering at 73,000 miles. We are aware that the car is at high mileage, but this car is suppose to get 200,000 miles out of it. The car was serviced at dealers the entire time. We think that perhaps there are defects in the car that other drivers are experiencing.”

   NHTSA complaint #10005491, filed 2003-02, 73,000 miles

   “I have been noticing rattle on front passenger sides wheel area. I took the car to mcgrath Audi in glenview il for inspection, and had since recieved recall notice relating to tie rod problems. December 2004 dealer found no need for replacement. I then notified them about the recall, they said they were not aware of one ,and that they found no need to replace the tie rods and that I could do so at my expense when I insisted. I had to replace the tie rods (both sides) since this recall and am requesting manufactur reimbursement.”

   NHTSA complaint #10191795, filed 2007-05, 62,861 miles
4. 4
   Vehicle speed control

   Throttle sticking or unintended acceleration in cold weather

   • 10 complaints (5%)
   • median 73,000 mi at 7.3 yrs old (9 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2003–2012

   Owners describe the throttle sticking or the car accelerating on its own while cruising, especially in sub-freezing weather or when temperatures drop quickly. Some say the cruise control would not disengage and that shutting the engine off was the only way to regain control. Complaints point to moisture freezing in the throttle body, and dealers either could not reproduce the problem or had no repair to offer. Reported between about 55,000 and 97,000 miles, generally in cold or wet winter conditions.

   What to check: Ask whether the throttle body or cruise control linkage has been serviced. On a test drive, check that the throttle returns freely and that cruise control cancels when the brake pedal is pressed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While traveling on the highway on a sub zero (-6 degree f) night, my car which was set at 55 MPH on cruise control, accelerated on its own to 62 MPH, and the throttle became stuck. Braking, and pushing the appropriate buttons would not disengage the cruise control. I had to physically push the foot brake as hard as possible to force the car to a stop, and then the car was still accelerating on its own when I released the brake. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10052734, filed 2004-01, 55,000 miles

   “The vehicle speed control recall (NHTSA: 04v495000 ) attached below for the 1999 Audi a6 happened on my car the Audi A4. It is the same transmission. I believe the recall should be extended to include the 1999 A4 as well. The incident happened in vermont when the roads were wet/snowy and the temperature was dropping rapidly (5 degrees/hour). The car would not stop. It was freaky. When I spoke with Audi USA, they explained I needed to go to a dealer. Two Audi dealers in the boston area were dismissive of the situation. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10150056, filed 2006-02, 59,500 miles

Buying note. On this model year, a pre-purchase inspection focused on the ABS warning lights, the timing belt service record and front-end play is worth the cost. Completed recall work and a documented maintenance history tell you more here than the mileage alone.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.