1998 Audi A4 brakes problems

The 1998 Audi A4 has 142 brakes complaints filed with NHTSA — 44% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

142

Brakes complaints

44%

Share of year

Crash-involved

Related recalls

Brakes complaints by year

A4 brakes complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

99V131001BrakesMay 21, 1999 · 88,121 units

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.

What owners report

“WHILE DRIVINGTHE ABS BRAKING SYSTM WHICH IS ACTIVATED MALFUNCTIONED, HAVING NO BRAKING ABILITY, AND CAUSING A FRONTAL IMPACT. THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S AIRBAGS DID DEPLOY BUT NOT ALL THE WAY. ALSO, SEATBELT TENSIONER MALFUNCTIONED, WHICH DID NOT HOLD PROPERLY THE OCCUPANT, AND OCCUPANT SUSTAINED…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · December 2, 1998 · crash

Common questions

How many brakes complaints does the 1998 Audi A4 have?

NHTSA has 142 complaints about the 1998 Audi A4 brakes — 44% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 1998 Audi A4 brakes?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the brakes: 99V131001.

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.