1999 Audi A4 brakes problems

The 1999 Audi A4 has 102 brakes complaints filed with NHTSA — 42% of the year's total, and down from the prior model year.

102

Brakes complaints

42%

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

“THE CAR IS A 5 SPEED. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE IS BELOW THE CENTER ARM REST WHICH CAN BE ADJUSTED TO DIFFERENT HEIGHTS. WHEN THE ARM REST IS IN A LOWER SETTING, THE EMERGENCY BRAKE CANNOT BE PULLED UP HIGH ENOUGH TO KEEP THE CAR FROM MOVING. AFTER PARKING THE CAR, WHEN THE BRAKES COOLED, THE CAR ROLLED…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · July 15, 1999 · crash

Common questions

How many brakes complaints does the 1999 Audi A4 have?

NHTSA has 102 complaints about the 1999 Audi A4 brakes — 42% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 1999 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.