2000 Audi A4 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 2000 Audi A4 sits mid-pack among A4 years: 115 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 96, with 5 recalls and 3 closed investigations.

The trouble concentrates in one system: brakes issues account for 47% of all reports (54 of 115), far ahead of electrical system at 12.

115

NHTSA complaints

Recalls

Investigations

Crash-involved

Fires reported

Injuries

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2000 compare to other A4 years?

A4 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2000 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all A4 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2000 Audi A4 problems?

Component	Complaints	Share	vs prior year
Brakes	54	47%	▼ down
Electrical System	12	10%	— flat
Engine	11	10%	▼ down
Transmission	9	8%	— flat
Airbags	7	6%	— flat
Visibility & Wipers	5	4%	— flat
Other	4	3%	▲ up
Suspension	3	3%	▼ down
Tires & Wheels	2	2%	▼ down
Speed Control	2	2%	▼ down
Lighting	2	2%	▼ down
Fuel System	1	1%	▼ down
Seats	1	1%	— flat
Steering	1	1%	▼ down
Latches & Locks	1	1%	▼ down

Does the 2000 Audi A4 have recalls?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

21V470000AirbagsJune 23, 2021 · 62,812 units

Defect

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2000-2001 Audi TT Coupe, TT Roadster, 2000-2002 A4, and S4 vehicles equipped with Non-Azide Driver Air Bag Inflators (NADI) that do not contain phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. Due to a manufacturing issue, the NADI inflators may absorb moisture, possibly causing the air bag to deploy improperly in the event of a crash.

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 airbag inflator with an alternative inflator, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 2, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69CJ.

20V056000AirbagsJanuary 31, 2020 · 106,857 units

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 issue, the NADI inflators may absorb moisture, possibly causing the air bag to deploy improperly in the event of a crash.

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.

14E007000EngineMarch 7, 2014 · 50 units

Defect

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 through October 2013) that have a black-colored pulley/sprocket or do not have 'US9377' stamped on the water pump housing. These service replacement parts were sold for use in model year 1999-2005 Audi A4, 2000-2006 Audi TT, 1998-2005 Volkswagen Beetle, 1999-2006 Golf, 1999-2008 and 2011-2013 Volkswagen Jetta, and 2000-2005 Volkswagen Passat. In the affected water pumps, the pulley or sprocket that turns the timing belt may develop microfractures causing the timing belt to fail.

Consequence

A failure of the timing belt may cause the engine to shut down, potentially increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

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.

06E060000LightingJune 29, 2006 · 87,745 units

Defect

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 REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Consequence

LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH

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.

06E049000LightingMay 24, 2006 · 27,176 units

Defect

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 NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“I WAS DRIVING AT NIGHT ON THE ROAD ENTERING A HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 35 MPH WHEN I SPOTTED SOMETHING ON THE ROAD. BEING THAT MY VEHICLE IS AWD AND EQUIPPED WITH ABS I BROKE AND SWERVED. I FELT NO RESPONSE FORM THE BRAKES AND BY THAT TIME (2-4 SECONDS) MY CAR HAD LOST CONTROL AND STARTED TO SPIN. THE CAR…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · December 11, 2000 · crash

“THE SEAT HEATER FAILED, ALSO WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN REVERSE, AND THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKE, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. *JB THE VEHICLE WASN'T DRIVABLE WHEN THE IGNITION COILS FAILED. SCC”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · fire

“I HAVE A 2000 AUDI A4. THERE WAS A LETTER THAT WAS MAILED TO ME EXPLAINING THE DEFECT WITH THE VEHICLE 2 MONTHS AFTER THE INCIDENT HAPPENED. THE TIMING BELT ON MY VEHICLE BROKE RESULTING IN SEVERE ENGINE DAMAGE. THE MANUFACTURER REFUSES TO PAY FOR THE DAMAGE OR FIX IT. *TR”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · April 11, 2008

“2001 AUDI A4 BEGAN TO SMOKE. DROVE 5 MINUTES TO A FRIEND'S HOUSE AND PARKED IN DRIVEWAY, CONSUMER WENT INSIDE OF HOUSE, AND CAR WAS SITTING FOR 20 MINUTES. THEN, SOMEONE KNOCKED, AND TOLD CONSUMER THAT CAR WAS SITTING IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. CAR DISENGAGED ON ITS OWN, AND ALMOST RAN OVER TWO…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · August 15, 2000 · crash

“WAS DRIVING VEHICLE STARTED TO DRIFT TO SIDE OF ROAD. SIDE OF ROAD HAD GRAVEL WHICH GAVE WAY & VEHICLE STARTED SLIDING SIDEWAYS. THEN IT EITHER FLIPPED OR ROLLED OVER. NEITHER AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. DRIVER & PASSENGER SUSTAINED SLIGHT INJURIES. NO EMERGENCY TREATMENT. NEITHER FRONT NOR SIDE AIR BAGS…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · May 14, 2000 · crash

2000 Audi A4 — common questions

Is the 2000 Audi A4 reliable?

It is close to typical for the A4: 115 NHTSA complaints, 5 recalls, and 3 investigations on file.

What are the most common 2000 A4 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (54 complaints), electrical system (12 complaints), engine (11 complaints).

Does the 2000 Audi A4 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2000 Audi A4. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2000 Audi A4 under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 3 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Audi A4 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the A4 years to avoid are 2006, 1998, 2003, 2005, 1999, 2020, 2007, 2004, 2002, 2008, 2001, 2009. The cleanest record among A4 years belongs to 1995.

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

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.

How does 2000 compare to other A4 years?

What are the most common 2000 Audi A4 problems?

Does the 2000 Audi A4 have recalls?

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

2000 Audi A4 — common questions

Is the 2000 Audi A4 reliable?

What are the most common 2000 A4 problems?

Does the 2000 Audi A4 have recalls?

Is the 2000 Audi A4 under NHTSA investigation?

Which Audi A4 years should you avoid?

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