VehicleVerdict

2001 Audi TT problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 154 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 30.8 times the median TT year — the 2001 model ranks #1 of 17 TT years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

The trouble concentrates in one system: electrical system issues account for 49% of all reports (75 of 154), far ahead of fuel system at 11.

154

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

0

Investigations

4

Crash-involved

8

Fires reported

2

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2001 compare to other TT years?

TT NHTSA complaints by model year, 2001 highlighted154 complaints2000: 94 complaints2001: 154 complaints2002: 53 complaints2003: 19 complaints2004: 33 complaints2005: 17 complaints2006: 4 complaints2007: 1 complaints2008: 17 complaints2009: 15 complaints2010: 4 complaints2011: 2 complaints2016: 5 complaints2017: 0 complaints2018: 0 complaints2019: 0 complaints2023: 0 complaints
TT NHTSA complaints by model year, 2001 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all TT years to avoid →

What are the most common 2001 Audi TT problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System7549%
Fuel System117%
Airbags106%
Engine106%
Brakes85%
Other75%
Transmission75%
Suspension64%
Visibility & Wipers53%
Tires & Wheels43%
Body & Structure32%
Lighting21%
Seat Belts21%
Speed Control11%
Seats11%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)11%
Latches & Locks11%

Does the 2001 Audi TT 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.

07E023000BrakesMarch 29, 2007 · 13,128 units

Defect

CERTAIN CARDONE MASTER CYLINDERS WITH PART NUMBERS 10-2925, 10-2987, 10-2987MZA, 10-3083, 11-3015, 11-3042, 11-3044, 11-3045, 11-3047, 11-3064, AND 11-3156, AND WITH DATE CODES LOWER THAN DCA7078 SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE SEAL ON MASTER CYLINDER CAN FAIL AND LEAK BRAKE FLUID.

Consequence

LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID CAN RESULT IN POOR BRAKING PERFORMANCE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

CARDONE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE ANY DEFECTIVE MASTER CYLINDERS. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING APRIL 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT CARDONE AT 1-800-777-4780.

01V325000SuspensionOctober 10, 2001 · 3,700 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. MOISTURE COULD ENTER THE REAR TRACK CONTROL ARM'S MOUNTING BUSHING AND BOLT COMBINATION AND CAUSE CORROSION.

Consequence

CORROSION COULD IMPEDE THE FREE MOVEMENT OF THE CONTROL ARM.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TRACK CONTROL ARMS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 12, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT AUDI AT 1-800-822-2834.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“ON OUR AUDI TT 2001 CONVERTIBLE, THE ELECTRICAL OUTLETS UNDERNEATH THE DASHBOARD CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND AFTER AN INVESTIGATION, FOUND NO KNOWN CAUSE OF FIRE. ALSO, PRIOR TO THIS FIRE, THE TIP OF THE SPARK PLUG FELL INTO THE ENGINE CYLINDER BLOCK, CAUSING US THE OWNERS TO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · March 21, 2010 · fire

“THIRD INSTRUMENT CLUSTER ON A 2001 AUDI TT ROADSTER. FUEL GAUGE AT FIRST SHOWED TOO MUCH FUEL. AFTER A NEW CLUSTER THE FUEL GAUGE SHOWS LOW WHEN ITS NOT. APPARENTLY THE SENDING UNIT IS THE CAUSE BUT AUDI IS IGNORANT OF THE ISSUE AND DOES NOT HAVE A REPAIR SOLUTION. I DARE SAY AUDI DOES NOT CARE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · June 10, 2008

“ON OUR AUDI TT 2001 CONVERTIBLE, THE ELECTRICAL OUTLETS UNDERNEATH THE DASHBOARD CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND AFTER AN INVESTIGATION, FOUND NO KNOWN CAUSE OF FIRE. ALSO, PRIOR TO THIS FIRE, THE TIP OF THE SPARK PLUG FELL INTO THE ENGINE CYLINDER BLOCK, CAUSING US THE OWNERS TO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · March 21, 2010 · fire

“MY 2001 AUDI TT ROADSTERS AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY DURING A DIRECT FRONTAL COLLISION. THE COLLISION FORCE WAS ENOUGH TO SHEAR THE ALUMINUM BUMPER REINFORCEMENT IN THE MIDDLE AS WELL AS WRAP THE RADIATOR AROUND THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE IS STILL IN FOR REPAIRS WHICH NOW TOTAL OVER $13,000.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · April 20, 2003 · crash

“THE BRAKES FAILED ON THE 2001 AUDI TT SPORTSCAR. THE FIRST TIME THE CAR CRASHED. THE AUDI DEALER SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE BRAKES. A FEW MONTHS LATER THE BRAKES FAILED AGAIN, AND FORTUNATELY THE CAR DID NOT CRASH. AGAIN, AUDI INSISTS THE BRAKES ARE FINE, BUT OBVIOUSLY, SOMETHING IS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · January 5, 2010 · crash

2001 Audi TT — common questions

Is the 2001 Audi TT reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 154 complaints put the 2001 model at #1 of 17 TT years. It is one of the TT years to avoid.

What are the most common 2001 TT problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (75 complaints), fuel system (11 complaints), engine (10 complaints).

Does the 2001 Audi TT have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2001 Audi TT. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Audi TT years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the TT years to avoid are 2001, 2000, 2002, 2004. The cleanest record among TT years belongs to 2023.

Related

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

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.