Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026
High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip — runs 5.3× the fleet median for that category across the 2075 model-years tracked on this site.
190Complaints
7Recalls
9Crashes
2Fires
5Injured
0Deaths
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Is this problem acknowledged?
The most-reported problem — Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip (22.6% of complaints) — is covered by 1 NHTSA recall campaign.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip complaints here are 5.3× the median for that category across the 2075 model-years tracked on this site.
Complaint category
Reports
Official status
Reference
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip
43 · 22.6%
Recalled
Recall 99V131001
Vehicle Speed Control
14 · 7.4%
not available
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module
14 · 7.4%
Recalled
Recall 99V131001
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline:belts And Associated Pulleys
12 · 6.3%
Recalled
Recall 14E007000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc
10 · 5.3%
Recalled
Recall 99V131001
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
8 · 4.2%
Recalled
Recall 99V131001
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE14 · 7.4%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS12 · 6.3%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC10 · 5.3%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC8 · 4.2%
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY7 · 3.7%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING7 · 3.7%
AIR BAGS6 · 3.2%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE6 · 3.2%
Percentages are the share of the 190 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
A failure of the timing belt may cause the engine to shut down, potentially increasing the risk of a vehicle crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
IF MOISTURE AND/OR DUST PARTICLES ENTER THE SWIVEL BEARING MECHANISM, THE SWIVEL BEARING COULD WEAR OVER TIME DIMINISHING THE STEERING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
IF MOISTURE AND/OR DUST PARTICLES ENTER THE SWIVEL BEARING MECHANISM, THE SWIVEL BEARING COULD WEAR OVER TIME DIMINISHING THE STEERING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE INSUFFICIENT VACUUM TO BE PROVIDED TO THE BRAKE BOOSTER. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park itPark outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What owners report
“THE CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLES LEFT REAR BRAKES FAILED. ALSO STATES THAT THE VEHICLE OFTEN FAILED TO STOP DURING WET CONDITIONS, THE CONSUMER WILL…”NHTSA complaint 10001368 — filed 01/06/2003 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
“MY 1999 AUDI A4 EXPERIENCES DELAYED BRAKING DURING PERIODS OF MODERATE TO HEAVY RAIN.”NHTSA complaint 757574 — filed 01/31/2002 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
“THERE HAS ALWAYS BEEN A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKING PERFORMANCE OF THIS VEHICLE DURING WET CONDITIONS. THIS IS ONLY DURING HIGHWAY OR COUNTRY DRIVING WHERE…”NHTSA complaint 755262 — filed 12/04/2001 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Complaint trend by year filed
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 1999 Audi A4?
Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip issues are the most-reported category, cited in 43 of 190 NHTSA complaints (22.6%), followed by vehicle speed control (14), service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/module (14), engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline:belts and associated pulleys (12). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many complaints does the 1999 Audi A4 have?
190 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 9 involved a crash, 2 involved a fire, and 5 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.
Does the 1999 Audi A4 have any recalls?
Yes — 7 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 20V056000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Has NHTSA acted on the 1999 Audi A4's reported problems?
Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.
Is a complaint proof of a defect?
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.
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