1999 Audi A4: common problems and reliability

The 1999 Audi A4 has 196 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 7 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are service brakes and hydraulic. Owners most often flag oil sludge in the engine: recurrent.

Safety record for the 1999 model year

196
Owner complaints
7
Recalls
9
Crash reports
2
Fire reports

Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 1999 Audi A4 vehicles (US, public record).

Is 1999 a good year for the A4?

Across the 23 A4 model years we track, complaint volume runs from 8 (2019) to 673 (2007). With 196 complaints, the 1999 A4 sits abovethe model's median of 109.

These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.

Where owners report problems

service brakes
93
hydraulic
84
engine and engine cooling
28
vehicle speed control
16
steering
15

Recalls affecting the 1999 A4

air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module

Campaign 20V056000

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) th

engine and engine cooling:engine

Campaign 14E007000

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 m

exterior lighting

Campaign 06E060000

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

exterior lighting

Campaign 06E049000

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 AMBE

What owners report on the 2000-2004 A4

Owners express a deeply divided sentiment about this generation. Many praise the 2000-2004 A4 for its excellent handling, strong winter performance, high-quality interior that holds up well over two decades, and engaging driving dynamics, with some calling it

  • Oil sludge in the engine: Recurrent
  • Turbo whining and failure: Recurrent
  • Timing belt replacement is expensive and labor-intensive: Recurrent
  • Digital display/instrument cluster panel fails: Recurrent
  • Oil fumes entering the cabin: Isolated

Owner insights for the 2000-2004 A4. Read the full 2000-2004 owner report.

Typical used price

Used A4 listings typically run $10,061–$18,889 across 2006 to 2024 model years.

Other A4 model years

Compare every A4 year side by side to see how 1999 ranks against the rest.

Compare the A4 against its rivals