Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1999 Audi A4 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl contact owns a 1999 Audi A4 quatro. The contact bought the vehicle from a private dealer. As he drove the vehicle off the lot, he heard a grinding noise coming from the brakes. He informed the sales associate that there was rust underneath the vehicle, including the brake pads. The contact took the vehicle back to the dealer and they stated that they would give him another vehicle for an additional $3,000. The other vehicle had a cracked windshield and needed a new fuel pump; therefore, the contact did not want the other vehicle. He kept the Audi and took it to an Audi dealer for a diagnostic. The results indicated that the bearings were rusted and the vehicle needed an alignment and new brake pads. In addition, the rims were bent. The Audi dealer stated that the vehicle should have never been sold in that condition and with those defects. The vehicle has not been repaired. …
Our 1999.5 Audi avant quattro VIN[redacted] has passed 80,000 miles. The antilock brake system (ABS) controller has failed causing intermittent failure of the ABS system. The result is inconsistent and dangerous handling of the vehicle in low traction conditions -- the very conditions Audi quitter's are purchased for! Repair of the system is in excess of 25% of the value of the market car. A search of several internet Audi sites revealed that this is a common problem with many current Audi models. Audi of America refuses to fix this problem under recall.
Dt: the consumer stated that the 1998 Audi a 4 was having a problem with the ABS control unit. The diagnosis was that there was a communication error between the ABS unit and the instrument cluster. The consumer has not had the problem corrected. The parts needed to fix the problem was on back order. The consumer has not ordered any parts to fix the vehicle at this time. The vehicle had a warning light on the instrument panel. It was the warning light and the ABS light. The consumer took the vehicle to a repair shop to have it checked. The manufacturer has been contacted and the consumer filed a complaint with Volkswagen.
I own a 1999 Audi A4 with approximately 74,000 miles. Recently upon start-up the ABS indicator light comes on and the brake indicator light flashes. I have taken the car in for service and have been informed that I no longer have anti-lock brakes and that to remedy the situation will cost in excess of $1500. This is completely unacceptable and appears to be due to a Audi manufacturing defect (anecdotally, I have heard of hundreds of similar issues with the ABS). While the car is operable using standard brakes I believe it is a significant danger should the ABS be required. Please look into this issue.
Tl contact owns a 1999 Audi A4. The vehicle was repaired according to NHTSA campaign id number 99V131001 (service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuum:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings). After the repair, the contact noticed that insufficient vacuum is provided to the brake booster in cold weather conditions. In addition, he noticed that the ABS and brake warning indicators were illuminated on the instrument panel. The dealer stated that he was only entitled to one repair according to the recall law. The manufacturer did not assist. The failure mileage was 110,000 and current mileage was 113,000.
During routine commuting to and from work the ABS warning light comes on intermittantly. A diagnosis was performed and revealed a failed ABS control module, rendering the ABS system inoperable. The cost of repair is estimated at $1500. The failure is attributed to faulty engineering in the OEM part as this failure is very common with this model Audi. The consequence of the failure is ultimately an unpredictable and unsafe braking system as the ABS system now works sporadically then fails completely. The part has not been repaired at this point due to the exuberant cost.
The ABS controller failed. Numerous other owners have experienced this possibly safely related failure. This part controls the ABS braking and if it fails, the ABS does not work. This could result in crashes due to drivers expecting ABS support during hard braking only to realize it is not working. Some owners have had this fixed outside of Audi warranty and we believe Audi is running a silent recall. This web forum documents what could be a silent recall by Audi http://tech.bentleypublishers.com/thread.jspa?threadid=3409&tstart=0. This part costs around $1500 new.
Tl contact owns a 1999 Audi A4. When applying the brakes at any speeds, the vehicle slows down but does not stop as it should. The contact has had to depress the brake pedal with both feet in order to stop the vehicle. The failure occurs intermittently. The dealer stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 99V131001 (service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuum:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings). The current mileage was 110,000 and failure mileage was 95,000. Updated 6/16/08
Picked up car at holberts Audi in warrington, pa on June 15, 2004. Dealer replaced right fron upper and lower suspension links. After leaving the dealership, the ABS light came on and the brake light began blinking. Brought car back to dealer and dealer said ABS control module needs replacing. Without a functioning ABS control module, the car is without the increased safety provided by anti lock brakes. Haven't replaced the part yet due to its $1,000 price tag.
ABS pump failure. At approx. 71000 miles, the ABS controller/pump failed on my 1999 Audi A4 1.8t quattro. There are many others that I have spoken to and read about who have also had the exact same failure with the same ABS pump/controller. Http://tech.bentleypublishers.com/thread.jspa?threadid=3409&tstart=0 and http://forums.audiworld.com/A4/msgs/1743701.phtml . Apparently, Audi knows about the problem but is not widespread enough to issue a recall.
Related recalls
Service brakes, hydraulic › Power assist › Vacuum › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
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.
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.
NHTSA investigations
Power brake booster vacuum by-pass
There is no summary currently available
Brake and clutch pedal bracket
Degraded braking in wet weather
There is no summary currently available
Brake complaints in other A4 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 1999 Audi A4?
NHTSA has 91 complaints about the brakes of the 1999 Audi A4, 48% of the model year's 190 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (43 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Audi A4 brake problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 99V131001 (hoses, lines/piping, and fittings, May 21, 1999). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1999 Audi A4 brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 82,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 0 injuries to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.