Most common 2000 Audi A4 problems
Share of the 96 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Audi A4 complaints by model year
Best A4 years: 2011, 2016, 2012. Years to avoid: 2020, 2008, 1998, 2006, 1999. Compare all years →
2000 Audi A4 recalls (2)
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
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.
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.
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
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.
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.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 3 possible defects involving the 2000 Audi A4:
Brake and clutch pedal bracket
Degraded braking wet weather condition
There is no summary currently available
Degraded braking in wet weather
There is no summary currently available
What 2000 Audi A4 owners say
Brakes all 51 →
ABS module/sensor failure. This problem occurs frequently with other Audi owners and has been thoroughly documented on sites such as mycarstats.com. Basically the ABS and brake lights would come on while driving, accompanied by a beep. After initial research, I was able to confirm the module had failed and would require replacement. Local Audi dealer quoted 1500 for the module plus labor. Luckily, I found an alternative by sending the faulty module to modulemaster.com. This company specializes in repairing defektive circuitry. The labor is warrantied for the life of the vehicle and costs 300.00 (including shipping and misc. Stuff). The car was still driveable while the module was out. Their website contained a video on how to properly access the module, remove it, and replace it once it was repaired. All in all, I saved myself '1200 plus labor'. …
Audi complaint and recall request the anti lock braking system no longer works like it should. When the vehicle is started I get a solid amber ABS warning light along with a flashing brake light accompanied with three warning tones. Upon doing an internet search I immediately realized this problem with the Bosch 5.3 ABS control module unit is extremely common on 1998 to 2001 Audi and vw models. Audi/vw created a service bulletin to repair vw's in the same date range (bulletin 0517 NHTSA id number: 10016037), but ignored the issue with Audi's. As per the vehicle's owner's manual, it states that while the system is in this state, the rear brakes May lock up under braking. This is a serious problem that will not allow me to brake quickly in emergency situations. The cost of replacing the ABS module from the dealership was quoted at over $1000. …
Electrical system
Pixels on the driver information display in the instrument cluster failed gradually since the 2000 Audi A4 quattro was 4 years old. Almost all pixels are dead now. The driver information display is located in the center of the instrument cluster. It includes information on the current operating status via autocheck control, which monitors the condition of certain components on the vehicle, such as the brake system, coolant level and engine oil pressure. Autocheck control takes place continuously when the ignition is switched on. Malfunctions and service reminders are also shown, accompanied by warning tones. The displays are prioritize with either red or yellow illuminated symbols. The red signals indicate a potentially hazardous situation requiring immediate driver attention; the yellow ones are cautionary information.
Ignition coil failure - twice once at the end of October and the dealer had my car for almost 3 weeks and the second was 3 days after I received the car back from the previously mentioned repair and they had the car for 18 days. The part had to be shipped from Germany. The service man said that audiusa is not allowing all 4 coils to be replaced at once and has no intention to recall to car.
Engine & cooling
I am an owner of a 2000 A4 1.8t Audi. The owner's manual states that the timing belt should be replaced at 105,000 miles and also states that it is a "long-lasting" belt. I have 95,000 miles on my vehicle and the tensioner and damper failed when I was driving on the highway at a speed of 65 MPH; the car just stopped, and I had to navigate through four lanes of heavy traffic to the shoulder in a car with no power- scary and dangerous! The car had to be towed to the mechanic's, and since I was 5 hours away from home, I had to rent a car for the next 12 days while it was being repaired. $3300.00 later, and after two trips up there (10 hours round trip from home) I got my car back and was informed why the whole thing happened (defective parts). The mechanic showed me all the damage that was done-including all 20 broken and twisted valves! …
I am an owner of a 2000 A4 1.8t Audi. The owners manual states that the timing belt should be replaced at 105,000 miles. I have 94,000 miles on my vehicle and the tensioner failed when I was driving on the highway at a speed of 60 MPH. Whenever I started investigating my options for repair of the vehicle I was informed that Audi has experienced numerous failures due to a problem with this tensioner. Audi has never made any attempts in notifying customers that there is a problem and that the tensioner should be replaced before the recommended 105,000 miles as stated in their owners maintenance package. The Audi have zero tolerance so whenever a timing belt fails there is significant damage to the head and valves. I was quoted a price of $7,500 to have the vehicle repaired by Audi, I choose to take the vehicle to another auto service dealer for repair which cost $4,000. …
2000 Audi A4 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8L 4-cyl turbo | 5-speed manual | FWD | 21 / 29 / 24 |
| 1.8L 4-cyl turbo | 5-speed manual | 4WD/AWD | 19 / 26 / 22 |
| 1.8L 4-cyl turbo | 5-speed automatic | FWD | 18 / 28 / 21 |
| 2.8L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 18 / 26 / 21 |
| 1.8L 4-cyl turbo | 5-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 17 / 26 / 20 |
| 2.8L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | FWD | 16 / 24 / 19 |
| 2.8L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 4WD/AWD | 16 / 23 / 19 |
| 2.8L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 16 / 23 / 18 |
EPA ratings. Class: Compact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2000 Audi A4 a good car?
Based on 96 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2000 A4 rates average: about as many complaints as a typical year of the A4 at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2000 Audi A4?
The brakes — 51 complaints, 53% of all complaints for this model year, most often about antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip. Next are the electrical system (11) and engine & cooling (11).
How many recalls does the 2000 Audi A4 have?
There are 2 recalls for the 2000 Audi A4, the most recent from June 23, 2021 (inflator module). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Audi A4?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2011, 2016 and 2012. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2020, 2008, 1998, 2006 and 1999. See the full Audi A4 years comparison.
At what mileage do 2000 Audi A4 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 63,000 miles; 31% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.