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 2001 Audi A4 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Brakes were working fine, coming off freeway, was coasting thru light, traffic stopped, brakes no longer worked, brake pedal was suddenly flush with floor. Rearended a car, car started jumping forward. Had to use the emergency brake to stop the car. Car was towed after accident, not because it was not drivable, it was not drivable due to brake problem. Repair shop said brakes failed to vacuum hose breaking, no warning prior to losing brakes.
Front brake failure. Out of four pad/shoes, 3 pads physically separated off of their respectivie shoes. One of the three actually came out during driving. When this occured, I temporarily lost braking ability as the brake pedal went to the floor without providing any decelaration. Car needed to be towed to the dealership as it became usafe to drive. The remaining pad/shoe that was not separated was in reaonable condition measuring 7.7mm (out of 10mm). The two remaining separated pads are chipped showing major delamination and major degredation. Remaining pads & shoes have been saved. Brake pads/shoes & rotors were replaced by ira Audi 97 andover street danvers, ma [phone] this appears to be a catastrophic product failure once the pad lets loose completely. …
In searching for complaints filed for 2001 Audi A4's I noticed a number related to very poor braking in wet weather. I experienced the same problem with my 2001 A4. Audi does have a solution for this problem. The rotor backing plates must be replaced with a different design. When I brought it into the dealer for routine service and mentioned the problem no one in the dealership was familiar with the problem. A factory rep. Was visiting the dealership at the time and was familiar with the problem. He ordered new backing plates which, I am told, can only be ordered by a factory rep. It took 3 months for the parts to reach the dealership. I haven't had the problem since the new backing plates were installed.
'01 A4 2.8: (1) digital display is blurry and cannot fully understand everything the computer is displaying, (2) internal oil seals have become defective causing a foul burnt-oil smell within and outside the vehicle, (3) transmission downshifts very hard and rough, (4) very poor design by the engineers to place a cupholder directly over the stereo and heater instrumentation which have caused my buttons to stick. Have taken the vehicle to various dealerships and shops and technicians have stated that the seals are obviously a design flaw and so is the display panel with has some software or lcd problems associated with it.
I'd like to file a complant for a faulty vehicle component on my 2001 Audi A4 (mileage: 30,000 miles). The ABS and brake warning lights are coming on simultaneously. I've been reading a lot of similar complaints on the internet (that's how I found this site). Dealer says there's a "fault code in the ABS control module"...and wants $1500 (!) to repair it. The ABS unit should not be failing as frequently as it seems to be in this car. For a $1500 component to malfunction when it's rarely actuated is beyond comprehension. The TSB should force Audi to perform a recall and/or compensate customers for this outrageous problem.
The brake squeals 90% of the time being applied, it happened since a few months ago. Brought to a local dealer a few times for the problem and reported with "cannot replicate the problem" and "noise is normal for some brakes", while the problem is actually getting worse and now the brake is making the squealing noise even after releasing the brake and last for one or two seconds - it happened especially after the foot brake was applied for more than 15 seconds and then been released (e.g. After waiting at a red light).
Failure of ABS brake control unit in an Audi 2001 A4 while driving on the freeway with snow. It occurred in salt lake city, utah. ABS brake light came on and the ABS brakes weren't working driving on snow and needed to be replaced. $710.00 was the cost of the repair for a faulty unit and a very common problem that Audi knows about it. Good thing that I was going really slow and I was exiting the slippery freeway at the time and I didn't slide. Thank you!
2001 Audi A4 with about 105K miles on. ABS sensor is faulty and this problem is very widespread amongst Audi a4s built around this time. It is a $1500 - $2000 repair for a part that really doesn't seem to go bad with this frequency in other cars. For an example of the score, see this site. This is just one of many sites with similar complaints around this issue: http://Audi-vw-ABS-recall.blogspot.com/2005/07/Audi-and-vw-please-recall-cars-between.html.
Failure of ABS controller in 2001 Audi A4 1.8t. Was told by dealer that engine heat melts soldering in unit. $1,300 estimated repair ($1,000 for part alone). Intermittent failure light and beep when driving, ABS not active when light is blinking. I've read on Audi websites that this is a common failure that Audi of America refuses to take steps to rectify either monetarily or through redesign of the controller to prevent future failures.
While driving in suburban traffic, I noticed the brake pedal fully dress when I attempted to slow from about 30 MPH. Upon subsequent stops, there was a metal on metal sound. Upon inspection, the right front outer pad had completely detached from backing plate. The car was inspected by Audi only 3K miles earlier and there was no indication of brake pad wear. Neither the dealer nor Audi would acknowledge or accept responsibility.
NHTSA investigations
Brake and clutch pedal bracket
Brake complaints in other A4 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2001 Audi A4?
NHTSA has 33 complaints about the brakes of the 2001 Audi A4, 25% of the model year's 131 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (9 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Audi A4 brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2001 Audi A4, though it has 1 recall for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2001 Audi A4 brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 65,000 miles, and 13% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 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.