Brake complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 | 10% | 30,000 miles |
| 2020 | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2019 | 1 | 10% | — |
| 2018 | 4 | 9% | — |
| 2017 | 1 | 2% | — |
| 2016 | 1 | 9% | — |
| 2014 | 2 | 6% | — |
| 2012 | 2 | 11% | 138,000 miles |
| 2011 | 1 | 9% | 112,000 miles |
| 2010 | 1 | 2% | — |
| 2008 | 2 | 1% | 10,000 miles |
| 2007 | 2 | 1% | — |
| 2006 | 5 | 2% | 41,000 miles |
| 2005 | 2 | 1% | 15,000 miles |
| 2004 | 5 | 3% | 48,000 miles |
| 2003 | 2 | 1% | 7,000 miles |
| 2002 | 4 | 2% | 87,000 miles |
| 2001 | 33 | 25% | 65,000 miles |
| 2000 | 51 | 53% | 85,000 miles |
| 1999 | 91 | 48% | 82,000 miles |
| 1998 | 125 | 48% | 86,000 miles |
| 1997 | 15 | 15% | 130,000 miles |
| 1996 | 11 | 12% | 35,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
An Audi dealer installed 245/40R18 93H tires on this 2018 Audi A4, while the vehicle placard/specification requires 245/40R18 97H. The lower load index reduces capacity from 1,609 lb per tire to 1,433 lb per tire, approximately 704 lb total across four tires. This creates a safety risk because load-rated tires affect vehicle stability, heat buildup, braking, steering/cornering, suspension loading, and tire failure/blowout risk. After discovering the mismatch, the concern was reported to the dealer and Audi, but the dealer stated the 93H tires were acceptable rather than providing a safety-based correction. No crash, fire, injury, or fatality occurred. This complaint is being submitted because the vehicle may have been operated with under-rated tires and because the issue can affect handling, braking, tire durability, suspension/wheel components, and safe vehicle control. …
While driving the emergency parking brake engaged itself without warning or cause. This caused the vehicle to come to an abrupt stop. Luckily I was in a parking lot but if I had been in a high traffic area or intersection, it could've caused a collision. I had 2 passengers who witnessed this sudden bizarre event. There was nothing that could've caused this to happen. It scares me & now I'm worried this could happen again without warning. The sensor screen was beeping with a message to put my car in park before setting the brake. Made no sense why this happened.
The car was parked overnight. Once the temperature reach approximately 40 degrees, the brake lights activated, but deactivated when the car was started and I pressed the brake pedal. Over the course of a few months, this malfunction completely drained my battery.
Been a not so proud owner of a Audi A4 2004 , and having a number of documents issues with my call and receiving poor service from my local dealer. At approximately 3000 miles before my warranty expired the front brakes starts to make grinding nose after taking to the dealer the dealer informed me that the brakes needed to be replaced including the routers (which by the way they never replaced under the maintenance despite the fact I requested them to check my brakes every time I took the car for service and they kept telling my the brakes were good). At this time they informed me that I had to pay $320.00 to have my brakes replaced. What I don't understand is my did the dealer waited for the router to the full damaged before replacing them.
I was driving my Audi A4 2004 down a slight slope and had to stop at the red light just before crossing a major highway (va 123). As I saw the red light, I tried to press on the breaks and around the same time, I realized that the car started shaking as if it was about to stall. However, the car did not stall and the break was rock hard. I couldn't apply the breaks. I lowered the gear and used the hand break to stop the car. I had the car towed to the Audi dealer. Dealer told me that the suction pump valve split into two and that is why the engine suddenly got too much air and the break power assist also failed. They have replaced the suction pump. The old part has been trashed.
While pulling into the driveway, the brakes failed. The pedal locked up and would not move. There was no braking force at all. I attempted to engage the emergency brake but was unable to before the car crashed into the back of the garage, causing significant damage to the car and the house. The car is currently in the body shop and will then be sent to the mechanic for diagnostic and repairs.
2002 Audi A4 customer states that failed brakes caused an accident* the consumer stated that the brakes collapsed upon him trying to apply them. The manufacturer stated the collision must have occurred first, and in the course of the collision, the bracket in which the brake pedal was mounted collapsed, as it was designed to do. (lawyer wrote in on behalf of consumer).
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.
Related recalls (1)
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
Degraded braking in wet weather
There is no summary currently available
Power brake booster vacuum by-pass
There is no summary currently available
Brake and clutch pedal bracket
Frequently asked questions
Which Audi A4 years have brake problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1998 (125), 1999 (91), 2000 (51), 2001 (33) and 1997 (15) model years. Brake complaints make up 48% of all complaints for the 1998.
Is there a recall for Audi A4 brake problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 99V131001 (hoses, lines/piping, and fittings, May 21, 1999). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Audi A4 brake problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 78,000 miles; 18% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (155 mentions), followed by the antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › control unit/module (40).
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.