NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints
112 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Apr 4, 2000
Service Brakes, HydraulicStructure
WHEN TRAVELING AT SPEED OF 50 MPH OR GREATER IN VERY HEAVY RAIN, THERE IS AN INITIAL DELAY WHILE BRAKING (0.5 SEC-1 SEC) WHEN BRAKES DON'T HAVE AN EFFECT. PUSHED THE PEDAL AND NOTHING HAPPENED FOR THE INITIAL DELAY. THEN, ABRUPTLY THE CAR BRAKES. ALSO, THERE IS A LACK OF SPLASH SHIELDS ON THE FRONT ROTORS ON THE MODEL YEAR 9…
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WHEN TRAVELING AT SPEED OF 50 MPH OR GREATER IN VERY HEAVY RAIN, THERE IS AN INITIAL DELAY WHILE BRAKING (0.5 SEC-1 SEC) WHEN BRAKES DON'T HAVE AN EFFECT. PUSHED THE PEDAL AND NOTHING HAPPENED FOR THE INITIAL DELAY. THEN, ABRUPTLY THE CAR BRAKES. ALSO, THERE IS A LACK OF SPLASH SHIELDS ON THE FRONT ROTORS ON THE MODEL YEAR 98 (MODEL YEAR 2000 HAS IT). THE ROTORS HAVE WATER ON THEM AND IT TAKES A WHILE FOR THAT TO BE EVACUATED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #720999
Mileage unknown · Mar 31, 2000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED, WEATHER WAS RAINING/SNOWING, WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES TO EXIT THE HIGHWAY, THE BRAKES DID NOT SLOW THE CAR AS THEY SHOULD. I PUMPED THE BRAKES SEVERAL TIMES AND WAS ABLE TO SLOW THE CAR FOR THE EXIT RAMP. THIS HAS OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS PRIOR AND SINCE, ALL DURING WET CONDITIONS. …
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TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED, WEATHER WAS RAINING/SNOWING, WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES TO EXIT THE HIGHWAY, THE BRAKES DID NOT SLOW THE CAR AS THEY SHOULD. I PUMPED THE BRAKES SEVERAL TIMES AND WAS ABLE TO SLOW THE CAR FOR THE EXIT RAMP. THIS HAS OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS PRIOR AND SINCE, ALL DURING WET CONDITIONS. ON THE 1/22/00 INCIDENT, I WAS ON MY WAY TO THE DEALER TO HAVE A SCHEDULED SERVICE COMPLETED AND MENTIONED THE PROBLEM TO THE SERVICE WRITER. HE ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH WET BRAKING IN MY MODEL HOWEVER AUDI HAS NOT AUTHORIZED ANY REPAIRS. HE DID HAVE THE PADS REMOVED AND CLEANED ALONG WITH THE ROTORS. THIS HAS NOT SOLVED THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA ODI #720840
Mileage unknown · Mar 14, 2000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
NO PARTS HAVE BEEN AVAILABLE FOR RECALL # 99V131000/ BRAKE BOOSTER SINCE OCTOBER 1999. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER ABOUT EVERY 4 WEEKS AS DEALER HAS INSTRUCTED. ALSO, DEALER CLAIMED THAT MANUFACTURER WAS NOT SENDING OUT PARTS FOR RECALL REPAIR. *AK
NHTSA ODI #858455
Mileage unknown · Mar 13, 2000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 99V131001 CONCERNING THE BRAKE BOOSTER.CONTACTED THE DEALER, NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. RECALL PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
NHTSA ODI #858351
Mileage unknown · Feb 27, 2000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
WET BRAKING PERFORMANCE GREATLY DIMINISHED DUE TO WET ROTORS, REQUIRES HIGHER BRAKE EFFORT AND STOPPING TIME/DISTANCE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #719366
Mileage unknown · Feb 9, 2000
Electrical SystemService Brakes, Hydraulic
ABS SYSTEM FAILED ON TWO OCCASIONS. *MJS
NHTSA ODI #9000550
Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 2000
Service Brakes, HydraulicSteering
RECALLS 99V248 000/TIE ROD & 99V131 001/BRAKE BOOSTER; BOTH MAMUFACTURER'S RECALLS COULD NOT BE HONORED BECAUSE DEALER HAD NO PARTS. BUT INFORMED CONSUMER THAT PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE ON OCT 15, 1999. ASKING NHTSA HELP IN THIS MATTER. *AK
NHTSA ODI #855982
Mileage unknown · Jan 27, 2000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
RECALL # 99V131000 VW/BRAKE BOOSTER; OWNER RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE IN SEPTEMBER 1999. OWNER HAS CONTACTED DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. DEALER HAS NO PARTS AVAILABLE TO CORRECT RECALL. MANUFACTURER STATED THAT PARTS SHOULD BE AVAILABLE IN THE MIDDLE OF JANUARY 2000. *AK
NHTSA ODI #854515
Mileage unknown · Jan 25, 2000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
AFTER DRIVING IN RAIN, FOOT WILL SINK ON BRAKE PEDAL AS IF HYDRAULIC FLUID IS GONE AND STOPPING FORCE IS GONE UNTIL RE-APPLYING FOOT TO BRAKE PEDAL 2ND-3RD TIME. *AK
NHTSA ODI #717852
Mileage unknown · Jan 25, 2000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
THE WET BRAKING IS HORRIBLE ON THIS CAR. IF YOU ARE DRIVING IN THE RAIN, IT TAKES 2 SECONDS FOR THE ROTORS TO DRY OUT. I HAVE ALWAYS HAD CARS WITH 4 WHEEL DISCS AND HAVE NEVER SEEN A CAR THAT LOSES ITS BRAKES SO EASILY. THE CAR BRAKES *GREAT* IN THE DRY AND WHEN THE ROADS ARE WET, BUT WHEN IT IS RAINING ENOUGH TO WET THE ROTO…
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THE WET BRAKING IS HORRIBLE ON THIS CAR. IF YOU ARE DRIVING IN THE RAIN, IT TAKES 2 SECONDS FOR THE ROTORS TO DRY OUT. I HAVE ALWAYS HAD CARS WITH 4 WHEEL DISCS AND HAVE NEVER SEEN A CAR THAT LOSES ITS BRAKES SO EASILY. THE CAR BRAKES *GREAT* IN THE DRY AND WHEN THE ROADS ARE WET, BUT WHEN IT IS RAINING ENOUGH TO WET THE ROTORS, ALL DRIVERS WITH THE STOCK PADS NEED TO BE EXTREMEMLY CAREFUL. I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS PART OF THE PROBLEM, BUT THERE IS NO SPASH SHIELD BEHIND THE ROTOR. I DON'T WANT TO BE INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THIS AND FELT LIKE I SHOULD REPORT IT. I DO KNOW THAT THIS IS NOT JUST HAPPENING TO ME, BUT THAT IS NOT WHAT THE DEALER WANTS US TO THINK. I HAVE HEARD THAT CHANGING THE PADS TO AN AFTERMARKET HELPS, BUT I FEEL AUDI SHOULD DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT. *AK
NHTSA ODI #717850
Official recalls
4Jul 1, 2022
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 1998 Audi A8 and 1997-1998 Audi A4 vehicles equipped with Non-Azide Driver air bag Inflators (NADI) that do not contain phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. Due to a manufacturing issue, the NADI inflator may absorb moisture, causing the inflator to explode or the air bag cushion to underinflate.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: The inflator could explode during air bag deployment, resulting in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants. An underinflated air bag may not properly protect the occupant. These scenarios increase the risk of serious injury or death.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver's air bag inflator with an alternative inflator of a different design, free of charge. Owner notification letters were sent September 21, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 69BT. The vehicles in this recall were mistakenly omitted from recall 20V-056. All vehicle owners have already been notified by mail and informed that the remedy is available.
Sep 13, 1999
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE TIE RODS OF THE STEERING ASSEMBLY ARE PROTECTED ON EACH SIDE BY A SEAL TO PREVENT MOISTURE AND DUST PARTICLES FROM ENTERING THE SWIVEL BEARING MECHANISM. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT SOME TIE ROD SEALS MAY NOT SEAL PROPERLY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF MOISTURE AND/OR DUST PARTICLES ENTER THE SWIVEL BEARING MECHANISM, THE SWIVEL BEARING COULD WEAR OVER TIME DIMINISHING THE STEERING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TIE RODS.
May 21, 1999
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE INSUFFICIENT VACUUM TO BE PROVIDED TO THE BRAKE BOOSTER.
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.
Jun 22, 1998
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. IF THE ENGINE BACKFIRES DURING A COLD-START, AN AIR SCREEN WHICH IS LOOSELY SEATED IN THE AIR FLOW METER CAN BECOME DAMAGED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: SCREEN PIECES COULD ENTER THE INTAKE AIR FLOW SYSTEM AND PREVENT THE THROTTLE PLATE FROM RETURNING TO ITS FULL IDLE POSITION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A RETAINING RING TO HOLD THE AIR SCREEN IN PLACE.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
5EA04017 · STUCK-OPEN Throttle
Opened Jun 30, 2004 · Closed Feb 10, 2005
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System
VWOA HAS RECALLED APPROXIMATELY 28,300 MY 1998-99 A6 VEHICLES IN COLD WEATHER STATES THAT EXPERIENCED THE HIGHEST RATE OF THROTTLE ICING INCIDENTS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES (04V-495).THE FAILURE RATE IN THE A4 AND PASSAT VEHICLES IS MUCH LOWER THAN IN THE RECALLED VEHICLES.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE EXPERIENCE IN THE A4 AND PASSAT VEHICLES.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS FOR THE AUDI A4 OR VW PASSAT VEHICLES.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY A CHANGE IN CIRCUMSTANCES. FOR FURTHER DETAILS SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.
PE02008 · Brake And Clutch Pedal Bracket
Opened Jan 23, 2002 · Closed Jul 12, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
No summary supplied.
EA00021 · Degraded Braking In Wet Weather
Opened Aug 11, 2000 · Closed Mar 29, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
There is no summary currently available
PE00016 · Degraded Braking Wet Weather Condition
Opened Apr 4, 2000 · Closed Aug 11, 2000
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System
There is no summary currently available
RQ99008 · Power Brake Booster Vacuum BY-PASS
Opened Jun 1, 1999 · Closed Nov 14, 2000
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
There is no summary currently available
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