1999 model year · NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports · Updated September 2026
1999 · All trims · All engines
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According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 1999 Audi A4 has 8 documented known issues, with 2 rated critical. The most serious are 1.8T oil sludge clogs pickup tube and starves engine of oil ($300-$3,500 repair) and 1997-2000 A4 Driver-Airbag Inflator Recall 69BT - NHTSA 20V056 / 22V471. Across all issues with published estimates, repair costs range from $15 to $3,500. DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2005-2008 Audi A4 Sedan, A4 Avant, S4 Avant and S4 Sedan, 2007-2008 RS4 Sedan, 2004 RS4 Cabriolet, 2007-2009 A4 Cabriolet and S4 Cabriolet, 2005-2011 A6 Sedan, 2006-2011 A6 Avant, and 2007-2011 S6 Sedan vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2009 Audi A4 Cabriolet, S4 Cabriolet, A6 Avant, A6 Sedan and S6 Sedan vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Additionally, unless included in "Zone B" above, Volkswagen is recalling certain 2005-2008 Audi A4 Avant, A4 Sedan, A6 Sedan, S4 Avant and S4 Sedan vehicles, 2007-2008 A4 Cabriolet, RS4 Sedan, S4 Cabriolet and S6 Sedan vehicles, and 2006-2008 A6 Avant and 2008 RS4 Cabriolet vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
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According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 1999 Audi A4 has 8 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: 1.8T oil sludge clogs pickup tube and starves engine of oil, 1997-2000 A4 Driver-Airbag Inflator Recall 69BT - NHTSA 20V056 / 22V471, Front upper/lower control arm bushing and ball-joint failure causes clunking. Of these, 2 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.
The 1999 Audi A4 has 8 known issues compiled from NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports. 2 issues are rated critical: 1.8T oil sludge clogs pickup tube and starves engine of oil and 1997-2000 A4 Driver-Airbag Inflator Recall 69BT - NHTSA 20V056 / 22V471. Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.
Repair costs for known Audi A4 issues range from $15 to $3,500, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. The most critical issue, 1.8T oil sludge clogs pickup tube and starves engine of oil, typically costs $300-$3,500 to repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.
Engine oil sludge is a well-documented issue on the longitudinally-mounted 1.8T in the B5 A4. Volkswagen of America warned 426,000 VW Passat and Audi A4 owners of an engine oil sludge problem affecting 1.8-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engines on 1998 to 2004 Passats and 199… Repairs typically run $300-$3,500. Severity: high.
Audi’s 69BT campaign circular covers certain 1997-2000 A4 vehicles. The NHTSA filing history has two A4 model-year branches: 20V056 lists 1999-2000, and the later 22V471 correction adds the 1997-1998 branch that had been entered incorrectly in the portal. Moisture-related NADI in… Severity: high.
Content on this page was compiled with AI assistance using NHTSA complaints, TSBs, owner reports, and public automotive data. While we strive for accuracy, this information may contain errors. Always verify repair procedures and specifications with your vehicle's service manual or a qualified mechanic.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 Audi A4, and 2005-2011 Audi A6 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Volkswagen is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 Audi A4, and 2005-2008 Audi A6 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Lastly, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Volkswagen is recalling model year 2004 Audi A4 vehicles originally sold, or registered, in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
The Gates Corporation (Gates) is recalling certain aftermarket Tru-Flow Water Pumps, part number TFW 41127, sold at certain NAPA Auto Parts and/or installed by automotive service technicians after November 1, 2013 (and manufactured August 2013 through October 2013) that have a black-colored pulley/sprocket or do not have 'US9377' stamped on the water pump housing. These service replacement parts were sold for use in model year 1999-2005 Audi A4, 2000-2006 Audi TT, 1998-2005 Volkswagen Beetle, 1999-2006 Golf, 1999-2008 and 2011-2013 Volkswagen Jetta, and 2000-2005 Volkswagen Passat. In the affected water pumps, the pulley or sprocket that turns the timing belt may develop microfractures causing the timing belt to fail.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY OF XENON HEADLAMP COATING DEGRADATION OVER TIME. THE LUMINOUS TRANSMITTANCE OF THE HEADLAMP MAY DECREASE OVER A PERIOD OF TIME.
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One of the most common suspension issues seen on Audi A4s is worn or failed control arm bushings; the bushings receive the most pressure during braking or heavy acceleration, and these forces cause the rubber to fatigue and crack . When inspecting at the inboard end where the c… Repairs typically run $250-$1,400. Severity: medium.
The original black-housing dual coolant temperature sensor (G62) mounted in the coolant flange at the back of the cylinder head develops cracks and fails internally. The temperature sensor G2 (also known as G62) for the gauge has likely failed and is relatively easy to fix; it i… Repairs typically run $30-$180. Severity: medium.
Audi TSB 2042048/1 applies to 1997-2001 A4 vehicles with ABS 5.3 when a scan or emissions tool cannot communicate with the vehicle and the ABS and brake warning lamps illuminate. Audi attributes the communication fault to the ABS control module interfering with the diagnostic bus… Severity: medium.
The 20-valve 1.8T does not drive the intake camshaft off the timing belt. The belt turns the exhaust cam, and a short chain inside the front of the cylinder head carries drive across to the intake cam through a hydraulically actuated adjuster unit. Engine oil pressure, gated by t… Repairs typically run $150-$1,400. Severity: medium.
The pneumatic central locking pump/module is located in the right-rear corner of the trunk under the trim. The heart of the system is the central locking pump control module (CLP) located in the trunk. It's in the right rear corner of the A4 & S4. The CLP consists of a graphite… Repairs typically run $15-$700. Severity: low.
The large red multi-function display in the center of the B5 instrument cluster (Jaeger/VDO speedometers) and the smaller climate control LCD both lose pixel rows and segments as the silver-conductive ribbon-to-LCD bond degrades with heat cycles. The common thing is the big red… Repairs typically run $60-$300. Severity: low.
