Recalls


CampaignManufacturerManufacturing dateType# of units affectedDate Owner notified MfgRecall Initiated byManufacturers of recalled vehicles/productsReport Recieved DateRecord Creation DateRegulation Part NumberFMVSS Number
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - POWER ASSIST - VACUUM - HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
99V131001VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INCfrom 10/01/1997 to 02/28/1999V (Vehicle)8812110/09/1999ODIVOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC05/21/199901/21/2000
Defect SummaryVehicle 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 SummaryThis condition could cause insufficient vacuum to be provided to the brake booster.
Corrective SummaryDealers 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.
NotesOwner notification began october 9, 1999.owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact vw at 1-800-822-8987 or audi at 1-800-822-2834.also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).

Bulletins


BulletinBulletin dateReplacement BulletinItem no.SummaryAdded
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - ANTILOCK
TSB-45-08-0411/19/200810028008Audi: abs activates during light brake application . control noises are heard from the abs unit at low speed without brake application. *pe02/26/2009
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - ANTILOCK - CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
TSB-45-08-0411/19/200810028008Audi: abs activates during light brake application . control noises are heard from the abs unit at low speed without brake application. *pe02/26/2009
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - ANTILOCK - WHEEL SPEED SENSOR
TSB-45-08-0411/19/200810028008Audi: abs activates during light brake application . control noises are heard from the abs unit at low speed without brake application. *pe02/26/2009

Investigations


NHTSA IDManufacturerDate openDate closeSubjectRecall campaign
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
RQ99008VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC06/01/199911/14/2000POWER BRAKE BOOSTER VACUUM BY-PASS99V131001
 A control valve in the vacuum hose connecting the brake booster to the intake manifold can fail to open or close fully at low temperature resulting in insufficient vacuum for proper operation of the brake booster
EA00021VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC08/11/200003/29/2002DEGRADED BRAKING IN WET WEATHER
 There is no summary currently available
PE02008VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC01/23/200207/12/2002BRAKE AND CLUTCH PEDAL BRACKET
 Allege bracket that attaches the brake and clutch pedals to the instrument panel fractures while driving

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR - ANTILOCK - ABS WARNING LIGHT
05/01/200465000104/10/1999
 Abs module failed approx may 2004 at 65000 miles. abs not functioning and warning light remained lit on dashboard display. replaced part with used abs module from another audi a4. old (failed) part is available.*ak
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR - ANTILOCK - CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
02/21/20051150001
 Abs computer failured during hard braking. after searching car sites, it appears that the vw/audi abs units regularly fail rendering the abs inopperable. although the regular braking characteristics of the car are maintained, the abs no longer functions. having this fail during a panic stop could have caused a bad accident. thankfully i was able to figure out that the abs unit failed (due to the beeping) and correct accordingly.
12/15/200451000109/06/1999
 The abs controller failed. numerous other owners have experienced this possibly safely related failure. this part controls the abs braking and if it fails, the abs does not work. this could result in crashes due to drivers expecting abs support during hard braking only to realize it is not working. some owners have had this fixed outside of audi warranty and we believe audi is running a silent recall. this web forum documents what could be a silent recall by audi http://tech.bentleypublishers.com/thread.jspa?threadid=3409&tstart=0. this part costs around $1500 new.*ak
05/01/200465000104/10/1999
 Abs module failed approx may 2004 at 65000 miles. abs not functioning and warning light remained lit on dashboard display. replaced part with used abs module from another audi a4. old (failed) part is available.*ak
06/01/2004700001007/22/2002
 During routine commuting to and from work the abs warning light comes on intermittantly. a diagnosis was performed and revealed a failed abs control module, rendering the abs system inoperable. the cost of repair is estimated at $1500. the failure is attributed to faulty engineering in the oem part as this failure is very common with this model audi. the consequence of the failure is ultimately an unpredictable and unsafe braking system as the abs system now works sporadically then fails completely. the part has not been repaired at this point due to the exuberant cost.*ak
06/15/200471600812/26/1998
 Picked up car at holberts audi in warrington, pa on june 15, 2004. dealer replaced right fron upper and lower suspension links. after leaving the dealership, the abs light came on and the brake light began blinking. brought car back to dealer and dealer said abs control module needs replacing. without a functioning abs control module, the car is without the increased safety provided by anti lock brakes. haven't replaced the part yet due to its $1,000 price tag.*ak
04/19/20031
 Our abs light came on the day i picked up the car from the dealer after getting all new brakes done. bernardi audi of natick ma. they refuse to believe they are to blame.(whatever) my independent mechanic is saying the controller is dead.*ak this car is a 1999 audi a4 quattro that had 65,000 miles on it when it died. the car runs without abs to this day. i can't believe they charge 1500 dollars to fix this!!
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
03/27/2011106100
 I bought an audi a4 1999 1.8t fwd. the next day i bought it the abs orange light came on & brake light flashing non-stop with three beeps when i start the car its been like that for more than a week. yesterday i took the car to the closest audi dealer and they quoate me 1,200 thats a lot since this problems with the abs unit is poor manufature problem.
06/21/20091660001
 Abs control module light flashing and beeping ona 1 999 audi a4. although i thought it was only a warning, on down hill driving the brakes are effected and seem to lock up and make a noise. the feel of the pedal is also effected. *tr
10/17/20081360001
 The abs module on my vehicle has failed. this problem seems to be quite prevalent amongst audi and vw vehicles. an abs failure could cause accidents and deaths. this module should be recalled. the problem begins with three beeps, a solid yellow abs light and a flashing red brake light. the warning may come on momentarily while i am driving and go away, but in most cases will become more prevalent as time goes on. sometimes the abs and brake light remain on. occasionally the abs activated (in other words abs braking has activated) while the car is in motion. from researching this problem, it seems to be common with audi a4 and vw passat b5 models. the abs warning light will come on each time the vehicle is operated. the sudden abs activation will occur rarely. the consequences of sudden abs activation is obvious; braking when not expecting it can cause tragic results. losing the abs functionality while driving and when it is needed can also cause tragic results. i took my car into the shop. a vag was hooked up and the following code appeared: 01203 - electrical connection between abs and instrument cluster replacing the electrical connection between the abs and instrument cluster will not solve the problem. the only resolution for this issue is to buy a new abs unit, buy a used abs unit, or have the current control module rebuilt. again, systematic and widespread failures of the abs control module are occurring. numerous owners have filed complaints with regard to this issue. please look into the issue and consider recalling the module before it tragic results do occur. *tr
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
04/15/2011
 My audi, along with thousands of others have had thier abs control unit malfuntion because of design. this malfunction causes the abs to not work on the affected vehicle. volkswagen, the company that produces audis and vws actually recalled this exact part on thier vw vehicles, but for some reason refuses to correct the problem for thier audi customers. the cost to replace this control unit is $1,400 - $1,700, and as such i have been driving my vehicle without its abs functioning. below is a description of the recall for this exact part, but on the vw jetta: 2002 volkswagen jetta gls nhtsa recall id number: 02v031000 recall date: jan 31, 2002 component: service brakes, hydraulic:antilock potential units affected: 55000 summary: on some passenger vehicles, short circuits can occur within the electronic control unit of the anti-lock braking system (abs). consequence: this can result in a fire. remedy: dealers will replace the abs control unit. owner notification began march 8, 2002. owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987. notes: volkswagen of america,inc, please look into this issue and help vw to make the right choice for the safety of thier customers and others on the road. thank you for your time and attention to this important matter!
03/27/2011106100
 I bought an audi a4 1999 1.8t fwd. the next day i bought it the abs orange light came on & brake light flashing non-stop with three beeps when i start the car its been like that for more than a week. yesterday i took the car to the closest audi dealer and they quoate me 1,200 thats a lot since this problems with the abs unit is poor manufature problem.
06/10/2009750001
 My brake light started beeping and flashing one day while driving. the beeping and flashing continued through the next couple of weeks. i took my car to my mechanic and he said i would have to take it to the dealer because audi won't release their service codes. i called the dealer and asked what was going on. the mechanic asked me were you driving your car in the rain? i had quite a few sarcastic responses to the stupid question but i just said, yeah. i assume a car is engineered to be driven in all climates including, rain. a product should be designed to perform its intended use. not the a4. who needs an all wheel drive car if they don't plan on driving it through rain and snow? the mechanic told me that my abs control module needs to be replaced and it would cost me $1500. he told me that my abs and all wheel drive would not work properly until i fix it. i live in colorado and i frequently drive through the snow. i drive through the rocky mountains in icy and dangerous conditions. luckily, it was summer time when my module went out. i take my little sisters, little brothers, and nephews snowboarding. i could have been seriously injured or killed or i could have seriously injured or killed someone else because i was driving a vehicle that i thought had abs, but didn't. there is a slim margin for error when you are driving on snowy curves through the mountains. i could be at the bottom of the cliff by the time i realize my abs wasn't working. or i could slide over a group of pedestrians. even if audi doesn't want to pay for the repairs, they should at least notify their owners that this is a very common problem that drivers should be aware of. i went online and i was not surprised to see that thousands of other people had the same problem. audi did absolutely nothing except offer to repair the broken module for full price. *tr
11/16/2008110000
 Tl*the contact owns a 1999 audi a4. the vehicle was repaired according to nhtsa campaign id number 99v131001 (service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuum:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings). after the repair, the contact noticed that insufficient vacuum is provided to the brake booster in cold weather conditions. in addition, he noticed that the abs and brake warning indicators were illuminated on the instrument panel. the dealer stated that he was only entitled to one repair according to the recall law. the manufacturer did not assist. the failure mileage was 110,000 and current mileage was 113,000.
10/02/2008142926109/30/2008
 Tl*the contact owns a 1999 audi a4 quatro. the contact bought the vehicle from a private dealer. as he drove the vehicle off the lot, he heard a grinding noise coming from the brakes. he informed the sales associate that there was rust underneath the vehicle, including the brake pads. the contact took the vehicle back to the dealer and they stated that they would give him another vehicle for an additional $3,000. the other vehicle had a cracked windshield and needed a new fuel pump; therefore, the contact did not want the other vehicle. he kept the audi and took it to an audi dealer for a diagnostic. the results indicated that the bearings were rusted and the vehicle needed an alignment and new brake pads. in addition, the rims were bent. the audi dealer stated that the vehicle should have never been sold in that condition and with those defects. the vehicle has not been repaired. the failure mileage was 142,926 and current mileage was 142,927. updated 03/17/09. *lj the upper and lower control arms were worn. updated 03/18/09. *jb
10/18/2007700001
 Abs module failed at only 70k miles. *tr
02/20/20071020001
 Premature abs (antilock braking system) module failure. *tr
04/02/2003830001
 The engine stalled without warning which caused the brakes and power steering to fail. *jb....*ak
02/26/20031
 When the brake was applied, the vehicle experienced extended stopping distance.*jb
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - ANTILOCK
09/25/200675535109/25/2006
 I own a 1999 audi a4 2.8 30v quattro and my abs and brake lights are on and the audi dealer told me that my abs control module needs to be replaced. by reading forums online and consumer sites, i have found out that this is a very common problem to audi's and vw's. my question is: shouldn't audi of america fix this problem for free? *nm
08/08/2006883851
 Needed to replace the abs control module when my audi only had 88000 miles. *jb
10/24/200510100010008/12/1999
 Abs brake light on 1999) audi a4 1.8t. upon researching on many forums (i.e. audiworld.com) i have noticed several other audi owners have experienced the same problem. apparently, this is attributed to a faulty abs brake computer?*ak
01/11/20067390010003/19/1999
 I own a 1999 audi a4 with approximately 74,000 miles. recently upon start-up the abs indicator light comes on and the brake indicator light flashes. i have taken the car in for service and have been informed that i no longer have anti-lock brakes and that to remedy the situation will cost in excess of $1500. this is completely unacceptable and appears to be due to a audi manufacturing defect (anecdotally, i have heard of hundreds of similar issues with the abs). while the car is operable using standard brakes i believe it is a significant danger should the abs be required. please look into this issue. *jb
11/25/2005617502405/11/1999
 My abs and brake light came on intermittently a month ago and gradually got more frequent. now they are on almost all the time. when i took it into the shop right after the first incident i was told the instrument cluster would need to be changed which would cost me a bundle (possibly over $2000). my vehicle actually has relatively low miles on it and has been maintained really well so i am very upset that audi will not fix or pay for this. *jb
12/08/200560000103/30/2002
 1999 audi a4 abs control module symptoms. abs light on continuously. brake light flashing. upon the first inspection the audi dealership was unable to ascertain the problem. the failure was later diagnosed correctly by the dealership. testing the abs system after the diagnosis, i found that the abs system did not engage. i learn of many cases of this exact failure in audi
09/17/2005850001001/06/2002
 The abs system of my 1999 audi a4 intermittently fails. i intend to have it repaired as this is a safety issue. repair shop, lusti motors in san diego, indicated that they've repaired other audi's with the same issue recently. the cost of repairs is approximately $2,000. *nm
07/29/200575000106/14/2001
 Dt: the consumer stated that the 1998 audi a 4 was having a problem with the abs control unit. the diagnosis was that there was a communication error between the abs unit and the instrument cluster. the consumer has not had the problem corrected. the parts needed to fix the problem was on back order. the consumer has not ordered any parts to fix the vehicle at this time. the vehicle had a warning light on the instrument panel. it was the warning light and the abs light. the consumer took the vehicle to a repair shop to have it checked. the manufacturer has been contacted and the consumer filed a complaint with volkswagen.*ak
07/30/2004720001
 Failure of abs brake controller-began as brake warning light and abs light flashing-now lights are on all the time-have been advised that this is common failure on audi and volkswagen-repair requires replacement of abs brake controller-part is $2000. *jb
01/18/200586100101/15/1999
 The abs and brake light came on at about 86000 miles eventhough the unit has been very seldom have been actuated. it cost me $2000 for an item that has been rarely used or actuated in my car.*ak
01/13/200575000112/28/1998
 The abs system in my vehicle failed out of the blue without any trigger for it. the abs warning light is blinking in the instrument panel. as a result, the abs system is not functioning. i contacted the dealer and the quote to fix the part was about $1500. *jb
10/01/2002208/20/2002
 Nar 1/15/2003. the vehicle often failed to stop during wet conditions. when the consumer applied the brakes, there was a delay before the brakes engaged, which has happened twice. it always seems to be a problem with the left rear brake. *jb
10/01/2002208/20/2002
 The consumer states that the vehicles left rear brakes failed. also states that the vehicle often failed to stop during wet conditions, the consumer will press the brakes and there is a delay before they would engage. this happened twice, and almost ran into an intersection, the left rear brakes squeak constantly upon application. the vehicle was taken to the dealer once to fix and it still squeaks. scc ph
11/14/2001807/01/1999
 My 1999 audi a4 experiences delayed braking during periods of moderate to heavy rain.*ak
11/01/1998
 There has always been a problem with the braking performance of this vehicle during wet conditions. this is only during highway or country driving where the brakes are not frequently applied. when brake pedal pressure is applied during these conditions, there is approximately a 1 to 2 second delay before the brakes start to retard speed. it feels or seems like there is a film of water between the discs and pads and this hesitation is occurring while squeezing or drying out this film of water. *ak
1
 Whenever roads are wet and brake rotors fail vehicle is very difficult to stop. brakes fail to respond, causing extended stopping distance. consumer has contacted dealer, dealer unable to determine cause of problem. *ak dealer replaced brakes, consumer states problem has somewhat improved. *slc
01/10/2001101/01/2001
 It's the audi wet braking problem. *ak
12/01/2000108/24/1999
 Under wet road conditions and hard rain, when applying brakes, consumer has to pump brakes a few times before there is any braking action. dealer cannot find problem. *ak *slc
01/29/200110012/01/1999
 Wet braking problem--i have no brakes (delayed) for the first 2-4 seconds during, or after a rain.*ak
01/15/200010001/01/2000
 Brakes have a huge delay when driving in wet conditions. unlike any car i have ever driven. when traveling at highway speeds it can be as much as a one second delay until the brakes kick in. i have contacted the dealer and they say that this problem can't be fixed. my only hope is that audi of america will do something about this.
07/01/1999
 Under wet conditions, brakes are dangerously slow to grab. there is a noticeable and very disconcerting delay of appx 1-2 seconds. the condition is worsened by driving without braking for distances >10 miles. please, please, please contact audi concerning this problem as it is well documented and dangerous to me and others.*ak
09/23/1999212/28/1999
 When driving and upon depressing brake pedal when attempting to stop, experienced complete brake failure without prior warning which caused extended stopping distance. also, directional signal and emergency lights malfunctioned. *ak
08/25/2000
 When driving between 50-55 mph and upon depressing brake pedal to make a gradual stop slowly pumping the brakes, brake pedal traveled to the floorboard, causing extended stopping distance. consumer noted that prior to the incident brake light was illuminating on the dashboard. vehicle currently at the dealer awaiting service. please provide any further details.*ak
 While traveling on wet roads and upon depressing brakes, they failed, resulting in extended stopping distance. please provide further information.*ak
04/01/200002/01/1999
 Wires breaking caused air conditioner failure. breaks pull to right when wet/moist. door assembled wrong (caused wind noise) had to take in 4 times to repair.hood/ oil pump broke emptying oil on driveway. front suspension squeaks and abs comes on when backing up while breaking with wheels turned. *ak
05/18/20001207/01/1999
 When it is raining there is a hesitation of a second or so when the brakes are applied. *ak
06/01/1999
 About a 1 second delay before the brakes grab when braking in wet weather. *ak
811/01/1999
 Momentary absence of braking during wet weather conditions-. *ak
05/19/20001007/01/1999
 Brakes take 2-3 seconds to grab during wet conditions. this has happened many times. 2000 models have brake shields that 1999's do not have. dealer says they cannot do anything until audi tells them officially. please investigate. *ak
05/19/20002007/01/1999
 Car brakes unable to stop car during wet braking. *ak
08/01/1999
 In wet conditions, my brakes have delayed braking power. the wetter the conditions the more frequent and severe. after the delayed loss of braking power (approx. .5 to 1 second), the braking power appears to go back to normal. similar to riding a bike with wet rims except that the car's braking power recovers faster. very scary when you're cruising along on the highway in wet conditions with traffic and you come up on an unexpected bottleneck. i mentioned it to a dealer in santa clara, but he seemed clueless. he thought it was a function of the abs, but i know what abs feels like. i think it has to do with wet disc brakes. *ak
04/17/2000309/01/1999
 In rainy conditions, the brakes exhibit a dangerous 2-3 second delay causing greatly impaired braking ability of the car. almost hit a car in front in two instances despite more than adequate distance. brakes work normally in dry weather however. *ak
04/26/1999204/01/1999
 The brakes on my 1999 a4 suffer extremely reduced performance (way beyond what is normal) in wet consitions. i realize that some reduced braking effectiveness is apparent in all cars in wet conditions, but twice now i have slammed on the brakes in very rainy conditions and nothing at all has happened for over a second!!!!!! other a4 owners have also reported this problem, and audi responded byu enlarging the front brake shields for my2000 cars. there should be a recall to fix this defect; it is extremely dangerous. *ak
04/17/2000309/01/1999
 In rainy conditions, the brakes exhibit a dangerous 2-3 second delay causing greatly impaired braking ability of the car. almost hit a car in front in two instances despite more than adequate distance. brakes work normally in dry weather however. *ak
04/26/1999204/01/1999
 The brakes on my 1999 a4 suffer extremely reduced performance (way beyond what is normal) in wet consitions. i realize that some reduced braking effectiveness is apparent in all cars in wet conditions, but twice now i have slammed on the brakes in very rainy conditions and nothing at all has happened for over a second!!!!!! other a4 owners have also reported this problem, and audi responded byu enlarging the front brake shields for my2000 cars. there should be a recall to fix this defect; it is extremely dangerous. *ak
108/01/1999
 Delayed braking response in wet conditions. if the brakes are not used for some time in wet conditions, water will build up on the front rotors and cause a 1-2 second delay in initial braking response. *ak
02/14/2000104/01/1999
 Brakes failed completely at 15mph while approaching stop sign. car continued right onto the highway. abs did not kick in. it had rained that morning. *ak
01/28/1999601/01/1999
 Poor braking performance in the rain or snowy or slushy conditions, audi ag has acknowledged a known problem with brake lining contamination, the following is off of their web page and in automotive news *** http://www.audi.com/java/news/index.html reduced braking performance as a result of road salt audi ag has recently been informed by drivers of its medium-size model, the a4, of sporadically reduced braking performance when the brakes are applied for the first time after the car has been parked, or if the brakes have not been operated for some time. upon examination in the workshop, in every reported instance no defects were detected. the a4's brakes, which have always achieved a particularly good rating in tests by trade publications, exhibited efficient deceleration. following initial investigations by audi's technical experts, whose findings were confirmed by adac experts, it is suspected that new types of road salt, in particular magnesium chloride used in a technique known as wet salting affects the friction between the brake disc and the brake pad audi's technicians are working intensively on finding a solution to the problem as rapidly as possible. independently of the outcome, audi ag and motoring associations recommend drivers to follow a well-established piece of advice for winter driving: traffic permitting, it is advisable to apply the brakes intermittently, especially before the start of a journey and before parking the car. with this simple technique, the driver can thus make sure that the brakes will function properly the next time they are needed press inquiries to audi ag, press: product and technology d-85045 ingolstadt telephone: +49 - 841 - 89 32100, +49 - 841 - 89 37947 telefax: +49 - 841 - 89 32817 ***** additionally, this part number supposedly address a problem with backing plates to improve wet braking *kit # 8d0 698 998 addresses an isssue with wet, icy, slushy conditions and poor braking with a larger brake backing plate ..*
01/20/200004/01/1999
 In wet weather brakes do not stop vehicle until depressed for approximately 3-5 seconds. *ak
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - ANTILOCK - ABS WARNING LIGHT
05/22/2007179899103/19/2007
 Audi a4 abs controller. *tr
08/20/200516150009/15/2002
 Abs unit failure, not replaced yet due to high cost of repair
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - ANTILOCK - CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
03/05/20102
 1999 audi q4. consumer writes in regards to the repair of abs light/brake light problem *tgw the consumer stated he noticed a solid orange abs light on the dashboard and a red light that was blinking intermittently. the vehicle was taken to the dealership for repairs. however, while driving, it was noticed that the abs and brake lights had illuminated again after paying over $2,000 in repairs. another dealer recommended replacing the abs module. the consumer also stated the vehicle had lost power. the dealer informed the consumer it was due to a bad fuel pump. (the consumer wrote in on behalf of his father)*jb
10/17/20081360001
 The abs module on my vehicle has failed. this problem seems to be quite prevalent amongst audi and vw vehicles. an abs failure could cause accidents and deaths. this module should be recalled. the problem begins with three beeps, a solid yellow abs light and a flashing red brake light. the warning may come on momentarily while i am driving and go away, but in most cases will become more prevalent as time goes on. sometimes the abs and brake light remain on. occasionally the abs activated (in other words abs braking has activated) while the car is in motion. from researching this problem, it seems to be common with audi a4 and vw passat b5 models. the abs warning light will come on each time the vehicle is operated. the sudden abs activation will occur rarely. the consequences of sudden abs activation is obvious; braking when not expecting it can cause tragic results. losing the abs functionality while driving and when it is needed can also cause tragic results. i took my car into the shop. a vag was hooked up and the following code appeared: 01203 - electrical connection between abs and instrument cluster replacing the electrical connection between the abs and instrument cluster will not solve the problem. the only resolution for this issue is to buy a new abs unit, buy a used abs unit, or have the current control module rebuilt. again, systematic and widespread failures of the abs control module are occurring. numerous owners have filed complaints with regard to this issue. please look into the issue and consider recalling the module before it tragic results do occur. *tr
01/21/2008109000108/02/2003
 Abs module failure @ 108,000 mi. unit rebuilt at approx cost of $1,000. *tr
08/15/2005115000104/15/2004
 Audi a4 the abs light, brake light and warning buzzer stay on while driving the vehicle. brought car to dealer and was told the abs module is defective. audi said it was not their problem because the brakes still function though not the way they were designed to work. i pray that i do not hurt anyone while i'm relearning to drive my car without the abs system functioning. *nm
08/01/2005107/01/2005
 Dt: 1999 audi a4 quarto 1.8t. the consumer states the abs control module is defective. when driving the abs light and brake light would come on. this has been happening for the past month. the vehicle wa staken to the dealership and they indicated the abs module had to be replaced. *ak
02/01/20051
 Audi a4 abs controller failed, causing abs light and system light to stay illuminated. replacement part is $1,000. looking for used. based on research appears to be a common problem with audi's across models. should be reviewed by manufacturer.*ak
03/10/200585000111/09/2002
 The abs control module failed on a 1999 audi a4; the dealer tells me it is not covered under warranty, and i must pay $1662.39 plus tax to repair. *ak
10/06/200462212108/18/2002
 Failure of abs brake controller-began as brake warning light and abs light flashing occasionally-now lights are on all the time-have been advised that this is common failure on audi and volkswagen-repair requires replacement of abs brake controller-part is $2200.*ak
06/01/200476500105/10/1999
 Abs and brake lights on dash remain activated; mechanic says abs computer module is not functioning. very expensive repair - $1500. i have read of other reports of same defect in same model/year but no service bulletin i can find.*ak
02/20/20045250003/01/2003
 Failure of a bosch 5.3 abs hydraulic control unit (part # 8e0 614 111a) in a 1999 audi 1.8 turbo quattro with 53,000 miles.
03/01/200371000108/06/1999
 Abs pump failure. at approx. 71000 miles, the abs controller/pump failed on my 1999 audi a4 1.8t quattro. there are many others that i have spoken to and read about who have also had the exact same failure with the same abs pump/controller. http://tech.bentleypublishers.com/thread.jspa?threadid=3409&tstart=0 and http://forums.audiworld.com/a4/msgs/1743701.phtml . apparently, audi knows about the problem but is not widespread enough to issue a recall.*ak
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
09/01/1999
 After traveling for several minutes on freeways in rain storms the first application of the brakes does not slow the car. there is a 1-2 second delay before there is any barking force regardless of pedal pressure. this isn't merely the typical lack of initial bite on wet brakes as with wet brakes the brake force will increase with increased pedal pressure. when this happens, instincts are to press the brake harder and when the water is finally shed the car will pull sharply in reaction to which ever of the brakes 'dries' first. audi has designed and sells a plastic wing that fits around the inside of the wheel well at the underbody/wheel well interface to combat this but it only makes a marginal improvement. in addition, the 2002 audi a4 comes equiped with this same shielding in an apparent awknowledgement of the issue.*ak
1
 Whenever roads are wet and brake rotors fail vehicle is very difficult to stop. brakes fail to respond, causing extended stopping distance. consumer has contacted dealer, dealer unable to determine cause of problem. *ak dealer replaced brakes, consumer states problem has somewhat improved. *slc
01/01/2000903/01/1999
 Wet braking performance is miserable! and dangerous- many second delays. *ak
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - DISC
03/01/2001
 Wet braking 2/3 second delay of braking power when driving in rain at highway speed. dt
11/01/1998
 There has always been a problem with the braking performance of this vehicle during wet conditions. this is only during highway or country driving where the brakes are not frequently applied. when brake pedal pressure is applied during these conditions, there is approximately a 1 to 2 second delay before the brakes start to retard speed. it feels or seems like there is a film of water between the discs and pads and this hesitation is occurring while squeezing or drying out this film of water. *ak
03/01/1999
 Poor wet weather braking - all times - about a 2 second delay before brakes grab
1501/01/1999
 When it rains, the brakes seem to take a second or two to grab. they work well under all dry conditions, but when wet, they sure make you panic! *ak
09/09/1999206/01/1999
 Wet disc brakes have no stopping ability for 1-2 seconds. dry brakes function normally
03/18/2000209/01/1999
 During wet weather braking, the front disc brakes seem to fail. the cars front end seems to slide to the left approximately 4 feet upon braking. this happens only in the rain, with no adverse effects during dry weather. i have contacted audi, who then referred me to the dealership. the dealership has stated that audi will not warranty the correction, since they do not know how widespread the problem is. however, i have noticed a large amount of complaints on your website, and on the audiworld website. i submit that there is a defect in the front braking system of the a4 during wet weather driving, and that this defect could and will cause an accident. even thought the car did stop, it required steering correction to put it back into the lane. the manufacturer should acknowledge that there is a defect and it should be covered by the manufacturer. if there is an accident, audi will be held responsible and can be sure the reputation of their cars will suffer again. please investigate this problem as it is potentially dangerous. *ak
11/06/1999412/01/1998
 The brakes dont work is wet driving conditions. i have had this happen many time at speeds from 15 to 70 mph. when driving in the rain or on wet roads, i will apply the brakes but the car does not starting stopping for a second or two. when the brakes finally do start working they almost alway go into anti-lock mode because i have had to push so hard just to get them to work. this is a scary and dangerous problem and i have heard of other people having it also.
12/01/1998
 Severe delayed braking when road conditions are wet, raining, etc.
05/20/1999304/01/1999
 Wet weather braking very poor under certain conditions
5005/01/1999
 This model audi has dangerous wet braking. when the brake pedal it pressed in the rain, the brakes do not respond for at least 2-3 seconds. this is extremely dangerous. my dealer (other from where i purchase the audi) says this is normal, and nothing ca
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - DISC - PADS
03/13/1999312/01/1998
 This car seems to have a serious problem during wet braking. after numerous occurrences, i was forced to spend $400 to replace the stock pads that may cause this problem. with the new brake pads, no re-occurrence yet. manufacturer seems inattentive to this. perhaps nhtsa can contact manufacturer regarding this issue as i'm not the only owner to experience this. *ak
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - DISC - ROTOR
1
 Whenever roads are wet and brake rotors fail vehicle is very difficult to stop. brakes fail to respond, causing extended stopping distance. consumer has contacted dealer, dealer unable to determine cause of problem. *ak dealer replaced brakes, consumer states problem has somewhat improved. *slc
108/01/1999
 Delayed braking response in wet conditions. if the brakes are not used for some time in wet conditions, water will build up on the front rotors and cause a 1-2 second delay in initial braking response. *ak
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - DRUM - SHOES/LININGS
01/28/1999601/01/1999
 Poor braking performance in the rain or snowy or slushy conditions, audi ag has acknowledged a known problem with brake lining contamination, the following is off of their web page and in automotive news *** http://www.audi.com/java/news/index.html reduced braking performance as a result of road salt audi ag has recently been informed by drivers of its medium-size model, the a4, of sporadically reduced braking performance when the brakes are applied for the first time after the car has been parked, or if the brakes have not been operated for some time. upon examination in the workshop, in every reported instance no defects were detected. the a4's brakes, which have always achieved a particularly good rating in tests by trade publications, exhibited efficient deceleration. following initial investigations by audi's technical experts, whose findings were confirmed by adac experts, it is suspected that new types of road salt, in particular magnesium chloride used in a technique known as wet salting affects the friction between the brake disc and the brake pad audi's technicians are working intensively on finding a solution to the problem as rapidly as possible. independently of the outcome, audi ag and motoring associations recommend drivers to follow a well-established piece of advice for winter driving: traffic permitting, it is advisable to apply the brakes intermittently, especially before the start of a journey and before parking the car. with this simple technique, the driver can thus make sure that the brakes will function properly the next time they are needed press inquiries to audi ag, press: product and technology d-85045 ingolstadt telephone: +49 - 841 - 89 32100, +49 - 841 - 89 37947 telefax: +49 - 841 - 89 32817 ***** additionally, this part number supposedly address a problem with backing plates to improve wet braking *kit # 8d0 698 998 addresses an isssue with wet, icy, slushy conditions and poor braking with a larger brake backing plate ..*
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - DRUM - WHEEL CYLINDERS
01/28/1999601/01/1999
 Poor braking performance in the rain or snowy or slushy conditions, audi ag has acknowledged a known problem with brake lining contamination, the following is off of their web page and in automotive news *** http://www.audi.com/java/news/index.html reduced braking performance as a result of road salt audi ag has recently been informed by drivers of its medium-size model, the a4, of sporadically reduced braking performance when the brakes are applied for the first time after the car has been parked, or if the brakes have not been operated for some time. upon examination in the workshop, in every reported instance no defects were detected. the a4's brakes, which have always achieved a particularly good rating in tests by trade publications, exhibited efficient deceleration. following initial investigations by audi's technical experts, whose findings were confirmed by adac experts, it is suspected that new types of road salt, in particular magnesium chloride used in a technique known as wet salting affects the friction between the brake disc and the brake pad audi's technicians are working intensively on finding a solution to the problem as rapidly as possible. independently of the outcome, audi ag and motoring associations recommend drivers to follow a well-established piece of advice for winter driving: traffic permitting, it is advisable to apply the brakes intermittently, especially before the start of a journey and before parking the car. with this simple technique, the driver can thus make sure that the brakes will function properly the next time they are needed press inquiries to audi ag, press: product and technology d-85045 ingolstadt telephone: +49 - 841 - 89 32100, +49 - 841 - 89 37947 telefax: +49 - 841 - 89 32817 ***** additionally, this part number supposedly address a problem with backing plates to improve wet braking *kit # 8d0 698 998 addresses an isssue with wet, icy, slushy conditions and poor braking with a larger brake backing plate ..*
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - PEDALS AND LINKAGES
09/13/2002
 Consumer states that while traveling at highway speed the vehicles brake pedal went to the floor, consumer had to use emergency brake to stop. took to dealer, dealer stated abs pump failed and brake fluid leaked out, causing loss of pedal pressure. please provide any further information. mr
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - POWER ASSIST
01/18/200761900209/22/2004
 This is the second time this has happened in similar circumstances in the last two years to my wife. the temperature was under 4 degrees and extremely windy and snowing. she warmed the car up for 15 minutes before driving it. the engine temperature gauge was a little bit off cold. the heat was on and working fine. the car did not want to go, and hesitated during acceleration. she drove a mile to the interstate with no issues and the car warmed up. once on the interstate, she drove about a half mile accelerating to about 65. when she tried to pass, and began accelerating the throttle froze. the rpms increased quickly and significantly. she tried to brake, but the brake pedal was not effective. she downshifted using the tiptronic, the car went faster. she put it into neutral and the rpms revved out. the car approximately was going 90 miles an hour or greater at the apex of my speed. she got off the interstate by using my e-brake, and turned the car off at the stop light because she feared it would not stay stopped. she drove about a half mile to work using the e-brake and brake to slow down, and nearly hit a tree trying to stop. she turned the car on again after she parked to see if the throttle was still stuck, it was. three hours later i arrived, started the car, and the throttle was no longer stuck. i called the dealer that day, explained the issue, and they wouldn't take the car until 6 days later. they told us that it was the car mat stuck under the pedals, and it was necessary to keep the appointment. i took the car to get looked at anyway, they inspected to find egr valve clogged causing moisture buildup and throttle to ice over. they replaced the egr valve, air pump and vacuum hose and cleaned the throttle body. this totaled $546.30. there is a recall on the a6 throttle body for the same year, engine, transmission and the exact same part number! but audi corporate told us it did not apply because we have the a4 not the a6 and was not concerned or willing to help. *jb
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - POWER ASSIST - HYDRAULIC - HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
06/15/200795000108/31/1999
 Tl*the contact owns a 1999 audi a4. when applying the brakes at any speeds, the vehicle slows down but does not stop as it should. the contact has had to depress the brake pedal with both feet in order to stop the vehicle. the failure occurs intermittently. the dealer stated that the vin was not included in nhtsa campaign id number 99v131001 (service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuum:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings). the current mileage was 110,000 and failure mileage was 95,000. updated 6/16/08 *cn
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - POWER ASSIST - VACUUM
12/29/2004700001
 99v131001/brake booster vacuum valve. the owner is experiencing the same defects that are described in the recall. however, the vehicle identification number was not included in the recall. *jb
103/01/1999
 While in route to have recall repair on the brake booster by pass, the brakes locked up and the consumer slid into a ditch, damaging vehicle. *nlm