I just purchased this vehicle from a private owner. I am already aware of the driver side airbag recall. Went to turn key to auxiliary to close sun roof and the steering wheel airbag deployed in my face. The vehicle had been parked and not driven for over 12 hours. Vehicle is available for inspection any time.
The worst 2001 Audi A4 problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Electrical35
- Brakes33
- Engine33
- Airbags11
- Transmission5
- Fuel system3
- Lights3
- Steering3
- Suspension3
- Visibility3
- Seats2
- Tires2
- Acceleration1
- Body1
- Locks1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2001 Audi A4
ABS 12Loss of power 10Check engine light 7Fire or smoke 6Stalling 6Brake failure 5
Recalls 1
Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module
- What is wrong
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2000-2001 Audi TT Coupe, TT Roadster, 2000-2002 A4, and S4 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 inflators may absorb moisture, possibly causing the air bag to deploy improperly in the event of a crash.
- Risk
- In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, the air bag may not properly protect the occupant, increasing the risk of serious injury or death.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the driver frontal airbag inflator with an alternative inflator, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 2, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1‑800‑253‑2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69CJ.
Recall number 21V470000 · Recall details
See all 1 recalls for the 2001 Audi A4
Defect investigations
Brake and clutch pedal bracket
PE02008
Technical service bulletins for the 2001 Audi A4 105
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- This bulletin provides information on the additional reporting requirements for safety related inquiries.
- This informational bulletin explains how to order replacement VIN plates, Safety Certification Labels, etc.
- This information bulletin contains instructions for technicans on how to ensure their TAC call goes smoothly.
- This communication is issued to inform dealers of updated shipping regulations related to lithium ion...
- This communication is issued to remind dealers of the repair validation process for repair group 19....
- This bulletin contains instructions for additional reporting requirements for safety related inquiries...
- This informational bulletin contains technical information for when there is condensation visible on the...
- This special notice is to inform dealers to return all part numbers listed in the document and order the...
- This informational bulletin contains all the the Audi Oil Quality Standards that should be used when doing...
- This informational bulletin contains instructions for sychronizing the remote key after the battery has...
2001 Audi A4 fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8L 4‑cyl | FWD | 18-20 | 26-29 | 21-23 |
| 1.8L 4‑cyl | 4WD | 18-19 | 25-27 | 20-22 |
| 2.8L 6‑cyl | FWD | 16 | 24 | 19 |
| 2.8L 6‑cyl | 4WD | 15-16 | 22-23 | 18-19 |
What 2001 Audi A4 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
The contact owns a 2001 Audi A4. The contact stated that upon closing the driver's side door, her husband heard a loud gun-like sound and he noticed that the passenger-side curtain air bags had deployed. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact's husband cut the curtain air bags and drove the vehicle to his residence. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000. The VIN was not available.
2001 audi a4 quattro 2.8l. As driving smoke was coming from hood.. Park and realize the engine was on fire. It look like it started by the passenger side headlight and spread. I read that audi had a recall on head light switch but did not rec, a recall letter. Not exactly sure where the fire started my audi caught on fire. I dont't have pictures to upload but I will soon. I am very hurt to know that the car I enjoyed driving caught on fire/disappointed with audi
While driving the vehicle on a highway going straight at ~65mph the passenger side curtain and seat airbags deployed for no reason. Vehicle manufacturer cited a "crash" signal from side impact sensor was the cause of the false deployment. No physical cause could be found, no damage was found on vehicle and all airbag system wiring was found to be intact and original. Manufacturer would not own failure and cited the vehicle being lowered as the cause. Manufacturer was unable to provide any evidence for this conclusion and vehicle is well within local laws/regulations for lowered vehicles.
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.
The check engine light (mil) has had several recurrences. The mass air flow meter and sensor have been replaced twice. ( 65,060 and 107,894). The initial failure was at 36,512 miles. 47,819 miles, 65,060 miles, 107,894 miles,118,628 miles and in july, 2014 at 159,421 miles, there was a warranty extension letter in november, 2003 that included 2001 audi a-4 1.8t vehicles and a voluntary emissions service action 28f2/j1 ignition coil inspection/replacement in october, 2009. Secondary issue. Unable to read dashboard display. Pixeled. Unable to read safety/vehicle notifications.
While using my heater on my seats and a pillow for additional back support, I noticed smoke and burning smell when pulling into my driveway. When getting out of my car I noticed that my pillow was leaking...and upon pulling the pillow off the drivers seat, it was damaged/burned through. I also noticed that a burned hole the size of a quarter is now quite visible. Worried that this may cause a car fire.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 audi a4. The contact stated that the ABS warning light was illuminated on the instrument panel and the brake warning light was flashing. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostics where the mechanic advised the contact that the ecu module would have to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 112,000.
The instrument cluster 99% cannot be read due to the lcd display fading. Have done multiple searches and 9 out of 10 people have this same exact issue. Audi needs to step up and take responsibility for this issue. This has been an ongoing issue and needs to be fixed. This has been a huge pain for me because sometimes my car will beep and display something on the lcd screen but because it's fading I have no clue what it's telling me. I don't want to be driving and something life threatening happen because of a missed message because the lcd screen is broken. Fix this before people get hurt and start filing lawsuits.
In 2007 xenon headlights dropped/dipped headlight level sensor replaced and lights appeared to work correctly. In 2011 the same problem occurred again. Headlight leveling sensor and wiring harness replaced. Appears to be working ok. Driving with the headlights aimed incorrectly is a dangerous driving condition. It appears that there is a common design flaw with the xenon headlights.
Compare the 2001 Audi A4
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Other model years
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Questions about the 2001 Audi A4
Is the 2001 Audi A4 reliable?
Owners have filed 131 complaints about the 2001 Audi A4, 2.3 times a typical A4 model year. It is one of the years we flag to avoid.
What is the 2001 Audi A4 year score?
The 2001 Audi A4 scores 43 out of 100 (below average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Audi A4: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2001 Audi A4?
Electrical system, with 35 complaints, typically around 45,000 miles. Next is brakes (33).
How many recalls does the 2001 Audi A4 have?
1 recall, covering air bags.
What gas mileage does the 2001 Audi A4 get?
Official estimates for the 2001 Audi A4 range from 18 to 23 mpg combined. The most efficient version (1.8L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 18-20 city and 26-29 highway.
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