NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 130 owner complaints for the 2001 Audi A4. Most complaints involve electrical system (35) and engine and engine cooling (30). The EPA rates it 18–23 mpg combined.
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.
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.
CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Complaints for each A4 model year we’ve synced.
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 92 |
| 1997 | 99 |
| 1998 | 258 |
| 1999 | 190 |
| 2000 | 96 |
| 2001 | 130 |
| 2002 | 189 |
| 2003 | 215 |
| 2004 | 189 |
| 2005 | 219 |
| 2006 | 298 |
| 2008 | 191 |
| 2009 | 144 |
| 2010 | 64 |
| 2011 | 42 |
| 2012 | 45 |
| 2013 | 111 |
| 2014 | 76 |
| 2015 | 44 |
| 2016 | 26 |
| 2017 | 83 |
| 2019 | 8 |
| 2020 | 158 |
“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. *TR”
“2001 AUDI A4 WITH TIMING BELT FAILURE AND REPAIR. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE TIMING BELT REPAIR DID NOT LAST AND HIS VEHICLE COMPLETELY FAILED ON THE HIGHWAY. CONSUMER WAS THEN INFORMED OF AN OIL SLUDGE ISSUE. *KB UPDATED 10/19/11.”
“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.”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A4 Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 20 | 29 | 23 | $3,350 | 386 |
| A4 Avant quattro Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L, Turbo · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 19 | 27 | 22 | $3,500 | 404 |
| A4 quattro Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L, Turbo · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 19 | 27 | 22 | $3,500 | 404 |
| A4 Auto (S5), 4 cyl, 1.8 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 26 | 21 | $3,700 | 423 |
| A4 Avant quattro Auto (S5), 4 cyl, 1.8 L, Turbo · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 18 | 25 | 20 | $3,850 | 444 |
| A4 quattro Auto (S5), 4 cyl, 1.8 L, Turbo · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 18 | 25 | 20 | $3,850 | 444 |
| A4 Auto (S5), 6 cyl, 2.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 16 | 24 | 19 | $4,050 | 468 |
| A4 Avant quattro Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 2.8 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 16 | 22 | 19 | $4,050 | 468 |
| A4 quattro Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 2.8 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 16 | 22 | 19 | $4,050 | 468 |
| A4 Avant quattro Auto (S5), 6 cyl, 2.8 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 15 | 22 | 18 | $4,300 | 494 |
| A4 quattro Auto (S5), 6 cyl, 2.8 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 16 | 23 | 18 | $4,300 | 494 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
3 safety recalls as of Nov 10, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 130 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (35), engine and engine cooling (30), service brakes, hydraulic (27). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2001 Audi A4 at 18–23 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (11 versions rated).