2000 Audi A4 Reliability Report

NHTSA data as of Oct 15, 2026Published Oct 19, 2026

Caution

Ranks 23rd of 24 A4 years we score.

Owner complaints: 239; 5 are recall notices
Per 10,000 cars: 93.4; 25,045 made for the U.S.
Vs the average car: 1.9×; same age, 1× is average
Serious outcomes: 32; crash, fire, injury, stall or tow
Recalls: 2
NHTSA crash rating: –

2001 A4 →

Should You Buy the 2000 Audi A4?

Only after careful checks. Our reliability score for the 2000 Audi A4 is 63 out of 100, which rates Caution. Owners reported about 1.9 times as many problems as for the average car of the same age. It ranks 23rd of the 24 A4 years we score.

The most reported problem is the ABS, mostly warning lights (65 of 239 complaints). Owners also complain about the instrument cluster and tires. 32 of the 239 complaints describe a serious outcome, such as a crash, a fire, an injury or stalling while driving.

It has 2 recalls. For comparison, the 2001 scores 68.

Before you buy, check that the recalls were done and get an independent inspection. The full checklist is at the end of this page.

Pros

No do-not-drive or park-outside recalls

Cons

About 1.9 times the problems of the average car its age
ABS: warning lights65 complaints
Instrument cluster: stopped working45 complaints
Tires: damage35 complaints

How the 2000 A4 Earned Its Score

Every model year starts at 100. Each part takes points away when this year has more problems than the average car of the same age. How we score

Score breakdown
Item	Vs average	Points lost
Starting score		100
Serious problems	1.1×	−19
Everyday problems	3.8×	−13
Problems in the last two years	Not counted	–
Recalls	0.76×	−5
Score		63

Problems in the last two years are not counted for the 2000 A4. If it were exactly average, its 25,045 cars would draw about 0.2 complaints in two years at this age, too few to compare. Their 30% moves to serious and everyday problems, which count for 80% of this score instead of 50%.

What Owners Report

We read all 239 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2000 Audi A4, one by one, and grouped them by the problem they describe. The most reported problems come first. A complaint that describes more than one problem is counted under each, so the counts add up to more than 239.

ABS: warning lights
65 complaints (27%)
Warning lights, a failure and a feature that stopped working. 9 of these 65 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often loss of braking. Median mileage when it started: about 70,000 miles.
Instrument cluster: stopped working
45 complaints (19%)
A feature that stopped working, problems that come and go and a failure. Median mileage when it started: about 60,000 miles.
Tires: damage
35 complaints (15%)
Damage, pulling or wandering and parts breaking or coming apart. 1 of these 35 complaints describes a serious outcome. In 9 complaints, the problem came back after a repair. Median mileage when it started: about 3,000 miles.
Brakes: loss of braking
25 complaints (10%)
Loss of braking, delayed braking and reduced braking. 12 of these 25 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often loss of braking. Median mileage when it started: about 58,000 miles.
Power windows or regulator: stopped working
5 complaints (2%)
A feature that stopped working, problems that come and go and a failure. Median mileage when it started: about 34,000 miles.
Frontal airbags: no deployment in a crash
4 complaints (2%)
No deployment in a crash.
Cooling system: stopped working
3 complaints (1%)
A feature that stopped working, a failure that needed a new part and exposed fan contact. 1 of these 3 complaints describes a serious outcome: an injury.
CV axles: unusual noises
3 complaints (1%)
Unusual noises, slipping and parts breaking or coming apart. 1 of these 3 complaints describes a serious outcome: stalling or losing power while driving.
Ignition coils or spark plugs failure
3 complaints (1%)
A failure that needed a new part and the car not starting. 1 of these 3 complaints describes a serious outcome: a car that would not start.
Screen and audio: works on and off
3 complaints (1%)
Problems that come and go and a feature that stopped working.
Timing belt: parts breaking or coming apart
3 complaints (1%)
Parts breaking or coming apart and a failure. All 3 describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving. Median mileage when it started: about 95,000 miles.
Transmission: parts breaking or coming apart
3 complaints (1%)
Parts breaking or coming apart, a failure that needed a new part and harsh or delayed shifts. All 3 describe a serious outcome.
12V battery: a leak
2 complaints (under 1%)
A leak.
Airbag warning light failure
2 complaints (under 1%)
A failure and warning lights.
Check engine light (cause not stated)
2 complaints (under 1%)
Warning lights.

Show 8 more problems

Engine oil leak
2 complaints (under 1%)
A leak.
Engine sensors or computer failure
2 complaints (under 1%)
A failure that needed a new part.
Fuel gauge or level sensor: wrong readings
2 complaints (under 1%)
Wrong readings. 1 of these 2 complaints describes a serious outcome: stalling or losing power while driving.
Cylinder head: damage
2 complaints (under 1%)
Damage and a failure that needed a new part. 1 of these 2 complaints describes a serious outcome.
Throttle body: reduced power or limp mode
2 complaints (under 1%)
Reduced power or limp mode and a failure that needed a new part. 1 of these 2 complaints describes a serious outcome: stalling or losing power while driving.
Side or curtain airbags: deployment with no crash
2 complaints (under 1%)
Deployment with no crash and no deployment in a crash. 1 of these 2 complaints describes a serious outcome: an injury.
Steering failure
2 complaints (under 1%)
A failure and pulling or wandering. 1 of these 2 complaints describes a serious outcome: a crash.
Valve train: damage
2 complaints (under 1%)
Damage and parts breaking or coming apart.

Reported Once (31)

Show the 31 problems reported once

AWD or rear differential failure
Ball joints and control arms: parts breaking or coming apart
Brake power assist: a hard pedal or less assist
Climate controls: works on and off
Cylinder head gasket failure
Engine air intake failure
Engine failure: damage
Engine oil sludge failure
Fumes in cabin (cause not stated)
Headlights: stopped working
Manual transmission or clutch: damage
Mirrors: damage
Noise (cause not stated)
OVD 2 unit: stopped working
Accelerator pedal: sticking or stiffness
Airbag sensor failure
Exhaust heat shields: a fire
Ignition switch light: works on and off
Oil cooler lines failure
Rear wheel attachment: parts breaking or coming apart
Rollaway (cause not stated)
Seat heater: stopped working
Secondary air pump failure
Suspension (part not stated): unusual noises
Trunk latch: not closing or latching
Seats: damage
Timing chain or camshaft failure
Unintended acceleration (cause not stated)
Wheel bearings failure
Windshield wipers: works on and off
Wiring, fuses or body control module: stopped working

How the 2000 Audi A4 Compares With Other Years

The other A4 years of the 1st generation (B5), 2000 to 2001, and the years just before and after it.

Year	Rating	Score	Vs average	Per 10k cars	Recalls	Most reported problem
2002	Caution	65	1.7×	52.3	1	Ignition coils or spark plugs failure
2001	Caution	68	1.3×	49.5	1	Instrument cluster: stopped working
2000 This year	Caution	63	1.9×	93.4	2	ABS: warning lights

See every A4 year

2000 Audi A4 Recalls

Two recalls cover the 2000 Audi A4. The most recent was issued in June 2021: “Air Bag Inflators May Underinflate Bag.” A VIN check at NHTSA shows which are still open on a given car.

Air Bag Inflators May Underinflate Bag, June 2021
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. 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.
NHTSA 21V470000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Jun 23, 2021. By the third quarter of 2023, 5% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Air Bag Inflators May Underinflate Bag, January 2020
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. 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.
NHTSA 20V056000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Jan 31, 2020. By the second quarter of 2023, 2% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.

2000 Audi A4 NHTSA Investigations

NHTSA has opened three investigations that cover the 2000 Audi A4. All three have closed.

Weaker braking in wet weather
Closed
NHTSA's preliminary evaluation looked into weaker braking in wet weather on 1996-2000 Audi A4 cars. NHTSA's record has no summary of what it found or how it ended.
Apr 4, 2000 to Aug 11, 2000
Weaker braking in wet weather, engineering analysis
Closed
NHTSA's engineering analysis looked into weaker braking in wet weather on 1996-2000 Audi A4 cars. NHTSA's record has no summary of what it found or how it ended.
Aug 11, 2000 to Mar 29, 2002
Brake and clutch pedal bracket
Closed
NHTSA's preliminary evaluation looked into the brake and clutch pedal bracket on 1998-2001 Audi A4 and A6 cars. NHTSA's record has no summary of what it found or how it ended.
Jan 23, 2002 to Jul 12, 2002

Check Before You Buy

A checklist for the 2000 A4, from its two recalls and the problems owners report most.

Confirm the Recalls Were Done

Ask the seller for proof that each of these recalls was repaired.

Air Bag Inflators May Underinflate Bag, June 2021 NHTSA 21V470000
Air Bag Inflators May Underinflate Bag, January 2020 NHTSA 20V056000

On the Test Drive

Brake firmly from a moderate speed. A soft, hard or pulsing pedal, or a brake warning light, is a warning sign.
Test the screen, audio and phone connection for freezing or rebooting.
Look for uneven tire wear and listen for clunks or humming that changes with speed.

Ask the Seller

Ask whether any of these were ever repaired, and ask to see the receipts.

ABS
Instrument cluster
Tires
Also ask for the service records, especially oil changes.

Before You Pay

Get an independent pre-purchase inspection from a mechanic you choose.
Decode the VIN to confirm the model year, engine and trim.
Check the title for salvage, flood or rebuilt branding.

What to do next

All A4 Years →Best years and years to avoid, side by side.Compare With Other Years →Put up to four model years side by side.Find Warranty Extensions →Repairs Audi may still cover for this year.Decode a VIN →Confirm the exact year, engine and trim of a car.