2001 Audi A4 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
153 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2001 Audi A4, alongside 3 recall campaigns and 1 defect investigation. It scores 48/100 on the trouble index — a below-average year for this model. Electrical leads the reports, typically around 51,000 miles.
Below average
Where 2001 sits among all A4 years
What owners report
“My coil pack has failed 5 times, 1st at 12,000 miles 2nd at 2x,xxx 3rd at 2x,xxx 4th at 38,xxx abd 5th at 40,000. Dt”— owner report to NHTSA, 2001 A4
“Especially during highway driving the braking system does not initially apply any meaningful stopping power when driving in wet conditions. This results in a 1-2 second delay in actual slowing when applying brakes in the wet.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2001 A4
“While driving down the highway, consumer states vehicle began to shake and engine light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to dealer. Dealer says emission coil failed. Please provide any further inforationl mr”— owner report to NHTSA, 2001 A4
Mileage when trouble shows up
Among the 99 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 60,014 miles. Half of those reports fall between 38,500 and 88,153 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.
Recalls (3)
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)…
Fix: 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…
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…
Fix: Gates will notify owners, and dealers will replace the water pump, free of charge. The recall began during May 2014. Owners may contact The Gates Corporation at 1-303-744-1911.
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…
Fix: CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.
Federal defect investigations
Technical service bulletins
105 manufacturer communications — service bulletins, the biggest share on engine and electrical — are on file for the 2001 Audi A4. A TSB is factory repair guidance, not a recall — the repair is not automatically free.
Complaint history for this model year
When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.
Questions buyers ask
Is the 2001 Audi A4 reliable?
The 2001 Audi A4 drew 153 complaints in federal safety records — a below-average year for this model. Its trouble index is 48/100, scored against the model's worst year (1998).
What are the most common 2001 Audi A4 problems?
The top reported problems for the 2001 Audi A4 are electrical (38 complaints), brakes & stability (37), and engine (34).
At what mileage do 2001 Audi A4 problems show up?
Owners most often report 2001 Audi A4 problems around 60,014 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 38,500 and 88,153 miles.
Does the 2001 Audi A4 have recalls?
3 recall campaigns apply to the 2001 Audi A4. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer.
Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.