Reliability
Audi

A4 (2000)

2000 · Compact Sedan · 4 engines
238 NHTSA Complaints
5 Recalls
2 Fire Reports
11 Crash Reports
Data covers 2 NHTSA model names
A4S4
View all 6 generations of the Audi A4 → Inspection checklist

Reliability Score

6.9 / 10

Reliability score

About as many owner complaints as similar compact sedans

The class average is 7.0. Based on complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the engine, transmission or drivetrain.

Owners filed 25 powertrain complaints. A typical compact sedan fleet of this size and age would have drawn about 23.

Scores this low have often eased: the three years after looked about 0.8 points better in the typical case.

Breakdown
Complaints overall25 complaints against about 23 for similar vehicles
6.9
Last three years
n/aNot enough data
Engine, transmission or drive unit failed or replaced
n/aNot enough data
Oil consumption, fuel in the oil or overheating
n/aNot enough data

Each line scores one view of the same complaints the same way, so the lines overlap. The mark on each bar is the class average. A line needs 20 expected complaints to show a number.

Similar vehicles are others in the same class, compared at the same age and in the same years. The score counts complaints owners filed with NHTSA, per vehicle built, which is different from the share of vehicles that fail. How the score is worked out

On the record

No serious powertrain recall covering 5% or more of this generation and no escalated investigation in NHTSA's files. Warranty extensions and settlements have not been researched.

Complaints by Engine Code

Audi A4 Unidentified Engine

60 complaints 60.0 per year
View details

Complaint Breakdown

brakes
22
electrical
19
other
5
wheels tires
5
engine
4

2.8-V6-Gas

2.8L 6-cyl / 193 hp
20 complaints 20.0 per year Gasoline
1 fire report
View details

Owner Complaints by System

Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Audi A4, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.

Brakes: 91 owner complaints
Electrical System: 61 owner complaints
Wheels & Tires: 39 owner complaints
Engine: 15 owner complaints
Cooling System: 15 owner complaints

What to check on a used 2000 Audi A4

On a used 2000 Audi A4, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the brakes (91), the electrical system (61) and the wheels and tires (39). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-12. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.

  1. On an empty road, brake firmly from 40 mph with a light grip on the wheel.Safety. NHTSA has 91 owner complaints on the 2000 Audi A4 about the brakes.
  2. Switch on every electrical item in turn: lights, windows, locks, wipers, climate fan, screen and power outlets.Costly repair. NHTSA has 61 owner complaints on the 2000 Audi A4 about the electrical system.
  3. Measure the tread on all four tires, read the date codes and look at each wheel.Safety. NHTSA has 39 owner complaints on the 2000 Audi A4 about the wheels and tires.
  4. Start the engine cold and listen for the first 30 seconds, then again at idle once it is warm.Costly repair. NHTSA has 15 owner complaints on the 2000 Audi A4 about the engine, all engines combined.
  5. With the engine cold, check the coolant level and color, then watch the temperature gauge on the drive.Costly repair. NHTSA has 15 owner complaints on the 2000 Audi A4 about the cooling system, all engines combined.
Open the full inspection checklist for the 2000 Audi A4

Recalls (5)

21V470000Jun 23, 2021critical
Air Bags

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.

20V056000Jan 31, 2020critical
Air Bags

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (VW) is recalling certain 2000-2001 TT Roadster, 2000 TT Coupe, 1999 Audi A8, 1998-2000 Audi A6, and 1999-2000 Audi A4 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.

14E007000Mar 7, 2014serious
Engine & Cooling

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.

06E060000Jun 29, 2006serious
Exterior Lighting

CERTAIN AAI MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LIST PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

06E049000May 24, 2006serious
Exterior Lighting

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.

Alternatives in Compact Sedan

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2000-2000 Audi A4 complaints?

Owners have filed 238 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000-2000 Audi A4. The systems they name most often are the brakes, the electrical system and the wheels and tires.

Is the 2000-2000 Audi A4 a good used car?

That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 238 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000-2000 Audi A4. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2000-2000 Audi A4 have?

NHTSA has 238 owner complaints on file for the 2000-2000 Audi A4 as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.

What recalls affect the 2000-2000 Audi A4?

NHTSA lists 5 recalls covering some 2000-2000 Audi A4 vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.

What should I check before buying a used Audi A4?

Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the brakes, the electrical system and the wheels and tires, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.

Does the A4 have NHTSA crash test ratings?

NHTSA has not published crash test ratings for the 2000 Audi A4. Not all vehicles are tested each year. For the latest NHTSA safety information, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 238 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-10-12.

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