Does the 2001 Audi A4 have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2001 Audi A4, the most recent reported on June 23, 2021 (Air bags: frontal, driver side, inflator module). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What are the most common problems with the 2001 Audi A4?

Owners have filed 131 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is electrical system (35 complaints), followed by engine and engine cooling (31).

How many 2001 Audi A4 complaints mention a crash or fire?

5 of 131 complaints report a crash and 9 a fire; 1 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

2001 Audi A4 recalls and problems

1 recall and 131 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2001 Audi A4.

recalls

131

owner complaints

complaints mentioning a crash

mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2001 Audi A4 recalls

Air bags: frontal, driver side, inflator module

NHTSA campaign 21V470000 · reported June 23, 2021 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. · 62,812 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: 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 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.
The 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 service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69CJ.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

Electrical system35
Engine and engine cooling31
Service brakes, hydraulic28
Air bags11
Power train5
Unknown or other4
Exterior lighting3
Steering3
Suspension3
Visibility3

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Mar 2, 2026 · Air bags
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.

Mar 4, 2022 · Air bags · 180,000 miles
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…

May 29, 2019 · Engine · 167,000 miles · fire reported
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…

Aug 18, 2016 · Air bags · 139,733 miles
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…

Aug 9, 2014 · Service brakes · 121,000 miles · crash reported
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…

A4 model years compared

Year	Recalls	Complaints	Crashes	Fires
2000	2	96	5	2
2001	1	131	5	9
2002	1	181	13	6
2003	3	210	10	6
2004	2	189	8	3

Across all years, the 2006 A4 has the most complaints (295). All Audi A4 years →

Questions

Does the 2001 Audi A4 have any recalls?: Yes. NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2001 Audi A4, the most recent reported on June 23, 2021 (Air bags: frontal, driver side, inflator module). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2001 Audi A4?: Owners have filed 131 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is electrical system (35 complaints), followed by engine and engine cooling (31).
How many 2001 Audi A4 complaints mention a crash or fire?: 5 of 131 complaints report a crash and 9 a fire; 1 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received March 2, 2026.