2000 AUDI A4 Service Brakes, Hydraulic Problems

THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT IS FLASHING ON MY DASH BOARD. THE REPAIR SHOP SAYS THAT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE COST IS ABOUT $1000! MY CAR HAS ABOUT 120,000 MILES ON IT. *TR

THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ONLINE ABOUT THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING FAILING IN AUDI'S AND VW'S BUILT BETWEEN 1996 AND 2001. ACCORDING TO MY MECHANIC, THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM THAT THEY'VE SEEN A LOT OF. SEE MANY OWNERS DISCUSSING THE PROBLEM HERE: HTTP://AUDI-VW-ABS-RECALL.BLOGSPOT.COM/2005/07/AUDI-AND-VW-PLEASE-RECALL-CARS-BETWEEN.HTML THE ABS IS A VERY IMPORTANT PIECE OF SAFETY EQUIPMENT, AND IT SEEMS IRRESPONSIBLE TO ME THAT AUDI HAS FAILED TO RECALL A VERY COMMON AND KNOWN MANUFACTURING DEFECT. *TR

Mileage: 92,000

HELLO: RECENTLY I HAD A FAILURE WITH THE ABS BRAKING SYSTEM ON MY 2000 AUDI A4, 2.8L. THIS FAILURE WAS VERIFIED BY THE AUDI DEALER IN WILMINGTON, DE. FROM THE DEALER AND ACCORDING TO MANY ARTICLES, THIS FAILURE IS COMMON WITH THIS MAKE. SO COMMON, THAT AUDI/VW DID A RECALL ON VW'S, BUT NOT ON AUDI'S. THIS IS NOT FAIR AND I AM HEAR TO VOICE MY SAFETY CONCERN. *TR

Mileage: 99,900

ABS INTERMITTENT. SYSTEM GOES FROM FINE, TO INOPERATIVE WITH NO WARNING. DETAILS: INTERMITTENTLY GET THREE BEEPS FROM THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER, WITH THE YELLOW ABS LIGHT LIT STEADILY, AND THE RED BRAKE WARNING LIGHT BLINKING. WHILE THE SYSTEM IS IN THIS STATE, THE ABS CONTROL MODULE IS NOT AVAILABLE VIA DIAGNOSTIC INTERFACE, AND THE ABS IS INOPERATIVE. SHOP DIAGNOSTICS SAYS: 01203 - ELECTRICAL CONNECTION BETWEEN ABS AND INSTRUMENT CLUSTER 03-10 - NO SIGNAL - INTERMITTENT DETAILS OF AFFECTED EQUIPMENT: ABS CONTROL MODULE IS 8E0-614-111-A (BOSCH ABS/EDS VERSION 5.3). *TR

Mileage: 105,000

MY VEHICLE HAS A PROBLEM THE MY ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM LIGHT COMING ON AND MY BRAKE LIGHT BLINKING. I'VE HAD THIS PROBLEM AND THOUGH IT WAS FIXED THE LIGHTS KEEP DISPLAYING. THIS I BELIEVE IS A COMMON PROBLEM AMONGST OTHER OWNERS OF MY VEHICLE AS WELL. *JB

Mileage: 80,000

ABS MODULE/SENSOR FAILURE. THIS PROBLEM OCCURS FREQUENTLY WITH OTHER AUDI OWNERS AND HAS BEEN THOROUGHLY DOCUMENTED ON SITES SUCH AS MYCARSTATS.COM. BASICALLY THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD COME ON WHILE DRIVING, ACCOMPANIED BY A BEEP. AFTER INITIAL RESEARCH, I WAS ABLE TO CONFIRM THE MODULE HAD FAILED AND WOULD REQUIRE REPLACEMENT. LOCAL AUDI DEALER QUOTED 1500 FOR THE MODULE PLUS LABOR. LUCKILY, I FOUND AN ALTERNATIVE BY SENDING THE FAULTY MODULE TO MODULEMASTER.COM. THIS COMPANY SPECIALIZES IN REPAIRING DEFEKTIVE CIRCUITRY. THE LABOR IS WARRANTIED FOR THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE AND COSTS 300.00 (INCLUDING SHIPPING AND MISC. STUFF). THE CAR WAS STILL DRIVEABLE WHILE THE MODULE WAS OUT. THEIR WEBSITE CONTAINED A VIDEO ON HOW TO PROPERLY ACCESS THE MODULE, REMOVE IT, AND REPLACE IT ONCE IT WAS REPAIRED. ALL IN ALL, I SAVED MYSELF '1200 PLUS LABOR'. I WOULD LIKE EXPRESS MY DISGUST WITH ALL AUDI DEALERS WHO SELL THEIR MODULES FOR THESE OUTRAGEOUS PRICES. ONE THING NONE OF THEM ADMITT TO IS THAT THE REASON WHY THESE BOSCH MODULES FAIL IS BECAUSE OF A KNOWN DEFEKT IN THE CIRCUITRY. SO THEIR $1200 MODULES WILL EVENTUALLY FAIL TOO. *NM

Mileage: 70,000

2000 AUDI A4 WITH ONLY 51000 MILES. ABS BRAKE LIGHT COMING ON LOUD BEEP AND FLASHING BRAKE LIGHT IN PANEL. WILL COST 1200.00 TO FIX. MANY PEOPLE HAVING SAME PROBLEM WITH OTHER YEAR MODELS BY AUDI. *NM

Mileage: 50,500

ANTILOCK BRAKING SYSTEM FAILING AT 80K MILES. INCREASING THE RISK FOR REAR BRAKES TO LOCK UP THE WHEELS POSSIBLY CAUSING VEHICLE TO SPIN OUT UNDER HEAVY BRAKING. *NM

Mileage: 89,000

I EXPERIENCED FAILURE OF ABS IN A 2000 AUDI A4 AVANT QUATTRO. THIS IS THE WELL-KNOWN AND WIDELY REPORTED PROBLEM WITH THE BOSCH 5.3 ABS CONTROL MODULE UNIT. THE UNIT SPONTANEOUSLY FAILED WITHOUT ANY REASON, AT ABOUT 80K MILES. THE CONSEQUENCES ARE THE ABS DOES NOT WORK AND THE PART TO REPLACE IT IS ABOUT $1500. I HAVE YET TO REPLACE OR REPAIR IT AT THIS POINT, HOPING VW/AUDI WILL DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT (A RECALL WOULD BE NICE). *JB

Mileage: 85,000

RECENTLY THE ABS AND BRAKE ALARM CAME ON AND WHEN I WENT TO HAVE IT REPAIRED THE SERVICE MAN SAID THERE WAS A FOUR WEEK BACK ORDER ON THE ABS MODULE. HE SAID THAT THIS PART IS GOING BAD IN ALL THE AUDI A4'S AND SOME A 6'S AND HE CAN'T EVEN GET THE PART FROM A JUNKED AUDI. *JB

Mileage: 165,000

ABS BRAKE FAILURE RESULTING IN UNSAFE ABS BRAKE FUNCTION. NEED TO REPLACE ABS CONTROL MODULE. THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM BASED ON A SEARCH OF THE INTERNET. *JB

Mileage: 83,850

AUDI A4 2000 1.8T (1) ABS LIGHT FLASHING. BROUGHT TO DEALER. QUOTED $600 FOR REPAIR KIT, $1500 FOR NEW MODULE. BOTH PRICES DO NOT INCLUDE LABOR. SEARCHED INTERNET AND HUNDREDS OF OTHER AUDI A4 OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME ISSUE. (2) ABS IS NOW INTERMITTENT ON MY CAR AND WARNING LIGHT IS ON CONSTANTLY. (3) CAN'T CORRECT RIGHT AWAY B/C MY AUDI DEALERSHIP IS 6 MONTHS BACK ORDERED. I ASSUME BECAUSE SO MANY OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. *JB

Mileage: 65,000

ABS COMPUTER FAILS, RESULTING IN ABS SYSTEM TO BECOME INOPERABLE. *NM

Mileage: 85,000

ABS CONTROL MODULE FAILURE. SEARCHED FORUMS AND INFO BOARDS AND IT'S A VERY COMMON PROBLEM. *JB

ABS MODULE FAILING AND OR LOOSING COMMUNICATION. *JB

Mileage: 90,000

ABS LIGHT IS ON, AND BRAKE LIGHT IS BLINKING. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND I WAS TOLD MY ABS MODULE IS FAULTY. AFTER LOOKING AT THE FORUMS ONLINE IT SEEMS THAT THIS IS A DEFECT THAT THOUSANDS OF AUDI/VW OWNERS ARE GETTING. COST OF REPAIR IS VERY HIGH. WHY ISN'T THERE A RECALL YET???*JB

Mileage: 49,000

EARLIER MODEL AUDI A4 AUTOS HAVE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM RELATED TO THE FAILURE OF THE ABS CONTROL MODULE. FAILURE TO REPAIR IMMEDIATELY AT A COST OF UP TO $3000 (IF AUDI CAN FIND PARTS) WILL RESULT IN REAR WHEEL LOCKUP AND POTENTIAL LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. AUDI WARNS/ADMITS OF THIS IN ITS OWNERS MANUAL. *JB

Mileage: 88,000

BRAKES POWER ASSIST FAIL AT / JUST AFTER STARTUP WHEN SELECTING REVERSE OR DRIVE WHILE THE AIR CONDITIONING IS ON. I REPORTED THE PROBLEM TO THE AUDI EXCHANGE IN HIGHLAND PARK, IL LAST YEAR. THEY WERE UNABLE TO REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM, AT THE TIME AS I WAS UNAWARE THAT IT ONLY OCCURRED WHEN THE A/C WAS ON AND AT LOW SPEED AFTER INITIAL START UP. THIS OCCURRED AGAIN THIS SUMMER WHEN I WAS TRYING TO MOVE OUT OF A PARKING SPOT AND WAS UNABLE TO STOP. THE RESULT WAS THAT I HIT ANOTHER CAR AT LOW SPEED CAUSING NO DAMAGE TO EITHER.

Mileage: 70,000

CAR HAS ONLY 62,000 MILES, BUT ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM CONTROLLER FAILED. MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO REPLACE; REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE. *JB

Mileage: 60,000

FAULTY ABS CONTROL MODULE...CAUSE LOSS OF ABS BRAKING IN 2000 AUDI A4 WITH ON 60K MILES. THIS HAS CAUSE MANY CLOSE CALLS AS IT IS $1500 TO REPAIR. *AK

PASSENGER FRONT BRAKE PAD SEPATATED FROM THE METAL BACKING PLATE WHILE WITHIN SERVICE SPECIFICATION (0.25 IN OF PAD) AND RESULTED IN LONG BRAKING DISTANCES AND GREATLY REDUCED PEDAL PRESSURE. PEDAL PRESSURE COULD NOT BE RECOVERED UNDER REPETITIVE BRAKE ACTUATIONS. THE CAR BECAME UNSAFE TO OPERATE AT ANY SPEED. THERE WAS NO WARNING BEFORE THE FAILURE. AUDI OF AMERICA REFUSES TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE PART UNDER AUDI ASSURED WARRANTY STATING THAT THIS IS NOT RELATED TO A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT. *AK

Mileage: 46,000

COMPLAINT RECEIVED VIA E-MAIL." THE ABS MODULE MALFUNCTIONS WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED AT 30 MPH AND SLOWER, THE PEDAL BEGINS TO THUMP AND KICK BACK AT MY FOOT. THE NOISE IS SO LOUD THAT IT CAN BE HEARD OVER THE STEREO. EVEN THE REAR PASSENGERS CAN HEAR THE NOISE. I FEEL AS THOUGH MY STOPPING DISTANCE IS EXTENDED BY THIS. THIS IS NOT ONLY ANNOYING BUT ALSO DANGEROUS IN INCLEMENT WEATHER CONDITIONS. THE MANUFACTURE HAS NOT ANSWER FOR WHAT CAUSING THIS. THE DEALERSHIP HAS DONE ALL THEY COULD WITH THE EQUIPMENT SUPPLIED BY THE MANUFACTURE. THEY REPLACED THE MODULE, BUT DON'T KNOW IF THAT WILL FIX THE PROBLEM.*JB MODULE WAS NOT REPLACED. *TC

AUDI A4 2000, FAULTY ABS MODULE. *BF *JB

MY CAR HAS LESS THAN 50,000 MILES AND I HAVING ABS BRAKE PROBLEMS. THE BRAKES PULSE A LOW SPEEDS FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THERE ARE NO WARNING LIGHTS DISPLAYED FROM A FAILURE IN THIS SYSTEM. THIS CAR HAS NOT BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENTS AND IT WAS DEALER MAINTAINED UNTIL THE WARRANTY RAN OUT 1 YEAR AGO.*AK

Mileage: 49,000

ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CAME ON AND WENT OFF INTERMITTENTLY, ALONG WITH BEEPING ALERTS. DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. *LA *NM *JB

Mileage: 55,000

WHILE TRAVELING CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE. THE NEXT DAY, A TECHNICIAN SERVICED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND A PART OF THE BRAKE PADS BROKE OFF. *AK

THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A BRAKE FLUID LEAK. *JB

THE SEAT HEATER FAILED, ALSO WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN REVERSE, AND THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKE, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. *JB THE VEHICLE WASN'T DRIVABLE WHEN THE IGNITION COILS FAILED. SCC

I HAVE BEEN HAVING SIGNIFICANT PROBLEMS WITH BRAKING DURING/AFTER ANY TYPE OF RAIN. I HAVE DISCUSSED THIS PROBLEM WITH MANY DEALERSHIPS AND THEY HAVE DENIED EVER HEARING A PROBLEM EXISTS. AS COMMON SENSE INDICATES, DURING ANY TYPE OF RAIN BRAKING POWER WILL BE DECREASED. HOWEVER, THE BRAKING LOSS IN THIS CAR IS BEYOND ACCEPTABLE LIMITS. PLEASE LOOK INTO THE PROBLEM ACCORDINGLY.*AK

WHILE TRAVELING IN SNOWY CONDITIONS, AND WHEN DEPRESSING BRAKE PEDAL VEHICLE WENT INTO EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

IN RAIN THERE IS A 2 SECOND DELAY AFTER THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED BEFORE THEY BITE. THIS ONLY HAPPENS IN WET CONDITIONS.*AK

VEHICLE EXPERIENCES DEGRADED BRAKE PERFORMANCE IN WET CONDITIONS. DEALER IS SCHEDULED TO INSPECT VEHICLE. *AK

DURING HIGHWAY DRIVING IN THE RAIN, WATER DEVELOPS ON THE BRAKE PADS/ROTORS, CAUSING THE DELAY IN BRAKING. WATER BUILDUP SEEMS TO OCCUR AFTER ABOUT 2 MINUTES OF DRIVING IN MODERATE OR HEAVY RAIN. BRAKING DELAY IS ABOUT 1.5 SECONDS. WHEN BRAKES GRAB, THEY SOMETIMES GRAP UNEVENLY, PULLING THE CAR TO ONE SIDE OR THE OTHER, UNTIL ALL 4 CORNERS HAVE CLEARED THE EXCESS WATER...THEN NORMAL BRAKING RESPONSE RESUMES. I HAVE WORKED AS A PROFESSIONAL DRIVER, DRIVING DIFFERENT VEHICLES OVER LONG DISTANCES...THIS IS NOT NORMAL!!! I KNOW FROM ON-LINE FORUMS THAT AUDI HAS NOT DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM, AND AS SUCH, DOES NOT HAVE A FIX OUT YET. I TRIED REPLACING BRAKE PADS, THIS DID NOT HELP.

DURING HIGHWAY DRIVING IN THE RAIN, WATER DEVELOPS ON THE BRAKE PADS/ROTORS, CAUSING THE DELAY IN BRAKING. WATER BUILDUP SEEMS TO OCCUR AFTER ABOUT 2 MINUTES OF DRIVING IN MODERATE OR HEAVY RAIN. BRAKING DELAY IS ABOUT 1.5 SECONDS. WHEN BRAKES GRAB, THEY SOMETIMES GRAP UNEVENLY, PULLING THE CAR TO ONE SIDE OR THE OTHER, UNTIL ALL 4 CORNERS HAVE CLEARED THE EXCESS WATER...THEN NORMAL BRAKING RESPONSE RESUMES. I HAVE WORKED AS A PROFESSIONAL DRIVER, DRIVING DIFFERENT VEHICLES OVER LONG DISTANCES...THIS IS NOT NORMAL!!! I KNOW FROM ON-LINE FORUMS THAT AUDI HAS NOT DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM, AND AS SUCH, DOES NOT HAVE A FIX OUT YET. I TRIED REPLACING BRAKE PADS, THIS DID NOT HELP.

BRAKES TAKE 2-3 SECONDS TO RESPOND ON FIRST USE WHEN DRIVING IN VERY WET CONDITIONS. HAS HAPPENED ABOUT 12 TIMES IN THE LAST YEAR. DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT OFFERED NO FIX.*AK

BRAKES TAKE 2-3 SECONDS TO RESPOND ON FIRST USE WHEN DRIVING IN VERY WET CONDITIONS. HAS HAPPENED ABOUT 12 TIMES IN THE LAST YEAR. DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT OFFERED NO FIX.*AK

IN WET WEATHER, 1 - 2 SECOND DELAY FROM BRAKE PEDAL APPLICATION TO BRAKES DEPLOYING. DEALER CONTENDS THAT BRAKES ARE OPERATING WITHIN SPECIFICATION. *AK

UNDER WET CONDITIONS, BRAKING IS DELAYED. ESPECIALLY NOTICEABLE WHEN TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, BRAKING SUDDENLY, AND FOR A MOMENT, BRAKES SEEM TO NOT WORK. *AK

I WAS DRIVING AT NIGHT ON THE ROAD ENTERING A HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 35 MPH WHEN I SPOTTED SOMETHING ON THE ROAD. BEING THAT MY VEHICLE IS AWD AND EQUIPPED WITH ABS I BROKE AND SWERVED. I FELT NO RESPONSE FORM THE BRAKES AND BY THAT TIME (2-4 SECONDS) MY CAR HAD LOST CONTROL AND STARTED TO SPIN. THE CAR SPUN AND WENT TO AN EXIT LANE AND HIT ANOTHER CAR FORCING IT OFF THE ROAD BEFORE COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE CAR IS NOW UNDRIVEABLE. *AK

BRAKING IS POOR IN WET CONDITIONS. TAKES 1 TO 2 SECONDS BEFORE BRAKES RESPOND. *AK

2001 AUDI A4 BEGAN TO SMOKE. DROVE 5 MINUTES TO A FRIEND'S HOUSE AND PARKED IN DRIVEWAY, CONSUMER WENT INSIDE OF HOUSE, AND CAR WAS SITTING FOR 20 MINUTES. THEN, SOMEONE KNOCKED, AND TOLD CONSUMER THAT CAR WAS SITTING IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. CAR DISENGAGED ON ITS OWN, AND ALMOST RAN OVER TWO CHILDREN. TOOK TO DEALER, AND THEY SAID BACK BRAKE PADS, AND ROTORS WERE BURNED TO A CRISP. NO CONCLUSION TO WHY THIS HAPPENED OR WHY CAR ROLLED INTO TRAFFIC ON ITS OWN.*AK ALSO, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR WHEN THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES. THE CONSUMER'S INVESTIGATION SHOWED THAT THERE WERE NUMEROUS REPORTS ABOUT SPONGY BRAKES REGARDING THIS VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER FEELS UNSAFE DRIVING THIS VEHICKE BUT THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT FIND SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM. *YH

WHEN BRAKES ARE WET AFTER DRIVING A LONG DISTANCE AND ARE NOT USED - THEY FADE THE FIRST TIME YOU USE THE BRAKE PEDAL.

BRAKES DO NOT PERFORM WELL IN WET WEATHER. *AK

INITIAL BRAKING IN WET CONDITIONS IS POOR. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 30 SECONDS OF NON-USE OF BRAKES IN HEAVY MIST OR SPRAY, OR ANY PRECIPITATION, THERE IS LITTLE TO NO BRAKING ACTION FOR APPROXIMATELY 1 SECOND AFTER THE PEDAL HAS BEEN DEPRESSED. NO BRAKE PEDAL "PULSING" (ASSOCIATED WITH ABS ACTIVATION) IS NOTICED. CRUISE CONTROL WAS NOT ACTIVE EACH TIME THE PROBLEM WAS NOTICED. THE PROBLEM IS MORE NOTICEABLE AT HIGHWAY SPEED. BRAKES ARE OTHERWISE EXCELLENT. *AK

WHILE DRIVING IN HEAVY RAIN, THE ROTORS FELT AS THOUGH THEY HAD A SHEEN ON THEM THAT CAUSED THE BRAKES NOT TO FUNCTION IMMEDIATELY. ALMOST AS IF THE VEHICLE WAS SLIDING ON ICE. THIS OCCURED 4 TIMES IN THE COARSE OF A 150 MILE TRIP FROM PHILADELPHIA TO NEW YORK CITY. *AK

WHILE DRIVING IN HEAVY RAIN, THE ROTORS FELT AS THOUGH THEY HAD A SHEEN ON THEM THAT CAUSED THE BRAKES NOT TO FUNCTION IMMEDIATELY. ALMOST AS IF THE VEHICLE WAS SLIDING ON ICE. THIS OCCURED 4 TIMES IN THE COARSE OF A 150 MILE TRIP FROM PHILADELPHIA TO NEW YORK CITY. *AK

WET-BRAKING PROBLEM. DURING HEAVY RAIN, WATER DROPLETS ACCUMULATE ON DISKS AND CAUSE A 2 SECOND DELAY IN BRAKING ACTION!!!. *AK

BRAKE ACTION IS DELAYED WHEN THERE IS RAIN. NLM

WHEN DRIVING IN RAINY CONDITIONS BRAKESFAILED TO ENGAGE FOR SEVERAL SECONDS AFTER DEPRESSING PEDAL, CAUSING A VERY DANGEROUS DELAY. *AK

BRAKE FAILURE OCCURRED UNDER WET CONDITIONS. BRAKES WERE APPLIED AT 30 MPH, BUT DID NOT ENGAGE FOR A FEW SECONDS (3). BRAKES "CHATTERED" BEFORE CAR EVENTUALLY STOPPED, AND LUCKILY THERE WAS CLEAR TRAFFIC AHEAD OF ME. *AK