Indagine

1997-1999 Audi A4 Power Brake Booster Vacuum Bypass Recall

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) conducted investigation RQ99008 into the 1997-1999 Audi A4 regarding potential issues with the power brake booster vacuum bypass. This investigation ultimately resulted in a recall to address the safety concern.

ByAhmet Topcu — Founder & Editor-in-ChiefAutomated summary1999 Audi A4
1999 Audi A4 — 1999 Audi A4 investigation
Editorial illustration generated for this article.
RQ99008Audi A4 power brake booster vacuum bypassPower brake booster vacuum bypassSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC1997 Audi A4 investigation1998 Audi A4 investigation1999 Audi A4 investigationAudi A4 brake recallNHTSA RQ990081997 Audi A4
Audi A4
1997–1998

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) initiated investigation RQ99008 concerning the power brake booster vacuum bypass system in certain 1997-1999 Audi A4 vehicles. This inquiry, known as a Recall Query (RQ), aimed to determine the scope and severity of potential issues with the SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC component.

NHTSA's Findings So Far

The NHTSA investigation RQ99008 concluded that a safety-related defect existed. The status of this investigation indicates that it led directly to a recall. This means that the concerns identified during the 1999 Audi A4 investigation were significant enough to warrant corrective action by the manufacturer.

Scope

This investigation specifically focused on the power brake booster vacuum bypass in 1997, 1998, and 1999 Audi A4 models. The component under scrutiny was the SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC system, particularly how the vacuum bypass affected its operation. The findings from this 1999 Audi A4 investigation impacted these specific model years.

Status

Investigation RQ99008 was classified as a Recall Query (RQ). This type of investigation is typically opened when there is evidence suggesting a potential safety defect that may require a recall. In this case, the investigation's status confirms that it resulted in a recall being issued for the affected vehicles.

What It Could Mean for Owners

Owners of 1997-1999 Audi A4 vehicles should be aware that this investigation led to a recall. It is crucial to check if your specific vehicle has any open recalls related to the power brake booster vacuum bypass or the SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC system. You can typically do this by entering your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) on the NHTSA website or contacting an authorized Audi dealership.


Source: NHTSA RQ99008

Frequently Asked Questions

What is NHTSA investigation RQ99008 about?
NHTSA investigation RQ99008 focused on potential issues with the power brake booster vacuum bypass system in 1997-1999 Audi A4 vehicles, which ultimately led to a recall.
Which Audi A4 models are affected by the power brake booster vacuum bypass issue?
The investigation and subsequent recall apply to 1997, 1998, and 1999 Audi A4 models concerning the power brake booster vacuum bypass component.
How can I check if my Audi A4 is part of this recall?
You should check for open recalls by entering your vehicle's VIN on the NHTSA website or contacting an authorized Audi dealership to see if your 1997-1999 Audi A4 is affected by the recall stemming from investigation RQ99008.

What Audi A4 owners report

Counted from the records in our database across 31 model years.

3,022
Owner complaints
33
Recalls
3,248
Service bulletins
115
Crashes reported
51
Fires reported
80
Injuries reported

The 1999 model year

190 complaints, the 7th most of 31 model years on file. Owners reported 9 crashes, 2 fires and 5 injuries for this year, which also has 7 recalls on file.

Complaints by model year

Model years with the most complaints for the Audi A4
1998258
1999190
2002181
2003210
2004189
2005219
2006298
2007219
2008191
2009144

Most-reported systems

  1. Air Bags — 577
  2. Electrical System — 474
  3. Exterior Lighting — 369
  4. Service Brakes — 360
  5. Hydraulic — 307

Latest recalls for the 1999 model year

  • 20V056000 — Air Bags (Jan 2020)
  • 14E007000 — Engine And Engine Cooling (Mar 2014)
  • 06E060000 — Exterior Lighting (Jun 2006)
All 1999 recalls →

Recent owner reports

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 audi a4. The contact stated that while driving, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer but the contact was unaware of the diagnosis. The vehicle was not repaired.

1999 Audi A4 owner, Jan 2016

As i was opening the hood of the car to fill up the window washer, the hood did not stay up as usual. It started to close and it hit my head on the way down. I am wondering if there have been other reports of the same incident.

1999 Audi A4 owner, Dec 2012
Read owner complaints →

Complaints are owner reports filed with NHTSA. They are unverified, and counts depend on how many vehicles were sold, so they are not a failure rate.

Related Articles

2025 Audi A5 Health Check: Software Issues and Service Bulletins

The 2025 Audi A5 has no reported recalls or owner complaints, but several manufacturer service bulletins address software-related issues. These TSBs cover problems with the MMI system, rear lid operation, parking systems, and drivetrain, often resolved with software updates.

2023 Audi Q5 Problems: Engine, Airbag, and EVAP TSBs

The 2023 Audi Q5 has no reported recalls or owner complaints, but several service bulletins address issues like engine faults (P060C00, U041600), airbag warning lights (B120E1B, B100A1B), and EVAP system leaks (P240700, P044200). Owners should be aware of these known problems.

2025 Audi Q5 Health Check: TSBs and Software Updates

Explore common issues for the 2025 Audi Q5, including electrical system warnings, door malfunctions, and headlight defects, as detailed in manufacturer service bulletins. Learn about software updates and potential fixes.

2024 Audi Q5 Health Check: Recalls and Bulletins

The 2024 Audi Q5 currently shows no recalls or owner complaints but has several manufacturer service bulletins addressing common early-life issues like EPC light warnings, 12V battery discharge, and airbag light illumination. This profile details potential 2024 Audi Q5 problems and what owners…

2022 Audi e-tron Electrical System Problems: Complaints & TSBs

Owners of the 2022 Audi e-tron frequently report significant electrical system malfunctions, ranging from sudden power loss and charging hazards to software crashes. Braking issues and unexpected automatic emergency braking are also common concerns, alongside numerous technical service bulletins…

Comments

Be the first to comment.

Leave a comment

Comments are moderated and may take a moment to appear. Only your first name and the initial of your last name are shown publicly.

Verifying you are human...