The Audi 4000 has 7 NHTSA recall campaigns on record covering 1981–1987. On average a defect was admitted 3 years after the car was built, the slowest took 8 years. The most recalled system is Service Brakes, Hydraulic (2 campaigns). Owners also filed 8 complaints on this model — see what breaks.
What was recalled on the Audi 4000
Grouped by system. Open any row for the campaigns themselves — what failed, what it risks and how the dealer fixes it, straight from the NHTSA filing.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic 2 Read
What's wrong. Under adverse weather conditions, outer rubber layer of brake hoses may become brittle and develop cracks. Consequence of defect: cracks could lead to loss of brake fluid resulting in an increase in stopping distance and possibly an accident
Fix. Replace brake hoses as necessary
What's wrong. On certain vehicles, porous spots may have developed on the interior surface of the threaded hole for the brake hose during the moulding process. These spots allow brake fluid to seep from the calipers during heavy brake applications
Fix. Both front brake calipers will be inspected for brake fluid seepage and will be replaced, if necessary, without charge
Power Train 1 Read
What's wrong. The differential oil of the transaxle is lost over time due to evaporation. Low oil levels cause premature bearing and gear wear and eventual failure of the differential
Risk. In the event of failure, the vehicle's drive wheels couldlose power. In extreme circumstances, the front wheels lock, causing rapiddeceleration resulting in possible loss of vehicle control and an accident
Fix. Drain and replace the differential gear oil with oil having higher performance characteristics
What's wrong. The differential oil of the transaxle is lost over time due to evaporation. Low oil levels cause premature bearing and gear wear and eventual failure of the differential
Risk. In the event of failure, the vehicle's drive wheels couldlose power. In extreme circumstances, the front wheels lock, causing rapiddeceleration resulting in possible loss of vehicle control and an accident
Fix. Drain and replace the differential gear oil with oil having higher performance characteristics
What's wrong. The differential oil of the transaxle is lost over time due to evaporation. Low oil levels cause premature bearing and gear wear and eventual failure of the differential
Risk. In the event of failure, the vehicle's drive wheels couldlose power. In extreme circumstances, the front wheels lock, causing rapiddeceleration resulting in possible loss of vehicle control and an accident
Fix. Drain and replace the differential gear oil with oil having higher performance characteristics
Vehicle Speed Control 1 Read
What's wrong. Excessive wear of idle stabilizer could cause idle fluctuations
Risk. Idle fluctuations could result in unsatisfactorydriveability
Fix. Replace idle stabilizer
What's wrong. Excessive wear of idle stabilizer could cause idle fluctuations
Risk. Idle fluctuations could result in unsatisfactorydriveability
Fix. Replace idle stabilizer
Seat Belts 1 Read
What's wrong. Rear or front right seat belt locks may not properly engage. Consequence of defect: seat belts could separate in event of heavy brake application or impact and thus subject passengers to injury
Fix. Replace seat belts, as necessary
Fuel System, Gasoline 1 Read
What's wrong. The fuel pump may stop functioning without warning. This can occur because an electrical connector in the fuse panel may overheat and interrupt the electrical circuit
Fix. Dealer will inspect the fuse box and its connectors for corrosion, and correct where necessary. A bypass adapter to the fuel pump electrical circuit will be installed
Structure 1 Read
What's wrong. Rear bumper system on certain vehicles may not have been properly welded during assembly. In the event of a rear end collision, the right side bumper supportor could break loose, damage the fuel tank and allow fuel to leak
Fix. A reinforcement plate will be installed, if necessary, to prevent fuel tank damage. Work will be performed at no cost to owners
How long a defect stays unadmitted
Campaign numbers encode the year of the announcement, so each recall on this model can be dated against the car it applies to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Average gap before admission | 3 years |
| Slowest campaign | 8 years |
| Admitted 5+ years later | 33.3% |
| Campaigns on record | 7 |
Which 4000 years were recalled most
Campaigns per model year. A year with more campaigns is not automatically worse — it may simply have sold in far greater numbers.
| Model year | Campaigns | Most recalled system |
|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Power Train | |
| 1986 | Seat Belts | |
| 1985 | Vehicle Speed Control | |
| 1984 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | |
| 1981 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic |
Check your own car
A campaign applies to a range of production, not to every car of the model. The only way to know whether yours is affected — and whether the repair was already done — is by VIN.
| Step | What you get |
|---|---|
| Enter the VIN above | Open campaigns for that exact vehicle, straight from NHTSA |
| Check the repair status | Whether the free fix has already been carried out on this car |
| Book at any franchised dealer | Recall work is free regardless of age, mileage or owner |
Go deeper
A campaign covers a production range. Yours is one car.
- Check whether this exact VIN is affected — and whether the fix was done
- Alerts if a new campaign lands on a car in your garage
- Full research report as a PDF you can hand to a mechanic
- Decode a whole list of VINs at once
- No ads, on every page
- No ads, no tracking — and much more
Frequently asked questions
How many recalls does the Audi 4000 have?
7 NHTSA campaigns on record, covering 1981–1987. Not every campaign applies to every car — coverage is by production range, so check your VIN.
Is recall work free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer regardless of the car's age, mileage or how many owners it has had. That is a federal requirement, not a courtesy.
How do I know if my 4000 still has an open recall?
Enter its VIN above. We show campaigns that apply to that exact vehicle and whether the repair has already been recorded as done.
Why did a defect take years to be recalled?
On this model the average gap between the car being built and the defect being admitted is 3 years, and the slowest campaign came 8 years later. Defects usually surface as they accumulate in the field: complaints pile up, an investigation opens, and only then is a campaign issued.