ABS and stability control Audi: problems by model and engine

Documented faults, from most to least important

Severity × frequency. Below each one, the Audi models it appears in.

- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalAudi e-tronElectromechanical brake booster failure and corrosion of the brake pressure unit (ABS/ESC)In 2021 Audi recalled two batches of the e-tron because of the electromechanical brake booster (2,303 cars, recall 47R1) and the corrosion of the brake pressure unit (361, recall 47R7). Both can affect the brake booster, the ABS and the ESC and lengthen the braking distance.
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalAudi Q4 e-tronCampaign 45BF: stability control module missing pump motor screwsAccording to the fiches-auto.fr data sheet, campaign 45BF affects the electronic stability control module because of missing screws in the pump motor, in cars built from 25 March to 23 April 2024.
- Critical severityFrequency: RareAudi A3 IIInsufficient ESP and ABS diagnostic function on 2009 vehiclesOn vehicles built in 2009, gebrauchtwagenberater.de documents an insufficient diagnostic function that can lead to problems with the ESP and ABS system itself; we have not found the campaign number or a second source that confirms it.
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalAudi A3 IABS/ESP module or hydraulic unit failureAccording to the fiches-auto.fr owner reports, there are 12 cases of ABS/ESP faults on the A3 8L, and the page mentions an ABS campaign carried out in 2002 with no further detail.
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalAudi A3 IIIABS/ESP warning light on because of sensors, with no real brake faultSeveral owners and a specialist garage document the ABS or ESP warning light coming on intermittently or permanently on the A3 with no real fault in the brakes, almost always because of a faulty wheel speed sensor.
- Low severityFrequency: CommonAudi TT IInstrument cluster and on-board electronics faults (pixels, ESP and airbag warning lights)According to owner reports collected by fiches-auto.fr (149 for this model), electrical and electronic faults are the most frequently cited non-mechanical category: a cluster display with missing pixels, ESP and airbag warning lights coming on and erratic temperature sensors.

By Audi model

Open yours to see only the faults that affect it, by engine and by year.

Frequently asked questions

What faults with the ABS and ESP do Audi cars have?

In 6 models from Audi there are 6 documented faults with the ABS and ESP. The most important: electromechanical brake booster failure and corrosion of the brake pressure unit (ABS/ESC), campaign 45BF: stability control module missing pump motor screws and insufficient ESP and ABS diagnostic function on 2009 vehicles. Each fault has its own page with the affected years and versions, the symptoms and the repair cost.

Which Audi models have the most problems with the ABS and ESP?

Audi A3 I (1 fault), Audi TT I (1 fault), Audi A3 II (1 fault) and Audi A3 III (1 fault).