2002 Audi A4 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Electrical System:ignition (45) · Exterior Lighting (15) · Electrical System (15)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Audi A4 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
113 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (2)
Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module 2021-06-23 · campaign 21V470000 · 62,812 vehicles
Defect: 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.
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.
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.
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine 2014-03-07 · campaign 14E007000 · 50 vehicles
Defect: The Gates Corporation (Gates) is recalling certain aftermarket Tru-Flow Water Pumps, part number TFW 41127, sold at certain NAPA Auto Parts and/or installed by automotive service technicians after November 1, 2013 (and manufactured August 2013 through October 2013) that have a black-colored pulley/sprocket or do not have 'US9377' stamped on the water pump housing. These service replacement parts were sold for use in model year 1999-2005 Audi A4, 2000-2006 Audi TT, 1998-2005 Volkswagen Beetle, 1
Risk: A failure of the timing belt may cause the engine to shut down, potentially increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Fix: Gates will notify owners, and dealers will replace the water pump, free of charge. The recall began during May 2014. Owners may contact The Gates Corporation at 1-303-744-1911.
Service bulletins (149)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Equipment:other:owners/Service/Other Manual 2023-10-04 · A0023742052680_4 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides information on the additional reporting requirements for safety related inquiries.
Equipment 2022-06-15 · SM 48-2022 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this special notice is to inform dealers to return the parts listed if it meets the criteria provided.
Structure 2021-06-25 · A0021482021205_6 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this informational bulletin explains how to order replacement vin plates, safety certification labels, etc.
Equipment:electrical 2020-04-16 · A0020362002047_1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this information bulletin contains instructions for technicans on how to ensure their tac call goes smoothly.
Electrical System 2019-09-17 · A0019252011732_1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
00 software version management (svm), operating instructions
Equipment:other:labels 2019-08-28 · AWC 19-05 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this communication is issued to inform dealers of updated shipping regulations related to lithium ion batteries.
Showing the 6 most recent of 149 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2020-11-25 · Exterior Lighting · 370,000 mi · 🔥 fire“2002 audi a4 with 370k burned a bit of oil which was fine cleaned the engine out with cleaners it smoked a bit which is normal.. headlights started flickering 'hids' so i parked it. 3 days later i go to take the car on a test drive and the drivers headlight lit on fire ! not sure if it was a headlight issue or a wiring issue.. insurance will not co…”
2020-08-26 · Seat Belts · 193,897 mi · 💥 crash“i slid off a wet curvy down hill road and slammed into an embankment. went unconscious and woke with a large laceration to back of head. saw that the passenger airbags exploded but none for driver's side. seatbelt on driver's side tighten so tight could strangled me if i was wearing it. have video of malfunctioning seatbelt and airbag…”
2019-02-07 · Unknown Or Other · 144,678 mi“when it rains water gets in the car on the driver side now my window dont come down are up…”
2018-12-07 · Engine · 150,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2002 audi a4. the contact heard a ticking noise coming from the timing belt. audi brooklyn (665 65th st, brooklyn, ny 11220, (833) 448-2449) was contacted. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. the manufacturer was not notified. the failure mileage was 150,000. the vin was unknown.…”
2018-04-17 · Wheels · 106,000 mi“takata recall; fuel pump went out while driving causing car to stop and almost lead to an accident. (ca electric components do not always work, window is a big one. wheels all had to be replaced within six months and the axel appears to cause wheel damage. constant leaks such as coolent.…”
2018-03-23 · Engine · 90,000 mi“while driving on the city street, the engine overheated and smoke came out. stopped vehicle on the side road to see what's happening. drove after engine has cooled off to the next body shop. diagnostic: engine cooling is leaking, water pump is defect. timing belt will be affected if not replaced as well.…”
2018-03-23 · Engine · 89,000 mi“while driving on a city street, the wheel steering suddenly blocked and it was not possible to steer the vehicle to the left nor to the right. managed to stop the vehicle on the street shoulder. diagnostic at the body shop: power steering belt broken and even missing. need replacement.…”
2015-01-20 · Suspension · 134,000 mi · 💥 crash“i bought a car from a used car dealer in renton wa. after about a year went by i noticed that i haven't received the title. called the dealer and they told me i have to contact dmv. talked to a person in the renton office and twice to the covington office. they told me i have to pay a 39 dollar charge to get a title. decided to maybe trade the car …”
2015-01-13 · Tires“tl* the contact owns a 2002 audi a4 equipped with bridgestone potenza tires, size: 225/45r17. while parked, it was noticed that the front passenger side tire had tread separation. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the tire was replaced. the contact also stated that the front driver side tire was replaced previously for the same…”
2014-09-29 · Fuel/Propulsion System“incident happened on the day shown above i was running errands car was working well through out the day it was when i went to pick my husband up from work i stopped at an intersection when traffic light turned green i stepped on the gas pedal and that's when it started chugging and choking and did not want to go more than 30mph and suddenly it jus…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.