AUDI A4 · model year

2002 AUDI A4

218 NHTSA complaints, 15 crash reports, and 2 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2002AUDIA4 carries 218 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 15 crashes, 13 fires, 6 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2002 A4 is electrical system:ignition with 50 filings, followed by electrical system (17) and exterior lighting (15). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 2 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 9 investigation files overlapping the 2002 A4. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

218
Complaints
15
Crashes
13
Fires
6
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

218 filings

Crashes Reported

15 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION50
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM17
EXTERIOR LIGHTING15
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE13
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION11
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING9
ENGINE5
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL4
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL4
UNKNOWN OR OTHER4
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING4
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER4
TIRES4
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER3
AIR BAGS3

Recalls (2)

21V47000023/06/2021

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

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

14E00700007/03/2014

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

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/s

Recent Complaints

20201125FireENGINE

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 COVER IT.

Mileage: 370,000

20201125FireEXTERIOR LIGHTING

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 COVER IT.

Mileage: 370,000

20200826CrashAIR BAGS

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

Mileage: 193,897

20200826CrashSEAT BELTS

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

Mileage: 193,897

20190207UNKNOWN OR OTHER

WHEN IT RAINS WATER GETS IN THE CAR ON THE DRIVER SIDE NOW MY WINDOW DONT COME DOWN ARE UP

Mileage: 144,678

20181207ENGINE

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.

Mileage: 150,000

20180417ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

Mileage: 106,000

20180417FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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.

Mileage: 106,000

20180417WHEELS

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.

Mileage: 106,000

20180323ENGINE

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.

Mileage: 90,000

20180323ENGINE

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.

Mileage: 89,000

20150120CrashSUSPENSION

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 IN AND FOUND OUT THE FRAME WAS BENT. I ALREADY SPENT 1200 DOLLARS FOR PARTS MISSING ON THE CAR. NOW ANOTHER PART IS AD AT ANOTHER 1500 DOLLARS TO MAKE THE AIR WORK. APPARENTLY THE CAR HAD BEEN CRASHED AND PICKED BACK TOGETHER JUST TO OFF IT. COMPLAINED A OUT PARTS MISSING AND THEY AGREED TO GIVE ME 400 DOLLARS FOR THE FIRST PROBLEM. NEVER DID SEE THE MONEY. I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A TOTAL REFUND OF THE DIFFERENCE FROM WHAT THEY GAVE ME FOR THE CAR AFTER THE 25000 DOLLARS THEY GAVE ME FOR THE TRUCK LOAD I TRADED IN. *TR

Mileage: 134,000

20150113TIRES

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 FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE TIRE AND VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE DOT NUMBER AND VIN WERE NOT AVAILABLE.

20140929FUEL/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 JUST SHUT DOWN WE WERE ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHEN WE TRIED TURNING ON THE CAR AGAIN IT FELT HEAVY AND SLUGGISH FAILED TO START. LEFT CAR OVER NIGHT LOCKED AND ALARM ON WE ALWAYS PUMP 91 CHEVRON GASOLINE AND KEEP UP WITH 5K OIL CHANGES HIRED A INDY MECHANIC AND INSTANTLY NOTICE THE FUEL PUMP WAS NOT ACTIVATING PLEASE HELP. *TR

20140319ENGINE

I AM WRITING REGARDING A SAD STORY ABOUT MY 2002 AUDI A4 QUATTRO 3.0 SEDAN . WHILE I REALIZE THAT THE CAR IS NOT NEW, AND WITH 152,000 MILES ON THE ROAD; I AM STILL DISAPPOINTED WITH THE SERIES OF EVENTS THAT HAS HAPPENED TO ME, NOT ONCE, BUT TWICE NOW! ABOUT A WEEK AGO, AS I TURNED THE ENGINE ON, I HEARD A LOUD KNOCKING LIKE SOMETHING HAD BEEN HIT AND FALLEN APART IN THE ENGINE. AT THE SAME TIME, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON (FLASHING). I TOOK IT TO MY TRUSTED MECHANIC. AT THIS POINT, I AM THINKING THAT THE ISSUE WAS WITH A COIL ? BUT NOT REALLY SINCE THEY HAVE BEEN REPLACED AND NOT THAT LONG AGO, MIGHT I ADD! WHILE THE CAR WAS BEING INSPECTED, THE MECHANIC HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM CAMSHAFT ADJUSTERS. ONCE THEY OPENED THE CASE, THEY FOUND SCREWS LOSE THAT HAD LITERALLY FALLEN OFF AND BROKEN. THE CAMSHAFT ADJUSTMENT HOUSING WAS ALSO DAMAGED, AMONGST OTHER PARTS (I HAVE PICTURES). HOW CAN THIS BE POSSIBLE? AFTER ALL, THE BOLTS ARE ENCASED, AND IT IS NOT LIKE ANYONE MESSE

Mileage: 152,000

20120410EXTERIOR LIGHTING

IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE FIRST RAINFALL IN MY OWNERSHIP WITH THIS VEHICLE, BOTH HEADLIGHTS STOPPED WORKING. AUDI HAS NOT DONE ANYTHING TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS NOT A CONVENIENCE ISSUE BUT A SAFETY ISSUE FOR DRIVING AT NIGHT. *TR

Mileage: 113,500

20120127FirePOWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 AUDI A4. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH SHE HEARD A LOUD POPPING NOISE AND SMOKE CAME FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AND IT WAS TOWED TO A DEALER. THEY DEALER ADVISED HER THAT THE DIFFERENTIAL IN THE TRANSMISSION OVERHEATED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND OFFERED TO BUY HER VEHICLE FOR $500. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 105,000.

Mileage: 105,000

20120124POWER TRAIN

CAR JERKS THEN SHUTS OFF ESPECIALLY WHEN COMING TO A STOP OR AFTER CHANGING GEARS. IT ALSO JERKS WHEN ON AN INCLINED STREET, THE CAR STARTS TO ROLL BACK, JERKS AFTER ACCELERATION, THEN CUTS OFF COMPLETELY. AFTER IT SHUTS OFF, IT TAKES A WHILE FOR IT TO TURN BACK ON AND ONLY TO FIND THE CHECK ENGINE AND EPC LIGHT ON. IT'S COME TO THE POINT WHERE I'M TOO AFRAID TO DRIVE MY OWN VEHICLE. *TR

20120109EXTERIOR LIGHTING

AFTER DRIVING FOR A FEW MINUTES THE LEFT DIPPED HEADLIGHT MESSAGE DISPLAYS ON THE DASH AND THE LEFT (DRIVER SIDE) HEADLIGHT WILL FLICKER ON AND OFF A FEW TIMES AND THEN GO OUT COMPLETELY. TURNING THE HEADLIGHTS OFF AND ON A FEW TIMES WILL GET IT TO COME ON AGAIN BUT ONLY FOR A SHORT TIME. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS THE LIGHTS ARE A REQUIRED SAFETY ITEM ON ALL VEHICLES AND IT IS A TICKETABLE ITEM. THIS NEEDS TO BE A SAFETY RECALL FROM AUDI AS NONE OF THE DEALERS SEEM TO KNOW HOW TO REPAIR THE ITEM WITHOUT HAVING YOU SPEND THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TRYING TO SWAP OUT PARTS UNTIL YOU FIND SOMETHING THAT MIGHT STOP IT. MOST BLOGS HAVE SAID THAT THE DEALER CAN NEVER FIND A SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM AFTER THEY HAVE SPENT $2-3K AND FINALLY GAVE UP AND ARE DRIVING THE CAR WITHOUT 1 OR MORE HEADLIGHTS. *TR

Mileage: 119,000

20111128EXTERIOR LIGHTING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 AUDI A4. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 25 MPH WHEN THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT ILLUMINATED ON AND OFF BEFORE FAILING COMPLETELY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE 143,000.

Mileage: 100,000

Compare 2002AUDIA4 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2002 AUDI A4 have?
The 2002 AUDI A4 has 218 NHTSA complaints, 15 crashes, 13 fires, 6 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2002 AUDI A4?
Yes, the 2002 AUDI A4 has 2 recall(s). The most common affected component is AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2002 AUDI A4?
The most-complained component for the 2002 AUDI A4 is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION with 50 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ELECTRICAL SYSTEM and EXTERIOR LIGHTING.
Is the 2002 AUDI A4 safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.