Total Complaints
31 filings
AUDI S4 · model year
31 NHTSA complaints, and 1 active recall for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2002AUDIS4 carries 31 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 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 S4 is service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:rotor with 8 filings, followed by electrical system (5) and service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc (5). 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 1 active recall campaign, 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 S4. 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.
Total Complaints
31 filings
Crashes Reported
0 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR | 8 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 5 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC | 5 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL | 5 |
| SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST | 3 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS | 2 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS | 1 |
| EQUIPMENT | 1 |
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
TL*THE CONTACT OWN A 2002 AUDI S4. THE CENTER INSTRUMENT PANEL DISPLAY INTERMITTENTLY FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED HALF OF THE DISPLAY WAS WELL LIT WHILE THE OTHER HALF WAS NOT. OCCASIONALLY THERE WAS ALSO AN ODOR SIMILAR TO ELECTRICAL SMOKE. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE SINCE THE LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DO NOT REMAIN ILLUMINATED. THE DRIVER STATED THAT A CABLE MAY BE DISCONNECTED WITHIN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WHICH MAY BE A COMMON PROBLEM. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY FOR ONE YEAR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.
Mileage: 85,000
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 AUDI S4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LCD SCREEN ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL HAS LINES RUNNING THROUGH THE SCREEN, WHICH PREVENT HIM FROM VIEWING THE INFORMATION. HE HAS NOT YET TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000. UPDATED 5/5/09 *CN UPDATED 05/07/09.*JB
Mileage: 57,000
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 AUDI S4. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DISPLAYED MISSING AND FADED PIXELS, AS WELL AS INCOMPLETE INFORMATION ABOUT THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
Mileage: 60,000
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER ON MY 2002 AUDI S4 HAS FAILED. WITHOUT THIS DISPLAY, THE POTENTIAL FOR A HAZARDOUS SITUATION INCREASES DUE TO NOT BEING ABLE TO READ THE ERRORS WHICH WOULD NORMALLY BE DISPLAYED. I AM AWARE OF THIS BEING A VERY COMMON FAULTY PART AND WOULD RECOMMEND LOOKING INTO A RECALL. *TR
Mileage: 59,600
I BOUGHT MY CAR WITH 36,XXX MILES ON IT. THE CENTER LCD SCREEN DOES NOT WORK. THE CAR IS PRACTICALLY BRAND NEW AND THE CENTER CLUSTER INFORMATION CENTER IS BUSTED. ITS BARELY READABLE, BUT DISPLAY IMPORTANT USER DIAGNOSTIC/INFO ABOUT THE CAR (SERVICE LIGHTS, ETC). THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE AND I WOULD LIKE TO PROMPT A RECALL. IT'S A 2002 AUDI S4, 2.7T THE PREVIOUS OWNER COMPLAINED TO ME WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR THAT IT NEVER WORKED FOR HIM EITHER. (HE OWNED CAR FOR NEARLY 2 YEARS+). *TR
Mileage: 36,254
I BOUGHT MY CAR WITH 36,XXX MILES ON IT. THE CENTER LCD SCREEN DOES NOT WORK. THE CAR IS PRACTICALLY BRAND NEW AND THE CENTER CLUSTER INFORMATION CENTER IS BUSTED. ITS BARELY READABLE, BUT DISPLAY IMPORTANT USER DIAGNOSTIC/INFO ABOUT THE CAR (SERVICE LIGHTS, ETC). THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE AND I WOULD LIKE TO PROMPT A RECALL. IT'S A 2002 AUDI S4, 2.7T THE PREVIOUS OWNER COMPLAINED TO ME WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR THAT IT NEVER WORKED FOR HIM EITHER. (HE OWNED CAR FOR NEARLY 2 YEARS+). *TR
Mileage: 36,254
1. PURCHASED A 2002 AUDI S4 2.7T. 2. THE AUTO CHECK SYSTEM IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DOES NOT WORK ESPECIALLY WHEN WARM. THE LCD RIBBON CABLE LOOSES CONTACT AND DOESN'T DISPLAY THE INFORMATION IT SHOULD. CRITICAL SAFETY INFORMATION IS NO LONGER DISPLAYED. 3. WAS QUOTED OBSCENE AMOUNTS BY AUDI DEALERS TO REPLACE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. $250 FOR A USED CLUSTER THAT WOULD NEED THE ODOMETER ADJUSTED FOR AN ADDITIONAL FEE. *TR
Mileage: 89,000
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 AUDI S4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LED DISPLAY ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY AND IMPAIRS VISIBILITY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE DISPLAY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 47,500.
Mileage: 47,000
DASHBOARD INSTRUMENT CLUSTER LED DISPLAY IS BURNING OUT. *JB
Mileage: 35,000
THE BRAKES BOOST/VACUUM ASSIST LINE CHECK VALVE CRACKS APART INTO TWO PIECES. THIS CAUSES THE TOTAL LOSS OF THE POWER ASSISTED BRAKE SYSTEM IN THE CAR AND SUBSEQUENTLY MAKES IT VERY HARD TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THERE IS NO WARNING ABOUT THE PENDING LOSS OF BRAKES. ONE SECOND YOU HAVE BRAKES THE NEXT IT FEELS LIKE YOU ARE TRYING TO PUSH A BRICK THRU THE FLOOR OF THE VEHICLE TRYING TO GET IT TO STOP. *NM
Mileage: 38,750
CAM COVER OIL LEAKS DISCOVERED AFTER 50,000 MILE SERVICE AT APPROX 48,500 MILES 11/7/05. AUDI TSB 05-03, NOV. 2, 2005 COVERING 2000-2006 MODELS A4, CABRIOLET, TT, A6, S4, ALLROAD, A8, S8, AND RS6 WITH ENGINES 1.8T, 2.8 V6, 2.7 V6T, AND 4.2 V8 STATES THAT IF A CUSTOMER COMPLAINS AND THE AREA IS WET WITH FLUID RESIDUE OR DROPLETS THAT ARE NOT COMING OFF, TO CLEAN THE OIL STAINED AREA AND TELL THE CUSTOMER THAT IT COULD BE THE RESULT OF SPILLAGE WHEN TOPPING OFF OR NORMAL GASKET "SWEATING" AND IS NOT INDICATION OF A MALFUNCTION. IF FOUND AND NO CUSTOMER COMPLAINT, NO ACTION IS TO BE TAKEN. IF FOUND AND ONLY IF A CUSTOMER COMPLAINS, THEN REPLACE GASKETS AND LEAK TEST THE ENGINE. THIS IS AN UNACCEPTABLE POLICY OF HIDING BY LACK OF DISCLOSURE, THE LEAK AND UNFAIRLY SHIFTING THE COST OF A MANUFACTURING OR DESIGN DEFECT TO THE CUSTOMER. AUDI NEEDS TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE AND FORCED TO COVER THESE LEAKS FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME AND NOTIFY OWNERS TO BRING THEIR CARS IN FOR INSPEC
Mileage: 48,850
HAD A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COME ON WHEN DIAGONAL, FOUND FAULT 16985 AESIS ADVISED TO REPLACE ECM. ECM WAS REPLACED, SINCE THEN HAVE BEEN LOSING POWER DURING ACCELERATION TO THE POINT WHERE THE CAR DOES NOT HAVE ANY POWER THEN KICKS BACK IN. TAKING TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY SAY THEY CAN NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. *LA
ONGOING COMPLAINT: BRAKES VIBRATE WHEN STOPPING. DEALER REPORTED FRONT ROTORS WARPED AND PADS HAVE CHUNKS MISSING. DEALER REPLACED WITH PART NOS. 8D0-615-301-M FRONT BRAKE DISCS AND 4B3-698-151 FRONT BRAKE PADS/LININGS. THE CAR WAS RETURNED TO ME WITH THE VIBRATION STILL PRESENT. I CONTACTED THE DEALER SERVICE ADVISOR WHO ADVISED ME TO DRIVE A FEW HUNDRED MILES TO SEE IF THE BRAKES BED AND THE VIBRATION SMOOTHES OUT. *JB
Mileage: 27,836
CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH AND WHEN DEPRESSING BRAKES THEY VIBRATED/ PULSATED. VEHICLE WAS SERVICED, AND DEALER REPLACED FRONT BRAKE ROTORS AND PADS. *AK
CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH AND WHEN DEPRESSING BRAKES THEY VIBRATED/ PULSATED. VEHICLE WAS SERVICED, AND DEALER REPLACED FRONT BRAKE ROTORS AND PADS. *AK
CAR SHIMMIES AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS UNDER BRAKING. AUTO GALLERY, 21301 VENTURA BLVD., WOODLAND HILLS, CA 91364 MACHINED THE FRONT ROTORS UNDER WARRANTY AS A TEMPORARY REPAIR SO I COULD DRIVE HOME TO OVERLAND PARK, KS AND HAVE ROTORS INSTALLED. THEY INDICATED THAT THEY GO THROUGH SO MANY FOR S4S, A6S, AND A8S (SAME BRAKES) THAT THEY CANNOT KEEP ENOUGH IN STOCK.*AK
Mileage: 15,701
CAR SHIMMIES AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS UNDER BRAKING. AUTO GALLERY, 21301 VENTURA BLVD., WOODLAND HILLS, CA 91364 MACHINED THE FRONT ROTORS UNDER WARRANTY AS A TEMPORARY REPAIR SO I COULD DRIVE HOME TO OVERLAND PARK, KS AND HAVE ROTORS INSTALLED. THEY INDICATED THAT THEY GO THROUGH SO MANY FOR S4S, A6S, AND A8S (SAME BRAKES) THAT THEY CANNOT KEEP ENOUGH IN STOCK.*AK
Mileage: 15,701
BRAKES PULSATE/VIBRATE WHEN APPLIED. DEALER SERVICE TECHNICIAN FOUND THAT BOTH FRONT ROTORS HAVE EXCESSIVE RUN-OUT. REPLACED BOTH FRONT ROTORS WITH PART NO. 8D0-615-301-K. *AK
Mileage: 17,817
BRAKES PULSATE/VIBRATE WHEN APPLIED. DEALER SERVICE TECHNICIAN FOUND THAT BOTH FRONT ROTORS HAVE EXCESSIVE RUN-OUT. REPLACED BOTH FRONT ROTORS WITH PART NO. 8D0-615-301-K. *AK
Mileage: 17,817
BRAKES CONTINUED TO PULSATE AFTER LAST ATTEMPT TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE DEALER FOUND THAT THE REAR ROTORS WERE OUT OF SPEC AND REPLACED THEM WITH PART NUMBER 8D0-615-601-D.*AK
Mileage: 26,361
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.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.