2002 Audi A4

Routine

Owners filed 181 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the electrical system › ignition. It has been recalled 2 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k

113 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 010,000 miles; the median is 30,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Electrical System › Ignition48
020
Electrical System17
020
Exterior Lighting14
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine12
000
Power Train › Automatic Transmission11
100
Engine and Engine Cooling8
100
Engine5
010
Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer4
000
Vehicle Speed Control4
200
Air Bags › Frontal4
402

2 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module21V470000
Filed Jun 23, 202162,812 vehiclesVolkswagen Group Of America, Inc.

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.

Remedy. 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 › Engine14E007000
Filed Mar 7, 201450 vehiclesThe Gates Corporation

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, 1999-2006 Golf, 1999-2008 and 2011-2013 Volkswagen Jetta, and 2000-2005 Volkswagen Passat. In the affected water pumps, the pulley or sprocket that turns the timing belt may develop microfractures causing the timing belt to fail.

Risk. A failure of the timing belt may cause the engine to shut down, potentially increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Remedy. 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.

What owners reported

Newest filings
EngineFire
Filed Nov 25, 2020370,000 milesPA

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.

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Aug 26, 2020193,897 milesVA

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

Unknown or Other
Filed Feb 7, 2019144,678 milesNY

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

Engine
Filed Dec 7, 2018150,000 milesNY

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.

Electrical System
Filed Apr 17, 2018106,000 milesAZ

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.

Engine
Filed Mar 23, 201890,000 milesGA

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.

Engine
Filed Mar 23, 201889,000 milesGA

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.

SuspensionCrash
Filed Jan 20, 2015134,000 milesWA

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

Tires
Filed Jan 13, 2015CO

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.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Sep 29, 2014CA

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

Engine
Filed Mar 19, 2014152,000 milesRI

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 MESSED WITH THEM. THE SAD PART IS THAT THE SAME HAD HAPPENED ON THE OTHER SIDE A YEAR AGO. *TR

Exterior Lighting
Filed Apr 10, 2012113,500 milesWI

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

Power TrainFire
Filed Jan 27, 2012105,000 milesNJ

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.

Power Train
Filed Jan 24, 2012CA

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

Exterior Lighting
Filed Jan 9, 2012119,000 milesID

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

Exterior Lighting
Filed Nov 28, 2011100,000 milesWA

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.

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Sep 15, 2011FL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 AUDI A4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD CONSTANTLY OVERHEAT WITHOUT PROPER WARNING. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE RADIATOR AND THERMOSTAT, BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO ADVISED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS WITHIN THE ENGINE, BUT COULD NOT DETERMINE THE SPECIFIC CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY THE DEALER OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Apr 14, 201175,000 milesFL

2002 AUDI A4 1.8T, TRANSMISSION CTV, THE CAR HAS 75,000 MILES EVERYTHING WORKS IN THE CAR WITH SOME MINOR STUFF, BUT THE TRANSMISSION START TO JERK WHEN STOP IN A RED LIGHT, IS ALMOST UNCONTROLLABLE, IT WANT TO MOVE THE FORWARD, SO I HAVE TO PRESS THE BRAKE HARD SO IT DOESN'T MOVE. IT STARTS TO GET DANGEROUS TO DRIVE IN THAT KIND OF CONDITION. THIS IS THE SECOND AUDI I OWN AND THAT?S A SHAME THAT SO GOOD QUALITY CAR HAS THIS KIND OF PROBLEM AND THE DEALERS AND AUDI USA DON?T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. YOU SPEND 30 THOUSAND OF DOLLARS AND YOU HAVE TO THROW YOUR CAR AWAY BECAUSE THE FIX COST MORE THAN WHAT YOUR CAR IS WORTH. *TR

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Jan 31, 2011138,000 milesCA

ON DECEMBER 3RD, 2010, I WAS DRIVING SOUTH ON I-405S HEADING FROM LONG BEACH, CA TO SAN DIEGO, CA. I WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH WHEN MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND I LOST ALL ACCELERATION IN MY CAR. I STILL HAD ELECTRICAL POWER (IE, INDICATORS STILL WORKED, MY MANUAL TRANSMISSION WORKED AND INTERIOR DOME LIGHTS WORKED). I PULLED STRAIGHT OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY AT WHICH POINT I NOTICED THAT THE HOOD OF MY CAR APPEARED TO BE MELTING AND THAT SMOKE WAS RISING OUT OF THE ENGINE. I JUMPED OUT OF THE CAR AND RAN TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO CALL 911. TWO GRACIOUS STRANGERS ATTEMPTED WITH TWO SEPARATE FIRE EXTINGUISHERS TO PUT OUT THE FIRE BUT WERE UNABLE TO. THE ENTIRE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS ENTIRELY CONSUMED BY FLAMES WITHIN 2-3 MINUTES. BY THE TIME THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND EMTS ARRIVED, THE ENTIRE CAR WAS AFLAME AND WAS NO LONGER SALVAGEABLE. IT ONLY TOOK ABOUT 5 MINUTES FOR THE ENTIRE CAR TO GO UP IN FLAMES. ALL THAT REMAINED ONCE THE FIRE WAS PUT OUT WAS THE REAR-HATCHBACK DOOR. EVERYTHING ELSE IN THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY AND TOTALLY MELTED AND BURNED. THE STATE TROOPER WHO WAS AT THE SCENE OF THE INCIDENT SAID THAT THE CAR WAS SO BADLY BURNT IT WOULD BE EXTREMELY HARD TO DETERMINE WHAT CAUSED THE FIRE. I HAVE PICTURES OF THE CAR AFTER THE FIRE AND WOULD BE HAPPY TO SHARE THEM IF NEEDED. THE FIRE WAS SO FAST, HOT AND QUICK THAT IT WAS ONLY 30 MINUTES FROM WHEN MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND I HAD TO PULL OVER, TO THE END OF THE ENTIRE ORDEAL. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jan 12, 201197,000 milesCA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 AUDI A4. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE DOWNSHIFTED TO FIRST GEAR AND INSTANTLY CAME TO A STOP. THE CONTACT HAD NO CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE WAS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 97,000.

20 of 181 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2006
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20242000Routine
202310000Routine
20226300Routine
202111400Routine
2020127300Routine
201910100Routine
201844100Routine
201755100Routine
201611010Routine
201519000Routine
201432000Routine
201324020Routine
201219010Routine
201111000Routine
201064000Routine
2009120230Routine
2008175410Routine
2007196300Routine
2006295340Above average
2005219430Above average
2004189330Routine
2003210460Above average
2002 — this page181260Routine
2001131390Routine
200096520Routine
1999190720Routine
1998258620Above average
199798830Routine
199689610Routine
19951200Routine

Compare every A4 year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Jun 23, 2021. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.