2002 Audi S4

Routine

Owners filed 22 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic › foundation components › disc › rotor. It has been recalled 1 time.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc5
000
Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel5
000
Electrical System5
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor3
000
Seats › Front Assembly › Power Adjust2
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Power Assist › Vacuum › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings1
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine1
000

1 safety recall

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.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel
Filed Apr 24, 200985,000 milesCT

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.

Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel
Filed Mar 30, 200957,000 milesNY

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

Electrical System
Filed Jan 20, 200960,000 milesMA

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.

Electrical System
Filed Dec 25, 200859,600 milesMI

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

Electrical System
Filed Oct 8, 200836,254 milesNH

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

Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel
Filed Nov 8, 200789,000 milesCO

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

Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel
Filed Nov 7, 200747,000 milesCA

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.

Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel
Filed Oct 1, 200735,000 milesCT

DASHBOARD INSTRUMENT CLUSTER LED DISPLAY IS BURNING OUT. *JB

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Power Assist › Vacuum › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings
Filed Aug 16, 200638,750 milesCT

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

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Dec 14, 200548,850 milesKS

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 INSPECTION AND REPAIR. *JB

Electrical System
Filed May 10, 2004FL

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

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor
Filed Feb 17, 200427,836 milesKS

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

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor
Filed Feb 17, 2004KS

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

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc
Filed Feb 11, 200415,701 milesKS

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

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc
Filed Feb 11, 200417,817 milesKS

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

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc
Filed Feb 11, 200426,361 milesKS

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

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc
Filed Feb 11, 200424,353 milesMO

BRAKES PULSATE WHEN STOPPING. DEALER ROAD TESTED VEHICLE TO CONFIRM CONDITION. DEALER REPORTED THAT FRONT AND REAR BRAKE ROTORS HAD EXCESS RADIAL AXIAL RUN-OUT. REPLACED FRONT ROTORS UNDER WARRANTY WITH PART NUMBER 8D0-615-301-M. REPLACED REAR ROTORS WITH PART NUMBER 8D0-615-601-D.*AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc
Filed Feb 11, 200426,359 milesKS

PULSATION FELT WHEN BRAKING. DEALER ROAD TESTED AND REPORTED THAT THE PULSATION WAS FELT, THEY INSPECTED AND REPLACED FRONT ROTORS WITH PART NUMBER 8D0-615-301-M. AFTER PICKING UP THE CAR, THE CONDITION STILL EXISTED.*AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor
Filed Dec 11, 20036,000 milesKS

I PURCHASED MY AUDO S4 AVANT NEW ON NOV. 10, 2001. IT HAS 26,000 MILES ON IT. THERE HAVE BEEN AT LEAST 6 REPAIRS PERFORMED TO CORRECT BRAKE PULSATION OR VIBRATION. PADS AND/OR FRONT AND/OR REAR ROTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED. THE CAR LEAVES THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE FACILITY OPERATING NORMALLY, BUT WITHIN A FEW THOUSAND MILES THE CONDITION RETURNS. IS THERE A REAL FIX FOR THIS?*AK

Electrical System
Filed Dec 10, 200311,493 milesOH

THE DRIVER'S SEAT EXPERIENCED A ROCKING MOTION WHEN THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. THE CONSUMER SUSPECTED POSSIBLE SEAT FRAME DAMAGE. *AK THE SEAT WOULD ROCK FORWARD AND BACKWARD UPON ACCELERATION AND DECELERATION. THE DEALER REFUSED TO DO ANY FURTHER REPAIRS. THE PROBLEM GRADUALLY BECAME WORSE. THERE WAS A COOLANT LEAK AND AN ELECTRICAL SHORT WHERE THE OIL PRESSURE SWITCH WAS LOCATED.*SCC *JB

20 of 22 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2000
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20221100Routine
20212400Routine
202016300Routine
20192100Routine
20187200Routine
20151100Routine
201417100Routine
201333100Routine
201222120Routine
201126100Routine
201060000Routine
20090200Routine
20084200Routine
200713210Routine
200630200Routine
200543200Routine
200429110Routine
20031100Routine
2002 — this page22100Routine
200187100Routine
2000143100Routine
19960100Routine
19951200Routine
19947200Routine
199316200Routine
19925200Routine
19910100Routine
19900100Routine

Compare every S4 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.