2002 Audi A4: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 181 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (41% of complaints); the 2000 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jun 2021
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 181 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Engine · Nov 2020
“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”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2020
“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.”Owner report · Engine · Aug 2018
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“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.”Owner report · Electrical System · Mar 2018
“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.”Owner report · Engine · Mar 2018
“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.”Owner report · Engine · Feb 2018
“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.”Owner report · Tires · Jan 2015
“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”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Sep 2014
“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”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Apr 2012
“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.”Owner report · Power Train · Jan 2012
When filing, owners marked a crash in 13 of these complaints and injuries in 4 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
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.
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.
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.
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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2002 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact A4 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2002 Audi A4 reliable?
NHTSA has 181 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 2002 Audi A4. The most complained-about area is electrical system (41% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2002 Audi A4 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 35,659 miles or less.
Does the 2002 Audi A4 have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning engine and engine cooling:engine. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.