KnownCarProblems2002 Audi A4 Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 181 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Audi A4, most often about the electrical (42% of complaints, typically around 9,500 miles). It is 6th of 26 A4 model years by number of complaints and has 1 recall.
Most common 2002 Audi A4 problems
Electrical
76 complaints · 42%Half of these problems showed up before 9,500 miles. Parts named most often: ignition, wiring, starter assembly, 12v/24v/48v battery.
Vehicle suddenly lost power while driving due to a defective ignition coil pack. The problem is widespread with this vechicle (Audi A4) and is happening to many owners across the country. The manufacturer, Audi, is aware of the defect and the fact that failures are occurring in a very high percentage of its cars, but…
Car engine was misfiring while check engine light flashed. There was a severe lack of power. Dealer diagnosed problem to be faulty ignition coil pack.
Engine
33 complaints · 18%Half of these problems showed up before 45,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system.
I have an 2002 Audi A4. In december 2006 the car suddenly stalled while traveling on an extremely busy interstate. This occurred with no warning at all. After having the car towed ($200 plus) we found that the timing belt had failed which in turn completely destroyed the engine. The car only has 45,000 miles on it and…
While traveling at 50 MPH the vehicle suddenly shut off. There was no power and the steering wheel locked. The consumer let the vehicle coast. The consumer waited a few minutes and the vehicle started. The vehicle has experienced this problem on several occasions.
Lights
17 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 102,000 miles. Parts named most often: headlights.
I own a 2002 Audi A4 1.8l turbo. Every time I need to use my headlights, I get a "left headlamp dipped" message and the left headlight does not turn on. There are no events that lead up to this other than starting the car and turning my lights on. It has occurred now for 1 year. At first, turning the lights off and on…
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…
Transmission
16 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 75,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, clutch assembly.
My 2002 Audi A4 has a defect with the transmission control module. This defect results in the loss of my ability to put the gear in reverse (automatic CVT transmission). This has happened to me several times within the past month ( which is when this problem started). I was faced with a horrifying experience where I…
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…
Visibility and wipers
11 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 4,000 miles. Parts named most often: rearview mirrors/devices, windshield wiper/washer, windshield.
The driver's side mirror has auto dimming feature that has failed to work consistently since the vehicle was purchased new. Thi same mirror also adjusts itself without the operator touching the adjusment switch. The dealers could never duplicate these problems and the vehicle is now out of warranty.
Ignition coil failed on highway. Car "shook" violently until stopped in parking lot. Once car was off the road, the coil housing caught fire. The fire ultimately burned itself out, and the car was towed to the local dealership for repair. The dealership notified Audi USA of the defect and recommended vehicle…
Wheels and tires
9 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 68,500 miles. Parts named most often: tread/belt, sidewall, lugs/nuts/bolts/studs.
: the contact stated while driving on the highway at 20-25 MPH, the right and left front tires blew out for no reason causing the driver to hit a guard rail. The tires are the original tires sold on the vehicle. Neither air bag deployed. Prior to the accident, the tires were losing air and there was a squeaking noise…
: the contact stated while traveling 60 MPH on a dry and flat interstate, the rear passenger side tire blew out, causing the vehicle to swerve to the left and almost collided with a median. Upon inspection, it was noticed that the whole sidewall had separated from the tread, and the front driver side tire had small…
Air bags
8 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 80,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal.
: the contact stated while driving on the highway at 20-25 MPH, the right and left front tires blew out for no reason causing the driver to hit a guard rail. The tires are the original tires sold on the vehicle. Neither air bag deployed. Prior to the accident, the tires were losing air and there was a squeaking noise…
I hit a deer in my 2002 Audi A4, but the airbags did not deploy. There was about $10,000 damage to the vehicle. My concern was that the airbags probably should have deployed. Is this normal?
Equipment
8 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 4,000 miles. Parts named most often: appliance, electrical.
Ignition coil failed on highway. Car "shook" violently until stopped in parking lot. Once car was off the road, the coil housing caught fire. The fire ultimately burned itself out, and the car was towed to the local dealership for repair. The dealership notified Audi USA of the defect and recommended vehicle…
Driver's door tweeter cuts out. 8/30/02--speaker is replaced. Problem still not fixed. 9/20/02--radio is replaced. The problem still exists. I've given up on the ability of this dealer's service department to fix anything right the first time....
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2002 Audi A4 recalls
Air bags: inflator module
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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2002 Audi A4
- What are the most common problems with the 2002 Audi A4?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: electrical (76 complaints, typically around 9,500 miles); engine (33 complaints, typically around 45,000 miles); lights (17 complaints, typically around 102,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2002 Audi A4 have?
- 1 recall listed by NHTSA, the latest from June 23, 2021 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2002 a bad year for the Audi A4?
- It is 6th of 26 A4 model years by number of complaints, with 181 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.