2002 Audi A4 recalls and problems

The 2002 Audi A4 has 1 recall and 181 owner complaints on file with NHTSA; the most reported problem area is electrical system.

2002 Audi A4
Photo: 2002 Audi A4 by Paul Frederickson from Madison, WI, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
How the 2002 compares
Fewest complaintsMost complaints

High complaint count among 26 A4 model years — 6th most.

1recalls
181complaints
13crashes
6fires
4injuries
30,000median miles

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not verified and not adjusted for sales. Ranking compares this model's own years only.

Does your car have an open recall?
Recalls apply to specific vehicles. Only a VIN lookup on NHTSA's official site shows whether yours is affected and still unrepaired.
Check your VIN →

1 recall

Air Bags

Jun 23, 2021 · NHTSA campaign 21V470000 · 62,812 vehicles

Problem: 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 & notes

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.

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Recall text as published by NHTSA and the manufacturer.

What owners complain about

Electrical System76
Engine33
Exterior Lighting17
Power Train16
Visibility11
Air Bags8
Equipment8
Fuel System7
Tires6
Seats5

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA; one complaint can name several areas. Not verified by NHTSA.

Complaints by year filed

2002: 41 complaints20022003: 57 complaints572004: 6 complaints20042005: 5 complaints2006: 10 complaints20062007: 13 complaints2008: 10 complaints20082009: 3 complaints2010: 16 complaints20102011: 5 complaints2012: 4 complaints20122014: 2 complaints2015: 2 complaints20152018: 4 complaints2019: 1 complaints20192020: 2 complaints20202

2002 vs. other Audi A4 years

2000: 96 complaints20002001: 131 complaints2002: 181 complaints2003: 210 complaints20032004: 189 complaints2005: 219 complaints2006: 295 complaints20062952007: 196 complaints2008: 175 complaints2009: 120 complaints20092010: 64 complaints2011: 11 complaints2012: 19 complaints20122013: 24 complaints2014: 32 complaints2015: 19 complaints20152016: 11 complaints2017: 57 complaints2018: 45 complaints20182019: 10 complaints2020: 128 complaints2021: 11 complaints20212022: 6 complaints2023: 11 complaints2024: 2 complaints20242025: 1 complaints20251

Owner complaints by model year; the darker bar is the 2002. Click a bar to switch year.

Questions

Does the 2002 Audi A4 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign covering the 2002 Audi A4, the latest from Jun 23, 2021 (air bags). A recall applies to specific vehicles: enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours is affected and still open.

What are the most common problems with the 2002 Audi A4?

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA most often mention electrical system (76), engine (33), exterior lighting (17). Complaints are consumer reports and are not verified by NHTSA.