repaired · 2023 Q3
Driver side: 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.
2002 Audi A4Problems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 181 owner complaints about the 2002 Audi A4, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 1 safety recall, and for recall 21V-470 the manufacturer reports only 5% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through June 23, 2021. Updated daily. Photo: Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2002 Audi A4 has problems
181 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
76Electrical system4 crash/fire/injury
28Engine and engine cooling1 crash/fire/injury
17Exterior lighting1 crash/fire/injury
16Power train2 crash/fire/injury
11Visibility
8Air bags
8Equipment
6Tires
5Engine
3312 other systems9 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 76 | 4 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 28 | 1 |
| Exterior lighting | 17 | 1 |
| Power train | 16 | 2 |
| Visibility | 11 | 1 |
| Air bags | 8 | 5 |
| Equipment | 8 | 2 |
| Tires | 6 | 1 |
| Engine | 5 | 1 |
| 12 other systems | 33 | 9 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
1 recall
2002 Audi A4 recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Audi.
Mileage at failure
When do electrical system problems start?
9kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 41 electrical system complaints. 95% were reported before 100,000 miles.
37under 30k miles39under 100k miles2100k miles or more
Best & worst years
2002 vs. every other A4 year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the A4 median. How we score
'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2002 Audi A4 safety ratings
2002 Audi A4 4-DR. w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
Frontal crashNot rated
Side barrierNot rated
- Rollover: 4 stars (0.0% risk)
- Stability control: Standard
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
In owners' words
What A4 owners report
Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
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.
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…
DRIVERS DOOR SPEAKERS WORKING RANDOMLY AND CUTTING OUT ALL TOGETHER AT TIMES, SOMETIMES WITH STATIC PRIOR TO CUTTING OUT. SO FAR THE SPEAKERS HAVE BEEN REPLACED ON OCT 2 2004,NOV 2 2004, NOV 15, 2004,DEC 7 2004. THE CAR STILL HAS THE SAME ISSUE AND THE DEALER DOES NOT SEEM TO BE ABLE TO FIND OR FIX…
Own a 2002 A4?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.