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2002 Audi S4Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 22 owner complaints about the 2002 Audi S4, 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.

2002 Audi S4
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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls1Lowest repair rate 5%Owner complaints220 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage57kElectrical system, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through June 23, 2021. Updated daily. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain.

Complaints by system

Where the 2002 Audi S4 has problems

22 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Electrical system100
Service brakes, hydraulic90
Seats30
Engine and engine cooling10
Equipment10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

1 recall

2002 Audi S4 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.

5%repaired · 2023 Q3

Driver side: inflator module

Recall 21V-470 · Jun 23, 2021 · 62,812 vehicles · 3,259 repaired

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.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

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.

Best & worst years

2002 vs. every other S4 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 S4 median. How we score

'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'18'19'20'21'22
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

2002 Audi S4 safety ratings

2002 Audi S4 4-DR. w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Stability control: Standard
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
In owners' words

What S4 owners report

Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

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…
Complaint 10266651 · Apr 24, 2009 · 85,000 miles
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…
Complaint 10263585 · Mar 30, 2009 · 57,000 miles
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…
Complaint 10255752 · Jan 20, 2009 · 60,000 miles

Own a 2002 S4?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.