NHTSA vehicle safety data

2002 Audi A4 Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2002 Audi A4 has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 181 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Audi dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2002 Audi A4, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2002 Audi A4 owner complaints

Owners have filed 181 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Audi A4, describing incidents dated November 28, 2001 to November 24, 2020.

Most-cited components

Electrical System 76 complaints
Engine 33 complaints
Exterior Lighting 17 complaints
Power Train 16 complaints
Equipment 11 complaints
Visibility/Wiper 11 complaints

Of the 181 complaints on file, 13 report a crash and 6 a fire; across all 181 complaints, owners report 4 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11376377 · Filed November 25, 2020
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…
ODI #11351314 · Filed August 26, 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…
ODI #11175118 · Filed February 7, 2019
WHEN IT RAINS WATER GETS IN THE CAR ON THE DRIVER SIDE NOW MY WINDOW DONT COME DOWN ARE UP

Read all 181 complaints

Air Bag Inflators May Underinflate Bag

NHTSA #21V470000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Driver Side — Inflator Module · NHTSA notice

Reported June 23, 2021 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 62,812 vehicles

Repair completion: 6.11% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 69CJ · Owners notified November 2, 2021

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

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.

Water Pump may cause Failure of Timing Belt

NHTSA #14E007000 · Engine and Engine Cooling — Engine · NHTSA notice

Reported March 7, 2014 · The Gates Corporation

Potentially affected: 50 vehicles

Repair completion: 2% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified May 1, 2014

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

A failure of the timing belt may cause the engine to shut down, potentially increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

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.safercar.gov.

2002 Audi A4 4-DR. w/SAB

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 4, Passenger: 4

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 5, Passenger: 4

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

Safety Technology

Electronic Stability Control

181 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2002 Audi A4.

Exterior Lighting; Engine

ODI #11376377

Fire

Incident: November 24, 2020 · Filed: November 25, 2020

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.

Air Bags; Seat Belts

ODI #11351314

Crash 1 injury

Incident: August 22, 2020 · Filed: August 26, 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

Unknown or Other

ODI #11175118

Incident: December 15, 2018 · Filed: February 7, 2019

WHEN IT RAINS WATER GETS IN THE CAR ON THE DRIVER SIDE NOW MY WINDOW DONT COME DOWN ARE UP

Engine

ODI #11156722

Incident: August 7, 2018 · Filed: December 7, 2018

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.

Electrical System; Wheels; Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #11088531

Incident: March 24, 2018 · Filed: April 17, 2018

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.

Engine

ODI #11081003

Incident: February 10, 2018 · Filed: March 23, 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.

Engine

ODI #11081002

Incident: March 7, 2018 · Filed: March 23, 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.

Suspension

ODI #10676772

Crash

Incident: December 20, 2010 · Filed: January 20, 2015

I BOUGHT A CAR FROM A USED CAR DEALER IN RENTON WA. AFTER ABOUT A YEAR WENT BY I NOTICED THAT I HAVEN'T RECEIVED THE TITLE. CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME I HAVE TO CONTACT DMV. TALKED TO A PERSON IN THE RENTON OFFICE AND TWICE TO THE COVINGTON OFFICE. THEY TOLD ME I HAVE TO PAY A 39 DOLLAR CHARGE TO GET A TITLE. DECIDED TO MAYBE TRADE THE CAR IN AND FOUND OUT THE FRAME WAS BENT. I ALREADY SPENT 1200 DOLLARS FOR PARTS MISSING ON THE CAR. NOW ANOTHER PART IS AD AT ANOTHER 1500 DOLLARS TO MAKE THE AIR WORK. APPARENTLY THE CAR HAD BEEN CRASHED AND PICKED BACK TOGETHER JUST TO OFF IT. COMPLAINED A OUT PARTS MISSING AND THEY AGREED TO GIVE ME 400 DOLLARS FOR THE FIRST PROBLEM. NEVER DID SEE THE MONEY. I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A TOTAL REFUND OF THE DIFFERENCE FROM WHAT THEY GAVE ME FOR THE CAR AFTER THE 25000 DOLLARS THEY GAVE ME FOR THE TRUCK LOAD I TRADED IN. *TR

Tires

ODI #10672159

Incident: January 12, 2015 · Filed: January 13, 2015

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.

Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #10639696

Incident: September 26, 2014 · Filed: September 29, 2014

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

Other Audi A4 model years

Check your 2002 Audi A4 VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Audi A4 at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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