Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2002 Audi A4
NHTSA data on file today
The 2002 Audi A4 has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 181 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #21V470000 Air Bag Inflators May Underinflate Bag NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #14E007000 Water Pump may cause Failure of Timing Belt NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Electrical System 76 complaints
- Engine and Engine Cooling 28 complaints
- Exterior Lighting 17 complaints
- Power Train 16 complaints
- Equipment 11 complaints
- Visibility 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).
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $7,500–$13,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2002 Audi A4's rating is influenced by significant owner complaints, primarily concerning the engine and airbag issues. The airbag recall reflects a critical safety concern, requiring immediate resolution.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| engine mounts | 80,000–120,000 miles | $300–$700 | very common |
| water pump | 60,000–100,000 miles | $400–$800 | common |
| suspension components | 90,000–130,000 miles | $500–$1,000 | common |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil change every 5,000 miles
- Brake fluid change every 20,000 miles
- Coolant flush every 30,000 miles
- Timing belt replacement at 90,000 miles
- Transmission service every 60,000 miles
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Engine noise during idling
- Vibrations during acceleration
- Overheating engine
- Unresponsive or erratic airbag deployment
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2002 Audi A4 at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.