2002 Audi S4 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
22 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
35,627 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2002 model year. Data snapshot: . 18 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor is the most frequently named component, appearing in 8 of 22 complaints (36.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 9 | 40.9% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 9.1% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 4.5% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 8 |
| Electrical System | 5 |
| Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel | 5 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc | 5 |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Power Adjust | 3 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Pads | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 1 |
| Equipment | 1 |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor: 8; Electrical System: 5; Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel: 5; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc: 5; Seats:Front Assembly:Power Adjust: 3; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Pads: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 1; Equipment: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 5 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 8 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 5; 25,000 to 49,999: 8; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (8). 4 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2003 | 4 |
| 2004 | 8 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 3 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2009 | 3 |
2003: 4; 2004: 8; 2005: 1; 2006: 1; 2007: 3; 2008: 2; 2009: 3
Pattern summary
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 9 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10049596 · 2003-12-11 (December 11, 2003)
I PURCHASED MY AUDO S4 AVANT NEW ON NOV. 10, 2001. IT HAS 26,000 MILES ON IT. THERE HAVE BEEN AT LEAST 6 REPAIRS PERFORMED TO CORRECT BRAKE PULSATION OR VIBRATION. PADS AND/OR FRONT AND/OR REAR ROTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED. THE CAR LEAVES THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE FACILITY OPERATING NORMALLY, BUT WITHIN A FEW THOUSAND MILES THE CONDITION RETURNS. IS THERE A REAL FIX FOR THIS?*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 6,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10049596 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10057004 · 2004-02-11 (February 11, 2004)
CAR SHIMMIES AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS UNDER BRAKING. AUTO GALLERY, 21301 VENTURA BLVD., WOODLAND HILLS, CA 91364 MACHINED THE FRONT ROTORS UNDER WARRANTY AS A TEMPORARY REPAIR SO I COULD DRIVE HOME TO OVERLAND PARK, KS AND HAVE ROTORS INSTALLED. THEY INDICATED THAT THEY GO THROUGH SO MANY FOR S4S, A6S, AND A8S (SAME BRAKES) THAT THEY CANNOT KEEP ENOUGH IN STOCK.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 15,701 miles reported. Look up ODI 10057004 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10044655 · 2003-12-10 (December 10, 2003)
THE DRIVER'S SEAT EXPERIENCED A ROCKING MOTION WHEN THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. THE CONSUMER SUSPECTED POSSIBLE SEAT FRAME DAMAGE. *AK THE SEAT WOULD ROCK FORWARD AND BACKWARD UPON ACCELERATION AND DECELERATION. THE DEALER REFUSED TO DO ANY FURTHER REPAIRS. THE PROBLEM GRADUALLY BECAME WORSE. THERE WAS A COOLANT LEAK AND AN ELECTRICAL SHORT WHERE THE OIL PRESSURE SWITCH WAS LOCATED.*SCC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 11,493 miles reported. Look up ODI 10044655 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10266651 · 2009-04-24 (April 24, 2009)
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 FAILURE SINCE THE LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DO NOT REMAIN ILLUMINATED. THE DRIVER STATED THAT A CABLE MAY BE DISCONNECTED WITHIN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WHICH MAY BE A COMMON PROBLEM. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY FOR ONE YEAR. THE FAILURE M…
Owner-reported narrative. 85,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10266651 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10145179 · 2005-12-14 (December 14, 2005)
CAM COVER OIL LEAKS DISCOVERED AFTER 50,000 MILE SERVICE AT APPROX 48,500 MILES 11/7/05. AUDI TSB 05-03, NOV. 2, 2005 COVERING 2000-2006 MODELS A4, CABRIOLET, TT, A6, S4, ALLROAD, A8, S8, AND RS6 WITH ENGINES 1.8T, 2.8 V6, 2.7 V6T, AND 4.2 V8 STATES THAT IF A CUSTOMER COMPLAINS AND THE AREA IS WET WITH FLUID RESIDUE OR DROPLETS THAT ARE NOT COMING OFF, TO CLEAN THE OIL STAINED AREA AND TELL THE CUSTOMER THAT IT COULD BE THE RESULT OF SPILLAGE WHEN TOPPING OFF OR NORMAL GASKET "SWEATING" AND IS NOT INDICATION OF A MALFUNCTION. IF FOUND AND N…
Owner-reported narrative. 48,850 miles reported. Look up ODI 10145179 at NHTSA ↗