2002 Audi A4: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
181 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
30,900 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2002 model year. Data snapshot: . 114 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System:Ignition is the most frequently named component, appearing in 50 of 181 complaints (27.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 17 | 9.4% |
| Transmission and shifting | 13 | 7.2% |
| Braking behavior | 11 | 6.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 7 | 3.9% |
| Fuel system concerns | 5 | 2.8% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 1.7% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Electrical System:Ignition | 50 |
| Electrical System | 17 |
| Exterior Lighting | 15 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 13 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 11 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 9 |
| Engine | 5 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 4 |
Electrical System:Ignition: 50; Electrical System: 17; Exterior Lighting: 15; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 13; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 11; Engine And Engine Cooling: 9; Engine: 5; Air Bags:Frontal: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 52 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 14 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 13 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 16 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 12 |
| 150,000 and above | 7 |
Under 25,000: 52; 25,000 to 49,999: 14; 50,000 to 74,999: 13; 75,000 to 99,999: 16; 100,000 to 149,999: 12; 150,000 and above: 7
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (52). 67 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 |
|---|---|
| 2002 | 41 |
| 2003 | 57 |
| 2004 | 6 |
| 2005 | 5 |
| 2006 | 10 |
| 2007 | 13 |
| 2008 | 10 |
| 2009 | 3 |
| 2010 | 16 |
| 2011 | 5 |
| 2012 | 4 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2018 | 4 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 2 |
2002: 41; 2003: 57; 2004: 6; 2005: 5; 2006: 10; 2007: 13; 2008: 10; 2009: 3; 2010: 16; 2011: 5; 2012: 4; 2014: 2; 2015: 2; 2018: 4; 2019: 1; 2020: 2
Pattern summary
Electrical System:Ignition leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 17 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 13 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 11 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10000036 · 2002-12-12 (December 12, 2002)
2ND IGNITION COIL PACK FAILED. DEALER SAYS PART MAY TAKE UP TO 45 DAYS TO REPLACE
Owner-reported narrative. 18,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10000036 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10000173 · 2002-12-17 (December 17, 2002)
IGNITION COIL FAILED ON HIGHWAY. CAR "SHOOK" VIOLENTLY UNTIL STOPPED IN PARKING LOT. ONCE CAR WAS OFF THE ROAD, THE COIL HOUSING CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE ULTIMATELY BURNED ITSELF OUT, AND THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. THE DEALERSHIP NOTIFIED AUDI USA OF THE DEFECT AND RECOMMENDED VEHICLE REPLACEMENT. AUDI USA ELECTED TO REPAIR CAR UNDER WARRANTY. MULTIPLE FAILURES HAVE OCCURRED SINCE (SEE LIST). TS
Owner-reported narrative. 2,860 miles reported. Look up ODI 10000173 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10000201 · 2002-12-18 (December 18, 2002)
IGNITION COIL PACK FAILURE - CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON - CAR BEGAN TO SHAKE AND LACK OF POWER - HAD TO BE FLATBED TRUCKED INTO DEALER - WITHOUT CAR 3 DAYS NOW . DEALER STATES AUDI ONLY TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE COIL " WITH NEW IMPROVED COIL " WHAT ABOUT OTHER 3 IGNITION COIL PACKS ON THIS ENGINE ? WAITING FOR NEXT FOOT TO DROP !
Owner-reported narrative. 11,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10000201 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10000280 · 2002-12-19 (December 19, 2002)
MY 2002 AUDI A4 1.8T HAD A COIL PACK FAILURE ON 12/18/02. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE CAR TO SPUTTER LOSE SPEED AND BECOME UNPREDICTABLE. IT OCCURED AT A SPEED OF 30 MPH FORCING ME TO TAKE EVASIVE DRIVING ACTION. UPON FURTHER RESEARCH, I FOUND OUT THAT THIS FAILURE IS OCCURING ON A VERY LARGE SCALE WITH DOZENS AND DOZENS OF 1.8T ENGINES (BOTH VW AND AUDI) HAVING THIS PROBLEM. VW/AUDI HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL FOR THESE PARTS AND IS ONLY REPLACING THE FAILED PART. THERE ARE COIL PACKS IN EACH 1.8T. VW/AUDI IS NOT ACTING ON THIS PROBLEM LEAVING TH…
Owner-reported narrative. 11,030 miles reported. Look up ODI 10000280 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10000338 · 2002-12-21 (December 21, 2002)
FAILED IGNITION COIL PACK ON 2002 AUDI A4. 3.0 ENGINE LEAVING THE CAR INOPERABLE. FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND, THIS IS A WORLDWIDE MAJOR FAILURE MODE WITH VW/AUDI ONLY REPLACING THE FAILED COIL PACK, THE OTHER COIL PACKS WILL FAIL IN TIME. SOME OWNERS HAVE HAD UP TO 5 COIL PACKS FAIL AT VARIOUS TIMES LEAVING THEM AND THEIR FAMILIES STRANDED IN UNDESIRABLE CONDITIONS AND PLACES. MANY PEOPLE DON'T CARRY CELL PHONES ENHANCING THE PROBLEMS. A TOTAL RECALL IS MANDATORY IN THIS CASE, IT'S NOT GOING TO GET BETTER! TS
Owner-reported narrative. 7,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10000338 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10000339 · 2002-12-21 (December 21, 2002)
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: IGNITION - TWO IGNITION COILS FAILED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. WAS ON FREEWAY IN FAST TRAFFIC WHEN COIL FAILED. CAR SLOWED DOWN ABRUPTLY AND TWO CARS BEHIND HAD TO SWERVE TO AVOID COLLISION. TS
Owner-reported narrative. 400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10000339 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10000340 · 2002-12-21 (December 21, 2002)
CAR ENGINE WAS MISFIRING WHILE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FLASHED. THERE WAS A SEVERE LACK OF POWER. DEALER DIAGNOSED PROBLEM TO BE FAULTY IGNITION COIL PACK.
Owner-reported narrative. 9,264 miles reported. Look up ODI 10000340 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10000432 · 2002-12-30 (December 30, 2002)
I HAVE A 2002 AUDI A4 QUATTRO 3.0{6 CYLINDER} WITH ITS SECOND COILPACK PROBLEM. THERE IS ONE COILPACK PER CYLINDER.THE FIRST ONE FAILED AT 8750 MILES THE SECOND ONE AT 9250 MILES. AUDI NEEDS TO RECALL THE VEHICLE AND REPLACE ALL THE COILPACKS. CURRENTLY THEY WILL ONLY REPLACE THE FAILED PART.
Owner-reported narrative. 9,250 miles reported. Look up ODI 10000432 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
21V470000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module
Reported: 2021-06-23 (June 23, 2021)
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.
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.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗