2002 Audi S4: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10044653 · 2003-10-23 (October 23, 2003)
DRIVE'S SEAT EXPERIENCED A ROCKING MOTION WHEN VEHICLE ACCELERATED.CONSUMER SUSPECTED POSSIBLE SEAT FRAME DAMAGE.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10044653 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10044654 · 2003-10-23 (October 23, 2003)
DRIVER'S SEAT EXPERIENCED A ROCKING MOTION WHEN VEHICLE ACCELERATED. OWNER SUSPECTED POSSIBLE SEAT FRAME DAMAGE.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10044654 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 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 10057008 · 2004-02-11 (February 11, 2004)
BRAKES PULSATE/VIBRATE WHEN APPLIED. DEALER SERVICE TECHNICIAN FOUND THAT BOTH FRONT ROTORS HAVE EXCESSIVE RUN-OUT. REPLACED BOTH FRONT ROTORS WITH PART NO. 8D0-615-301-K. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 17,817 miles reported. Look up ODI 10057008 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10057010 · 2004-02-11 (February 11, 2004)
BRAKES PULSATE WHEN STOPPING. DEALER ROAD TESTED VEHICLE TO CONFIRM CONDITION. DEALER REPORTED THAT FRONT AND REAR BRAKE ROTORS HAD EXCESS RADIAL AXIAL RUN-OUT. REPLACED FRONT ROTORS UNDER WARRANTY WITH PART NUMBER 8D0-615-301-M. REPLACED REAR ROTORS WITH PART NUMBER 8D0-615-601-D.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 24,353 miles reported. Look up ODI 10057010 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10057011 · 2004-02-11 (February 11, 2004)
PULSATION FELT WHEN BRAKING. DEALER ROAD TESTED AND REPORTED THAT THE PULSATION WAS FELT, THEY INSPECTED AND REPLACED FRONT ROTORS WITH PART NUMBER 8D0-615-301-M. AFTER PICKING UP THE CAR, THE CONDITION STILL EXISTED.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 26,359 miles reported. Look up ODI 10057011 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 ↗