Is the 2002 Audi A4 a bad year?
181 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other A4 years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2002 Audi A4 are in line with other A4 years. Electrical system stands out for this year: see below.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2002 A4 owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 11,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical systemSTANDS OUT | 76 (42%) | 8k–19k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Engine | 32 (18%) | 18k–73k miles · ahead | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Exterior lighting | 17 (9%) | 62k–104k miles · ahead | — |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 16 (9%) | 52k–100k miles · ahead | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Visibility and wipers | 11 (6%) | 22k–60k miles · ahead | — |
| Air bags | 8 (4%) | 59k–118k miles · ahead | — |
| Fuel system | 7 (4%) | 41k–80k miles · ahead | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Equipment | 11 (6%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Tires | 6 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Seats | 5 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Suspension | 5 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 11,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 181 complaints: 13 mention a crash · 6 mention a fire · 4 report an injury · 1 says the car was towed.
No complaints in the last 12 months; the newest was filed in Nov 2020.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
My Audi A4 sputtered and lost power. The onboard diagnostics light came on and flashed. Audi roadside assistance towed my car to brookline Audi, where it was determined that the ignition coils were to blame.
I have an 2002 Audi A4. In december 2006 the car suddenly stalled while traveling on an extremely busy interstate.
Audi of america denied a warranty on their recall for oil sludge problem (Audi leter in file), to all 1.8 t engines, arguing no service was provide on the 13000 miles warranty period.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 11,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2002 Audi A4: 2
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. 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.
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. A failure of the timing belt may cause the engine to shut down, potentially increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Audi: 91
Repair instructions Audi sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2002 Audi A4. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Engine, on some vehicles, would run irregularly or have malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) on or possible filter element for camshaft adjustment valve can loosen…
As the sump pan gasket settles, the torque of the bolts decreases and the seal may leak
Vehicle lacks power or will not move after stop due to simultaneous depressing of the brake and accelerator pedals
Audi is extending the New Vehicle Limited Warranty to 10 years or 100,000 miles, whichever occurs first…
Neighbouring years
2001 A4: 131 complaints, keep it · 2003 A4: 210 complaints, keep it, but watch the transmission.
Every Audi A4 year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · All A4 years side by side
Other Audi models: Audi A3 · Audi A3 Cabriolet · Audi A4 Allroad · Audi A5 · Audi A6 · Audi A8 · Audi Q3 · Audi Q5 · Audi Q7 · Audi Q8 · Audi S4 · Audi TT · Audi e-tron. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2002 Audi A4 a bad year?
181 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other A4 years. At 11,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Audi A4?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: electrical system (76), engine (32), exterior lighting (17), transmission and drivetrain (16), visibility and wipers (11).
How many recalls does the 2002 Audi A4 have?
2 recall campaigns list this model year: Air bags (NHTSA 21V-470), Engine (NHTSA 14E007000). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.