Does the 2002 Audi A4 have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2002 Audi A4, the most recent reported on June 23, 2021 (Air bags: frontal, driver side, inflator module). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What are the most common problems with the 2002 Audi A4?

Owners have filed 181 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is electrical system (76 complaints), followed by engine and engine cooling (28).

How many 2002 Audi A4 complaints mention a crash or fire?

13 of 181 complaints report a crash and 6 a fire; 4 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

2002 Audi A4 recalls and problems

1 recall and 181 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2002 Audi A4.

recalls

181

owner complaints

complaints mentioning a crash

mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2002 Audi A4 recalls

Air bags: frontal, driver side, inflator module

NHTSA campaign 21V470000 · reported June 23, 2021 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. · 62,812 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: 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.
The risk: 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.
The fix: 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.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

Electrical system76
Engine and engine cooling28
Exterior lighting17
Power train16
Visibility11
Air bags8
Equipment8
Tires6
Engine5
Seats5

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Nov 25, 2020 · Engine · 370,000 miles · fire reported
2002 AUDI A4 WITH 370K BURNED A BIT OF OIL WHICH WAS FINE CLEANED THE ENGINE OUT WITH CLEANERS IT SMOKED A BIT WHICH IS NORMAL.. HEADLIGHTS STARTED FLICKERING 'HIDS' SO I PARKED IT. 3 DAYS LATER I GO TO TAKE THE CAR ON A TEST DRIVE AND THE DRIVERS HEADLIGHT LIT ON FIRE ! NOT SURE IF IT WAS A HEADLIGHT ISSUE OR A…

Aug 26, 2020 · Air bags · 193,897 miles · crash reported
I SLID OFF A WET CURVY DOWN HILL ROAD AND SLAMMED INTO AN EMBANKMENT. WENT UNCONSCIOUS AND WOKE WITH A LARGE LACERATION TO BACK OF HEAD. SAW THAT THE PASSENGER AIRBAGS EXPLODED BUT NONE FOR DRIVER'S SIDE. SEATBELT ON DRIVER'S SIDE TIGHTEN SO TIGHT COULD STRANGLED ME IF I WAS WEARING IT. HAVE VIDEO OF MALFUNCTIONING…

Feb 7, 2019 · Unknown or other · 144,678 miles
WHEN IT RAINS WATER GETS IN THE CAR ON THE DRIVER SIDE NOW MY WINDOW DONT COME DOWN ARE UP

Dec 7, 2018 · Engine · 150,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 AUDI A4. THE CONTACT HEARD A TICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE TIMING BELT. AUDI BROOKLYN (665 65TH ST, BROOKLYN, NY 11220, [phone removed]) WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.

Apr 17, 2018 · Electrical system · 106,000 miles
TAKATA RECALL; FUEL PUMP WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING CAUSING CAR TO STOP AND ALMOST LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT. (CA ELECTRIC COMPONENTS DO NOT ALWAYS WORK, WINDOW IS A BIG ONE. WHEELS ALL HAD TO BE REPLACED WITHIN SIX MONTHS AND THE AXEL APPEARS TO CAUSE WHEEL DAMAGE. CONSTANT LEAKS SUCH AS COOLENT.

A4 model years compared

Year	Recalls	Complaints	Crashes	Fires
2000	2	96	5	2
2001	1	131	5	9
2002	1	181	13	6
2003	3	210	10	6
2004	2	189	8	3
2005	3	219	7	3

Across all years, the 2006 A4 has the most complaints (295). All Audi A4 years →

Questions

Does the 2002 Audi A4 have any recalls?: Yes. NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2002 Audi A4, the most recent reported on June 23, 2021 (Air bags: frontal, driver side, inflator module). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Audi A4?: Owners have filed 181 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is electrical system (76 complaints), followed by engine and engine cooling (28).
How many 2002 Audi A4 complaints mention a crash or fire?: 13 of 181 complaints report a crash and 6 a fire; 4 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received November 25, 2020.