2002 Audi A4 Reliability Report

NHTSA data as of Oct 15, 2026Published Oct 19, 2026

Caution

Ranks 21st of 24 A4 years we score.

Owner complaints: 203; 2 are recall notices
Per 10,000 cars: 52.3; 38,468 made for the U.S.
Vs the average car: 1.7×; same age, 1× is average
Serious outcomes: 83; crash, fire, injury, stall or tow
Recalls: 1
NHTSA crash rating: Not rated; no overall rating before 2011

← 2001 A4 2003 A4 →

Should You Buy the 2002 Audi A4?

Only after careful checks. Our reliability score for the 2002 Audi A4 is 65 out of 100, which rates Caution. Owners reported about 1.7 times as many problems as for the average car of the same age. It ranks 21st of the 24 A4 years we score.

The most reported problem is the ignition coil or spark plug (63 of 203 complaints). Owners also complain about the headlights and the brakes. 83 of the 203 complaints describe a serious outcome, such as a crash, a fire, an injury or stalling while driving.

It has 1 recall. Audi also offers a warranty extension that may still apply, for a problem with the transmission. For comparison, the 2003 scores 65.

Before you buy, check that the recalls were done, ask an Audi dealer about warranty extension AWA-13-04 and get an independent inspection. The full checklist is at the end of this page.

Pros

No do-not-drive or park-outside recalls
1 Audi warranty extension may cover repairs

Cons

About 1.7 times the problems of the average car its age
Ignition coils or spark plugs failure63 complaints
Headlights: works on and off18 complaints
Brakes: vibration or shudder10 complaints

How the 2002 A4 Earned Its Score

Every model year starts at 100. Each part takes points away when this year has more problems than the average car of the same age. How we score

Score breakdown
Item	Vs average	Points lost
Starting score		100
Serious problems	1.8×	−22
Everyday problems	1.6×	−9
Problems in the last two years	Not counted	–
Recalls	0.62×	−4
Score		65

Problems in the last two years are not counted for the 2002 A4. If it were exactly average, its 38,468 cars would draw about 0.3 complaints in two years at this age, too few to compare. Their 30% moves to serious and everyday problems, which count for 80% of this score instead of 50%.

What Owners Report

We read all 203 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2002 Audi A4, one by one, and grouped them by the problem they describe. The most reported problems come first. A complaint that describes more than one problem is counted under each, so the counts add up to more than 203.

Ignition coils or spark plugs failure
63 complaints (31%)
A failure, a loss of power and stalling. 32 of these 63 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving. In 13 complaints, the problem came back after a repair. Median mileage when it started: about 11,000 miles.
Headlights: works on and off
18 complaints (9%)
Problems that come and go, a feature that stopped working and a failure that needed a new part. 2 of these 18 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often loss of visibility. In 4 complaints, the dealer could not find or fix the problem, and in 3 it came back after a repair. Median mileage when it started: about 102,000 miles.
Brakes: vibration or shudder
10 complaints (5%)
Vibration or shudder and loss of braking. 2 of these 10 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often loss of braking. In 3 complaints, the dealer could not find or fix the problem, and in 5 it came back after a repair. Median mileage when it started: about 26,000 miles.
Instrument cluster: stopped working
9 complaints (4%)
A feature that stopped working and problems that come and go. Median mileage when it started: about 58,000 miles.
Stall (cause not stated)
9 complaints (4%)
Stalling. 5 of these 9 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving. Median mileage when it started: about 22,000 miles.
Seats: vibration or shudder
8 complaints (4%)
Vibration or shudder, not closing or latching and the system acting on its own. Median mileage when it started: about 11,000 miles.
Windshield wipers failure
7 complaints (3%)
A failure, a feature that stopped working and locking up. 1 of these 7 complaints describes a serious outcome: loss of visibility. Median mileage when it started: about 65,000 miles.
Cooling system: a leak
6 complaints (3%)
A leak, damage and a failure. 2 of these 6 complaints describe a serious outcome. Median mileage when it started: about 64,000 miles.
Tires: parts breaking or coming apart
6 complaints (3%)
Parts breaking or coming apart. 2 of these 6 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often a crash. Median mileage when it started: about 43,000 miles.
Transmission: failure or loss of drive
6 complaints (3%)
Failure or loss of drive, a loss of power and surging. 2 of these 6 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving. Median mileage when it started: about 75,000 miles.
Engine oil sludge failure
5 complaints (2%)
A failure, a loss of power and warning lights. 1 of these 5 complaints describes a serious outcome: stalling or losing power while driving. Median mileage when it started: about 70,000 miles.
Screen and audio failure
5 complaints (2%)
A failure and problems that come and go. Median mileage when it started: about 1,000 miles.
Wiring, fuses or body control module failure
5 complaints (2%)
A failure, rust or corrosion and parts breaking or coming apart. Median mileage when it started: about 22,000 miles.
CVT: hesitation
4 complaints (2%)
Hesitation, harsh or delayed shifts and slipping. 2 of these 4 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often a crash.
Airbags: no deployment in a crash
4 complaints (2%)
No deployment in a crash. Median mileage when it started: about 56,000 miles.

Show 18 more problems

Unintended acceleration (cause not stated)
4 complaints (2%)
Sudden acceleration. 3 of these 4 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often sudden acceleration or braking. In 3 complaints, the dealer could not find or fix the problem.
Engine failure: a loss of power
3 complaints (1%)
A loss of power, damage and a failure that needed a new part. All 3 describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving. Median mileage when it started: about 70,000 miles.
Exhaust or catalytic converter: overheating
3 complaints (1%)
Overheating and a failure. Median mileage when it started: about 9,000 miles.
Fuel gauge or level sensor: wrong readings
3 complaints (1%)
Wrong readings and a failure. 1 of these 3 complaints describes a serious outcome: stalling or losing power while driving. Median mileage when it started: about 8,000 miles.
Fuel pump: stalling
3 complaints (1%)
Stalling and a loss of power. All 3 describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving.
Loss of power (cause not stated)
3 complaints (1%)
A loss of power. 2 of these 3 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving.
Mirrors: stopped working
3 complaints (1%)
A feature that stopped working, problems that come and go and the system acting on its own. 1 of these 3 complaints describes a serious outcome: loss of visibility. In 3 complaints, the dealer could not find or fix the problem.
Power windows or regulator failure
3 complaints (1%)
A failure, problems that come and go and a feature that stopped working.
Timing belt: parts breaking or coming apart
3 complaints (1%)
Parts breaking or coming apart, a failure and unusual noises. 2 of these 3 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving. Median mileage when it started: about 45,000 miles.
Airbag warning light failure
2 complaints (under 1%)
A failure and warning lights.
Engine oil leak
2 complaints (under 1%)
A leak.
Engine sensors or computer: stalling
2 complaints (under 1%)
Stalling and a stored fault code. 1 of these 2 complaints describes a serious outcome: stalling or losing power while driving.
Key fob: the car not starting
2 complaints (under 1%)
The car not starting and a failure. 1 of these 2 complaints describes a serious outcome: a car that would not start.
Vehicle fire (cause not stated)
2 complaints (under 1%)
A fire. Both describe a serious outcome, most often a fire.
Door lock actuators failure
2 complaints (under 1%)
A failure.
Side or curtain airbags failure
2 complaints (under 1%)
A failure and damage.
Steering: a leak
2 complaints (under 1%)
A leak and loss of steering control. 1 of these 2 complaints describes a serious outcome: loss of steering control.
Transmission computer: failure or loss of drive
2 complaints (under 1%)
Failure or loss of drive and harsh or delayed shifts. Both describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving.

Reported Once (32)

Show the 32 problems reported once

12V battery failure
A/C: windshield condensation
A/C condenser: a leak
AWD or rear differential: overheating
Blower motor failure
Body seals (water leak): water leaking in
Brake power assist: a hard pedal or less assist
Check engine light (cause not stated)
Engine oil consumption: burning or using oil
Engine overheating
Exterior trim: parts breaking or coming apart
Frontal airbags: no deployment in a crash
Fuel injector: rough running or misfires
Fuel leak failure
Ignition or power mode (won't shut off): not shutting off
Ignition or push-button start: stalling
Manual transmission or clutch: hesitation
Oil pressure failure
Accelerator pedal: sticking or stiffness
Brake pedal bracket: parts breaking or coming apart
Ignition system failure
Rollaway (cause not stated)
Solenoid valve failure
Wheel attachment: parts breaking or coming apart
Wheel studs: parts breaking or coming apart
Windshield washer system failure
Parking brake: the system acting on its own
Piston rings: parts breaking or coming apart
Seat belts: sticking or stiffness
Timing chain or camshaft: parts breaking or coming apart
Turbocharger failure
Wheel rim failure

How the 2002 Audi A4 Compares With Other Years

The other A4 years of the 2nd generation (B6), 2002 to 2005, and the years just before and after it.

Year	Rating	Score	Vs average	Per 10k cars	Recalls	Most reported problem
2006	Caution	68	1.2×	54.3	4	Headlights: works on and off
2005	Caution	67	1.3×	48.4	3	Headlights: works on and off
2004	Caution	65	1.6×	45.2	2	Fuel pump: stalling
2003	Caution	65	1.6×	43.6	3	Fuel pump: stalling
2002 This year	Caution	65	1.7×	52.3	1	Ignition coils or spark plugs failure
2001	Caution	68	1.3×	49.5	1	Instrument cluster: stopped working

See every A4 year

2002 Audi A4 Recalls

One recall covers the 2002 Audi A4. It was issued in June 2021: “Air Bag Inflators May Underinflate Bag.” A VIN check at NHTSA shows whether it is still open on a given car.

Air Bag Inflators May Underinflate Bag
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.
NHTSA 21V470000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Jun 23, 2021. By the third quarter of 2023, 5% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.

2002 Audi A4 Warranty Extensions and Programs

Audi has one warranty extension for the 2002 Audi A4, separate from its recalls. It is for a problem with the transmission. Whether one applies to a car depends on its VIN, which an Audi dealer can check.

Warranty extensionAudi AWA-13-04
CVT transmission and control module failures
The problem:
The bulletin names no symptom. Under a class action settlement, Audi extended the warranty on parts of the factory CVT transmission.
The fix:
An Audi dealer diagnoses and repairs or replaces the covered CVT parts. Which parts are covered depends on the model year.
Who qualifies:
Certain 2002 to 2006 A4 and A6 with the factory CVT. Control module: 2003 to 2006. Valve body: 2003 and 2004. Rest of the transmission: 2002 to 2004, only with proof of the owner's manual transmission maintenance.
Coverage:
10 years or 100,000 miles from the original in-service date, whichever comes first.
Audi's bulletin (PDF)

NHTSA Crash Test Ratings

NHTSA gave the 2002 A4 no overall, frontal or side rating. It did rate each seat in those tests and lists the seat ratings under Rating Breakdown on its page. We show them the same way below. These tests are from before 2011, so the stars are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and newer models. See the 2002 A4 ratings on NHTSA.gov.

4-door with side airbags

OverallNot rated

Frontal crashNot rated

Driver seat4/5

Passenger seat4/5

Side crashNot rated

Front seat5/5

Rear seat4/5

Rollover4/5

Avant 4-door with side airbags

OverallNot rated

Frontal crashNot rated

Driver seat4/5

Passenger seat4/5

Side crashNot rated

Front seatNot rated

Rear seatNot rated

RolloverNot rated

Check Before You Buy

A checklist for the 2002 A4, from its recall, an Audi warranty extension that may still apply and the problems owners report most.

Confirm the Recalls Were Done

Ask the seller for proof that each of these recalls was repaired.

Air Bag Inflators May Underinflate Bag NHTSA 21V470000

Ask an Audi Dealer

Ask whether this warranty extension applies to this VIN, and whether the work was done.

AWA-13-04: CVT transmission and control module failures

On the Test Drive

Have the engine scanned for stored misfire codes. A rough idle or a flashing check-engine light is a warning sign.
Brake firmly from a moderate speed. A soft, hard or pulsing pedal, or a brake warning light, is a warning sign.
Test the screen, audio and phone connection for freezing or rebooting.

Ask the Seller

Ask whether any of these were ever repaired, and ask to see the receipts.

Ignition coil or spark plug
Headlights
Brakes
Also ask for the service records, especially oil changes.

Before You Pay

Get an independent pre-purchase inspection from a mechanic you choose.
Decode the VIN to confirm the model year, engine and trim.
Check the title for salvage, flood or rebuilt branding.

What to do next

All A4 Years →Best years and years to avoid, side by side.Compare With Other Years →Put up to four model years side by side.Find Warranty Extensions →Repairs Audi may still cover for this year.Decode a VIN →Confirm the exact year, engine and trim of a car.