- 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.
Vehicle safety record
2002 Audi S4 Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 22 complaints about the 2002 Audi S4 with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system (10) and the brakes (9). It is covered by 1 recall, the latest in June 2021 for the inflator module. For comparison, the 2001 has 87 and the 2003 has 6.
NHTSA data checked
FFar more problems than a typical S4 year, for its age
#189 most complained-about 2002 vehicle
- Complaints
- 22
- Recalls
- 1
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 2002 Audi S4 problems
Share of all 22 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
2002 Audi S4 recalls 1
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
What owners say
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22 complaints about the 2002 Audi S4
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.
Tl*the contact own a 2002 audi s4. The center instrument panel display intermittently failed to illuminate. When the failure occurred half of the display was well lit while the other half was not. Occasionally there was also an odor similar to electrical smoke. The dealer was not notified of the failure since the lights on the instrument panel do not remain illuminated. The driver stated that a cable may be disconnected within the instrument panel which may be a common problem. The failure has occurred intermittently for one year. The failure mileage was 85,000.
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 audi s4. The contact stated that the lcd screen on the instrument panel has lines running through the screen, which prevent him from viewing the information. He has not yet taken the vehicle to the dealer. The failure mileage was 57,000. Updated 5/5/09 *cn updated 05/07/09.*Jb
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 audi s4. While driving approximately 45 mph on normal road conditions, the instrument panel displayed missing and faded pixels, as well as incomplete information about the vehicle. The failure occurred without warning. The vehicle has not been repaired. The failure mileage was 60,000 and current mileage was 120,000.
Instrument cluster on my 2002 audi s4 has failed. Without this display, the potential for a hazardous situation increases due to not being able to read the errors which would normally be displayed. I am aware of this being a very common faulty part and would recommend looking into a recall. *Tr
I bought my car with 36,[redacted] miles on it. The center lcd screen does not work. The car is practically brand new and the center cluster information center is busted. Its barely readable, but display important user diagnostic/info about the car (service lights, etc). This is unacceptable and I would like to prompt a recall. It's a 2002 audi s4, 2.7T the previous owner complained to me when I bought the car that it never worked for him either. (He owned car for nearly 2 years+). *Tr
1. Purchased a 2002 audi s4 2.7T. 2. The auto check system in the instrument cluster does not work especially when warm. The lcd ribbon cable looses contact and doesn't display the information it should. Critical safety information is no longer displayed. 3. Was quoted obscene amounts by audi dealers to replace entire instrument cluster. $250 For a used cluster that would need the odometer adjusted for an additional fee. *Tr
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 audi s4. The contact stated that the led display on the instrument panel is not working properly and impairs visibility. The dealer stated that the display needed to be replaced. The vehicle has not been repaired and the manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 47,000 and current mileage was 47,500.
Dashboard instrument cluster led display is burning out. *Jb
The brakes boost/vacuum assist line check valve cracks apart into two pieces. This causes the total loss of the power assisted brake system in the car and subsequently makes it very hard to stop the vehicle. There is no warning about the pending loss of brakes. One second you have brakes the next it feels like you are trying to push a brick thru the floor of the vehicle trying to get it to stop. *Nm
Cam cover oil leaks discovered after 50,000 mile service at approx 48,500 miles 11/7/05. Audi tsb 05-03, nov. 2, 2005 Covering 2000-2006 models a4, cabriolet, tt, a6, s4, allroad, a8, s8, and rs6 with engines 1.8T, 2.8 V6, 2.7 V6t, and 4.2 V8 states that if a customer complains and the area is wet with fluid residue or droplets that are not coming off, to clean the oil stained area and tell the customer that it could be the result of spillage when topping off or normal gasket "sweating" and is not indication of a...
Read the full complaint
malfunction. If found and no customer complaint, no action is to be taken. If found and only if a customer complains, then replace gaskets and leak test the engine. This is an unacceptable policy of hiding by lack of disclosure, the leak and unfairly shifting the cost of a manufacturing or design defect to the customer. Audi needs to be held accountable and forced to cover these leaks for an extended period of time and notify owners to bring their cars in for inspection and repair. *Jb
Had a check engine light come on when diagonal, found fault 16985 aesis advised to replace ecm. Ecm was replaced, since then have been losing power during acceleration to the point where the car does not have any power then kicks back in. Taking to the dealer several times and they say they can not find anything wrong. *La
Consumer stated while driving at 30 mph and when depressing brakes they vibrated/ pulsated. Vehicle was serviced, and dealer replaced front brake rotors and pads. *Ak
Ongoing complaint: brakes vibrate when stopping. Dealer reported front rotors warped and pads have chunks missing. Dealer replaced with part nos. 8D0-615-301-m front brake discs and 4b3-698-151 front brake pads/linings. The car was returned to me with the vibration still present. I contacted the dealer service advisor who advised me to drive a few hundred miles to see if the brakes bed and the vibration smoothes out. *Jb
Brakes continued to pulsate after last attempt to correct the problem. The dealer found that the rear rotors were out of spec and replaced them with part number 8d0-615-601-d.*Ak
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
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
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
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
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
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
Driver's seat experienced a rocking motion when vehicle accelerated. Owner suspected possible seat frame damage.*Ak
Drive's seat experienced a rocking motion when vehicle accelerated.Consumer suspected possible seat frame damage.*Ak
Audi S4: every year compared
All S4 years2002 Audi S4 vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 Audi S4 | 22 | 1 | F | |
| 2002 Audi A4 | 189 | 2 | F | Compare |
| 2002 Audi Allroad | 104 | 3 | F | Compare |
| 2002 Audi A6 | 96 | 4 | F | Compare |
| 2002 Audi TT | 38 | 2 | F | Compare |
| 2002 Audi S4 Avant | 22 | 0 | C | Compare |
| 2002 Audi A6 Avant/S6 Avant | 15 | 0 | - | Compare |
| 2002 Audi Quattro | 12 | 0 | F | Compare |
| 2002 Audi A8 | 8 | 1 | B | Compare |
More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.
Questions about the 2002 Audi S4
Does the 2002 Audi S4 have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2002 Audi S4: inflator module (June 2021). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Audi S4?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the electrical system (10), brakes (9), seats & seat belts (3).
How many complaints has the 2002 Audi S4 had?
22 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on October 23, 2003 and the latest on April 24, 2009. Of these, 0 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 0 injuries and 0 deaths.
Is the 2002 Audi S4 a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 11 out of 100 (grade F: far more problems than a typical Audi S4 year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
Which Audi S4 years have the most complaints?
2000 (143), 2001 (87), 2005 (43). See every Audi S4 year compared.
What should I do if my 2002 Audi S4 has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data