IllustrationWHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE HESITATES, SHAKES EXCESSIVELY AND WILL NOT ACCELERATE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER ADMIT THAT THE IGNITION COIL IS DEFECTIVE, BUT WILL NOT REPLACE IT UNTIL THE COMPONENT FAILS. THE COIL HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE. *TS *NLM
2002 Audi A4
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most A4 years
Owner complaints for the 2002 Audi A4 are substantially higher than the model-year median of 76.5.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all A4 years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
520–25K
1425–50K
1350–75K
1675–100K
12100–150K
7150K+
114 reports with mileage · 67 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Electrical System. Review the 76 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 28 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Exterior Lighting. Review the 17 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
13 crash reports6 fire reports4 injury reports
Electrical System complaints
76 reportsAPPARENTLY AUDI HAS EXPERIENCED MANY FAILURES OF THE IGNITION COIL PACK. WE HAVE TWO 2002 A4'S IN THE HOUSEHOLD AND BOTH HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS FAILURE. AUDI WILL ONLY REPLACE THE FAILED UNIT. DT
NO SUMMARY. DT
IGNITION SYSTEM FAILURE ON LOW MILEAGE NEW VEHICLE. CONCERNED ABOUT RELIABILITY OF CAR AND SAFETY SHOULD SYSTEM FAIL AND DISABLE THE CAR IN DANGEROUS LOCATION. DT
THE CONSUMER HAS EXPERIENCED THE FOLLOWING PROBLEMS: THE DRIVER SEAT MOTOR IS INOP/LUMBAR MOTOR/ROCKS BACK/FORTH, THE LEFT HEADLIGHT(MOISTURE COLLECTION IN THE INSIDE DUE TO WEATHER/CAR WASH), THE AIRBAG CONTROL UNIT DEFECTIVE, THE SEAT AIR BAG TORN, THE STRAP ON DRIVER SEAT BELT DOES NOT LOWER/STUCK, WIRES WERE FOUND DAMAGED U…
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THE CONSUMER HAS EXPERIENCED THE FOLLOWING PROBLEMS: THE DRIVER SEAT MOTOR IS INOP/LUMBAR MOTOR/ROCKS BACK/FORTH, THE LEFT HEADLIGHT(MOISTURE COLLECTION IN THE INSIDE DUE TO WEATHER/CAR WASH), THE AIRBAG CONTROL UNIT DEFECTIVE, THE SEAT AIR BAG TORN, THE STRAP ON DRIVER SEAT BELT DOES NOT LOWER/STUCK, WIRES WERE FOUND DAMAGED UNDER THE CARPET, AND THE VEHICLE HAS SHIFTING PROBLEMS/NOT SHIFTING EASILY-FAILED. THE CONSUMER ALSO REQUEST FOR THE DEALER TO BUY BACK THE VEHICLE AND OR COMPENSATE THE CONSUMER FOR THE TIME WITHOUT THE VEHICLE. SCC
THE CAR STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF AN EXPRESS WAY, PRETTY DANGEROUS SITUATION. THIS IS A KNOW PROBLEM FOR 2002 AUDI A4'S (COIL PACK FAILURE). IT IS RIDICULOUS THAT I HAD TO DRIVE THE CAR KNOWING THAT SOME DAY I'LL GET STRANDED ON THE ROAD. EVEN AFTER THE INCIDENT, AUDI CLAIMS THAT THEY WILL JUST REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE ONE UNTIL I …
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THE CAR STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF AN EXPRESS WAY, PRETTY DANGEROUS SITUATION. THIS IS A KNOW PROBLEM FOR 2002 AUDI A4'S (COIL PACK FAILURE). IT IS RIDICULOUS THAT I HAD TO DRIVE THE CAR KNOWING THAT SOME DAY I'LL GET STRANDED ON THE ROAD. EVEN AFTER THE INCIDENT, AUDI CLAIMS THAT THEY WILL JUST REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE ONE UNTIL I GET ANOTHER FAILURE INSTEAD OF REPLACING ALL 4 OF THEM. SHOULD I JUST WAIT FOR ANOTHER DANGEROUS SITUATION? DT
IGNITION COIL #1 FAILED, CAUSING DRASTIC LOSS OF POWER ON HIGHWAY. WAS AT RISK OF BEING HIT BY FASTER MOVING CARS. LUCKILY WAS NEAR EXIT AND MANAGED TO AVOID ANY INCIDENTS. DT
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE IGNITION COIL IS DEFECTIVE ON THE VEHICLE. THIS CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO LOSE ENGINE POWER AND THE ENGINE LIGHT WILL COME ON. *MR CONSUMER STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER REPLACED THE IGNITION COIL, BUT THE IGNITION FAILS REPEATEDLY. *YH
I HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH CLOSE TO 100 OTHER 2002 AUDI OWNERS THROUGH THE AUDIWORLD WEBSITE AND THE COIL PACK PROBLEM IS A SERIOUS ISSUE. THE COIL PACKS HAVE BEEN FAILING ON AT LEAST 10% OF THE 2002 VEHICLES AND AUDI SAYS THEY ARE ALL ISOLATED CASES. WHEN THEY FAIL THE CAR BARELY RUNS AND CAN CREATE ALOT OF PERSONAL SAFETY I…
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I HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH CLOSE TO 100 OTHER 2002 AUDI OWNERS THROUGH THE AUDIWORLD WEBSITE AND THE COIL PACK PROBLEM IS A SERIOUS ISSUE. THE COIL PACKS HAVE BEEN FAILING ON AT LEAST 10% OF THE 2002 VEHICLES AND AUDI SAYS THEY ARE ALL ISOLATED CASES. WHEN THEY FAIL THE CAR BARELY RUNS AND CAN CREATE ALOT OF PERSONAL SAFETY ISSUES. I WANT THEM TO RECALL THE VEHICLES AND REPLACE THE REMAINING COIL PACKS. PLEASE HELP.*AK
CAR LOST POWER, THEN ENGINE DIED. I AM REPORTING THIS BECAUSE I KNOW OF MORE THAN 30 OTHER OWNERS OF THIS CAR THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. SEE HTTP://FORUMS.AUDIWORLD.COM/A4GEN2/MSGS/144120.PHTML FOR MORE INFO
Official recalls
121V470000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
Jun 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 & remedy
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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.