THE FRONT SEAT (DRIVER SIDE) BACK PANEL PLASTIC CLIPS BROKE AND THE WHOLE BACK PANEL LOOSE OFF. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACE ANOTHER PLASTIC CLIPS ONCE BUT IT BROKE AGAIN.
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
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.
Seats complaints
5 reportsNUMBEROUS OF FAILURES; WINDSHIELD WASHER SYSTEM, DRIVER'S SEAT MOTOR BURNED OUT 3 TIMES, ALL REPLACED. *BF THE FIRST DAY THE CONSUMER WENT TO PICK UP THE VEHICLE FROM THE LOT, THE BATTERY WAS DEAD, HOWEVER 2 MONTHS LATER THE BATTERY WAS DEAD AGAIN, AND 2 MONTHS AFTER THAT THE BATTERY DIED AGAIN. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD A SMALL…
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NUMBEROUS OF FAILURES; WINDSHIELD WASHER SYSTEM, DRIVER'S SEAT MOTOR BURNED OUT 3 TIMES, ALL REPLACED. *BF THE FIRST DAY THE CONSUMER WENT TO PICK UP THE VEHICLE FROM THE LOT, THE BATTERY WAS DEAD, HOWEVER 2 MONTHS LATER THE BATTERY WAS DEAD AGAIN, AND 2 MONTHS AFTER THAT THE BATTERY DIED AGAIN. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD A SMALLER BATTERY WAS INADVERTENTLY INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE. THE HEAD LIGHT ASSEMBLY, RADIO AND SPEAKERS WERE REPLACED. *JB
THE DRIVER'S SEAT POSITION IS CONTROLLED BY MOTORS, CONTROLLED BY 3 CONTROLS ON THE SIDE OF THE SEAT. THE MOTORS MOVE AT RANDOM, BOTH WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION AND WHILE IT'S PARKED (NO KEY, NO PERSON IN VEHICLE). THE FIRST OCCURRENCES INVOLVED THE SEAT BACK MOVING BACK AND FORTH. THIS WAS AN INCONVENIENCE. THE DEALER WAS U…
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THE DRIVER'S SEAT POSITION IS CONTROLLED BY MOTORS, CONTROLLED BY 3 CONTROLS ON THE SIDE OF THE SEAT. THE MOTORS MOVE AT RANDOM, BOTH WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION AND WHILE IT'S PARKED (NO KEY, NO PERSON IN VEHICLE). THE FIRST OCCURRENCES INVOLVED THE SEAT BACK MOVING BACK AND FORTH. THIS WAS AN INCONVENIENCE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE INTERMITTENT PROBLEM AND CHOSE NOT TO DO ANYTHING TO RESOLVE IT. THE PROBLEM HAS INCREASED IN SEVERITY AND NOW THE SEAT ITSELF MOVES BACK WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. I AM 5' TALL - IT DOESN'T TAKE MUCH MOVEMENT FOR MY FEET TO COME OFF THE PEDALS. I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS WILL HAPPEN WHILE I AM DRIVING AND WILL CAUSE AN ACCIDENT, AND BELIEVE THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. I AM ALSO CONCERNED THAT THE DEALER WILL NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM IF THEY CANNOT DUPLICATE IT, LEAVING ME AT RISK. THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT AND PERSISTENT - THERE IS NO SINGLE DATE ON WHICH IT OCCURS/OCCURRED. THE LUMBAR SUPPORT ALSO APPEARS TO BE MOVING, WHICH MEANS ALL THREE MOTORS/CONTROLS ARE MOVING ON THEIR OWN. *JB
IGNITION COIL FAILED ON HIGHWAY. CAR "SHOOK" VIOLENTLY UNTIL STOPPED IN PARKING LOT. ONCE CAR WAS OFF THE ROAD, THE COIL HOUSING CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE ULTIMATELY BURNED ITSELF OUT, AND THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. THE DEALERSHIP NOTIFIED AUDI USA OF THE DEFECT AND RECOMMENDED VEHICLE REPLACEMENT. AUDI US…
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IGNITION COIL FAILED ON HIGHWAY. CAR "SHOOK" VIOLENTLY UNTIL STOPPED IN PARKING LOT. ONCE CAR WAS OFF THE ROAD, THE COIL HOUSING CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE ULTIMATELY BURNED ITSELF OUT, AND THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. THE DEALERSHIP NOTIFIED AUDI USA OF THE DEFECT AND RECOMMENDED VEHICLE REPLACEMENT. AUDI USA ELECTED TO REPAIR CAR UNDER WARRANTY. MULTIPLE FAILURES HAVE OCCURRED SINCE (SEE LIST). TS
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
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.
Illustration