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
What owners actually said
181 reports
Mileage unknown · Nov 28, 2002
Electrical System
TODAY WAS THE SECOND FAILURE OF THE IGNITION COILS, FIRST OCCURED 7/25/02 W/10500 MILES ON THE CAR, IGNITION COILS 1 & 4 WERE REPLACED. UNKNOWN WHICH COILS HAVE FAILED THIS TIME. IT'S THANKSGIVING DAY, WON'T KNOW UNTIL TOMORROW HOW MANY COILS HAVE FAILED. IN AUGUST I REPORTED THE CAR RUNNING ROUGH AND WANTED THE COILS CHECKED, D…
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TODAY WAS THE SECOND FAILURE OF THE IGNITION COILS, FIRST OCCURED 7/25/02 W/10500 MILES ON THE CAR, IGNITION COILS 1 & 4 WERE REPLACED. UNKNOWN WHICH COILS HAVE FAILED THIS TIME. IT'S THANKSGIVING DAY, WON'T KNOW UNTIL TOMORROW HOW MANY COILS HAVE FAILED. IN AUGUST I REPORTED THE CAR RUNNING ROUGH AND WANTED THE COILS CHECKED, DEALER STATED THAT WITHOUT A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT OR HARD FAILURE THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. TODAY IS THE SECOND FAILURE IN 5 MONTHS AND I HAVEN'T HAD THE CAR A FULL YEAR YET. THESE FAILURES ARE A SAFETY HAZARD, I WAS FORTUNATE TO BE CLOSE TO HOME AND DRIVING AT A SLOW SPEED WHEN EACH OCCURRED. DURING TODAY'S FAILURE THE CAR COULD BARELY GO 10MPH TO GET ME HOME. THIS APPEARS TO BE A VERY WELL KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE AUDI 2002 1.8T. DT
NHTSA ODI #770230
8,190 miles · Nov 25, 2002
Electrical System
WHILE 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
NHTSA ODI #8023237
Mileage unknown · Nov 24, 2002
Electrical System
APPARENTLY 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
NHTSA ODI #770086
Mileage unknown · Nov 24, 2002
Electrical System
NO SUMMARY. DT
NHTSA ODI #770074
Mileage unknown · Nov 24, 2002
Electrical System
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
NHTSA ODI #770067
Mileage unknown · Nov 24, 2002
Unknown Or Other
THE AUDI CORP. FAILED TO NOTIFY TO ALL TO ALL OWNERS OF A4-1.8 CARS (2002) MODEL YEAR. DT
NHTSA ODI #770064
Mileage unknown · Nov 21, 2002
Air BagsElectrical SystemExterior Lighting
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
NHTSA ODI #568377
Mileage unknown · Nov 18, 2002
Electrical System
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
NHTSA ODI #769862
Mileage unknown · Nov 16, 2002
Electrical System
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
NHTSA ODI #769779
Mileage unknown · Oct 7, 2002
Electrical System
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
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
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
2002 Audi A4 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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