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
88,500 miles · Apr 27, 2010
Wheels
ON 3-25- I BOUGHT A 2002 AUDI A4 QUATTRO FROM A LOCAL USED CAR DEALER. AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT WAS ON AND THE CAR COULD NOT PASS INSPECTION.THE SELLER ASSURED ME THAT THE CAR WOULD PASS INSPECTION AFTER HE CHANGED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. HE HELD ONTO THE CAR AND A WEEK LATER I GOT IT BACK AND THE INSPEC…
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ON 3-25- I BOUGHT A 2002 AUDI A4 QUATTRO FROM A LOCAL USED CAR DEALER. AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT WAS ON AND THE CAR COULD NOT PASS INSPECTION.THE SELLER ASSURED ME THAT THE CAR WOULD PASS INSPECTION AFTER HE CHANGED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. HE HELD ONTO THE CAR AND A WEEK LATER I GOT IT BACK AND THE INSPECTION STICKER WAS AFFIXED. SHORTLY THEREAFTER WHILE DRIVING THE CAR 20 MPH DOWN THE STREET OF DRACUT, MA THE REAR DRIVER'S-SIDE REAR WHEEL FELL OFF. THE DRACUT POLICE RESPONDED AND DOCUMENTED THE INCIDENT. THEY CALLED A TOW TRUCK AND THE CAR WAS RETURNED TO THE SELLER. HE SUGGESTED THAT HIS MECHANIC HAD FAILED TO TIGHTEN THE LUG NUTS AFTER DOING BRAKE WORK ON THE REAR BRAKES... THE WHEEL WAS RE-ATTACHED BY THE SELLER (OR HIS MECHANIC). A FEW DAYS LATER THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT CAME BACK ON SINCE THE AFTER-MARKET CONVERTER FAILED AND THE CAR COULD NOT PASS INSPECTION. ON ANOTHER OCCASION THE ENGINE SPLASHGUARD FELL OFF THE CAR OUTSIDE THE DOOR OF THE SELLER. I LEFT THE CAR THERE. THE SPLASHGUARD WAS RE-ATTACHED BY THE SELLER OR HIS MECHANIC (WITH PLASTIC TIES, SINCE HE CLAIMED HE DID NOT HAVE THE PARTS ... EVEN THOUGH HE HAD MY CAR FOR OVER 24 HRS!). WHAT IF I HAD BEEN DRIVING THE CAR WHEN THIS OCCURRED? IN BOTH CASES I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED OR INJURED, AND OTHER PEOPLE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED OR INJURED AS WELL. I QUESTION IF THESE ARE "ISOLATED" INCIDENTS, AND IF THIS IS AN ONGOING PATTERN OF DECEPTIVE AND UNFAIR PRACTICES WHICH ARE PLACING THE CITIZENRY HEALTH AND SAFETY AT RISK? I SUBSEQUENTLY RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO THE SELLER AND DEMANDED A REFUND UNDER THE MA LEMON LAW WARRANTY. I WAS REFUNDED MY PURCHASE PRICE. THE SELLER HAS REFUSED TO REIMBURSE ME MY "INCIDENTAL COSTS" AS REQUIRED BY THIS LAW. I HAVE SENT THE SELLER A DEMAND LETTER AND WILL PURSUE THE MATTER IN COURT IF HE DOES NOT REIMBURSE THE MONEY I LOST - A SUM O $1738.37. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10327759
97,000 miles · Mar 30, 2010
Exterior Lighting
I HAVE AN 2002 AUDI A4 1.8T QUATTRO. WHEN I TURN THE LIGHTS ON, MY LEFT XENON HEADLIGHT BLINKS INTERMITTENTLY, THEN, VERY OFTEN, TURNS OFF THEN BACK ON. I THEN GET AN ERROR MESSAGE REGARDING MY "LEFT DIPPED HEADLIGHT." IF I TURN THE LIGHTS OFF, THE ERROR MESSAGE GOES AWAY AND THEN THE CYCLE REPEATS ITSELF AGAIN (LIGHTS SHUT O…
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I HAVE AN 2002 AUDI A4 1.8T QUATTRO. WHEN I TURN THE LIGHTS ON, MY LEFT XENON HEADLIGHT BLINKS INTERMITTENTLY, THEN, VERY OFTEN, TURNS OFF THEN BACK ON. I THEN GET AN ERROR MESSAGE REGARDING MY "LEFT DIPPED HEADLIGHT." IF I TURN THE LIGHTS OFF, THE ERROR MESSAGE GOES AWAY AND THEN THE CYCLE REPEATS ITSELF AGAIN (LIGHTS SHUT OFF, THEN ERROR MESSAGE). THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR SEVERAL MONTHS NOW. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT IT, BUT NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM.
NHTSA ODI #10322813
Mileage unknown · Mar 24, 2010
Power Train
I HAVE AN 2002 AUDI A-4 WITH A CONSTANT VARIABLE TRANSMISSION. I HAVE HAD HESITATION PROBLEMS ON AND OFF SINCE 2002. SEVERAL REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE AND THE DEALER HAS NEVER ADDRESSED THE TRANSMISSION HESITATION. SINCE I DON'T DRIVE THE CAR VERY OFTEN, THE TRANSMISSION IS FINALLY SKIPPING. THE DEALER INDICATES THE CAR MOST LI…
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I HAVE AN 2002 AUDI A-4 WITH A CONSTANT VARIABLE TRANSMISSION. I HAVE HAD HESITATION PROBLEMS ON AND OFF SINCE 2002. SEVERAL REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE AND THE DEALER HAS NEVER ADDRESSED THE TRANSMISSION HESITATION. SINCE I DON'T DRIVE THE CAR VERY OFTEN, THE TRANSMISSION IS FINALLY SKIPPING. THE DEALER INDICATES THE CAR MOST LIKELY IS THE BEGINNING TO SHOW SIGNS OF THE NEED FOR A NEW TRANSMISSION. I GENERALLY KEEP MY CARS OVER 10 YEARS AND SERVICE THEM LIKE A BABY. THIS IS DISHEARTENING, SINCE THE REPAIRS WOULD BE MORE THAN THE CAR IS WORTH. MY DAUGHTER HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH HER VS PASSAT AND AFTER POURING MONEY INTO IT, PROBLEMS CONTINUED. I AM VERY DISAPOINTED AND WILL NOT BUY AGAIN.
NHTSA ODI #10321809
99,500 miles · Mar 5, 2010
Exterior Lighting
I BOUGHT A 2002 3.0 A4 QUATTRO ABOUT 9 MONTHS AGO. A MONTH AFTER BUYING IT THE LEFT HEADLIGHT WENT OUT. WHEN YOU START THE CAR IT GIVES YOU A "LEFT DIPPED HEADLIGHT" WARNING AND THEN HAS A PICTURE OF A BULB WITH AN X ACROSS IT. I TOOK THE CAR IN AND ENDED UP BUYING A NEW BULB FOR IT. TURNS OUT THE BULB WASN'T OUT AND THE PROBLEM…
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I BOUGHT A 2002 3.0 A4 QUATTRO ABOUT 9 MONTHS AGO. A MONTH AFTER BUYING IT THE LEFT HEADLIGHT WENT OUT. WHEN YOU START THE CAR IT GIVES YOU A "LEFT DIPPED HEADLIGHT" WARNING AND THEN HAS A PICTURE OF A BULB WITH AN X ACROSS IT. I TOOK THE CAR IN AND ENDED UP BUYING A NEW BULB FOR IT. TURNS OUT THE BULB WASN'T OUT AND THE PROBLEM RESOLVED ITSELF IN ABOUT A WEEK. THE LIGHT WORKED FINE AFTER THAT. ABOUT 5 MONTHS AGO I INSTALLED AFTERMARKET HEADLIGHTS. THEY WORKED PERFECTLY UP UNTIL TWO WEEKS AGO. NOW I AM GETTING THE SAME "LEFT DIPPED HEADLIGHT" WARNING WHEN I TURN ON THE LIGHTS. THIS ONLY AFFECTS THE LOW BEAMS. THE PARKING LIGHTS AND HIGH BEAMS WORK JUST FINE. I FIGURED THE PROBLEM WOULD RESOLVE ITSELF AS IT DID LAST TIME, BUT THAT HAS NOT BEEN THE CASE. I'VE DONE A LOT OF RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT MANY AUDI OWNERS HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM AND NOBODY HAS FOUND A FIX FOR IT. REGARDLESS OF HOW MANY TIMES THEY TAKE THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP OR REPLACE THE BULBS, THE PROBLEM STILL RETURNS. I'M NOT SURE WHAT TO DO ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10317075
219,000 miles · Jan 17, 2010
Air BagsCrashInjury
INVOLVED IN AN MVA ON 1/11/2010 MY VEHICLE STRUCK IN FRONT BUMPER BACK TO RADIATOR SUPPORT. PASSENGER AIRBAG DEPLOYED DRIVERS DID NOT CAUSING ME TO SUSTAIN MANY INJURIES. PERSON TURNED LEFT INTO MY VEHICLE AT INTERSECTION BOTH VEHICLES TRAVELING APPROX.25 TO 30MPH. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10300044
80,000 miles · Jan 14, 2010
Air Bags
FAULTY WIRING OF DRIVER SEAT AIRBAG NECESSITATING NEED FOR REWIRING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10299813
82,000 miles · Aug 3, 2009
Visibility
WIPERS FAILED AS I WAS TRAVELING ON A CROWDED HIGHWAY DURING A HEAVY RAINSTORM. THE PROBLEM WAS A SEIZED WIPER PIVOT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE, WHICH WAS CLEANED AND LUBRICATED, AND IS NOW IN WORKING CONDITION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10279172
95,000 miles · Feb 10, 2009
Exterior Lighting
HEAD LIGHTS FLICKER AND GO OUT. THE DASH COMPUTER INDICATES A DIPPED HEADLIGHT, THEN IT GOES OUT. REPLACING BULB DOES NOT FIX PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10258270
65,000 miles · Jan 15, 2009
Steering
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 AUDI A4. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE CONTACT HEARD A GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE GRINDING NOISE PERSISTED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AND WORSENED WHEN MAKING LEFT AND RIGHT TURNS. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE POWER STE…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 AUDI A4. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE CONTACT HEARD A GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE GRINDING NOISE PERSISTED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AND WORSENED WHEN MAKING LEFT AND RIGHT TURNS. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING FLUID WAS LOW. THE FLUID WAS REFILLED AND THE GRINDING NOISE CEASED. APPROXIMATELY ONE MONTH LATER, THE NOISE RETURNED AND WAS WORSE THAN EVER. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AGAIN AND THE MECHANIC FOUND THAT THE STEERING WAS DEFECTIVE, WHICH CAUSED THE POWER STEERING TO LEAK. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 66,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.
NHTSA ODI #10255168
Mileage unknown · Dec 25, 2008
Exterior Lighting
ONE DAY I RECEIVED A MESSAGE IN MY INFO CENTER ABOUT "LEFT DIPPED HEADLIGHT" AND AN ICON FLASHING WITH AN "X" A THE STICK-FIGURED BULB, WENT OUT TO THE FRONT OF THE CAR AND NOTICED MY LEFT BI-XENON WAS OUT, BUT MY RIGHT ONE WAS NOT. TURNED THE LIGHTS/CAR ON AND OFF, ONCE TURNED BACK ON, STILL NOTHING, SWITCHED THE RIGHT BULB INT…
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ONE DAY I RECEIVED A MESSAGE IN MY INFO CENTER ABOUT "LEFT DIPPED HEADLIGHT" AND AN ICON FLASHING WITH AN "X" A THE STICK-FIGURED BULB, WENT OUT TO THE FRONT OF THE CAR AND NOTICED MY LEFT BI-XENON WAS OUT, BUT MY RIGHT ONE WAS NOT. TURNED THE LIGHTS/CAR ON AND OFF, ONCE TURNED BACK ON, STILL NOTHING, SWITCHED THE RIGHT BULB INTO THE LEFT SIDE SOCKET, TURN THE CAR ON, STILL NO LIGHT COMING FROM THE "LEFT DIPPED HEADLIGHT", I IMMEDIATELY WENT TO GOOGLE THIS PROBLEM WHEN I ARRIVED HOME LATER THAT DAY, AND I FOUND A LOT OF POST ALL OVER THE INTERNET ABOUT THIS PROBLEM WITH AUDI CAR LIGHTS GOING ON AND THEM BRINGING IT TO THE DEALER AND THE DEALER TELLING THEM THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT IS WRONG, SO I WENT FOR MYSELF AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY RECEIVED THIS PROBLEM BEFORE BUT DO NOT KNOW HOW TO TREAT IT, BUT FOR $500 THEY CAN ORDER A NEW HEADLIGHT AND FOR $200 A NEW BI-XENON LIGHTBULB AND $200 LABOR WE CAN REPLACE THE WHOLE HEADLIGHT UNIT. THEY WANTED ME TO PAY $900 FOR LIGHT TO COME OUT OF MY CAR, EVEN THOUGH I PAID $40,000 FOR A CAR TO ALREADY DO THAT. BESIDES THE POINT, THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT, I WOULD SAY A COUPLE HUNDRED PEOPLE HAVE THIS PROBLEM FROM ALL THE POSTS I'VE SEEN AND ALSO ALL THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE NOT POSTED ANYTHING. ITS VERY DANGEROUS DUE TO THE FACT AFTER MY LEFT ONE HAD GONE OUT, MY RIGHT ONE HAD ALSO GONE OUT LATER THAT DAY BUT CAME BACK ON AFTER A FEW TRIES. BUT THAT'S A TOTAL BLACKOUT I HAD ON THE HIGHWAY, I MEAN IT SHOULD BE A RECALL IF AUDI KNOWS ABOUT IT AND DOESN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT. PLEASE HELP! *TR
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