2002 Audi A4 Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 2002 Audi A4 has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 62,812 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 218 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

AIR BAGS 21V470000 2021-06-23 62,812 affected
Defect

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…

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.

Complaints by component

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
50
2fires
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
17
2fires
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
15
1fires
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
13
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
11
1crashes
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
9
1crashes
ENGINE
5
1fires
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
4
4crashes2injuries
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
4
1fires
TIRES
4
1crashes1injuries
Total complaints218

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“2002 audi a4 with 370k burned a bit of oil which was fine cleaned the engine out with cleaners it smoked a bit which is normal.. Headlights started flickering 'hids' so I parked it. 3 days later I go to take the car on a test drive and the drivers headlight lit on fire ! Not sure if it was a…”

ENGINE · reported 2020-11-24

“2002 audi a4 with 370k burned a bit of oil which was fine cleaned the engine out with cleaners it smoked a bit which is normal.. Headlights started flickering 'hids' so I parked it. 3 days later I go to take the car on a test drive and the drivers headlight lit on fire ! Not sure if it was a…”

EXTERIOR LIGHTING · reported 2020-11-24

“I slid off a wet curvy down hill road and slammed into an embankment. Went unconscious and woke with a large laceration to back of head. Saw that the passenger airbags exploded but none for driver's side. Seatbelt on driver's side tighten so tight could strangled me if I was wearing it. Have video…”

AIR BAGS · reported 2020-08-22

“I slid off a wet curvy down hill road and slammed into an embankment. Went unconscious and woke with a large laceration to back of head. Saw that the passenger airbags exploded but none for driver's side. Seatbelt on driver's side tighten so tight could strangled me if I was wearing it. Have video…”

SEAT BELTS · reported 2020-08-22

“When it rains water gets in the car on the driver side now my window dont come down are up”

UNKNOWN OR OTHER · reported 2018-12-15

“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 audi a4. The contact heard a ticking noise coming from the timing belt. Audi brooklyn (665 65th st, brooklyn, ny 11220, [REDACTED]) was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 150,000. The vin was…”

ENGINE · reported 2018-08-07

“Takata recall; fuel pump went out while driving causing car to stop and almost lead to an accident. (ca electric components do not always work, window is a big one. Wheels all had to be replaced within six months and the axel appears to cause wheel damage. Constant leaks such as coolent.”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · reported 2018-03-24

“Takata recall; fuel pump went out while driving causing car to stop and almost lead to an accident. (ca electric components do not always work, window is a big one. Wheels all had to be replaced within six months and the axel appears to cause wheel damage. Constant leaks such as coolent.”

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM · reported 2018-03-24
Sources & methodology

Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2002 Audi A4 as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.