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2002 Audi S4 problems

The most common problem on the 2002 Audi S4 is electrical system, typically around 57,000 miles. It has 1.3 times the complaints of a typical S4 model year.

Typical year1.3x the typical complaints
Year score
66/100
Owner complaints
22
Recalls
1
Service bulletins
86
Worst area
Electrical
Fuel economy
18mpg

The worst 2002 Audi S4 problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

Recalls 1

Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator moduleReported June 23, 2021 · 62,812 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.

Recall number 21V470000 · Recall details

See all 1 recalls for the 2002 Audi S4

Technical service bulletins for the 2002 Audi S4 86

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 86 bulletins for the 2002 Audi S4

2002 Audi S4 fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
2.7L 6‑cyl4WD152218

What 2002 Audi S4 owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Apr 24, 2009 · Electrical · 85,000 miles · CT

Tl*the contact own a 2002 audi s4. The center instrument panel display intermittently failed to illuminate. When the failure occurred half of the display was well lit while the other half was not. Occasionally there was also an odor similar to electrical smoke. The dealer was not notified of the failure since the lights on the instrument panel do not remain illuminated. The driver stated that a cable may be disconnected within the instrument panel which may be a common problem. The failure has occurred intermittently for one year. The failure mileage was 85,000.

Filed Mar 30, 2009 · Electrical · 57,000 miles · NY

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 audi s4. The contact stated that the lcd screen on the instrument panel has lines running through the screen, which prevent him from viewing the information. He has not yet taken the vehicle to the dealer. The failure mileage was 57,000. Updated 5/5/09 *cn updated 05/07/09.

Filed Jan 20, 2009 · Electrical · 60,000 miles · MA

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 audi s4. While driving approximately 45 MPH on normal road conditions, the instrument panel displayed missing and faded pixels, as well as incomplete information about the vehicle. The failure occurred without warning. The vehicle has not been repaired. The failure mileage was 60,000 and current mileage was 120,000.

Filed Dec 25, 2008 · Electrical · 59,600 miles · MI

Instrument cluster on my 2002 audi s4 has failed. Without this display, the potential for a hazardous situation increases due to not being able to read the errors which would normally be displayed. I am aware of this being a very common faulty part and would recommend looking into a recall.

Filed Oct 8, 2008 · Electrical · 36,254 miles · NH

I bought my car with 36,xxx miles on it. The center lcd screen does not work. The car is practically brand new and the center cluster information center is busted. Its barely readable, but display important user diagnostic/info about the car (service lights, etc). This is unacceptable and I would like to prompt a recall. It's a 2002 audi s4, 2.7t the previous owner complained to me when I bought the car that it never worked for him either. (he owned car for nearly 2 years+).

Filed Nov 8, 2007 · Electrical · 89,000 miles · CO

1. Purchased a 2002 audi s4 2.7t. 2. The auto check system in the instrument cluster does not work especially when warm. The lcd ribbon cable looses contact and doesn't display the information it should. Critical safety information is no longer displayed. 3. Was quoted obscene amounts by audi dealers to replace entire instrument cluster. $250 for a used cluster that would need the odometer adjusted for an additional fee.

Filed Nov 7, 2007 · Electrical · 47,000 miles · CA

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 audi s4. The contact stated that the LED display on the instrument panel is not working properly and impairs visibility. The dealer stated that the display needed to be replaced. The vehicle has not been repaired and the manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 47,000 and current mileage was 47,500.

Filed Oct 1, 2007 · Electrical · 35,000 miles · CT

Dashboard instrument cluster LED display is burning out.

Filed Aug 16, 2006 · Brakes · 38,750 miles · CT

The brakes boost/vacuum assist line check valve cracks apart into two pieces. This causes the total loss of the power assisted brake system in the car and subsequently makes it very hard to stop the vehicle. There is no warning about the pending loss of brakes. One second you have brakes the next it feels like you are trying to push a brick thru the floor of the vehicle trying to get it to stop.

Filed Dec 14, 2005 · Engine · 48,850 miles · KS

Cam cover oil leaks discovered after 50,000 mile service at approx 48,500 miles 11/7/05. Audi tsb 05-03, nov. 2, 2005 covering 2000-2006 models a4, cabriolet, tt, a6, s4, allroad, a8, s8, and rs6 with engines 1.8t, 2.8 v6, 2.7 v6t, and 4.2 v8 states that if a customer complains and the area is wet with fluid residue or droplets that are not coming off, to clean the oil stained area and tell the customer that it could be the result of spillage when topping off or normal gasket "sweating" and is not indication of a malfunction. If found and no customer complaint, no action is to be taken. If found and only if a customer complains, then replace gaskets and leak test the engine. This is an unacceptable policy of hiding by lack of disclosure, the leak and unfairly shifting the cost of a manufacturing or design defect to the customer. Audi needs to be held accountable and forced to cover these leaks for an extended period of time and notify owners to bring their cars in for inspection and repair.

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Questions about the 2002 Audi S4

Is the 2002 Audi S4 reliable?

Owners have filed 22 complaints about the 2002 Audi S4, 1.3 times a typical S4 model year.

What is the 2002 Audi S4 year score?

The 2002 Audi S4 scores 66 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Audi S4: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2002 Audi S4?

Electrical system, with 10 complaints, typically around 57,000 miles. Next is brakes (9).

How many recalls does the 2002 Audi S4 have?

1 recall, covering air bags.

What gas mileage does the 2002 Audi S4 get?

Official estimates for the 2002 Audi S4 range from 18 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.7L 6-cyl, 4WD) gets 15 city and 22 highway.

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