The 2002 Audi S4 has 1 safety recall and 22 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is service brakes, hydraulic (16 complaints).
Recalls1safety recalls
Complaints22filed by owners
Crashes · fires0 · 0reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints
Safety recalls
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
NHTSA recall 21V470000 · Jun 23, 2021 · 62,812 vehicles
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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 repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings
2002 Audi S4 4-DR. w/SAB
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
Not Rated
2002 Audi S4 Avant 4-DR. w/SAB
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
Not Rated
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
Fuel economy
S4
18mpg combined
City / highway
15 / 22 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
2.7 L · 6 cyl · Manual 6-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,550/year to fuel
S4
18mpg combined
City / highway
15 / 22 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
2.7 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S5) · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,550/year to fuel
S4 Avant
18mpg combined
City / highway
15 / 22 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
2.7 L · 6 cyl · Manual 6-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,550/year to fuel
S4 Avant
18mpg combined
City / highway
15 / 22 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
2.7 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S5) · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,550/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
Problem area
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Service brakes, hydraulic Foundation components › Disc › Rotor; Foundation components › Disc
16
0
0
0
24,353 mi
Electrical system Instrument cluster/panel
10
0
0
0
57,000 mi
Seats Front assembly › Power adjust
3
0
0
0
—
Engine and engine cooling Engine
1
0
0
0
—
Equipment
1
0
0
0
—
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Apr 22, 2008 · 85,000 milesElectrical system › Instrument cluster/panel 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.
May 17, 2008 · 57,000 milesElectrical system › Instrument cluster/panel 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.*JB
Sep 7, 2006 · 60,000 milesElectrical system 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.
Dec 23, 2008 · 59,600 milesElectrical system 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. *TR
Sep 17, 2008 · 36,254 milesElectrical system 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+). *TR
Aug 15, 2007 · 89,000 milesElectrical system › Instrument cluster/panel 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. *TR
Nov 2, 2007 · 47,000 milesElectrical system › Instrument cluster/panel 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.
Feb 1, 2006 · 35,000 milesElectrical system › Instrument cluster/panel DASHBOARD INSTRUMENT CLUSTER LED DISPLAY IS BURNING OUT. *JB
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.