2002 Audi A4 Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2002 Audi A4, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Electrical7737.0%
- Engine3315.9%
- Exterior lighting178.2%
- Transmission136.3%
- Visibility115.3%
- Airbags83.8%
- Fuel system73.4%
- Interior & seats73.4%
- Other / unspecified62.9%
- Tires & wheels62.9%
- Suspension52.4%
- Driver assistance41.9%
- Brakes41.9%
- Powertrain (other)31.4%
- Heating & air conditioning31.4%
- Seat belts21.0%
- Steering21.0%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
ON DECEMBER 3RD, 2010, I WAS DRIVING SOUTH ON I-405S HEADING FROM LONG BEACH, CA TO SAN DIEGO, CA. I WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH WHEN MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND I LOST ALL ACCELERATION IN MY CAR. I STILL HAD ELECTRICAL POWER (IE, INDICATORS STILL WORKED, MY MANUAL TRANSMISSION WORKED AND INTERIOR DOME LIGHTS WORKED). I PULLED STRAIGHT OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY AT WHICH POINT I NOTICED THAT THE HOOD OF MY CAR APPEARED TO BE MELTING AND THAT SMOKE WAS RISING OUT OF THE ENGINE. I JUMPED OUT OF THE CAR AND RAN TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO CALL 911. TWO GRACIOUS STRANGERS ATTEMPTED WITH TWO SEPARATE FIRE EXTINGUISHERS TO PUT OUT THE FIRE BUT WERE UNABLE TO. THE ENTIRE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS ENTIRELY CONSUMED BY FLAMES WITHIN 2-3 MINUTES. BY THE TIME THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND EMTS ARRIVED, THE ENTIRE CAR WAS AFLAME AND WAS NO LONGER SALVAGEABLE. IT ONLY TOOK ABOUT 5 MINUTES FOR THE ENTIRE CAR TO GO UP IN FLAMES. ALL THAT REMAINED ONCE THE FIRE WAS PUT OUT WAS THE REAR-HATCHBACK DOOR. EVERYTHING ELSE IN THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY AND TOTALLY MELTED AND BURNED. THE STATE TROOPER WHO WAS AT THE SCENE OF THE INCIDENT SAID THAT THE CAR WAS SO BADLY BURNT IT WOULD BE EXTREMELY HARD TO DETERMINE WHAT CAUSED THE FIRE. I HAVE PICTURES OF THE CAR AFTER THE FIRE AND WOULD BE HAPPY TO SHARE THEM IF NEEDED. THE FIRE WAS SO FAST, HOT AND QUICK THAT IT WAS ONLY 30 MINUTES FROM WHEN MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND I HAD TO PULL OVER, TO THE END OF THE ENTIRE ORDEAL. *TR
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
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 HEADLIGHT ISSUE OR A WIRING ISSUE.. INSURANCE WILL NOT COVER IT.
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, (833) 448-2449) WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
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 HEADLIGHT ISSUE OR A WIRING ISSUE.. INSURANCE WILL NOT COVER IT.
IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE FIRST RAINFALL IN MY OWNERSHIP WITH THIS VEHICLE, BOTH HEADLIGHTS STOPPED WORKING. AUDI HAS NOT DONE ANYTHING TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS NOT A CONVENIENCE ISSUE BUT A SAFETY ISSUE FOR DRIVING AT NIGHT. *TR
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
2002 AUDI A4 1.8T, TRANSMISSION CTV, THE CAR HAS 75,000 MILES EVERYTHING WORKS IN THE CAR WITH SOME MINOR STUFF, BUT THE TRANSMISSION START TO JERK WHEN STOP IN A RED LIGHT, IS ALMOST UNCONTROLLABLE, IT WANT TO MOVE THE FORWARD, SO I HAVE TO PRESS THE BRAKE HARD SO IT DOESN'T MOVE. IT STARTS TO GET DANGEROUS TO DRIVE IN THAT KIND OF CONDITION. THIS IS THE SECOND AUDI I OWN AND THAT?S A SHAME THAT SO GOOD QUALITY CAR HAS THIS KIND OF PROBLEM AND THE DEALERS AND AUDI USA DON?T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. YOU SPEND 30 THOUSAND OF DOLLARS AND YOU HAVE TO THROW YOUR CAR AWAY BECAUSE THE FIX COST MORE THAN WHAT YOUR CAR IS WORTH. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 AUDI A4. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE DOWNSHIFTED TO FIRST GEAR AND INSTANTLY CAME TO A STOP. THE CONTACT HAD NO CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE WAS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 97,000.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
WINDSHIELD WIPERS SLOWED CONSIDERABLY AND STOPPED WORKING; FORTUNATELY WE WERE ONLY A HALF-MILE FROM HOME. MECHANIC ADVISED THIS WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE AND THEY HAVE REPLACED MANY WIPER BRACKETS IN THE PAST 6 MONTHS. ADVISED THEY WERE SURPRISED AUDI HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL. *TR
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
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 OF MALFUNCTIONING SEATBELT AND AIRBAG
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
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
INCIDENT HAPPENED ON THE DAY SHOWN ABOVE I WAS RUNNING ERRANDS CAR WAS WORKING WELL THROUGH OUT THE DAY IT WAS WHEN I WENT TO PICK MY HUSBAND UP FROM WORK I STOPPED AT AN INTERSECTION WHEN TRAFFIC LIGHT TURNED GREEN I STEPPED ON THE GAS PEDAL AND THAT'S WHEN IT STARTED CHUGGING AND CHOKING AND DID NOT WANT TO GO MORE THAN 30MPH AND SUDDENLY IT JUST SHUT DOWN WE WERE ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHEN WE TRIED TURNING ON THE CAR AGAIN IT FELT HEAVY AND SLUGGISH FAILED TO START. LEFT CAR OVER NIGHT LOCKED AND ALARM ON WE ALWAYS PUMP 91 CHEVRON GASOLINE AND KEEP UP WITH 5K OIL CHANGES HIRED A INDY MECHANIC AND INSTANTLY NOTICE THE FUEL PUMP WAS NOT ACTIVATING PLEASE HELP. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE FRONT SEAT (DRIVER SIDE) BACK PANEL PLASTIC CLIPS BROKE AND THE WHOLE BACK PANEL LOOSE OFF. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACE ANOTHER PLASTIC CLIPS ONCE BUT IT BROKE AGAIN.
NUMBEROUS OF FAILURES; WINDSHIELD WASHER SYSTEM, DRIVER'S SEAT MOTOR BURNED OUT 3 TIMES, ALL REPLACED. *BF THE FIRST DAY THE CONSUMER WENT TO PICK UP THE VEHICLE FROM THE LOT, THE BATTERY WAS DEAD, HOWEVER 2 MONTHS LATER THE BATTERY WAS DEAD AGAIN, AND 2 MONTHS AFTER THAT THE BATTERY DIED AGAIN. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD A SMALLER BATTERY WAS INADVERTENTLY INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE. THE HEAD LIGHT ASSEMBLY, RADIO AND SPEAKERS WERE REPLACED. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 AUDI A4 EQUIPPED WITH BRIDGESTONE POTENZA TIRES, SIZE: 225/45R17. WHILE PARKED, IT WAS NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE HAD TREAD SEPARATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TIRE WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE WAS REPLACED PREVIOUSLY FOR THE SAME FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE TIRE AND VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE DOT NUMBER AND VIN WERE NOT AVAILABLE.
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 60 MPH ON A DRY AND FLAT INTERSTATE, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SWERVE TO THE LEFT AND ALMOST COLLIDED WITH A MEDIAN. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS NOTICED THAT THE WHOLE SIDEWALL HAD SEPARATED FROM THE TREAD, AND THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE HAD SMALL SPOTS WHERE THE TREAD JOINED THE SIDEWALL. A DONUT TIRE REPLACED THE DEFECTIVE TIRE. ON 09/18/06, THE TIRE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, AND SUGGESTED THAT THE VEHICLE BE TAKEN TO A TIRE DEALERSHIP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO AGREED THAT THE TIRE WAS DEFECTIVE BUT OFFERED NO RESOLUTION. THE MANUFACTURER SUGGESTED THAT THE DEFECTIVE TIRES BE SENT IN FOR INSPECTION AND THAT 4 NEW TIRES SHOULD BE PURCHASED. THE TIRES WERE REGULARLY CHECKED FOR CORRECT PRESSURE, AND ROTATED ON TIME. THE CONTACT DID NOT NOTICE ANY VIBRATIONS WHILE DRIVING. THERE WAS NO ABNORMAL BULGING IN THE TIRES. PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE SIDEWALLS ON THE FRONT DRIVER AND REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRES WERE CRACKED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
I BOUGHT A CAR FROM A USED CAR DEALER IN RENTON WA. AFTER ABOUT A YEAR WENT BY I NOTICED THAT I HAVEN'T RECEIVED THE TITLE. CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME I HAVE TO CONTACT DMV. TALKED TO A PERSON IN THE RENTON OFFICE AND TWICE TO THE COVINGTON OFFICE. THEY TOLD ME I HAVE TO PAY A 39 DOLLAR CHARGE TO GET A TITLE. DECIDED TO MAYBE TRADE THE CAR IN AND FOUND OUT THE FRAME WAS BENT. I ALREADY SPENT 1200 DOLLARS FOR PARTS MISSING ON THE CAR. NOW ANOTHER PART IS AD AT ANOTHER 1500 DOLLARS TO MAKE THE AIR WORK. APPARENTLY THE CAR HAD BEEN CRASHED AND PICKED BACK TOGETHER JUST TO OFF IT. COMPLAINED A OUT PARTS MISSING AND THEY AGREED TO GIVE ME 400 DOLLARS FOR THE FIRST PROBLEM. NEVER DID SEE THE MONEY. I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A TOTAL REFUND OF THE DIFFERENCE FROM WHAT THEY GAVE ME FOR THE CAR AFTER THE 25000 DOLLARS THEY GAVE ME FOR THE TRUCK LOAD I TRADED IN. *TR
NAR 02/28/2003 MR THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY BEGINS TO SHUDDER AND RAPIDLY LOSE POWER, MAKING IT UNABLE TO MERGE SAFELY OR DRIVE AT INTERSTATE HIGHWAY SPEEDS. *CB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 AUDI A4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO GO THROUGH AN INTERSECTION. THE CONTACT ENGAGED THE BRAKES TO STOP AND SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE RPMS INCREASED RAPIDLY SO THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THIS FAILURE WAS THE SECOND OCCURRENCE. THE DEALER PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST BUT COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSE FOR THE FAILURE. THE DEALER SUGGESTED THAT THE FLOOR MAT HAD BECOME CAUGHT ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BUT THE CONTACT STATED THAT IT HAD NOT HAPPENED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,600. UPDATED 01/18/11 *BF UPDATED 01/31/11
WHILE TRAVELING 15-20 MPH VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE, AND HIT A SMALL TREE TO BRING VEHICLE TO A STOP. VEHICLE WAS LOOKED AT BY DEALER/MECHANIC, BUT THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, AND DETERMINED THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. CONSUMER WAS AFRAID THAT THIS VEHICLE MIGHT DO THE SAME THING AGAIN, AND DID NOT WANT TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE PULLING INTO THE DRIVEWAY, THE BRAKES FAILED. THE PEDAL LOCKED UP AND WOULD NOT MOVE. THERE WAS NO BRAKING FORCE AT ALL. I ATTEMPTED TO ENGAGE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE BUT WAS UNABLE TO BEFORE THE CAR CRASHED INTO THE BACK OF THE GARAGE, CAUSING SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THE CAR AND THE HOUSE. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY IN THE BODY SHOP AND WILL THEN BE SENT TO THE MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC AND REPAIRS. *TR
2002 AUDI A4 CUSTOMER STATES THAT FAILED BRAKES CAUSED AN ACCIDENT**CC THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE BRAKES COLLAPSED UPON HIM TRYING TO APPLY THEM. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THE COLLISION MUST HAVE OCCURRED FIRST, AND IN THE COURSE OF THE COLLISION, THE BRACKET IN WHICH THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS MOUNTED COLLAPSED, AS IT WAS DESIGNED TO DO. (LAWYER WROTE IN ON BEHALF OF CONSUMER). *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 AUDI A4. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH SHE HEARD A LOUD POPPING NOISE AND SMOKE CAME FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AND IT WAS TOWED TO A DEALER. THEY DEALER ADVISED HER THAT THE DIFFERENTIAL IN THE TRANSMISSION OVERHEATED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND OFFERED TO BUY HER VEHICLE FOR $500. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 105,000.
CAR JERKS THEN SHUTS OFF ESPECIALLY WHEN COMING TO A STOP OR AFTER CHANGING GEARS. IT ALSO JERKS WHEN ON AN INCLINED STREET, THE CAR STARTS TO ROLL BACK, JERKS AFTER ACCELERATION, THEN CUTS OFF COMPLETELY. AFTER IT SHUTS OFF, IT TAKES A WHILE FOR IT TO TURN BACK ON AND ONLY TO FIND THE CHECK ENGINE AND EPC LIGHT ON. IT'S COME TO THE POINT WHERE I'M TOO AFRAID TO DRIVE MY OWN VEHICLE. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
STEREO-FAILURE AND REPLACEMENT ON AT LEAST (4) OCCASIONS WINSHIELD FLUID DISPENSER/WIPER MALFUNCTION SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT MALFUNCTION-AT LEAST (5) OCCASIONS SOLENOID VALVE BAD CLUTCH SWITCH BAD BLOWER IN AIR CONDITIONING/HEATER UNIT BAD PIRELI TIRES-BROKEN BELTS IN ALL FOUR (AT 25,000 MILES)- THESE ARE THE TIRES PLACED ON THE VEHICLE BY AUDI COILS BAD GAS GAUGE MIS READ
A/C CONDENSER SPUNG A LEAK AND ALL FREON ESCAPED WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE CAR. DEALER REPLACED THE CONDENSER. *NLM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
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 OF MALFUNCTIONING SEATBELT AND AIRBAG
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
IGNITION COIL FAILED ON HIGHWAY. CAR "SHOOK" VIOLENTLY UNTIL STOPPED IN PARKING LOT. ONCE CAR WAS OFF THE ROAD, THE COIL HOUSING CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE ULTIMATELY BURNED ITSELF OUT, AND THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. THE DEALERSHIP NOTIFIED AUDI USA OF THE DEFECT AND RECOMMENDED VEHICLE REPLACEMENT. AUDI USA ELECTED TO REPAIR CAR UNDER WARRANTY. MULTIPLE FAILURES HAVE OCCURRED SINCE (SEE LIST). TS
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .