FaultScore
See all results →
All makes Worst years, ranked Problems by part Problems by model year Recalls in Canada Compare two cars How we grade

FaultScore report

2002 Audi S4 problems

Owners have filed 31 complaints about the 2002 Audi S4 with NHTSA between 2003 and 2009. The largest single group is the brakes. Across this model's run it ranks 8 of 14 worst.

Read the complaints What breaks Worst years for the Audi S4 All 2002 cars
B

FaultScore 36/100

Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Audi S4.

How this is worked out

The numbers

31

Complaints

0

Crashes reported

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries reported

26,361 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

62%

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

What kind of bad

The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.

Complaint volume 32 vs 50 Severity 0 vs 50 Early failure 100 vs 50
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 32
Against the median year of the Audi S4. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 0
0% of these complaints involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of 9.7%.
Early failure — 100
62% of failures with a mileage on record happened under 36,000 miles, against a national rate of 29%.

How 2002 compares with every other Audi S4

Click any bar to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 2002 Audi S4

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Brakes 16 51.6%

Median failure at 24,353 miles

Electrical System 10 32.3%

Median failure at 57,000 miles

Seats 3 9.7%

Median failure at 11,493 miles

Equipment & Accessories 1 3.2%

Median failure at 36,254 miles

Engine & Cooling 1 3.2%

Median failure at 48,850 miles

Exactly what failed

NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.

Rotor 8 32.0%
Instrument Cluster/Panel 5 20.0%
Disc 5 20.0%
Power Adjust 3 12.0%
Pads 2 8.0%
Hoses, Lines/Piping, AND Fittings 1 4.0%
Engine 1 4.0%

When it fails

Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.

1,000 – 9,999 miles 2 7.7%
10,000 – 24,999 miles 8 30.8%
25,000 – 49,999 miles 11 42.3%
50,000 – 74,999 miles 3 11.5%
75,000 – 99,999 miles 2 7.7%

When owners complained

A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.

Oct 2003 peak 13 Apr 2009

Recalls on the 2002 Audi S4

A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous enough to fix for free — however old the car is.

Canada — Transport Canada

Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not always mirror the American ones.

Recall 2021391 5,742 units in Canada

Airbag

Issue: On certain vehicles, exposure to moisture over time could cause the driver-front airbag not to inflate properly in a crash. Safety Risk: An airbag that does not inflate properly could increase the risk of injury in a crash. Corrective Actions: Audi will notify owners by mail and instruct you to bring your vehicle to a dealer to install a newly designed driver-front airbag inflator.

Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

at 85,000 miles Orange, CT

ELECTRICAL 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.

NHTSA complaint #10266651 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 57,000 miles Melville, NY

ELECTRICAL 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.

NHTSA complaint #10263585 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 60,000 miles Cambridge, MA

ELECTRICAL 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.

NHTSA complaint #10255752 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 59,600 miles Portage, MI

ELECTRICAL 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.

NHTSA complaint #10252773 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 36,254 miles East Hampstead, NH

ELECTRICAL 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+).

NHTSA complaint #10244903 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 36,254 miles East Hampstead, NH

EQUIPMENT

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+).

NHTSA complaint #10244903 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 89,000 miles Erie, CO

ELECTRICAL 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.

NHTSA complaint #10208421 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 47,000 miles SAN Ramone, CA

ELECTRICAL 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.

NHTSA complaint #10208206 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 35,000 miles Danbury, CT

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

DASHBOARD INSTRUMENT CLUSTER LED DISPLAY IS BURNING OUT.

NHTSA complaint #10204632 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 38,750 miles Danbury, CT

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

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.

NHTSA complaint #10165685 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 48,850 miles Overland Park, KS

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

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.

NHTSA complaint #10145179 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Jupiter, FL

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

HAD A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COME ON WHEN DIAGONAL, FOUND FAULT 16985 AESIS ADVISED TO REPLACE ECM. ECM WAS REPLACED, SINCE THEN HAVE BEEN LOSING POWER DURING ACCELERATION TO THE POINT WHERE THE CAR DOES NOT HAVE ANY POWER THEN KICKS BACK IN. TAKING TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY SAY THEY CAN NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG.

NHTSA complaint #10072355 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 27,836 miles Overland Park, KS

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

ONGOING COMPLAINT: BRAKES VIBRATE WHEN STOPPING. DEALER REPORTED FRONT ROTORS WARPED AND PADS HAVE CHUNKS MISSING. DEALER REPLACED WITH PART NOS. 8D0-615-301-M FRONT BRAKE DISCS AND 4B3-698-151 FRONT BRAKE PADS/LININGS. THE CAR WAS RETURNED TO ME WITH THE VIBRATION STILL PRESENT. I CONTACTED THE DEALER SERVICE ADVISOR WHO ADVISED ME TO DRIVE A FEW HUNDRED MILES TO SEE IF THE BRAKES BED AND THE VIBRATION SMOOTHES OUT.

NHTSA complaint #10058332 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Shawnee Mission, KS

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH AND WHEN DEPRESSING BRAKES THEY VIBRATED/ PULSATED. VEHICLE WAS SERVICED, AND DEALER REPLACED FRONT BRAKE ROTORS AND PADS.

NHTSA complaint #10059188 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Shawnee Mission, KS

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS

CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH AND WHEN DEPRESSING BRAKES THEY VIBRATED/ PULSATED. VEHICLE WAS SERVICED, AND DEALER REPLACED FRONT BRAKE ROTORS AND PADS.

NHTSA complaint #10059188 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 15,701 miles Overland Park, KS

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC

CAR SHIMMIES AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS UNDER BRAKING. AUTO GALLERY, 21301 VENTURA BLVD., WOODLAND HILLS, CA 91364 MACHINED THE FRONT ROTORS UNDER WARRANTY AS A TEMPORARY REPAIR SO I COULD DRIVE HOME TO OVERLAND PARK, KS AND HAVE ROTORS INSTALLED. THEY INDICATED THAT THEY GO THROUGH SO MANY FOR S4S, A6S, AND A8S (SAME BRAKES) THAT THEY CANNOT KEEP ENOUGH IN STOCK.

NHTSA complaint #10057004 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 17,817 miles Overland Park, KS

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC

BRAKES PULSATE/VIBRATE WHEN APPLIED. DEALER SERVICE TECHNICIAN FOUND THAT BOTH FRONT ROTORS HAVE EXCESSIVE RUN-OUT. REPLACED BOTH FRONT ROTORS WITH PART NO. 8D0-615-301-K.

NHTSA complaint #10057008 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 26,361 miles Overland Park, KS

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC

BRAKES CONTINUED TO PULSATE AFTER LAST ATTEMPT TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE DEALER FOUND THAT THE REAR ROTORS WERE OUT OF SPEC AND REPLACED THEM WITH PART NUMBER 8D0-615-601-D.

NHTSA complaint #10057012 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 24,353 miles Overland Park, MO

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC

BRAKES PULSATE WHEN STOPPING. DEALER ROAD TESTED VEHICLE TO CONFIRM CONDITION. DEALER REPORTED THAT FRONT AND REAR BRAKE ROTORS HAD EXCESS RADIAL AXIAL RUN-OUT. REPLACED FRONT ROTORS UNDER WARRANTY WITH PART NUMBER 8D0-615-301-M. REPLACED REAR ROTORS WITH PART NUMBER 8D0-615-601-D.

NHTSA complaint #10057010 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 26,359 miles Overland Park, KS

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC

PULSATION FELT WHEN BRAKING. DEALER ROAD TESTED AND REPORTED THAT THE PULSATION WAS FELT, THEY INSPECTED AND REPLACED FRONT ROTORS WITH PART NUMBER 8D0-615-301-M. AFTER PICKING UP THE CAR, THE CONDITION STILL EXISTED.

NHTSA complaint #10057011 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 15,701 miles Overland Park, KS

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

CAR SHIMMIES AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS UNDER BRAKING. AUTO GALLERY, 21301 VENTURA BLVD., WOODLAND HILLS, CA 91364 MACHINED THE FRONT ROTORS UNDER WARRANTY AS A TEMPORARY REPAIR SO I COULD DRIVE HOME TO OVERLAND PARK, KS AND HAVE ROTORS INSTALLED. THEY INDICATED THAT THEY GO THROUGH SO MANY FOR S4S, A6S, AND A8S (SAME BRAKES) THAT THEY CANNOT KEEP ENOUGH IN STOCK.

NHTSA complaint #10057004 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 17,817 miles Overland Park, KS

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

BRAKES PULSATE/VIBRATE WHEN APPLIED. DEALER SERVICE TECHNICIAN FOUND THAT BOTH FRONT ROTORS HAVE EXCESSIVE RUN-OUT. REPLACED BOTH FRONT ROTORS WITH PART NO. 8D0-615-301-K.

NHTSA complaint #10057008 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 26,361 miles Overland Park, KS

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

BRAKES CONTINUED TO PULSATE AFTER LAST ATTEMPT TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE DEALER FOUND THAT THE REAR ROTORS WERE OUT OF SPEC AND REPLACED THEM WITH PART NUMBER 8D0-615-601-D.

NHTSA complaint #10057012 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 24,353 miles Overland Park, MO

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

BRAKES PULSATE WHEN STOPPING. DEALER ROAD TESTED VEHICLE TO CONFIRM CONDITION. DEALER REPORTED THAT FRONT AND REAR BRAKE ROTORS HAD EXCESS RADIAL AXIAL RUN-OUT. REPLACED FRONT ROTORS UNDER WARRANTY WITH PART NUMBER 8D0-615-301-M. REPLACED REAR ROTORS WITH PART NUMBER 8D0-615-601-D.

NHTSA complaint #10057010 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 26,359 miles Overland Park, KS

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

PULSATION FELT WHEN BRAKING. DEALER ROAD TESTED AND REPORTED THAT THE PULSATION WAS FELT, THEY INSPECTED AND REPLACED FRONT ROTORS WITH PART NUMBER 8D0-615-301-M. AFTER PICKING UP THE CAR, THE CONDITION STILL EXISTED.

NHTSA complaint #10057011 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.